Some ailments stem from adopting a particular lifestyle or food regime. Anorexia nervosa is one such ailment that is caused by following an improper diet or a rigorous crash diet schedule to become slimmer. People on a slimming overdrive often force themselves to undergo intentional starvation and as a result they become severely underweight. In their bid to get an hourglass figure, some people even resort to taking diuretic drugs or diet pills that leads in sever loss of body weigh followed by a plethora of medical complications associated with it. In medical terms, this Anorexia nervosa is a complicated disorder, which not only has physical implications but neurobiological, psychological and sociological implications as well.

Anorexia Causes

Dieting without proper medical supervision or crash dieting schedules often are the causes, which are associated with the birth of this disease. People who are obsessed with attaining a slim figure follow strict diet regimes. For them becoming obese is nothing short of a nightmare. In some extreme cases they fancy themselves to be fat while in reality they are not. The cumulative effects of prolonged exercise, under eating take their toll on the body. The result is an excessive weight loss. However, though people suffering from this malady might have already lost a lot of weight and have a dangerously low body weight yet they suffer from a dread that they are obese. This particular condition is known as anorexia nervosa.

Affects of Anorexia

In most of the cases, Anorexia begins in people’s teenage years. As a matter of fact, women fall prey to this disorder more than men. An overwhelming majority, almost 90% of the victims, are women. The problem with the patients suffering from this disease is that they do not want to admit that they have a disease. In some cases, they also suffer from depression and low self-esteem.

Effects of Anorexia

Since the patients suffering from Anorexia follow a diet that does away with the essential nutrients, they face protein deficiency. The irregular metabolism of fat is another consequence. The disorder can lead one to fatal circumstances. Sometimes a victim of Anorexia may suffer from uneven heartbeat leading to heart failure. Another problem that crops up is dehydration. As a result of less fluid consumption, kidney stone development may happen and kidney may stop functioning. Severe cases of constipation can also be seen. If the patient does not take adequate calcium in his diet, it may lead to brittle bones and osteoporosis. It may also affect the regular sexual life of people and the men suffering from it can develop impotence.

Apart from harming one’s body and physical health, anorexia can have far reaching consequences on one’s social and family life. An anorexic person feels reluctant to socialize with people. They have frequent mood swings. Due to these, the relationship with his or her family worsens. They get a fixed belief that staying underweight is the only way to stay healthy.

How can you stop the menace?

It may be tough to stop the occurrence of this disorder, as its root cause has not been determined till date. But as an alternative measure, anorexic people can take some preventive steps. One needs to develop a strong resolution not to get carried away by social trend and peer pressure to be thinner. The main culprits for developing a complex with weight are low self-esteem and bullying.

Treatment for Anorexia

If someone is suffering from Anorexia, he or she should consult with a physician who is dealing with eating disorders. Often extensive counselling coupled with antidepressant medicines are offered by the doctors. If any physical complications arise because of under eating, an admission to hospital might be required for treatment.

Advice

If the family suspects that their teenage child is suffering from anorexia then they should immediately first offer him/her counselling at the familial level. Excessive dieting and compulsive urge to become thin should be discouraged. If however the disease has reached alarming proportions and the person has lost a lot of body weight then immediate medical attention should be seeked.

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