Introduction
The term ‘anorexia nervosa’ is Greek for deficiency of appetite. Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition caused by social processes, low self esteem, cultural mind-sets and biological practices. It is an eating disorder that causes an individual to lose weight in a severe and life-threatening manner (Botha, 2010). This disorder makes people get obsessed with what they consume. These people maintain a weight that’s too low depending on their height and age. This is characterized by them starving and compulsively exercising (Botha, 2010). Anorexia does not only revolve around food but it’s a way to deal with emotional stress. An individual with anorexia considers being thin as being worthy. These individuals consider themselves as being fat even when they are thin and emaciated. This paper presents information on Anorexia Nervosa in terms of its history, signs and symptoms, treatment and long-term effects.
History and Statistics
Anorexia was rare before the 1950s. However, it existed before then. The first cases were registered in the 12th and 13th centuries. At the time, it was described as “wasting disease” in the 17th and 19th century, it was regarded as an endocrine disorder (Nilsson, Abrahamsson, Torbiornsson & Hägglöf, 2007). Today, estimates show that 1% to 4.2% of women suffer from anorexia nervosa during the course of their life. 4% of individuals suffering from anorexia die from the complications associated with the disease. Only a third of individuals with anorexia nervosa in the United States get the required treatment. Eating disorders affect about 70 million people globally and 24 million American citizens. 11% of High school students have been diagnosed with an eating disorder (Duvvuri & Kaye, 2009). Among 10 year olds 8% are afraid of being fat. The most common sign of an eating disorder is dieting. 51% of girls between 9 and 10 year olds feel great if they are dieting while 80% of all children have dieted one time or another before they got to 4th grade. Among adolescents anorexia nervosa is the 3rd most fatal illness. Young women suffering from anorexia nervosa are 12 times more likely to die as compared to those without. From onset of the illness 5 to 10% die within the first decade, 18 to 20% within the second decade and only 50% are cured.
Types of people affected.
Statistics show that anorexia affects genders, all ages, all races and all classes of people in the world. Contrary to popular belief this is not a disorder for the upper middle class. There are some people who are more predisposed to anorexia nervosa. 90% of the cases that are recorded are female. Women are more weight conscious and this tends to affect them more as compared to their male counterparts (Kaye, 2010; Grohol, 2009). It also affects people who are perfectionists. These people might believe that being thin is perfect and they might starve themselves till they get to their ideal weight which might be an illusion, thus they keep pushing themselves to the edge. It also affects adolescents as this is the age when one becomes socially aware and wants to fit in a certain social class (Kaye, 2010). This is also an age where the body undergoes various changes. Women will put on more weight and this might explain why cases are more prevalent among them. This strong desire for social approval might cause one to try and shed of some weight and later develop eating disorders.
Signs and symptoms
Many women who suffer from anorexia nervosa have delayed and irregular periods or no periods at all since the hormone levels are affected by bad eating habits. There is a greater risk of infertility among them. The individuals suffer from low chemical and mineral levels in the body caused by using laxatives and vomiting (Patient.co.uk. 2009). For example low calcium levels cause muscle spasms while low potassium levels might cause kidney failure and convulsions. This may result in thin bones that fracture even under the slightest pressure. Constipation and abdominal pains are reported in some cases of anorexia. In addition, swelling on various body parts like hands may be experienced (Patient.co.uk. 2009). Some patients get depressed, moody and irritable. Thinning of hair and roughening of the skin is also a common sign of anorexia.
Treatment
One type of treatment is nutritional changes. This includes nutritional advice and being involved in the individual’s diet. One should encourage them to eat healthy as well as show them the benefits of a healthy body. The patient should also be honest and they should be supervised to ensure that they eat a balanced diet and that they do not vomit. The second type of treatment is medication. The doctor may also give antidepressant medication if the individual is over 18 years or if he deems it fit. Supplements may also be given. This is done to ensure that the teeth and bones develop well. The oral contraceptive pill may also be given to increase estrogen hormone to the required level. The third type of treatment is counseling and therapy. The therapist should seek to weed out negative thoughts and low self esteem that might be the root cause of the disorder. They should also guide them in the best way to deal with emotional issues so as to avoid this in future.
Long term effects
The long term effects that one is likely to suffer are tooth decay and damage of gums, thinning of body hair, poor memory, slow thinking, anemia, kidney stones and kidney failure, osteoporosis and bone fractures, higher risk of miscarriage when pregnant, giving birth to under developed babies and those with low birth weight, post partum depression and infertility. These effects occur due to the restriction of calories in the body. Due to starvation the body slows down metabolism to conserve the little energy it is getting from the little that is consumed. Soon complications begin to overcome the body.
Conclusion
Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition caused by social processes, low self esteem, cultural mind-sets and biological practices. The most common sign of an eating disorder is dieting. Statistics show that anorexia affects genders, all ages, all races and all classes of people. Treatment of anorexia nervosa patients may be initiated through dietary changes towards a more balanced diet. Medication strategies may also be followed to treat the symptoms of the disease. This may help to avoid log-term effects of the disease such as thinning of body hair, poor memory, slow thinking, anemia, kidney stones and kidney failure.
References
Botha, D. (2010). Anorexia Nervosa – The Female Phenomenon: Repositioning the Males. Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Health, 6(1), 1-20
Duvvuri, V, & W. H. Kaye. (2009) "Anorexia Nervosa." Focus. psychiatryonline.org 6.4 455-465. Print.
Grohol, J.M. (2009) "Treatment for Anorexia | Psych Central." Psych Central.com. Version 1. Psych Central.com, Web. 26 Nov. 2013. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/treatment-for-anorexia>.
Kaye, W.H. (2010) "is anorexia nervosa an eating disorder? New insights into puzzling symptoms." University of California San Diego 3.2 1-13. Print.
Nilsson, K., Abrahamsson, E., Torbiornsson, A., & Hägglöf, B. (2007). Causes of Adolescent Onset Anorexia Nervosa: Patient Perspectives. Eating Disorders, 15(2), 125-133.
Patient.co.uk. (2009). Patient.co.uk - Trusted medical information and support. Patient.co.uk. Retrieved November 24, 2013, from http://www.patient.co.uk/health/anorexia-nervosa-leaflet
