Anorexia nervosa is psychological disorder when a person refuses to eat and consequently loses more importance than is good for them.

The problem occurs in between 5% and 10% of 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 due to a distorted body image.

Those effected have an irrational but nevertheless intense concern with getting fat even if the condition has progressed to date they are obviously emaciated.

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

eating disorders

Causes and Incidence of Anorexia

No direct causes have been isolated but genes, social pressures equating slimness being a sign of beauty and psychological factors have been implicated.Associated conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorders, depression and anxiety tend to be present as well.

Anorexia is quite often noticed in people with cancer, specifically in patients that have advanced cancer and actually Anorexia is regarded as the frequent reason for malnutrition in cancer patients.

Signs and 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 as well as an intolerance of cold conditions are indicative of Anorexia.

Lack of fatty tissues and breast type tissue, blotchy and sallow skin, scalp problems and skeletal muscle atrophy is also indicators.

On examination, the heart beat rate may be low and Bradycardia can also be present, salivary glands and bowels might be distended.

These physical symptoms are strangely enough often combined with excessive vigor and exercise.

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

Diagnosing Anorexia

Anorexia is normally first diagnosed by the family physician but formal diagnosis is based on the next standards;

eating disorders

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

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

* A distorted thought of themselves shape.

* The absence of a minimum of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles.

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

Treating Anorexia

After assessment by way of a team including physicians, dietitians and psychiatrists, the aim would be to promote weight gain, control bulimia if present and find out and address any underlying psychological problems.

Hospitalization may be required, supplementation with vitamins and minerals will probably be necessary and group or family psychotherapy is important.

Mood altering medicines including tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors are occasionally prescribed nevertheless the evidence because of this type of treatment solutions are weak. Appetite stimulants may also be used.

Using acupunture patches to aid activate your body's disease fighting capability and physical welfare has some possible beneficial effects.

For treatment to be successful, the root problems of low self-confidence, anxiety and depression should be addressed first.

An excellent regime might include;

* Hospitalization

* Psychiatric counselling

* The negotiation of a target weight plus an adequate intake of food

* Supervision during meals

* Emotional support

* Group therapy

* Using a food journal

* Advice towards the family

While a relatively good number of anorexics can be successfully treated, particularly in early cases, mortality is still from 5% to 15% with about a third of deaths because of suicide.