Anorexia Nervosa
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Anorexia is an eating disorder associated with a distorted body image that may be caused by a mental disorder. It is characterized by low body weight, which means less then 85% of the expected weight due to inadequate calorie intake, intense fear of weight gain, and an inaccurate perception of body weight or shape. Its mean age of onset is seventeen.
There are two types; in the restrictive type of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has not regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior (i.e., self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas); and in the binge-eating/purging type of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior.
Anorexia is serious, sometimes life- threatening, condition that tends to be chronic. It usually arises in adolescence and disproportionately affects females. About 3 percent of young women are reported to be suffering from this condition. At 0.56 percent per year, the mortality rate is higher than that of almost all other mental disorders. Mortality results from starvation, suicide, or electrolyte imbalance. The incidence is 4 out of 100,000 people.
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| Symptoms |
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These include:
- Deliberate self-starvation with weight loss of 25% or greater
- Fear of gaining weight
- Refusal to eat
- Denial of hunger
- Constant exercising
- Greater amounts of hair on the body or the face
- Sensitivity to cold
- Absent or irregular periods
- Loss of scalp hair
- A self-perception of being fat when the person is really too thin
- Constipation
- Depression (maybe be present)
- Skeletal muscle atrophy
- Low blood pressure
- Dental cavities
- Increased susceptibility to infection
- Blotchy or yellow skin
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| Prevention |
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Risk factors would include being Caucasian, having an upper or middle economic background, being female, and having a goal-oriented family or personality.
In some cases, prevention may not be possible. Encouraging healthy, realistic attitudes toward weight and diet may be helpful. Counseling can also help sometimes.
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| Causes |
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The causes of eating disorders in general are not known with precision but are thought to be a combination of genetic, neurochemical, psychodevelopmental, and sociocultural factors. Co morbid mental disorders are exceedingly common, but interrelationships are poorly understood. Co morbid disorders include affective disorders like depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and personality disorders. It is also thought that people with anorexia may believe they would be happier and more successful if they were thin. They want everything in their lives to be perfect. People who have this disorder are usually good students. They are involved in many school and community activities. They blame themselves if they don't get perfect grades, or if other things in life are not perfect. |
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| Diagnosis |
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Diagnosis is based upon ruling out other causes of endocrine, metabolic, and central nervous system abnormalities.
These tests may be used:
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| Dietary Guidelines |
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Emphasis must be on optimal nutrient foods for body regeneration. Eat a high vegetable protein, high complex carbohydrate diet.
No junk food, heavy starches or sugars. They disrupt efforts normalize body chemistry.
Breakfast is important, with whole grain cereals, fruit, yogurt and a good protein drink.
Eat slowly, chew well; have small meals often for best absorption.
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| Home Care Suggestions |
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Get some mild exercise every day for lung, heart and muscle rebuilding |
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| Mind/Body Considerations |
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To improve self-esteem, cultivate relationships with positive people who make you feel important, and whose accomplishments you admire. Don’t waste your time on people who are bad for your mental health. |
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Red Yeast Rice
is manufactured by the fermentation of a strain of yeast, Monascus purpureus, on rice.
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