Anorexia
DEFINITION
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder. It is a psychological
condition that involves a person’s refusal to eat sufficient food
to maintain a minimum normal weight for age and height. Anorexia
Nervosa is an illness that can have serious effects on many body
systems and requires treatment by a qualified health
professional.
condition that involves a person’s refusal to eat sufficient food
to maintain a minimum normal weight for age and height. Anorexia
Nervosa is an illness that can have serious effects on many body
systems and requires treatment by a qualified health
professional.
DESCRIPTION
Anorexia Nervosa is a psychological disorder with multiple
causes. Such causes can be related to problems at home, school or
work. From the outside, anorexia appears to be all about food and
weight. It is generally believed, however, that Anorexia is
strongly influenced by low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy and
worthlessness and the problems that these feelings cause in coping
with the pressures of daily living.
causes. Such causes can be related to problems at home, school or
work. From the outside, anorexia appears to be all about food and
weight. It is generally believed, however, that Anorexia is
strongly influenced by low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy and
worthlessness and the problems that these feelings cause in coping
with the pressures of daily living.
A person suffering from Anorexia Nervosa will often begin by
losing weight in the normal manner. Unfortunately, instead of
stabilising at a healthy weight, the person may then go on to
deliberately deny themselves food. Anorexia causes a distorted
perception of body weight or shape i.e the person thinks they are
fat even when they are very thin.
losing weight in the normal manner. Unfortunately, instead of
stabilising at a healthy weight, the person may then go on to
deliberately deny themselves food. Anorexia causes a distorted
perception of body weight or shape i.e the person thinks they are
fat even when they are very thin.
The person will often resort to a number of methods to induce
weight loss. Diet tablets, excessive exercise, laxatives, diuretics
and even self-induced vomiting may be used at one time or another.
Many sufferers who are anorexic are also bulimic. Bulimia Nervosa
is defined as the consumption of extremely large quantities of food
in short periods of time (binging), following self-induced vomiting
or the use of diuretics or cathartics (purging).
weight loss. Diet tablets, excessive exercise, laxatives, diuretics
and even self-induced vomiting may be used at one time or another.
Many sufferers who are anorexic are also bulimic. Bulimia Nervosa
is defined as the consumption of extremely large quantities of food
in short periods of time (binging), following self-induced vomiting
or the use of diuretics or cathartics (purging).
Anorexia Nervosa is relatively uncommon, but occurs worldwide. Up
to 90% of people with Anorexia Nervosa are women. Almost all cases
of Anorexia in women occur after puberty and before menopause. The
typical girl with Anorexia is in her late teenage years. A genetic
component is likely, as women are up to 12 times more likely to
develop anorexia if a family member has the illness.
to 90% of people with Anorexia Nervosa are women. Almost all cases
of Anorexia in women occur after puberty and before menopause. The
typical girl with Anorexia is in her late teenage years. A genetic
component is likely, as women are up to 12 times more likely to
develop anorexia if a family member has the illness.
Young men sometimes suffer from the disease and should be treated
as seriously as girls. Anorexia in males often seems to relate to
boys with a need to overachieve. Decreased interest in sex or fears
around sex and preoccupation with body building, weight lifting, or
muscle toning can occur in male Anorexia sufferers. Trouble with
sleeping, depression and lowered testosterone levels in males may
be associated with this ailment. A female suffering from Anorexia
may stop having periods which can lead to difficulty with
conceiving. Anorexia Nervosa can also lead to impaired digestion,
amenorrhoea (lack of menstrual periods), irregular heart beats and
reduced bone density.
as seriously as girls. Anorexia in males often seems to relate to
boys with a need to overachieve. Decreased interest in sex or fears
around sex and preoccupation with body building, weight lifting, or
muscle toning can occur in male Anorexia sufferers. Trouble with
sleeping, depression and lowered testosterone levels in males may
be associated with this ailment. A female suffering from Anorexia
may stop having periods which can lead to difficulty with
conceiving. Anorexia Nervosa can also lead to impaired digestion,
amenorrhoea (lack of menstrual periods), irregular heart beats and
reduced bone density.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Dieting may be a problem when there is:
- Denial of dieting.
- Reluctance to display weight loss.
- A need to eat less when with others.
- A change in personality/social withdrawal.
- Devastation at the thought of gaining weight.
Dramatic weight loss may cause the following physical signs and
symptoms:
symptoms:
- Amenorrhoea or absence of menstruation.
- Hair loss.
- Intolerance to the cold.
- Dry, peeling rash.
- Low blood pressure.
- Slowed heart rate.
- Lowered body temperature.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
This patient must be under the care of a Doctor at all times
as with this illness there may be a complex interplay between
biological, psychological and social factors. The patient needs
careful monitoring and care. Psychiatric counselling may be needed
to help control this ailment. Treatment at some stage may include
hospitalisation. A person with Anorexia may induce vomiting after
eating, so it may be necessary to closely monitor the person’s
actions. To encourage a healthy body image and relationship to food
the person may require family therapy, individual counselling or
group counselling.
as with this illness there may be a complex interplay between
biological, psychological and social factors. The patient needs
careful monitoring and care. Psychiatric counselling may be needed
to help control this ailment. Treatment at some stage may include
hospitalisation. A person with Anorexia may induce vomiting after
eating, so it may be necessary to closely monitor the person’s
actions. To encourage a healthy body image and relationship to food
the person may require family therapy, individual counselling or
group counselling.
DIET HINTS
This condition is very difficult to treat with a simple “diet”
as the person is usually resistant to suggestions to eat and has
already developed severe food restrictions. Sometimes he/she can
mask the condition by eating a meal then inducing vomiting
immediately after eating.One suggestion is to encourage the person
with Anorexia to eat with other members of the family. Encourage
nutritious snacks between meals and concentrate initially on a
quantity of foods they feel comfortable eating. New foods can be
added in later when the effects of starvation on their mental
outlook have subsided. Encourage the use of normal foods, rather
than “diet” foods or low fat foods. Ensure some protein is eaten
daily and if possible include seafood and red meat for zinc.
Present the food in an appetising way. Protein supplements contain
all the essential amino acids and are easy to digest. Nutrition
counselling by a Dietitian may be helpful.
as the person is usually resistant to suggestions to eat and has
already developed severe food restrictions. Sometimes he/she can
mask the condition by eating a meal then inducing vomiting
immediately after eating.One suggestion is to encourage the person
with Anorexia to eat with other members of the family. Encourage
nutritious snacks between meals and concentrate initially on a
quantity of foods they feel comfortable eating. New foods can be
added in later when the effects of starvation on their mental
outlook have subsided. Encourage the use of normal foods, rather
than “diet” foods or low fat foods. Ensure some protein is eaten
daily and if possible include seafood and red meat for zinc.
Present the food in an appetising way. Protein supplements contain
all the essential amino acids and are easy to digest. Nutrition
counselling by a Dietitian may be helpful.
VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS
- Zinc studies have shown that zinc deficiency is common in
Anorexia sufferers. Zinc also can aid in enhancing sense of smell
and appetite. - B group vitamins can be deficient in Anorexia and
supplementation can be beneficial. - Gentian can improve appetite and digestion.
- Hypericum can be useful in the treatment of depression and
anxiety which can occur in people with Anorexia.
NOTES
Lots of love and understanding is necessary for Anorexic
patients. Usually the whole family has to be involved to help these
patients. Their confidence usually has to be built up. Any other
underlying problems in lifestyle and general health may have to be
examined. When given adequate support and treatment, most people
with Anorexia recover and lead normal lives.
patients. Usually the whole family has to be involved to help these
patients. Their confidence usually has to be built up. Any other
underlying problems in lifestyle and general health may have to be
examined. When given adequate support and treatment, most people
with Anorexia recover and lead normal lives.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice:
- If there is any doubt on how to take any medication, ask your
Pharmacist. - Follow the Diet Hints.
- Do not eat junk food, sugar and refined carbohydrates as these
foods are harder to digest and do not provide the necessary
nutrients for good health. - Do not drink any caffeinated drinks. They include tea, coffee
and cola. Caffeine increases nervous tension and can suppress
appetite. - Moderate any alcohol consumption as this puts extra strain on
the liver. Alcohol dependence has been associated with some eating
disorders. - Have regular gentle exercise without over
exercising. - Have adequate rest and relaxation and try to avoid unnecessary
stress. - If the diet is considered inadequate, include vitamin C, the B
Group vitaminsand zinc to enhance the immune system of the body.
Zinc deficiency can lead to a reduction in the sense of smell and
taste. Some studies have shown that magnesium might be useful.
