Anorexia Nervosa (Self-Starvation, Malnutrition, Severe Weight Loss, Extreme Weight Loss)

">Anorexia Nervosa (Self-Starvation, Malnutriti...
What is Anorexia Nervosa?Statistics on Anorexia NervosaRisk Factors for Anorexia NervosaProgression of Anorexia NervosaHow is Anorexia Nervosa Diagnosed?Prognosis of Anorexia NervosaHow is Anorexia Nervosa Treated?Anorexia Nervosa ReferencesWhat is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disease.

This condition is hallmarked by an extreme reluctance to consume food as a result of a psychological disturbed body image. This may lead to extreme malnutrition and weight loss. Anorexia nervosa is potentially life-threatening.

Statistics on Anorexia Nervosa

The incidence of anorexia nervosa is 1-10 per 100,000 females aged between 15 and 34 years. There is a prevalence rate of 1-2% among schoolgirls and university students. Anorexia nervosa is much less common among men with a 1:10 ratio of boys:girls.

The onset of anorexia nervosa disease usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 30 years, initiated by a stressful life event. Anorexia nervosa occurs mostly in those individuals striving for success in industries that demand a slim body image such as modelling and dancing. There is also a higher prevalence of anorexia nervosa in higher social classes.

Risk Factors for Anorexia Nervosa

Several theories have been put forward to explain the origin of anorexia nervosa, but none have stood the test of time.

The following are important important associations of anorexia nervosa:

Stressful life events: The condition most commonly follows a stressful situation or event in the patient's life. Genetic: There is a higher rate of anorexia nervosa in those with a family history of this anorexia. An increased occurrence has beenshown to exist in full-blood sisters.Turbulent family relationships: Overprotective parents, and a pattern of conflict avoidance is shown to increase the risk of developing anorexia in children. Children are thought to use anorexia nervosa as a kind of hunger strike. The child then gains power in the family dynamic for it is the child who recieves the attention and decides the outcome of a family dilemma.

Progression of Anorexia Nervosa

The age of onset of anorexia in women is usually between 10 and 30 years of age, seldom occurring after the age of 30 years.

The onset of anorexia nervosa usually goes unnoticed until a significant amount of weight has been lost. Weight loss is achieve with severe diet restriction and excessive amounts of exercise. Weight loss may be also occur with self-stimulation of vomiting and excessive use of laxatives. With further weight loss, a woman's period may cease, and the patient may develop low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and become very sensitive to the cold. Throughout any stage of the disease, the patient may exhibit psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety, related to their distorted body image of being "fat."

How is Anorexia Nervosa Diagnosed?

Fecal occult blood may be indicative of esophagitis, gastritis, or repetitive colonic trauma from laxative abuse as well as a bleeding disorder or severe protein malnutrition.

Prognosis of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa runs a fluctuating course, with exacerbations and partial remissions. Long-term follow up suggests that about two-thirds of patients maintain normal weight and that the remaining one-third are split between those who are moderately underweight and those who are seriously underweight.

Indicators of a poor anorexia nervosa outcome include:

A long initial illness; Severe weight loss; Older age at onset; Bulimia, vomiting or purging; Personality difficulties; and Difficulties in relationships.

Suicide has been reported in 2-5% of patients with chronic anorexia nervosa. The mortality rate per year is 0.5% from all causes. More than one-third have recurrent affective illness, and various family, genetic and endocrine studies have found associations between eating disorders and depression.

50% of patients make a full recovery, 30% a partial recovery and 20% none.

How is Anorexia Nervosa Treated?

Anorexia nervosa treatment can be conducted on an outpatient basis unless the weight loss is severe and accompanied by marked physical symptoms such as dizziness, weakness and/or electrolyte and vitamin disturbances. Hospital admission may then be unavoidable and may need to be on a medical ward initially. Rarely the patient's weight loss may be so severe as to be life-threatening. If the patient cannot be persuaded to enter hospital, compulsary admission may have to be used.

Inpatient treatment goals include:

Establishing a good relationship with the patient; Restoring the weight to a level between the ideal bodyweight and the patient's ideal weight; The provision of a balanced diet, building up to 12.6MJ (3000 calories) in 3 to 4 meals per day; The elimination of purgaitve and/or laxative use and vomiting.

Outpatient treatment can be conducted on either or both of cognitive behavioural psychotherapeutic lines or dynamic psychotherapeutive lines. It is vital to set up a therapeutic alliance. Individual psychotherapy is better than family therapy if the patient has left home and vice versa.

Motivational enhancement techniques have been used with some success.

Drug treatment has met with limited success, except to symptomatically treat insomnia and depressive illness.

Article kindly reviewed by:

The DAA WA Oncology Interest Group
and
Food4Health (Helen Baker Dietitian-APD)

More information
For more information on nutrition, including information on types and composition of food, nutrition and people, conditions related to nutrition, and diets and recipes, as well as some useful videos and tools, see Nutrition.  
For more information on psychology and psychotherapy, including different types of therapy, see Psychology and Psychotherapy.

 

Anorexia Nervosa References

Bochereau D, Clervoy P, Corcos M, Girardon N. Eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa in adolescents [in French]. Presse Med. 1999;28(2):89-99. [Abstract]Deep AL, Nagy LM, Weltzin TE, et al. Premorbid onset of psychopathology in long-term recovered anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 1995;17(3):291-7. [Abstract]Kumar P, Clark M (eds). Clinical Medicine (5th edition). Edinburgh: WB Saunders Company; 2002. [Book]Cushing TA, Waldrop RD. Anorexia nervosa [online]. Omaha, NE: eMedicine; 2003 [cited 8 July 2003]. Available from: URL link

Symptoms of This Disease:ImpulsivityTreatments Used in This Disease:Individual TherapyParent Training / Parent Therapy
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Drinking Tea for Weight Loss

 

Dr. Oz: The best teas for weight loss

Looking to lose weight? Weight loss teas then it's time for tea. The benefits of drinking tea are well known. Both black and green tea are rich in antioxidants that help fight heart disease and cancer. Many experts also recommend green tea as a weight loss aid. But do not stop there. There are other teas that can help you lose kilos, weight loss teas including one who worked for Jessica Simpson. Sharecare natural medicine expert Bryce Wylde, says drinking tea thesis oven at certain times of day, weight loss teas can be an important part of your weight loss program year.

Morning
Start your day with a cup (or two) of Pu-erh tea from eastern China. Weight loss teas pu-erh tea contains an ingredient activating enzyme actually shrinking fat tissue. Weight loss teas is aussi contains high levels of gallic acid, all that is believed to inhibit fat absorption. The tea is fermented and offers a light flavor, soft and slightly earthy. It contains half the caffeine of coffee, so you can enjoy an extra cup without getting the jitters. Weight loss teas jessica Simpson drank tea as its share of well-publicized weight loss regime in 2010.

Lunchtime
What should you drink at lunch to burn fat I am your sandwich or fries? White tea. It has a delicate mild flavor that blends well with almost anything, weight loss teas and contains EGCG, all of which helps the body metabolize fat more efficiently and helps block fat absorption. In addition to the weight loss benefits of white tea, weight loss teas which contains L-theanine aussi, all of which helps reduce stress while promoting concentration, just what you need as they prepare for a busy afternoon. Try two cups with the midday meal.

Afternoon
Take a break in the afternoon and enjoy a cup of tea chickweed. Weight loss teas this herbal tea with light fruity contains magnesium and potassium and acts as a mild diuretic, weight loss teas helping to lose some water weight and bloating afternoon battle. Mild laxative effect chickweed tea can help the body eliminate toxins. Weight loss teas enjoy a cup per day.

Afternoon
Blueberry tea is the tea duty the night of the election. Blueberries, loaded with antioxidants, help reduce levels of blood sugar and naturally sweet flavor, so a night cap can prevent it coming to the box of cookies that call to you from the cabinet. There is no caffeine, so it is ideal as an evening drink. Drink a cup every night.

Think you know a thing or two about tea? Test your intelligence, having tea Tea Time questionnaire.

You have a favorite tea to help with a health problem? Let us know in the comments.

Spirulina Weight Loss?

One of the most famous and talked about the benefits of spirulina is its natural ability to help you lose weight. It should be acknowledged that spirulina does not directly burn fat, but it helps the body in many other ways. These are means spirulina weight loss benefits.
Spirulina is a good source of protein and has more protein than meat and soya. With a diet that is full of protein, you will feel full longer. Foods that are low glycemic index are those that take your body longer to digest so you stay away from snacks and treats high in sugar. This is exactly what is spirulina.
Spirulina contains many essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for good health. It is also the source of the first class of three essential fatty acids omega-which also stimulates brain function. As you continue to follow and maintain an exercise program and a healthy diet, spirulina for weight loss will give a boost to your body naturally.
Spirulina for weight loss also helps to give your body exactly what it needs. There is no other natural sources like spirulina and no one can match all the health benefits that Spirulina provides. Regardless of whether you want to lose weight or just want to give your body all the vitamins and nutrients it needs, spirulina will put you on the fast track to better health.
Spirulina is low in calories. It only provides 3.9 calories per gram of protein compared to beef which provides sixty-five calories for every gram of protein. Five hundred milligram tablet level of spirulina has only two calories. Regular consumption of Spirulina will give you a good portion of your daily nutritional needs without the caloric consequences.
Spirulina has a high nutrient content. When our bodies are hungry, your body is often looking for to satisfy your nutritional needs. When you eat food of poor quality, the brain will trigger your appetite in an effort to get what you want. Spirulina will increase the concentration of nutrients in your body and thus reduce hunger and cravings.
Most people who use spirulina for weight loss take spirulina powder weight loss pill or one hour before eating a meal. The high protein content in spirulina will slow the process of digestion, relieve appetite and make you feel less hungry.When you combine spirulina with regular workout and a healthy balanced diet, you will achieve your goal of losing weight faster.