Anorexia nervosa: symptoms, causes and treatment

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Definition of anorexia nervosa

What is anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa means an unhealthy eating disorder characterized by a body weight that is too low for the person's age and height.

People with this eating disorder experience an intense fear of gaining weight, even when they are actually very thin.

Therefore, they will try various extreme ways to manage their bodies, such as:

• Go on a strict diet.
• Excessive exercise.
• Take laxatives to help with diet.
• Constantly take diet pills.
• Always vomits food that has been eaten on purpose.

The methods above can be said to be unhealthy and can be life threatening, the sufferer needs to get treatment.

How common is this condition?

Anorexia nerviosa is a common type of mental illness, especially in girls and young women. However, it is possible that boys, men, and even the elderly can experience this eating disorder.

This deviant diet can lead to extremely low body weight and can be life threatening if not treated promptly. Always consult a doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms of anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa can cause signs and symptoms that affect both physically and emotionally, including:

Physical symptoms

• Extreme weight loss that makes body weight not in accordance with normal development.
• Have a thin body.
• Experiencing insomnia and body fatigue.
• Headache so you can experience fainting.
• There is a change in color on the fingers to become bluish.
• Thinning hair, easy to break or fall out.
• Not menstruating as usual (amenorrhea).
• Constipation and stomach pain.
• Dry or slightly yellowish skin.
• Irregular heart rhythm.
• Low blood pressure.
• Dehydration.
• Swelling of the arms or legs.
• Broken teeth and calluses at the knuckles.

Emotional and behavioral symptoms

• The fun of cooking elaborate meals for others but not eating them.
• Often skipping meals or making excuses not to eat.
• Eat only certain foods, usually those that are low in fat and calories.
• Don't want to eat in public.
• Lying about how much food has been eaten.
• Fear of gaining weight which may include weighing or measuring yourself repeatedly.
• Frequently checking the mirror to look for flaws in body shape.
• Often complains of having a fat body even though it is not the case.
• Irritability and withdrawal from social life.
• This eating disorder causes fear of having sex or a decreased sex drive.

When to see a doctor

If you or someone you care about shows the symptoms of anorexia nervosa as mentioned above, it is highly recommended to have a doctor's examination. The goal is to prevent severity and complications.

Causes of anorexia nervosa

The cause of anorexia nervosa is not known with certainty, but there are a combination of factors that can cause a person to experience this eating disorder, including:

• Biological factors

There may be a genetic influence that puts a person at a higher risk of developing this condition than other people. For example, people who have a genetic predisposition to perfectionism.

• Psychological factors

Some people with this eating disorder may have obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to a strict diet and forget food even when hungry.

They may also have high levels of anxiety about their weight and are encouraged to continue on a strict diet.

• Environmental factor

Friends or family circles that think that a slim body is the standard of beauty can put pressure on someone who is worried about their weight.

This can trigger a desire to be thin, and do the wrong way to lose weight.

Risk factors for anorexia nervosa

Scientists have found several factors that can increase the risk of developing anorexia, including:

• If you have a mother or sister who has anorexia, you can be especially susceptible to developing the same eating disorder.
• A person with an eating disorder may dislike themselves, hate their appearance, or feel hopeless.
• Life changes or stressful experiences, experiencing traumatic events such as rape.
• Experiencing excessive anxiety can also be a cause of anorexia.
• The influence of the pictures on TV, internet, and print media which often campaign for a thin body type seems better. These photos indicate that being thin is both a success and a beauty.

Complications of anorexia nervosa

Long-term anorexia nervosa can cause complications, including:

• Malnutrition and fertility problems.
• Muscles and bones become weak, risk osteoporosis, and if it occurs in children or adolescents, growth can be impaired.
• Loss of sex drive.
• Affected by heart and blood vessel diseases, such as poor blood circulation, hypotension, arrhythmias, heart failure, and inflammation in certain body parts.
• Difficulty with concentration and memory worsens.
• Have a weak immune system or have anemia.
• Experiencing problems with the brain and nerves, causing the body to go into convulsions.
• Experiencing anxiety disorders, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
• Affected by diseases of the kidneys and digestive tract.

Diagnosis & treatment of anorexia nervosa

The information below is not a substitute for medical advice from a doctor; always consult a professional doctor.

In order to diagnose the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, the doctor will perform several examinations and medical tests, such as:

• Physical test

In this medical test, your doctor will measure your height and weight. Then, check your vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, skin and nail conditions.

In addition, the doctor will ask what symptoms are experienced as well as see the patient's and family's medical history.

• Laboratory test

In this medical test, the doctor will count the blood count and check the electrolytes and proteins in the body. The function of the liver, kidneys, and thyroid gland will also be checked, possibly with a urine test.

• Psychological evaluation

A psychiatrist will likely ask questions about your thoughts, feelings, and eating habits. You may also be asked to complete a psychological self-assessment questionnaire.

Imaging tests may be done if the doctor suspects complications have occurred.

What are the treatments for anorexia nervosa?

As reported by the Mayo Clinic page, the following are treatments for anorexia nervosa that are generally done:

• Stay hospitalized if complications, such as arrhythmias or dehydration occur. This also applies to patients who are severely malnourished, have a severe mental illness, or continue to refuse to eat.
• In severe cases, sufferers of this eating disorder need to eat through a tube that is placed in their nose and into their stomach (nasogastric tube).
• Undergo psychotherapy, such as family-based therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The goal is to normalize eating patterns and behaviors to support weight gain and help change distorted thoughts that lead to problematic eating behavior.
• Take medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety. This drug does not treat anorexia but can suppress the symptoms of mental illness that may be suffered.

Treatment for this eating disorder is very diverse. Each patient will undergo treatment according to the severity of the condition.

Home treatment of anorexia nervosa

Here are forms of a healthy lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with anorexia nervosa:

• Reduce stress with exercise, meditation, or doing activities that you enjoy.
• Eat foods that are prescribed by a doctor or nutritionist so that the patient with an eating disorder can gain weight to normal levels.
• Get counseling sessions with a psychologist.
• Limiting the use of social media that can adversely affect the patient's mental condition.
• Buy clothes that fit your posture, not clothes that require you to lose weight first to wear them.

Prevention of anorexia nervosa

There is no way to completely prevent anorexia nervosa. However, several things can help you reduce your risk of developing this eating disorder, such as:

• Adopt good and healthy eating habits.
• If you decide to become a vegetarian or go on a diet, it is better to first consult with a doctor or nutritionist.
• Love yourself and don't compare yourself to others or feel worse than others.