Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention

Anorexia Nervosa is a psychological disorder in which the sufferer feels that he is too fat and let themselves starve. Anorexics trying to maintain a weight far below normal so it looks very thin. They tend to refuse food even though it feels hungry.

Anorexia nervosa is not really about food. This is an unhealthy way to cope with emotional problems. When you have anorexia nervosa, you often equate thinness is valued.

Anorexia nervosa can be difficult to repair. But with treatment, you can improve a better idea of who you are, restore healthy eating habits and cure some of the serious complications of anorexia.


Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

Some of those with anorexia nervosa generally lost weight because it limits the amount of food they eat. They also may try to lose weight by exercising excessively. Other people with anorexia use alcohol and laxatives. They control the calories that can spew after they eat or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas.

No matter how the weight reduction achieved, anorexia has a number of signs and symptoms of physical, emotional and habits.

Physical symptoms of anorexia:
  • Lost weight in the extreme.
  • Look skinny.
  • Abnormal blood levels.
  • Fatigue.
  • Can not sleep.
  • Dizziness or fainting.
  • Bluish discoloration in the fingers.
  • Brittle nails.
  • The hair is thin, broken or fall.
  • Late menstruation.
  • Constipation.
  • Dry skin.
  • Not resistant to cold.
  • Irregular heart rhythm.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Dehydration.
  • Osteoporosis.
  • Swelling of the arms or legs.

Symptoms of anorexia emotions and habits:
  • Refused to eat.
  • Denying hunger.
  • Exercise excessively.
  • Flat mood, or emotional weak.
  • Pulling away from the social environment.
  • Irritable.
  • Decreased interest in sexual activity.
  • Depression.
  • The possibility of the use of herbal products or dietary medications.

Causes of Anorexia Nervosa

It is not known specifically what causes some people affected by anorexia. Like many other diseases, it is a combination of biological, psychological and sociocultural.

Biological
Some people are genetically prone to anorexia. Young women with female siblings or mothers with eating disorders have a higher risk.

Psychological
Those with anorexia have characteristics that contribute to anorexia. For example, they have low self-esteem. They may have obsessive-compulsive personality innate that makes it easier to stay on a strict diet and do not eat when hungry. They may also have a high perfectionist nature, with the intention that they will not think they have quite thin.

Sociocultural
Culture of western countries often instill and strengthen the desire for thinness. Many media showed images of skinny models or actors. Success is always associated with a thin body. Factors peer friendships can be reason to be thin, especially on the young girl. However, anorexia and other eating disorders have existed since centuries ago, suggests that sociocultural not solely to blame.


Risk Factors of Anorexia Nervosa
  • Anorexia is more common in women although men and women may also experience anorexia.
  • Anorexia is more common in those aged teens.
  • Genetic. The experts found the area on chromosome 1 shows the relationship increased risk of anorexia nervosa. In addition, anorexia nervosa declined in the family.
  • Those who gain weight will feel inferior. This weight change will trigger someone to start an extreme diet.
  • Transition period. When the new transfer schools, homes or jobs , breakup , or death or illness suffered by their loved ones, these changes can bring emotional distress and increase the risk of anorexia nervosa.
  • Sports, work and artistic activity. Some fields of work, sport and art that demands a thin body can increase the risk of anorexia for those who are in it.
  • Media who routinely shows pictures skinny models and actors who can make fans want to have a body like them and put the risk of anorexia to those who want such a model and the actor.


Prevention of Anorexia

There is no guaranteed way to prevent anorexia or other eating disorders. If you have a family member or friend with low self-esteem, severe dieting or not satisfied with the appearance, consider untu talk to him about this. Although you do not have the ability to prevent eating disorders happen, you can talk about a healthier lifestyle.
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