Understanding Anorexia Nervosa: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder, characterized by low weight, fear of gaining weight and a strong desire to be thin. Many people with anorexia see themselves as overweight even though they are, in fact, underweight.
Those with anorexia nervosa lose weight and maintain their extremely low weight in different ways, such as food restriction and a very low calorie intake, excessive exercise, vomiting or laxative use.

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Signs & symptoms

Signs and symptoms may include:
* inability to maintain a normal weight
* an obsession with counting calories and preoccupation with food
* food rituals such as cutting food into small pieces
* excessive exercise
* vomiting and cosequently bad breath smell
* fatigue
* insomnia
* depression and anxiety, withdrawal from social activities
* yellow and dry skin, covered with soft, fine hair
* hair thinning or falling out
* constipation
* more than three cycles without a period
* low blood pressure
* low potassium in the blood
* arrhythmias

Diagnosis

* history and physical examination – your doctor will ask abount your eating habits and feelings and make a full physical examination to look for signs assocoated with anorexia such as Slow heart rate or low blood pressure.
* Laboratory tests - Blood tests may be ordered to check your electrolyte levels and liver and kidney function. In addition, your doctor may refer you to a bone density test.

Treatment

Many people with anorexia nervosa don’t believe they have a problem, what can make treatment very difficult. treatment may include:
* psychotherapy - Individual, family, and group therapies are often an integral part of treatment
* a diet program in order to gain weight
* medication - While there is no medication proven to treat anorexia nervosa, antidepressants may be prescribed to deal with the anxiety and depression common in those with anorexia
* hospitalization

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

Learn more about our editorial process for content accuracy.

Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital