About Anorexic Eating Disorders

Anorexia is a life threatening eating disorder that affects millions of people of all races, incomes, nationalities, and genders. It is characterized by self-starvation, extreme weight loss and an obsession with food. People who suffer from anorexia have a deep, intense fear of getting fat, and they develop dieting habits that stem from this fear.

Causes

• There are no known causes of anorexic eating disorders, but stressful events in the lives of some children or adults contribute to the development. Beginning college or having parents or guardians who make fun of children in matters concerning weight are some of the factors that can lead to this disorder, as well as emotional disorders. Researchers have also discovered a genetic linkage to this condition (See Resources).

Symptoms

• There are a number of symptoms and warning signs associated with anorexia. People suffering from anorexia will, for example, do all it takes to avoid eating. They lie that they are full when served with food, and may even try to surreptitiously throw food away to get rid of it. They also have unusual eating behaviors, like only eating in private or choosing a particular dish from which to eat.

  Though they eat very little, anorexic individuals may go out of their way to cook for others, all the while still not eating themselves. They may even go to the extent of getting recipes and other articles about food. They are overly conscious about their body shape and are never content with how they look. They always think that they need to lose more weight and deny that they are underweight.

Victims

• According to the National Women's Health Information Center (See Resources), this eating disorder primarily affects females, who account for almost 95 percent of all its victims. Adolescents are an increasingly vulnerable group, accounting for growing numbers of anorexics. People whose careers are affected by their weight--such as dancers or thespians--are considered to be at risk of eating disorders.

Risks

• Anorexia is a life-threatening illness because it deprives the body's organs of some important nutrients, causing the body to go into starvation mode. As a result, it slows down the body's functions to conserve energy. It also turns on itself to obtain essential nutrients that is is being denied. This, in turn, leads to medical complications including bone loss, brittle, yellowish skin, low energy, menstrual period cessation, nerve damage in the hands and feet, insomnia, constipation, headaches. and dizziness.

Treatment

• The most important aspect in treatment is nourishing the body and bringing the weight back to normal. The treatment process is multifaceted, addressing the psychological condition of the patient as well as his or her physical well-being. There are also alternative treatments, including the use of herbs such as cayenne pepper as a digestive aid and fermented wheat germ for strong muscles.