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Lifespan’s A - Z Health Information Library |
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Anorexia nervosaDefinitionAnorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves limiting the amount of food a person eats. It results in starvation and an inability to stay at the minimum body weight considered healthy for the person's age and height. Persons with this disorder may have an intense fear of weight gain, even when they are underweight. Not eating enough food or exercising too much results in severe weight loss. See also: Alternative NamesEating disorder - anorexia CausesThe exact causes of anorexia nervosa are unknown. Many factors probably are involved. Genetics and social attitudes toward body appearance may play a role. Some experts have suggested that conflicts within a family may contribute to this eating disorder. Anorexia is more common in people who have relatives with the disorder. Risk factors include:
Anorexia nervosa usually occurs in adolescence or young adulthood. It is more common in females. The eating disorder is seen mainly in Caucasian women who are high academic achievers and who have a goal-oriented family or personality. SymptomsPeople with anorexia may severely limit the amount of food they eat, or eat and then make themselves throw up. They may also use water pills (diuretics) and laxatives to lose weight. Most individuals with anorexia nervosa do not recognize that they have an eating disorder. Behaviors that may be noticed in a person with anorexia include:
Symptoms may include:
Exams and TestsA diagnosis of anorexia nervosa is not made until other causes of weight loss are ruled out. For example, extreme weight loss could be due to:
Tests will be done to help determine the cause of weight loss, or what damage the weight loss has caused. These tests may include:
TreatmentThe biggest challenge in treating anorexia nervosa is having the person recognize that the eating behavior is itself a problem, not a solution to other problems. However, most persons with anorexia nervosa deny that they have an eating disorder. Individuals often enter treatment when their condition is fairly advanced. The goals of treatment are to first restore normal body weight and eating habits, and then to address the psychological issues. A hospital stay may be needed if:
Other treatment may include:
Severe and life-threatening malnutrition may require feedings through a vein. Support GroupsSee: Eating disorders - support group Outlook (Prognosis)Anorexia nervosa is a serious and potentially deadly medical condition. By some estimates, it leads to death in 10% of cases. Experienced treatment programs have a good success rate in restoring normal weight, but relapse is common. Women who develop this eating disorder at an early age have a better chance of complete recovery. However, most people with anorexia will continue to prefer a lower body weight and be preoccupied with food and calories to some extent. Weight management may be difficult, and long-term treatment may be necessary to help maintain a healthy body weight. Possible ComplicationsComplications can be severe. A hospital stay may be needed. Complications may include:
When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalTalk to your doctor if your child is restricting his or her food intake, over-exercising, or excessively preoccupied with weight. Getting early medical help before abnormal patterns are established can reduce the severity of an eating disorder. PreventionIn some cases, prevention may not be possible. Encouraging healthy, realistic attitudes toward weight and diet may be helpful. Sometimes, counseling can help. ReferencesField AE, Javaras KM, Aneja P, Kitos N, Camargo CA Jr., Taylor CB, et al. Family, peer, and media predictors of becoming eating disordered. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162:574-579. Gowers SG. Management of eating disorders in children and adolescents. Arch Dis Child. 2008;93:331-334. American Psychiatric Association. Treatment of patients with eating disorders, third edition. American Psychiatric Association. Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Jul;163(7 Suppl):4-54. Bulik CM, Berkman ND, Brownley KA, Sedway JA, Lohr KN. Anorexia nervosa treatment: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Int J Eat Disord. 2007 May;40(4):310-20. Morris J, Twaddle S. Anorexia nervosa. BMJ. 2007 Apr 28;334(7599):894-8. Review Date: 1/20/2009
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, DO, Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. The information provided herein should not be used during any
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