Anorexia Nervosa, a Silent Killer - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Understanding Anorexia Nervosa
Most people suffer from eating-related disorders. Often these disorders do not pose any serious health concern; however, some disorders, if left untreated, can be life-threating sometimes.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating-related disorder in which the patient is constantly trying to reduce their body weight either by exercising excessively or reducing to their food intake to reduce their daily calorific requirement.
Patients suffering from anorexia show signs of physical and emotional discontent and may suffer from chronic depression, which if unchecked can lead self-destructive tendencies.
Anorexia nervosa is generally observed in teenage women; however, it has also been observed in middle-aged women and men. This disorder can lead to severe weight loss and life-threatening consequences in some cases.
In this condition, a person develops fear of weight gain. To counter this, try decrease their food consumption to intake as less calories as possible. For a normal human being, 3000 calories need to be taken for the body to function properly; however, people suffering from anorexia nervosa tend to consume far less calories, which leads to mental and physical fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks, and other range of ailments.
Identifying the symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexic people are obsessed with weight loss.
Some of the patients restrict their calorie intake severely, while some engage
in excessive high-intensity exercises to lose weight. Some patients even resort
to vomiting and use of diuretic drugs to lose weight. Bulimic people are more
susceptible to anorexia nervosa. Some patients with anorexia also develop
bulimia.
People with anorexia develop symptoms such as severe weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, hair loss, constipation, irregular menstrual cycles, dry skin, and low blood pressure.
Behavioural changes such as excessive exercise, irritability, social withdrawal, depression, mood swings are also observed in anorexic patients.
Causes of Anorexia Nervosa
Different factors, such as biological, environmental, and psychological, contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa in an individual.
Diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa
The diagnosis of anorexia starts by performing physical examinations about the patient's blood pressure and heart rate. In this regard, consultation with a good physician will be a better option, and people suffering from blood pressure should continue their medicines that could be available from the online pharmacies in India.
Blood tests may be required to check electrolyte levels and vital organs function.Tests for celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease may have to conduct in some cases. Psychological examinations also are needed depending on the patient's condition.
Anorexia Nervosa Treatment:
The treatment starts with an aim to restore the real weight of the body. Caregivers aim to establish general eating habits for the patient. Consultation with a good dietician for the same will be a good step so that he or she can guide the patient so that the recovery is consistent.
Group therapies are also recommended by the doctors to help the patient overcome this disorder.
Family members are often encouraged to participate in the treatment cycle. It may help in resolving family-related issues that might be contributing to the patient's condition. Family therapies are vital as it helps to create a supportive platform for the patient. Encouragement from the family is essential to motivate the patient and help them overcome this condition.
Group therapy sessions allow anorexic people to socialize and share their views. It also helps them understand that they are not alone. The group therapies should, however, be lead by a qualified medical professional, who also prescribed some medicines to the patients depending on the severity of the condition of a patient, and these medicines could easily be available in any retail or top online pharmacies in India.
There are no known medicines at present to cure anorexia nervosa? Antidepressants may be prescribed by doctors to overcome depression; however, it should contemplate that Antidepressants are habit-forming drugs. Once the individual starts taking them, they should only stop the regimen after consulting with a physician.
Long-Term Outlook for Overcoming Anorexia
Most people recover from anorexia. In a few cases, the condition can become severe. Joining a support group can be beneficial for patients trying to overcome anorexia nervosa. This can help increase their chances of recovery.
Conclusion:
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and generally observed in young women.
People suffering from this ailment are obsessed with weight and can go to lengths to reduce weight. The methods employed by the patient can range from diet restriction to excessive exercise and the use of diuretics.
Prevention of anorexia nervosa is difficult, but it is possible by communication and positive reinforcement of the affected individual. Identifying the symptoms for anorexia can help in quick diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
People with anorexia develop symptoms such as severe weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, hair loss, constipation, irregular menstrual cycles, dry skin, and low blood pressure.
Behavioural changes such as excessive exercise, irritability, social withdrawal, depression, mood swings are also observed in anorexic patients.
Causes of Anorexia Nervosa
Different factors, such as biological, environmental, and psychological, contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa in an individual.
- People suffering from anorexia exhibit low self-esteem and hold their bodies in negative regard. They are unsatisfied with their looks and appearance.
- Genetics and hormonal imbalance may also contribute to the development of this condition.
- Peer pressure is also the main factor contributing to the development of this disorder. The patient suffering from anorexia are generally obsessed with what others think about then. Obsession with unrealistic body images due to peer pressure and media exposure can harm young people, and this may lead them on a self-destructive path.
- People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be more susceptible to anorexia as they may be more predisposed to maintaining a strict diet and exercise regimen.
Diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa
The diagnosis of anorexia starts by performing physical examinations about the patient's blood pressure and heart rate. In this regard, consultation with a good physician will be a better option, and people suffering from blood pressure should continue their medicines that could be available from the online pharmacies in India.
Blood tests may be required to check electrolyte levels and vital organs function.Tests for celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease may have to conduct in some cases. Psychological examinations also are needed depending on the patient's condition.
Anorexia Nervosa Treatment:
Realizing
that there is a problem is the greatest obstacle that an anorexic patient face.
Many patients with anorexia nervosa refuse to believe that they have a severe
medical condition. These can render the treatment course ineffective.
The treatment starts with an aim to restore the real weight of the body. Caregivers aim to establish general eating habits for the patient. Consultation with a good dietician for the same will be a good step so that he or she can guide the patient so that the recovery is consistent.
Group therapies are also recommended by the doctors to help the patient overcome this disorder.
Family members are often encouraged to participate in the treatment cycle. It may help in resolving family-related issues that might be contributing to the patient's condition. Family therapies are vital as it helps to create a supportive platform for the patient. Encouragement from the family is essential to motivate the patient and help them overcome this condition.
Group therapy sessions allow anorexic people to socialize and share their views. It also helps them understand that they are not alone. The group therapies should, however, be lead by a qualified medical professional, who also prescribed some medicines to the patients depending on the severity of the condition of a patient, and these medicines could easily be available in any retail or top online pharmacies in India.
There are no known medicines at present to cure anorexia nervosa? Antidepressants may be prescribed by doctors to overcome depression; however, it should contemplate that Antidepressants are habit-forming drugs. Once the individual starts taking them, they should only stop the regimen after consulting with a physician.
Long-Term Outlook for Overcoming Anorexia
Most people recover from anorexia. In a few cases, the condition can become severe. Joining a support group can be beneficial for patients trying to overcome anorexia nervosa. This can help increase their chances of recovery.
Conclusion:
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and generally observed in young women.
People suffering from this ailment are obsessed with weight and can go to lengths to reduce weight. The methods employed by the patient can range from diet restriction to excessive exercise and the use of diuretics.
Prevention of anorexia nervosa is difficult, but it is possible by communication and positive reinforcement of the affected individual. Identifying the symptoms for anorexia can help in quick diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
