Prevention Of Anorexia Nervosa

There is no guaranteed way to prevent anorexia and other eating disorders. Primary care physicians (pediatricians, family doctors and doctors of internal medicine) may be in a good position to identify early indicators of an eating disorder, and prevents the full development of the disease. May apply to eating habits and satisfaction with the appearance of the use of routine medical examinations, for example.

If you notice a family member or friend with low self-esteem, a strict diet and dissatisfaction with appearance, consider talking to him on these issues. Although you may not be able to prevent eating disorders is growing, you can talk about healthier behavior or treatment options.

Treatment Of Anorexia Nervosa

When you have anorexia, you may need different types of treatment. If your life is in immediate danger, you may need hospital treatment with subjects such as cardiac arrhythmia, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or psychiatric problems.

Here's a look at what is usually involved in treating people with anorexia nervosa:

Medical treatment

As the causes of complications from anorexia, you may need frequent vital signs, the amount of water and electrolytes, as well as physical conditions. In severe cases, people with anorexia may initially require feeding through a tube that is placed on the nose and passes to the stomach (nasogastric tube). GP may be the one who coordinates care with other health professionals involved. Sometimes, however, is the provider of mental health care coordination.

Restoring a healthy weight

The first goal of treatment is to return to a healthy weight. You can not recover from an eating disorder without restoring a healthy weight and learning proper nutrition. A dietician can offer advice on healthy eating, including the provision of meal plans and needs calories to help you achieve your weight goals. His family is also likely to be involved in helping to maintain healthy eating habits.

Psychotherapy

Individual, family and group therapy may all be useful.

Individual therapy. This type of therapy can help address the behaviors and thoughts that contribute to anorexia. You can get a healthier self-esteem and learn positive ways to deal with stress and other strong emotions. Type of therapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely used, but there is no strong evidence to suggest that it is superior to other therapy for the treatment of anorexia. Mental health provider can help assess the need for psychiatric hospitalization or day treatment programs.

Family-based therapy. This therapy begins with the assumption that the person with the eating disorder is unable to make informed decisions about their health and help the family needs. An important part of the family-based therapy is that the family is involved in ensuring that healthy eating habits are met. This type of therapy can help resolve family conflicts and to get support from family members concerned. Based family therapy may be particularly important for children with anorexia who still live at home.

Group therapy. This form of therapy gives you a way to connect to others facing eating disorders. And informal support groups can sometimes be useful. But beware, with informal groups that are not run by a mental health professional. For some people with anorexia support groups can result in competition to be the thinnest person.

Medication

There are no drugs specifically designed for the treatment of anorexia, because they have shown limited benefit in treating this disorder. However, antidepressants or other psychiatric medications help treat other mental disorders, you may have, such as depression or anxiety.

Hospitalization

In case of medical complications, psychiatric emergencies, severe malnutrition or persistent refusal to eat, hospitalization may be required. Hospitalization may be in a medical or psychiatric. Some clinics specialize in treating people with eating disorders. Some may offer day programs or residential programs, rather than inpatient care. Specialized programs for eating disorders can offer more intensive treatment over longer periods of time. Moreover, even after the end of hospitalization, treatment and continuing education in nutrition are very important for sustained recovery.

Challenges in the treatment of anorexia

Some cases of anorexia are much more serious than others. In less severe cases, may require less time for treatment and recovery. A major challenge in treating anorexia nervosa is that people do not want to take care, might think that they do not need or can not be concerned about weight gain. And some people with anorexia to promote a lifestyle choice. They do not like a disease. Pro-anorexia (pro-ana) websites can be found on the Internet, and some even give you advice on what foods to avoid and how to combat hunger.

Even if you do not want to improve the attraction of anorexia can be hard to beat. Anorexia is often a continuous process, the battle continues. Although symptoms may disappear, remain vulnerable and may have a relapse during periods of high stress situations or when the trigger. For example, symptoms of anorexia may go away during pregnancy only to return once your baby has been delivered. Quote of continuous therapy or recurrent periods of stress can be helpful.

Symptoms Of Anorexia Nervosa

Some people with anorexia lose weight mainly through severely restricting the amount of food they consume. You can also try to lose weight by exercising excessively. Others with anorexia and bulimia are involved in the purge, similar to bulimia. They control the calories by vomiting after eating or abusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas.

No matter what weight loss is achieved, anorexia is the cause of physical symptoms, emotional and behavioral problems.

Physical symptoms of anorexia

Physical signs and symptoms of anorexia are:

Extreme weight loss

Slim design

Abnormal blood values

Fatigue

Insomnia

Dizziness or fainting

Bluish discoloration of the fingers

Brittle nails

Hair that thins, breaks or falls

Soft, downy covering a body

Absence of menstruation

Constipation

Dry skin

Intolerance to cold

Irregular heartbeat

Low blood pressure

Dehydration

Osteoporosis

Swelling of arms or legs

The emotional and behavioral symptoms of anorexia

Emotional and behavioral aspects of anorexia are:

Refusal to eat

Denial of hunger

Excessive exercise

The mood flat or lack of feelings

Social isolation

Irritability

Preoccupation with food

Decreased libido

Depressed mood

Ability to use natural products and dietary supplements

Anorexia red flags to watch for

It can be difficult to notice the signs and symptoms of anorexia, because people with anorexia often go to great lengths to hide their thinness, eating habits or physical problems.

If you are worried that a loved one may have anorexia, the eve of these potential red flags:

Skipping meals

Excuses for not eating

Eating only a few certain "safe" foods are generally low in fat and calories

Adopting rigid meal or eating rituals, such as cutting food into small pieces or spitting food after gum

Cooking meals for others to develop, but refuses to eat

Repeated weighing of themselves

Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived failures

Complain that the fat

Do not want to eat in public

When to seek medical advice

Anorexia like other eating disorders, can take over your life. You can think about food all the time, many hours of agony on the options for the grocery store and physical fatigue. It can also be a series of physical problems that make you feel generally miserable, such as dizziness, constipation, fatigue, and often feeling cold. They may be irritable, angry, moody, sad, anxious and hopeless. You can visit the pro-anorexia Web sites, see the disease as your "friend" to cover the layers of warm clothes, and try to get along with the salad menu, carrots, popcorn and diet soda.

If you have any of these problems, or if you suspect you have an eating disorder, get help. If you have to hide anorexia from loved ones, trying to find reliable you can talk about what is happening.

Unfortunately, many people with anorexia do not want treatment, at least initially. Their desire to stay slim replacements concern for their health. If you have a loved one you are worried, encourage him or talk to a doctor.

Causes Of Anorexia Nervosa

It is not known what causes some people to develop anorexia. As with many diseases, is probably a combination of biological, psychological and sociocultural.

Organic. Some people may be genetically more vulnerable to developing anorexia. Young women with a sister or biological mother of a eating disorder are at greater risk, for example, suggesting a possible genetic link. Twin studies also support this idea. However, it is unclear how genetics can play a particular role, but researchers found a region on chromosome 1 appears to be associated with increased susceptibility to anorexia nervosa.

It 'also possible that some people have a genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance, all traits associated with anorexia. There is also some evidence that serotonin - a brain chemical involved in depression - may play an important role in anorexia nervosa.

Psychological. People with anorexia may have psychological and emotional characteristics that contribute to anorexia. They may have low self-esteem, for example. They may have features of obsessive-compulsive personality that make it easier to stick to a strict diet and give up food, despite being hungry. They may have a hard extreme perfectionism, which means they can never think that they are thin enough.

Socio-cultural. Modern Western culture often cultivates and reinforces the desire for thinness. The media is splashed with images of thin models and actresses. Success and worth are often equated with thinness. Peer pressure may fuel the desire to be thin, particularly among girls. However there was anorexia and other eating disorders centuries ago, suggests that socio-cultural values ​​are not solely responsible.

Anorexia Nervosa Overview

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that makes people obsessed with their weight and their food. People with anorexia nervosa are trying to maintain a weight that is well below normal for their age and height. To prevent weight gain or keep losing weight, people with anorexia nervosa may die of starvation or excessive exercise.

Anorexia (-oh-REK-see-uh) is not really nervous about the food. It is an unhealthy way to try to deal with emotional problems. When you have anorexia nervosa, which often equate thinness with you.

Anorexia nervosa can be difficult to overcome. But with treatment, you can get a better idea of ​​who you are, back to healthy eating and reverse some of anorexia are serious complications.