Everything You Need to Know About Anorexia

Anorexia is a life-threatening disorder that many people may not be aware of. It is a very serious matter and if left untreated, it can be fatal. It is crucial for friends and family of any anorexic individual to provide as much support as possible. It should not be overlooked or viewed as a phase that a person is going through. Anorexia needs special attention and treatment from all people in a person's life.

Anorexia is a disorder where the main characteristic is the restriction of food and the refusal to maintain a minimal body weight. Simply put, individuals suffering from anorexia will starve themselves. They may start by limiting or excluding foods that they believe are high in fat and/or calories. Anorexics have an intense fear of becoming fat. Even though they appear very skinny and even unhealthy to most people, they see themselves as too fat. In some cases, an anorexic person may realize that he or she is skinny, but will still see fat parts of their body. These areas usually consist of the buttocks, hips, thighs, and breasts.

Usually, anorexia begins in young people around the onset of puberty. It is found to be most common with adolescent girls. Anorexics literally have a fear of being fat, which causes them to develop very poor dieting habits. Once the disorder takes hold, anorexics will usually end up limiting themselves to only a small number of foods. Often, they will not eat in front of other people or may cook a big meal for others, but will not eat anything. Additional methods of weight loss for anorexics include laxative abuse, vomiting, diuretic abuse, chew-spitting, insulin abuse, and excessive exercise. Weight loss is usually fifteen percent below the person's normal body weight. Typically, weight loss does not lessen the fear of becoming fat, but the fear often increases following the weight loss. Once in the grasp of this disorder, anorexics experience body image distortions. Self-esteem and self worth is tied directly to the person's body shape and weight. For them, weight loss is viewed as a success, a sign of extraordinary self-discipline, and control over life. Any real or perceived weight gain is seen as a personal failure and loss of control for an anorexic. They will often obsessively check their body size and weight through frequent weighing, measuring, pinching, and viewing themselves in a mirror. Along with adolescent girls, the disorder is also more common among people of higher socioeconomic classes and people involved in activities where thinness is especially looked upon, such as dancing, theater, and distance running.

There are many different symptoms associate with anorexia, some people may not experience all of the symptoms. One common symptom includes body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height. In women, a loss of at least three consecutive menstrual periods can be a symptom. Also, they may not want to or refuse to eat in public. Other symptoms include anxiety, weakness, brittle skin, shortness of breath, and obsessiveness about calorie and fat intake.

Anorexia and pregnancy can be a sure problem. Women with eating disorders have higher rates of miscarriages or the baby could be born prematurely, which could put mother and baby at risk for many medical problems. In order for a woman to have a healthy child, on average, she should gain between twenty-five and thirty-five pounds. Telling this to a person suffering from anorexia is like telling a normal person to gain one hundred pounds. Many anorexic women have trouble conceiving a baby and carrying it to term. Irregular menstrual cycles and weak bones make it much more difficult to conceive. During pregnancy, being underweight and not eating the proper variety of foods could be dangerous for both mother and baby.

There are several medical risks associates with anorexia. These risks include shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, permanent failure of normal growth, development of osteoporosis and bulimia. The biggest difference between anorexia and bulimia is that people suffering from bulimia do eat, usually in large amounts of food and then force themselves to vomit to avoid putting on weight. This is referred to as binge and purge. Other common medical complications may include hypotension, hypothermia, impaired renal functioning, and gastrointestinal problems.

Anorexia is a very dangerous disorder that can be overcome. With proper care, a person can treat this eating disorder and get on track to a healthy life. If you or someone you know has anorexia, the situation should not be taken lightly. Support, medical care, and treatment are all needed to help with overcoming this life-threatening disorder. A person should not be looked at badly because they have an eating disorder, it is just as serious as any other type of disease or disorder. Providing physical and emotions support for an anorexic person is crucial for them to fight such a mean battle. Help them to seek help, counseling, medical treatment, and other expert advice to get them back on the right track.