Anorexia is an eating disorder which is characterized by unusually low body weight, distorted perception of body weight and fear of becoming fat or obese. People have an obsession with controlling their shape and weight, they usually use a lot of efforts to reduce their body weight and this interferes with their day to day activities. To prevent gaining weight, people will restrict eating a large amount of food. They control their calories by misusing enemas, diuretics, diet aids and laxatives. Sometimes, they also resort to vomiting after eating their meal. It can give you psychological stress about self-worth, body image and social acceptance.
A person becomes anorexic when he or she starts restricting food. It usually develops in children at the time of puberty. In which 9 out of 10 are female. A person who gets anorexia is malnourished and extremely thin.
Risks factors which contribute in developing anorexia:
Anorexia is not only weight loss but it is more than this. It affects our body mentally and physically. Anorexia nervosa destroys mind, spirit, relationships, and hampers our body badly. People also get killed due to anorexia nervosa.
There is no specific laboratory test for it. Identification of Anorexia nervosa is challenging at times. Due to which illness remain undetected for a longer period. If the symptoms are present then the doctor will begin an evaluation. A complete physical examination will be performed and medical history will be checked. Various diagnostic tests will be performed like X-rays and blood tests. Which will evaluate the cause of weight loss and what are its effects on the body organs. A person is recommended to a psychiatrist to be treated for mental illness.
Treatment for anorexia can be difficult because people do not accept being ill. Anorexia nervosa is of kind eating disorder thus it also needs the same treatment plan.
In most of the cases, Anorexia cannot be prevented. But if the symptoms start to emerge then the person must be treated quickly. To prevent it from teaching about good and healthy eating habits should be given. Showing changes due to unhealthy food also help to prevent eating disorders.
These are the ways in which a person living with anorexia can be helped:
Anorexia and Bulimia both are eating disorders but have a slight difference. Different food-related behaviour describes them. It starts from changes in body image. This even results in depression and anxiety. Which leads people to lose weight due to extreme dieting. On the other hand, Bulimia is an unhealthy relationship with food and time. This occurs due to damaged eating cycles. Weight of a person keeps on fluctuating from high to low.
Anorexia nervosa is accompanied by malnutrition which severely affects the body. Hence restoration of weight and nutritional health is important to recover from it. There must be an intake of more than 1000 calories per day. Start planning the meals for proper nutritional values. A balanced diet is important for proper caloric intake.