Anorexia nervosa is a well known eating disorder. It is more common in females. In fact ninety percent of such patients are females. So what it actually is?
This condition is characterized by an irrational fear of becoming fat. The patient tries to avoid food as much as possible. This leads to marked weight loss. It is frequently associated with purging, excessive exercise or using laxatives and diuretics. However in spite of the weight loss, the patient feels overweight. They are basically scared of gaining weight. No matter how much weight they loose, they always feel that they are overweight. What leads to this condition is not clearly known however some genetic and environmental factors might be involved. The social pressure to look good and thin can also lead to anorexia nervosa.
One of the diagnostic criteria for this condition is when your body mass index or BMI goes below 17.5. This happens when one looses almost 15% of their total body weight. The condition is also diagnosed when a person avoids high calorie food totally, considers herself to be fat even though is completely emaciated. Females often come with the complaint of amenorrhea (no menstrual cycles) for more than 3 months or so. Anorexia nervosa can lead to a number of complications especially in the heart. It can lead to arrhythmias and ECG changes. The patient will obviously become anemic and can have pubertal arrest or delay. Bone mineralization is also impaired and can lead to osteoporosis. The bones can become really weak. Abdominal pain and constipation are also quite common is these females. Renal stones can also occur.
A proper counseling of the patient is very important in this condition. She needs to be told about her wrong beliefs and misconceptions. Cognitive behavior therapy and family therapy are often the preferred treatment options. Psychotropic drugs are not used too often. Compulsory feeding with tube needs to be done in extreme cases when the patient’s condition is very serious. The patient needs to be educated about anorexia nervosa. Nutritional therapy is also important here. The patient needs to be advised about the importance of eating healthy food and balanced meals. Any serious medical condition associated with anorexia should be treated accordingly.
This eating disorder can even kill if not treated on time. All these patients need is proper counseling. It’s not very easy to convince these patients to gain weight but through proper behavior and cognitive therapy, this condition can definitely be treated. The sooner the condition is treated, the better the results!
Watch the video below to understand this disorder in a better way!
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