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#Post#: 73--------------------------------------------------
What is Anorexia nervosa?
By: BMHC Date: December 30, 2013, 9:11 pm
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Information is provided by Medline Plus a service of the U.S.
National Library of Medicine National Institute of health.
http://medlineplus.gov/
http://medlineplus.gov/
URL of this page:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000362.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000362.htm
[quote]Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that makes people lose
more weight than is considered healthy for their age and height.
Persons with this disorder may have an intense fear of weight
gain, even when they are underweight. They may diet or exercise
too much or use other ways to lose weight.
Causes
The exact causes of anorexia nervosa are not known. Many factors
may be involved. Genes and hormones may play a role. Social
attitudes that promote very thin body types may also be
involved.
Family conflicts are no longer thought to contribute to this or
other eating disorders.
Risk factors for anorexia include:
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and shape
�
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beauty
�
Anorexia often begins during the pre-teen or teen years or young
adulthood. It is more common in females, but may also be seen in
males. The disorder is seen mainly in white women who are high
achievers in school and who have a goal-oriented family or
personality.
Symptoms
To be diagnosed with anorexia, a person must:
�
when she is underweight
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and height (15% or more below the normal weight)
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body weight or shape, and refuse to admit the danger of weight
loss
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People with anorexia may severely limit the amount of food they
eat. Or they eat and then make themselves throw up. Other
behaviors include:
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instead of eating
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are hurt, or their schedule is busy
�
�
�
diuretics), have a bowel movement (enemas and laxatives), or
decrease their appetite (diet pills)
Other symptoms of anorexia may include:
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�
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clothing to stay warm)
�
�
Treatment
The biggest challenge in treating anorexia nervosa is helping
the person recognize that he or she has an illness. Most people
with anorexia deny that they have an eating disorder. People
often enter treatment only when their condition is serious.
Goals of treatment are to restore normal body weight and eating
habits. A weight gain of 1 to 3 pounds per week is considered a
safe goal.
Different programs have been designed to treat anorexia.
Sometimes the person can gain weight by:
�
�
�
Many patients start with a short hospital stay and follow-up
with a day treatment program.
A longer hospital stay may be needed if:
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ideal body weight for their age and height). For severe and
life-threatening malnutrition, the person may need to be fed
through a vein or stomach tube.
�
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low potassium levels develop
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suicide
Care providers who are usually involved in these programs
include:
�
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�
�
Treatment is often very difficult. Patients and their families
must work hard. Many therapies may be tried until the patient
overcomes this disorder.
Patients may drop out of programs if they have unrealistic hopes
of being "cured" with therapy alone.
Different kinds of talk therapy are used to treat people with
anorexia:
�
therapy, and family therapy have all been successful.
�
encourage them to eat in a healthier way. This kind of therapy
is more useful for treating younger patients who have not had
anorexia for a long time.
�
The family is seen as a part of the solution, instead of the
cause of the eating disorder.
�
groups, patients and families meet and share what they have been
through.
Medicines such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood
stabilizers may help some anorexic patients when given as part
of a complete treatment program. These medicines can help treat
depression or anxiety. Although medicines may help, none has
been proven to decrease the desire to lose weight.
Support Groups
The stress of illness can be eased by joining a support group.
Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can
help you not feel alone.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Anorexia nervosa is a serious condition that can
life-threatening. By some estimates, it leads to death in 10% of
cases. Experienced treatment programs can help people with the
condition return to a normal weight, but it is common for the
disease to return.
Women who develop this eating disorder at an early age have a
better chance of recovering completely. Most people with
anorexia will continue to prefer a lower body weight and be very
focused on food and calories.
Weight management may be hard. Long-term treatment may be needed
to stay at a healthy weight.[/quote]
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