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Anorexia nervosa Causes and Risks:
The exact cause of this disorder is not known, but social attitudes towards body appearance and family factors play a role in its development. The condition affects females more frequently, usually in adolescence or young adulthood. Gorging followed by vomiting (spontaneous or self-induced) and inappropriate use of laxatives or diuretics are behaviors that may accompany this disorder. Risk factors are being Caucasian, having an upper or middle economic background, being female, and having a goal-oriented family or personality. The incidence is 4 out of 100,000 people.
Prevention:
In some cases, prevention may not be possible. Encouraging healthy, realistic attitudes toward weight and diet may be helpful. Sometimes, counselling can help.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Diagnosis is based upon ruling out other causes of endocrine , metabolic, and central nervous system abnormalities.
These tests may be used: This disease may also alter the results of the LH response to GnRH test.
Treatment:
The purpose of treatment is to restore normal body weight and eating habits, and resolve any psychological issues. Hospitalization may be indicated in some cases. Supportive care by health care providers, structured behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and anti-depressive drug therapy are some of the methods that are used for treatment. Severe malnutrition may require intravenous feeding.
Support Groups:
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See eating disorders - support group .
Prognosis:
Experienced treatment programs have a two-thirds success rate in restoring normal weight. Half of the people affected with this disorder continue to experience eating and psychological problems. Death may occur from complications of the disorder or from suicide in up to 6% of the cases. Weight management may be difficult and long-term treatment may be necessary to help maintain a healthy body weight.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms suggestive of anorexia nervosa are present.
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if fainting , irregular pulse , seizures , or other severe symptoms develop in a person with anorexia nervosa.
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