Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion. Inadequate calorie intake or excessive energy expenditure results in severe weight loss (see also bulimia and intentional weight loss ). Individuals with anorexia often control body weight by voluntary starvation , purging, vomiting , excessive exercise , or other weight control measures, such as diet pills or diuretic drugs. A person who has anorexia severely limits the amount of food he or she eats, has an intense fear of gaining weight, and can become dangerously thin. People with anorexia typically have a disturbed electrolyte balance, particularly low levels of phosphate which has been linked to heart failure, muscle weakness, immune dysfunction, and ultimately, death. Osteoporosis can also develop as a result of anorexia in 38-50% of cases, as poor nutrition leads to the retarded growth of essential bone structure and low bone mineral density . Enlargement of the ventricles of the brain is thought to be associated with starvation, and is partially reversed when normal weight is maintained. Anorexia is also linked to reduced blood flow in the temporal lobes , although as this finding does not correlate with current weight, it is possible that it is a risk trait, rather than an effect of starvation.

Anorexia nervosa is an illness that usually occurs in teenage girls, but it can also occur in teenage boys, and adult women and men. In addition to the classic pattern of restrictive eating, some people will also engage in recurrent binge eating and purging episodes. It primarily affects young adolescent girls in the Western world and has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition, with approximately 10% of people diagnosed with the condition eventually dying due to related factors. Anorexia is a life threatening condition that can put a serious strain on many of the body's organs and physiological resources. A recent review of the scientific literature outlined a number of reliable findings in this area. People who have an ongoing preoccupation with food and weight even when they are thin would benefit from exploring their thoughts and relationships with a therapist. In fact, people with anorexia nervosa ignore hunger and thus control their desire to eat. Obsessive exercise may accompany the starving behavior and cause others to assume the person must be healthy.

Causes of Anorexia Nervosa

The common Causes of Anorexia Nervosa :

Extreme dieting changes how the brain and metabolism work, and it stresses the body. These changes may make you more likely to develop an eating disorder.
A combination of certain personality traits (such as low self-confidence along with perfectionism) and cultural and social pressures can play a part in anorexia.
Genetics play a big part in anorexia and bulimia . Compared with people who do not have these disorders, people who have eating disorders are more likely to have a family history of an eating disorder, obesity, or a mood disorder (such as anxiety or depression ).
For some teens, anorexia may be a way of coping with stress and the challenges of the teen years. Stressful life events, such as moving, divorce, or the death of a loved one, can trigger anorexia.

Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

Some Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa :

Low blood pressure
Skeletal muscle atrophy
Absence of menstruation
Loss of fatty tissue
Weight loss of 15% or greater below the expected weight
Blotchy or yellow skin
Depression may be present in addition to the eating disorder

Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

Your health professional will follow your health and weight, because anorexia affects all organ systems in your body. If needed, you will be treated for conditions such as osteoporosis , heart problems, or depression .
A registered dietitian will help you take charge of your eating and weight in a healthy way. Your dietitian can help you to adjust what you eat along with your changing health needs.
A counselor will help you develop your own plan to use new coping and stress management skills and prevent relapse. Your counselor can help you at those times when it is hard to stick to healthy ways of thinking about food and your body. Family therapy can also help your family members support your recovery.

Bowel & Stomach Diseases

Appendicitis
Barett's Oesophagus
Coeliac Disease
Crohn's Disease

Heart Problems

Angina
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation

Infectious Diseases

Bacterial Vaginosis
Bird Flu
Boils
Cellulitis
Chicken Pox
Cystitis

Skin Disorders

Acne
Alopecia Areata
Baldness

Women Diseases

Abnormal Periods
Atropic Vaginitis
Breast Cancer
Breast Pain
Cervical Cancer

Liver & Kidney Diseases

Cholecystitis
Cirrhosis
Fatty Liver Disease
Kidney Cancer
Liver Cancer

Mental Health

Anorexia Nervosa
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bulimia Nervosa
Dementia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia

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