Many of us are afraid to become fatty, chubby or obese,
that‘s why we take safety precaution about what we eat, many are taking diet
program and exercises, and aiming continues weight lose, we did not craving in food
anymore, eating less food is enough for us, we did not bother about our condition even we feel bad, like headache and other bad feeling, what we want is to have good
looking body in the sight of other, we thought that, what we feel is a part of
diet, it's good for us, because this is what we want, to lose weight, to become
slim or sexy, but we didn't know there is one thing, that could be other reason
why we continue to lose weight and feeling something bad, aside from our diet,
and that is, maybe a "Anorexia Nervosa"
A) What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by
immoderate food restriction and irrational fear of gaining weight, as well as a
distorted body self-perception. It typically involves excessive weight loss and
usually occurs more in females than in males.
Because of the fear of gaining weight, people with this
disorder restrict the amount of food they consume. This restriction of food
intake causes metabolic and hormonal disorders.
Anorexia is simply a medical term for "lack of
appetite" but do not in fact, lose our appetites.
(B) What is the symptoms and effect of Anorexia Nervosa?
Extreme weight loss and thin appearance, abnormal blood
counts, Fatigue and Insomnia, Dizziness or fainting. Irregular heart rhythms. Low
blood pressure, Dehydration, Osteoporosis, Swelling of arms or legs, Constipation
and slow emptying of the stomach., Thinning hair, dry skin, and brittle and
bluish discoloration of the fingers and nails., Shrunken breasts., Stopping or
never getting a monthly menstrual period., Feeling cold, with a
lower-than-normal body temperature.
(C) What is the cause of anorexia nervosa?
Experts believes
that this condition is caused by environmental, psychological and biological
factors. Such as,
*Going through puberty or living in a culture where being
thin is an ideal and a long term dieting.
*Tendency towards depression and anxiety poor reaction to
stress, excessive worrying and feeling scared or doubtful about the future
perfectionism. And, extreme dieting that disrupts normal functions of the
brain.
*Malnutrition can also change the balance of hormones in the
body, which can affect how the brain functions. Starving themselves and
excessive exercise that lowers levels of tryptophan, controlling a person’s
sense of appetite.
*The feeling of fullness after a meal does not produce a
sense of reward, but a sense of anxiety, guilt or self-loathing.
(D) How we can notice if we are suffering from an Anorexia Nervosa?
It may be hard to notice, signs and symptoms of anorexia
because people with anorexia often go to great lengths to disguise their
thinness, eating habits or physical problems.
But if you're concerned that your loved one may have
anorexia, you can watch for these possible signs.
Skipping meals, Making excuses for not eating, Eating only a
few certain "safe" foods, usually those low in fat and calories, Adopting
rigid meal or eating rituals, such as cutting food into tiny pieces or spitting
food out after chewing, Cooking elaborate meals for others but refusing to eat,
Repeated weighing of themselves, Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived
flaws, Complaining about being fat, Not wanting to eat in public
If you notice this things ask him/her to see a doctor.
(E) How an anorexia nervosa can be treated?
*Most people with anorexia deny that they have an eating
disorder, so, we must help them to recognize that he or she has an illness.
*Help them to gain weight by: Increasing social activity, reducing
the amount of physical activity by using schedules for eating.
*They need a short hospital stay for proper care and
follow-up with a day treatment program. For severe and life-threatening
malnutrition, the person may need to be fed through a vein or stomach tube,
that's why they need hospital.
*Different talk therapies may be tried until the patient
overcomes this disorder, from family, friends and a group, to encourage them to
eat in a healthier way.
*Medicines such as antidepressants, anti-psychotics, and mood
stabilizers may help some anorexic patients.
I been experience this before, but I don’t think this is
anorexia nervosa.
I take diet and exercise, even I feel headache after
exercise I didn‘t mind it, I‘m happy because in a little amount of food I’m
full already, so, my stomach did not become big, until I become slim and sexy,
but when I hired for a job my friend told me that my body is not appropriate to
the job, so, he advice me to gain a little weight, in that reason, I ate more
because of my job. Now I'm big, I can't go back to my later slim body anymore.
If what I feel before is anorexia nervosa well I thank to my
job and to my friend I conquered it already.
When you take diet and you become thinner and thinner, think
twice maybe you are not on the diet anymore but it's already an "anorexia
nervosa"
Sources/References:
(E)
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/anorexia-nervosa/overview
