In people with anorexia, eating limited amounts of the obsession to stay thin, Intentional vomiting after eating excessive exercise, Abuse of laxatives-diuretics-enemas leads to weight loss habits, due to which these physical, are surrounded by serious emotional and behavioral problems that become life-threatening over time.… Affects a person in all three ways, physically, mentally and physically.
Quitting food in the passion of being thin, even if it turns into life, is called anorexia nervosa disease. People think of it as a digestive disease but it is a serious mental illness in which a person only thinks about being thin. People with anorexia have habits such as eating limited amounts to stay slim, vomiting intentionally after eating, excessive exercise, weight loss due to abuse of laxatives- diuretics- enemas, which can lead to physical, emotional and They are surrounded by serious behavioral problems that turn fatal over time.
What symptoms emerge?
This disease affects the person in all three ways, physically, mentally and physically. Physically the symptoms are starvation, while mentally the unrealistic perception of weight gain or the fear of being obese is so dominant that the behavior becomes irritable and lonely. Signs of physical symptoms: Underweight, Very thin, Anemia, Irregular menstruation, Fatigue, Insomnia, Dizziness, Fainting, Abnormal blood count, Blue fingers, Hair loss, Irregular heartbeat, Low-blood pressure, Dehydration, Feeling cold, Constipation, Abdominal pain, dry-yellow skin, swelling of hands and feet, and vomiting appear in the form of tooth decay.
The victim’s behavior is focused on efforts to lose weight, such as unnecessary fasting, eating too few or selected items, excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting after a meal, using diuretics – laxatives – enemas, refusal to eat, plate I skip meals, avoid eating in public, eat low-calorie food, spit after chewing food for a long time, lie about how much I ate, weigh myself frequently, check myself in the mirror to see if I am obese Gone, always complaining about his obesity, covering himself in layers of clothes, flat mood (lack of emotion), distance from society, irritability, loss of interest in sex, etc.
Can there be complications?
Sudden death or coma is its biggest complication. This is due to abnormal heartbeat due to electrolyte imbalance in the body due to eating less. Cardiac arrest is caused by an imbalance of electrolytes resulting in falling levels of sodium, potassium, and calcium in the body. Other complications include anemia, arrhythmia, heart failure, osteoporosis, weak muscles, lack of menstruation, testosterone deficiency in men, abdominal bloating, constipation, nausea and kidney problems. Long-term malnourishment causes serious damage to the brain, heart and kidneys, which cannot be compensated by treatment. Anorexia sufferers are vulnerable to mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, which lead to tendencies like alcohol or substance abuse, self-harm and suicidal tendencies.
Why does anorexia happen?
Anorexia, according to experts, is a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors. It is not yet clear which genes are involved in the development of anorexia. Some people have a genetic predisposition to perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance that, over time, turn into anorexia. Most anorexia sufferers do not eat food despite being hungry because of obsessive compulsive disorder. Due to the surrounding fashionable environment, women are competing to be thin, they often give up food in order to keep themselves thin, gradually turning into anorexia.
Who is more at risk?
Anorexia is common in women but now men are also falling prey to it, usually teenagers. They reduce eating due to the physical changes of puberty, criticism of the body by peers. Other factors, such as genetics, diet, malnutrition, hunger, and transition (new school, home or job; breakup; or death or illness of a loved one) also increase the risk of anorexia. Those who work in the cooking sector are at higher risk of anorexia because they have to cook, not eat.
prevention how?
The most effective way to prevent it is to identify early signs and not allow it to develop further. If you feel that a family member or friend has low self-esteem and unusual dietary habits, talk to them about these issues. Stop eating less food or leaving food in the plate and inculcate healthy diet habits in it. If he is too thin or underweight, then get him tested to see if there is any deficiency in the body.
How to confirm anorexia?
Certain blood and urinalysis tests to confirm liver, kidney and thyroid function, with physical examinations of the heart, blood pressure, temperature, skin, nails, heart, lungs and abdomen to confirm this; X-rays for bone density and ECG for heart abnormalities are done. In addition to these tests, psychiatric self-assessment questionnaires are used to measure the patient’s thoughts, feelings and eating habits, and the diagnostic criteria for anorexia set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) are used.
When to see a doctor?
One of the biggest challenges of anorexia is that people don’t see it as a disease but a lifestyle. Unfortunately, anorexia sufferers tend to ignore health problems, forcibly taking them to the doctor, due to the strong urge to be thin. Apart from eating less food, if any three of the above symptoms are seen, then one should go to the doctor.
treatment treatment
Physicians, dieticians and psychiatrists are involved in its treatment. The first goal of treatment is to normalize the patient’s weight as most patients are underweight. If the patient hesitates to eat, then food pipe is installed to him so that life can be saved. Dieticians make special diet plans to meet the calorie requirements of the patient so that he attains a healthy weight. Psychiatrists instill in the patient the desire to achieve a healthy weight, as well as teach family members how to behave with the patient. Family-based psychotherapy is the only evidence-based treatment for adolescents. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps adults remove distorted food-related beliefs and thoughts that cause a person to avoid eating.
Irregular heartbeat, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance require hospitalization. In normal cases, doctors determine the eating routine of the patient and call him every week for check-up and therapy. No medicine works directly in the treatment of anorexia, only antidepressant drugs are given to relieve the psychosis (depression, anxiety).
How’s the lifestyle?
The biggest problem of an anorexia sufferer is that he does not take care of himself properly, so he needs the support of family and friends. To get rid of this, it is necessary that he sticks to the treatment plan, does not deviate from the diet plan made by the dietician, no matter how uncomfortable it is in adopting it. Take the supplements prescribed by the doctor on time and try that they go into the body through food. Don’t isolate yourself from family and friends (who want to see you healthy) and keep sharing your problems. Stay away from unhealthy habits like frequent weighing and looking at yourself in the mirror. Use herbal products for appetite or weight gain only after consulting a doctor, remember that not all natural products are safe. Yoga, massage and meditation are more useful than supplements in the treatment of anorexia.
