0 оценок0% нашли этот документ полезным (0 голосов)
22 просмотров3 страницы
What is anorexia nervosa? You shouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of it, only 0.6% of American adults are affected by it, and only 0.3% of young women worldwide. Despite being a treatable disease, the National Institute of Mental Health or NIMH says that less than 40% ever receive treatment. The same source says NIMH estimates show that 10% of those with Anorexia Nervosa die of complications. Another source, the Renfew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, gives a much higher figure of 20%.
What is anorexia nervosa? You shouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of it, only 0.6% of American adults are affected by it, and only 0.3% of young women worldwide. Despite being a treatable disease, the National Institute of Mental Health or NIMH says that less than 40% ever receive treatment. The same source says NIMH estimates show that 10% of those with Anorexia Nervosa die of complications. Another source, the Renfew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, gives a much higher figure of 20%.
What is anorexia nervosa? You shouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of it, only 0.6% of American adults are affected by it, and only 0.3% of young women worldwide. Despite being a treatable disease, the National Institute of Mental Health or NIMH says that less than 40% ever receive treatment. The same source says NIMH estimates show that 10% of those with Anorexia Nervosa die of complications. Another source, the Renfew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, gives a much higher figure of 20%.
What is anorexia nervosa? You shouldnt be surprised if you havent heard of it, only 0.6% of American adults are affected by it, and only 0.3% of young women worldwide. Despite being a treatable disease, the National Institute of Mental Health (or NIMH) says that less than 40% ever receive treatment. The same source says estimates that 10% of those with Anorexia Nervosa die of complications. Another source, the Renfew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, gives a much higher figure of 20%. Medically speaking, Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder wherein the person affected is overly obsessed about his or her weight. It is a life-threatening condition characterized by extreme weight loss and food deprivation. Because of severe malnutrition, victims of Anorexia Nervosa are severely underweight with an unfounded mental fear of gaining weight. Causes No scientific explanation is available as to the cause of Anorexia Nervosa; simply put, it is unknown. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (or NAMI), sociological and behavioral factors are considered risk factors. Conditions such as divorce, loss of job, unfulfilled ambitions and death in the family are all believed to be some of the many possible causes. It is also more common in societies where obesity is prevalent and where the media frequently promotes the ideal female as thin. Theres a pressure to catch up with the Joneses, and results can be tragic. Anorexia Nervosa is more common in white females, specifically those who have a high economic status or those who have goal-oriented personalities. Recent studies by the National Eating Disorder Collaboration have shown that it may be hereditary. Those with a first degree relative suffering from anorexia are 50% more likely to develop the condition as compared to the general population. It is also believed that Anorexia victims are linked with overly controlling mothers, although no studies have been done to prove this.
Signs and Symptoms Those with Anorexia Nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight and use a variety of methods to ensure weight loss. Anorexics have a distorted body image wherein they believe that they are fat even if they are morbidly thin (meaning they weigh 15% below the ideal body weight for their sex, age and height). They have the obsessive tendency to frequently weigh themselves and tediously count their calorie intake. Strange eating habits such as cutting food into very small pieces or eating in secret is also common. They over-exercise compulsively even if they are sick, busy or hurt just to achieve weight loss. Aside from strict dieting and exercise, they may take water pills, emetics and laxatives. Their weight loss is often rapid and a person can go from the ideal weight to being sickly thin after just a few months. Hair loss and dry skin will develop along with heart problems, seizures, and poor memory and judgment because of the electrolyte imbalance in their bodies. Their bones will become brittle, their teeth will show some signs of erosion and they are more likely to suffer infections. Because of their prolonged drinking of laxatives, they may also suffer from constipation and abdominal pains. Women with anorexia have irregular menstrual periods and may have growths of fine body hair. They also tend to have edematous hands and feet due to the decreased levels of protein in their bodies. People with anorexia also suffer depression or anxiety. They often have a feeling of worthlessness and need to exert control. Social withdrawal is not uncommon among them. They also tend to wear baggy clothes to hide their thinness and often lie about how much theyre eating. Diagnosis Diagnosing Anorexia Nervosa can be quite a challenge. People with this condition rarely seek help as they believe they are not suffering from any physical or psychological problem. In addition, they are often ashamed of themselves and tend to be very secretive. In many cases, it may take years before friends and families notice significant weight loss and the medical illnesses associated with starvation. Most people suffering from Anorexia Nervosa can be properly diagnosed once they are admitted for medical complications because of poor food intake and electrolyte imbalance. Oftentimes they are rushed to the emergency room because of dehydration, low blood sugar levels or heart complications. There is no diagnostic test for Anorexia Nervosa; laboratory exams are needed to exclude any medical conditions that may be causing the weight loss. In addition, these tests will also evaluate the degree of dehydration, malnutrition and electrolyte imbalance. Medical problems such as infections, cardiac problems and malnutrition need to be corrected before a person is referred for psychiatric evaluation. A psychiatrist or psychologist will be the one to evaluate the person through a series of interviews and determine whether a person indeed has Anorexia Nervosa. Treatment
The primary goals in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa includes restoring the patient back to his or her ideal weight, reversing malnutrition, treating the associated problems such as depression or anxiety, and reducing negative eating behaviors and thoughts. Nutrition counseling remains one of the cornerstones in the management of Anorexia Nervosa. A nutrition counselor is often employed to draw a diet plan and help the patient make healthier food choices. Often, a person with Anorexia Nervosa is started on a low-calorie diet which is gradually increased as soon as he or she starts feeling more comfortable and develops healthy eating habits. Vitamin and mineral supplementations are also given to help with healing and reduce the complications of malnutrition. Psychotherapy is one of the strategies to deal with Anorexia Nervosa. Through counseling, a persons behavior and thinking is gradually improved and, eventually, he or she will develop a healthy attitude towards eating. Furthermore, a person is also taught positive coping mechanisms to deal with stressful situations. Medications are also used to treat Anorexia Nervosa, as well as anxiety and depression. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors such as Paroxetine can help increase levels of serotonin and control depression and anxiety. Furthermore, it has also been shown to help achieve weight gain in patients. Olanzapine is another antidepressant that is used to treat the condition, particularly in those who also suffer from obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Family behavioral therapy has also proven to be very effective and is the therapy of choice for adolescents and young children with Anorexia Nervosa. It has shown to have a very high success rate, particularly among younger patients. We offer a variety of weight loss techniques throughout our website, all of which are ... Strive for your healthy lean body and enjoy The Weight Loss WOW Factor @ http://weightlosswowfactor.com