Today's topic is anorexia nervosa; similarly called anorexia can be defined as an eating disorder that is psychologically inclined and considered life-threatening it is characterized by extremely low body weight and a strong fear of gaining weight, in this cycle of self-starvation, the essential nutrients sodium potassium and calcium needed to make the body function normally is not supplied to the body forcing the body to slow down all the processes needed for energy conservation resulting in a very serious medical condition.
People suffering from anorexia place
a high worth on regulating their weight and shape using extreme effort that is
likely to interfere with their health in preventing weight gain people with
anorexia usually put many restrictions on the amount of food they eat they also
engage in excessive exercises in a bid to lose weight. Anorexia is more prevalent
among teenagers but still, people of any age can suffer from this eating condition
even though it is extremely rare in those over 40 teens are at a higher risk because
of all the changes their bodies experience during puberty increased peer pressure
can heighten sensitivity to criticism about weight or body shape in teens.
Dieting is an attempt to control weight is different from anorexia while someone might diet in a bid to lose weight anorexic disordered people diet in order to gain happiness and self-mastery causes the exact cause of anorexia is still unknown anorexia may be a combined effort of biological psychological interpersonal and environmental factors biological it is still being heavily researched what gene triggers anorexia however certain genetic changes can lead to a higher risk of anorexia.
Individuals who have relatives
suffering or who might have suffered from anorexia in the past are also at
higher risk psycho chuckle psychological factors that contribute to anorexia
include low self-esteem anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, etc. Interpersonal
this includes a history of being ridiculed based on weight and size childhood, sexual
abuse, severe trauma, and environmental and social factors that contribute to anorexia including
cultural pressure that emphasizes thinness and constantly reinforced being thin
and having the perfect body as ideal stereotypes in professions and careers such
as modeling and ballet that support being thin and weight loss.
Signs and symptoms this could be
physical and emotional some physical symptoms include thin appearance insomnia,
dizziness or fainting dry or yellowish skin low blood pressure bluish
discoloration of the fingers constipation and abdominal pain, dehydration,
swelling of hands and legs, menstrual irregularities, dry and brittle nails, muscle
weakness, cold in extreme cases decreased testosterone in males, kidney
problems, heart problems, dry and brittle hair, emotional behavioral signs and
symptoms include preoccupation with weight food dieting and calories maintains
an extreme exercise regimen has an intense fear of weight gain or being a fat
denial of hunger or excuse of avoiding to eat may become isolated and withdrawn
dramatic weight loss covering up in layers of clothes to hide weight loss
inability to maintain body weight for age social withdrawal.
Diagnosis early indicators of
anorexia may be identified by a primary care physician like a family doctor or
pediatrician who prevents its development into a full-blown disease they can
ask about eating habits and attitude towards food additional tests may be
carried out to check for any related complications treatment pursuing a
treatment for recovery it is recommended to seek service of a well-qualified
team of eating disorder specialist consisting of a therapist, nutritionist, and
a physician. The physician addresses the underlying health issues that might
have occurred as a result of eating disorder behavior issues such as
unstable heartbeat, malnutrition, amenorrhea, or the absence of menstrual
discharge. The nutritionist tries to help in weight restoration by implementing
and supervising a well-tailored eating pattern and educating on the normal pattern
of eating. The therapist is to recognize and understand serious emotional
issues attached to such an eating disorder and apply such methods that can help
in healthier coping skills and develop ways to deal with such emotions.
Helping current and future
clinicians focus to learn to retain and thrive
Thank You