This condition is an eating disorder in which people have meager body weight based on their personal weight history. It is called anorexia nervosa or simply anorexia. While some people with this eating disorder may look thin, others may look overweight. However, they have lost weight but may not achieve the desired results.
Those who experience anorexia frequently experience a strong fear of gaining weight and they may think they have excess body weight even when they are thin. Usually, they limit the amount or type of food they eat to prevent weight gain or continue to lose weight. For people with anorexia, it is very important to control weight and shape and in most cases, they use extreme efforts that can cause serious harm for themselves.
Furthermore, people with anorexia may experience brain changes due to poor nutrition (also called malnutrition). It usually occurs when the body does not get enough nutrients to stay healthy and it is a bad choice to continue the risky and damaging behavior.
If this eating disorder is not treated it may lead to serious physical harm and even death. Moreover, anorexia nervosa has the second highest rate of death of any mental condition. In most cases, people with anorexia die due to health conditions and suicide.
There are different treatment options that may help treat this condition. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can help people return to a healthy weight, reverse complications, and improve their quality of life. However, anorexia behaviors are not choices or conditions about food or looking a certain way. It occurs due to brain changes that happen because of malnutrition.
Symptoms
The symptoms that occur in people with anorexia are related to how starvation impacts the brain. Sometimes, it is difficult to notice the symptoms because reduced body weight is different among people and some of them may not look thin. Moreover, people with this eating disorder frequently try to hide their thinness, eating habits, and physical problems.
Physical Symptoms
The most common physical symptoms include dehydration, hypotension (low blood pressure), and irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia). When the body does not have enough water and other fluids it may lead to dehydration. Check below for other physical symptoms:
- Extreme weight loss
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Swelling in the legs or arms
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Feeling hungry right after eating or never feeling hungry
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating
- Decreased bone mass
In addition, women who do not administer contraceptives may not have menstrual periods.
Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms
An extreme focus on food frequently occurs in people with anorexia including preparing food for other people but not eating these meals. They can also skip or refuse meals. Moreover, such people often make excuses for not eating and severely limit their food amount usually through fasting or dieting.
In most cases, people with this eating disorder eat only certain foods usually low in calories and fat. Sometimes, they can take on rigid meals or eating habits including spitting out the food after chewing. They can also not want to eat in public or lie about how much food they have eaten.
Some people may experience binge and purge anorexia type, which leads to the inability to control what and how they eat and may involve sometimes large meals. However, people with this anorexia type anyway eat much less than they really need. In addition, when people make themselves vomit, misuse enemas, laxatives, diuretics, diet aids, and herbal products to get rid of food recently ate is called purges. These people usually have very low body weight.
Check below for other behavioral and emotional symptoms:
- Exercising too much instead of doing something you enjoy. Sometimes, exercises may be so intense that it is noticeably different from the people around you.
- Weight gain fear including the need to weigh or measure the body regularly.
- Frequently checking in the mirror the appearance and wearing layers of clothes on the body parts you think are flaws.
- Concerns about being overweight
- Emotional changes such as not wanting to be social, being irritated or angry, reduced sexual drive, feeling emotionally flat, and others.
- Sleeping disturbances (insomnia)
Additionally, people with anorexia frequently have suicidal thoughts or even attempts. That’s why it is advised to visit a doctor right away if you suspect you or a loved one have anorexia.
Causes
The exact causes of anorexia are not known but healthcare providers think a combination of the following factors could play a role. Examples include:
- Genetics – While the exact genes are not known, genetic changes (mutations) may make you more prone to develop anorexia.
- Mental health disorders – In some cases, people with anorexia also have other mental health problems including obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to have strict diets and not eat.
- Environmental – Social media plays a big role because it puts a lot of focus on being thin, which may lead to an increased desire to be lean, thin, or muscular. Regular push to eat healthy diets may lead to very strict eating habits, which usually cause eating disorders.
Risk Factors
This eating disorder may affect anyone including all gender identities, races, ages, incomes, and body types. However, in most cases, anorexia occurs in teenagers but may appear at any age as well. Young people are more prone to develop this condition due to the body changes that occur during puberty. Moreover, teens are more sensitive to peer pressure, criticism, and other comments about their body shape. Check below some factors that may increase your risk of developing anorexia and other eating disorders too:
- Family history – Your risk of anorexia increases if you have a family member or sibling who has this condition.
- A history of weight bullying – Those who have been bullied or teased about their weight are more prone to develop eating disorders.
- A history of dieting – Certain dieting behaviors may increase your risk of developing eating disorders.
- Transitions – The risk of anorexia may also increase with major changes that happen along with emotional stress. These changes include a new school, home, or job, a relationship breakup, or the death of a loved one.
Complications
This eating disorder may cause multiple complications, especially without treatment. People who experience the most advanced form of anorexia are at greater risk of death. Commonly, death occurs suddenly even if you are not underweight visibly. In most cases, people with anorexia die due to heart problems (such as arrhythmia) and electrolyte imbalances (including sodium, potassium, and calcium). Check below for other anorexia complications:
- Anemia
- Brittle bones (osteoporosis) that lead to an increased risk of bone fractures
- Loss of muscle
- Stomach issues (including bloating, nausea, or constipation)
- Kidney problems
- Other heart diseases (including heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, and others)
Moreover, women with anorexia may not have menstrual periods while in men reduced Testosterone levels are noticed. Damage to approximately all body organs may occur if you are severely malnourished. However, not every time it is possible to reverse the damage, even if you begin to control the condition.
People with anorexia may also have other mental health problems along with physical complications. These include:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Personality disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood disorders
- Misuse of alcoholic drinks and certain substances
- Self-injury (including suicidal thoughts or even attempts)
Is it Possible to Prevent Anorexia?
However, there is no sure what to prevent this eating disorder. However, doctors may notice early symptoms of anorexia by asking certain questions about eating habits and satisfaction. If you notice that a loved one has too rigid eating habits and feels very unhappy with their appearance, you should discuss with them about these problems. While you cannot prevent an eating disorder, it may help convince that person to begin to seek help. The organizations that offer support for caregivers, friends, and family members of those who suffer from eating disorders include NEDA (the National Eating Disorders Association) and F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders).
Diagnosis
In case physicians suspect you have anorexia nervosa, they will perform different tests and examinations to confirm the condition. The following tests also help exclude other conditions that cause similar symptoms and check for complications. Check below some tests:
- Physical examination – This involves the measurement of your height and weight. During this procedure, doctors will check you for abnormalities linked with anorexia such as irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, and reduced body temperature.
- Laboratory tests – Physicians usually perform a complete blood count (CBC) to check for electrolyte imbalances and the function of certain organs including the liver, kidney, and thyroid. Sometimes, doctors may perform a urine test.
- Mental health evaluation – During this procedure, physicians will ask different questions about your thoughts, feelings, and eating habits.
- Imaging tests – Doctors may perform imaging tests to check bone density or broken bones, heart problems, lung disorders (such as pneumonia), and others.
In addition, an echocardiogram also may be used by doctors to check for heart irregularities.
Treatment
Usually, treatment for anorexia involves multiple doctors with experience in treating eating disorders. Check below some treatment options:
Hospitalization and Other Programs
People who are in danger often are treated in a hospital emergency department. Hospitalization is usually needed for the following health problems that may occur in people with anorexia. Examples include electrolyte imbalances, other mental health problems, irregular heart rhythm, dehydration, and others.
There are some clinics that are specialized in treating eating disorders and they offer day treatment programs rather than a hospital stay. However, these programs provide more effective treatment for longer periods. The treatment goal is to return to typical eating patterns and support weight gain. These programs may also help change thoughts and beliefs about limiting eating.
Restoring the Healthy Weight
It is very important to return to a healthy weight because sometimes you can manage anorexia without returning to a healthy weight and good eating habits. Check below some healthcare providers involved in this process:
- A specialist who provides medical care and supervises your weight gain
- A mental health professional with experience in treating eating disorders.
- Dieticians may help restore regular patterns of eating including meal plans and others.
- Family also should be involved in helping you maintain good eating habits, especially for children and teenagers with anorexia or another eating disorder.
Medications
While there are no medicines available for anorexia, doctors may prescribe some medicines for other mental disorders including depression, anxiety, and others. Sometimes, supplements are required to reverse malnutrition effects but normally they should get nutrients from food by returning to regular eating habits and healthy weight. Physicians may recommend vitamin D supplements. In any case, do not take any medicines or supplements without a doctor’s approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of anorexia?
- Body image changes
- Severe fear of gaining weight
- Reduced body weight
- Denial of hunger
- Excessive physical activity
- Abnormal, ritualized, or obsessive eating behaviors
If you notice that you or a loved one experiences any of the previous symptoms, do not hesitate to see a doctor.
What are the possible complications of anorexia?
- Kidney issues
- Hypotension
- Bone loss (osteoporosis)
- Lack of menstrual periods
- Reduced Testosterone in men
- Heart problems (including slow heart rate, arrhythmias, heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, and others)
- Anemia (reduced red blood cell count)
- Electrolyte imbalances
Seek emergency care if any of the previous complication occurs. Sometimes, people with anorexia complications may be hospitalized.
How does anorexia nervosa affect a person’s life?
This condition may cause certain problems such as delayed development in children and young adults, weakness, extreme tiredness (fatigue), infertility, and reduced sex drive. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare professional.
