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Are You Starving Yourself to Slim Down? You Could Be Suffering From Anorexia

Posted by awiopian at Sunday, October 12, 2008
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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder as well as a psychological disorder. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond dieting and the signs of anorexia can be hard to interpret and understand.

A person with anorexia symptoms might initially start dieting to lose weight. With anorexic people losing weight turns into an issue concerning the control or fears relating to one's body.

Does Anorexia Lead to Other Complications?

The effects of anorexia can cause many different physical and mental problems. Some heath threatening side effects of this disorder are:

1. Infertility caused by the absence of menstruation due to hormonal abnormalities.

2. Bone loss. As the body gets fewer nutrients than it really needs and hormonal imbalance shakes the body's system of regeneration, bone loss or bone damage may occur.

3. Anemia. Due to a lack of nutrients in the body a person suffering from anorexia may develop anemia, a lack of iron in the blood that will cause a feeling of weakness, tiredness and overall inability to function or perform physical activity.

Impact of Anorexia on Pregnant women

If a woman does not get treatment for anorexia and regain her normal weight before she gets pregnant there is a very high risk of miscarriage as the body can have difficulty providing nutrients for the foetus. Also, the anorexic body is suffering from fluctuating hormone problems if a person is anorexic. If an anorexic woman gets pregnant, urgent anorexia treatment is needed for the foetus to develop healthily.

The Differences between Anorexia and Bulimia

The main difference between anorexia and bulimia is the fact that people suffering from anorexia starve themselves, avoid high-calorie foods and have the urge to exercise constantly. People with bulimia eat huge amounts of food, but they throw up soon after eating, or take laxatives or diuretics to not gain any weight. People with bulimia tend to not lose as much weight as people with anorexia.

Two Categories of Anorexia

There are two main different types of anorexia but these two types can sometimes overlap. The two types are:
Restricting Anorexia
People suffering from this type of anorexia lose weight because they are severely limiting the amount of food they eat. They also try to lose weight by exercising excessively.
Binge-eating anorexia/purging
People suffering from this type of anorexia are trying controlling their weight by getting rid of food or calories by vomiting after a meal or they misuse laxatives, diuretics or enemas. Some of these people possibly eat excessive amounts of food, and then purge. Others purge after eating a small amount of food.

Symptoms of Anorexia

There are many, often disturbing, signs and symptoms of anorexia. Some of the best identifiable symptoms are:
  • A thin appearance.
  • Abnormal blood counts noted by a doctor.
  • Fatigue.
  • Dizziness or fainting.
  • Brittle nails.
  • Hair that gets thinner rapidly, breaks or falls out.
  • A very dry skin.

Causes of Anorexia

It is hard to pinpoint one particular cause of anorexia. As every person is different, every anorexia sufferer has a different reason for their disorder. Some causes are:
Biological Reasons
Some people are genetically more vulnerable to developing anorexia than others. Anorexia facts show that quite often women with a relative suffering from an eating disorder are at higher risk. Genetics could cause a tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance, which are all associated with this disorder.
Psychological Reasons
People with anorexia often have psychological and emotional characteristics that could cause anorexia. A sense of low self-worth, for instance, could trigger people into developing anorexia.
Sociocultural Reasons
The modern world has reinforced an image of thinness that equals beauty upon us. Success and worth are often equated with being thin, causing people with problems or a low self-esteem to develop anorexia. This is one of the most common anorexia causes.

Diagnosis of Anorexia

If a doctor suspects a possible case of anorexia, the following tests are often used to determine whether a patient is suffering from illness or anorexia:
A physical exam
This type of exam could include measuring height and weight; checking vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; checking the skin for dryness or other problems; listening to the heart and lungs; and examining the abdomen.
Laboratory tests.
Blood counts may be done to check for traces of protein in the blood and the liver, kidney and thyroid functions will be tested.
Psychological evaluation
A psychological test might be done to assess the thoughts, feelings and eating habits of a potential anorexia patient. Psychological self-assessment tests and questionnaires are also used. sometimes.

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