Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder where individuals experience weight loss or struggle to gain appropriate weight, especially in growing children. Anorexia nervosa can affect people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, races, and ethnicities. Historical evidence and psychological studies have shown that symptoms of anorexia have been present for centuries. While the disorder commonly starts during adolescence, there is a growing number of children and older adults being diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. It is important to note that you cannot determine if someone is struggling with anorexia nervosa just by looking at them.

Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa
Some emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa may include experiencing noticeable weight loss, showing signs of being obsessed with body weight or shape, and how it influences perceptions of self, wearing layered clothing to conceal weight loss or keep warm, being constantly preoccupied with weight, food, calories, and diets, avoiding to eat certain foods and eliminates entire food groups, regularly expressing concerns about feeling “fat” despite losing weight, being fearful of gaining weight, even when underweight, complaining of constipation, abdominal pain, and other physical symptoms, denying feeling hungry, drinking large amounts of fluids to suppress hunger, finding excuses to skip meals or food-related events, feeling the need to “burn off” consumed calories, following a strict exercise routine regardless of circumstances and withdrawing socially and becoming secretive.

Some physical signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa may include stomach cramps, gastrointestinal complaints like constipation and acid reflux, trouble focusing, abnormal laboratory results like anemia and low hormone levels, dizziness, fainting, constant feeling of coldness, sleep issues, menstrual irregularities or absence of periods, cuts and calluses on finger joints from inducing vomiting, dental problems caused by purging, dry skin and brittle nails, swelling around salivary glands, fine body hair, thinning and dry hair, muscle weakness, yellow skin due to excessive carrot intake, and slow wound healing.

Conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, and other mood disorders, as well as substance use disorders often co-occur with anorexia nervosa.

What are the health risks of anorexia nervosa?
In anorexia nervosa, the body lacks essential nutrients, leading to slowed processes and severe medical issues, including heart failure. Insufficient intake of calories and fats can result in dry skin and brittle hair that may fall out. When the body experiences starvation, it grows fine, downy hair called lanugo to retain warmth. Poor nutrition can reduce the quantity of specific blood cells and may cause anemia, which occurs when there is a deficiency of red blood cells or insufficient iron in the diet. Malnutrition can also lower the number of infection-fighting white blood cells. In addition, severe and prolonged dehydration can eventually lead to kidney failure. Furthermore, neurons rely on electrolytes to transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the brain and body. If someone experiences severe dehydration or imbalances in these electrolytes, it can result in seizures and muscle cramps. People who weigh more are more likely to develop sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops frequently during sleep. Because of lower sex hormones, bone loss and the risk of broken bones and fractures will be significantly increased. The body may seem fine in tests, but electrolyte imbalances and cardiac arrest can be fatal. Understanding the impact of eating disorders on the body is crucial.

How is anorexia nervosa treated?
The treatment for anorexia nervosa involves a team of healthcare professionals who specialize in treating this eating disorder. This team may consist of a doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, and nutritionist. It is crucial to seek professional help as early as possible due to the severe physical and psychological effects of anorexia nervosa. Early intervention has been proven to be beneficial for successful treatment.

Sources:
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/anorexia