Anorexia nervosa is psychological disorder in which a person will not eat and thus loses more weight than has good health for her or him.

The situation happens in between 5% and 10% from the population, mostly in adolescent girls and women, but one in ten sufferers are males although this number is increasing fast.

The key feature of Anorexia Nervosa is self imposed starvation as a result of distorted body image.

Those effected have an irrational however intense fear of getting fat even if the situation has progressed up to now that they are obviously emaciated.

Although anorexia means without appetite, anorexics are paradoxically often extremely hungry and rarely lose their appetite.

bulimia nervosa

Causes and Incidence of Anorexia

No direct causes are already isolated but genetic factors, social pressures equating slimness as a sign of beauty and psychological factors happen to be implicated.Associated conditions including obsessive compulsive disorders, depression and anxiety tend to be present as well.

Anorexia is quite often seen in people who have cancer, specially in patients who have advanced cancer and in fact Anorexia is regarded as the common cause of malnutrition in cancer patients.

Signs or symptoms

A nearly morbid preoccupation about being fat along with a recent weight-loss of 25% or maybe more without physical causes, anger, ritualistic behaviour, amenorrhea, loss in libido, constant tiredness, sleep disturbances, constipation plus an intolerance of cold conditions are suggestive of Anorexia.

Loss in fatty tissues and breast type tissue, blotchy and sallow skin, scalp problems and skeletal muscle atrophy are other indicators.

On examination, the heartbeat rate could be low and Bradycardia may also be present, salivary glands and bowels could be distended.

These physical symptoms are curiously often associated with excessive vigor and exercise.

Another rather paradoxical finding is surely an obsession with preparing and serving elaborate meals for other people.

Diagnosing Anorexia

Anorexia is normally first diagnosed by the family physician but formal diagnosis is founded on these standards;

anorexia

* Refusal to keep up bodyweight with a normal level for age and height, often falling to 15% or just as much as 25% beneath the norm.

* An intense anxiety about putting on the weight or becoming fat despite the obvious underweight problem.

* A distorted thought of their body shape.

* The lack of no less than 3 consecutive menstrual cycles.

Further tests can rule out endocrine, metabolic and CNS abnormalities along with cancer as well as other diseases implicated in physical wasting.

Treating Anorexia

After assessment by a team which includes physicians, dietitians and psychiatrists, the goal is to promote putting on weight, control bulimia if there are any and find out and address any underlying psychological problems.

Hospitalization are usually necesary, the use of vitamins and minerals will probably be necessary and group or family psychotherapy is important.

Mood altering medicines for example tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors are sometimes prescribed nevertheless the evidence for this type of treatment is weak. Appetite stimulants could also be used.

The usage of acupunture patches to aid activate your body's immune system and physical welfare has some possible beneficial effects.

For treatment to be successful, the underlying problems of low self esteem, anxiety and depression has to be addressed first.

An excellent regime might include;

* Hospitalization

* Psychiatric counselling

* The negotiation of the target weight and an adequate diet

* Supervision during meal times

* Emotional support

* Group therapy

* The use of a food journal

* Advice to the family

While a fairly significant amount of anorexics can be successfully treated, specifically in early cases, mortality continues to be from 5% to 15% with about a third of deaths because of suicide.