Anorexia nervosa, often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder that can result in unhealthy weight loss. Anorexia is a mechanism people use to cope with emotional issues, causing them to obsess over their weight and what they eat. Severe cases of anorexia can cause serious health issues and can be fatal. However, there is treatment available to restore people with anorexia to a healthy weight.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

People suffering from anorexia often have an intense fear of gaining weight, even when they are healthy or underweight. They may starve themselves, diet and exercise excessively, vomit after eating, or misuse laxatives, diuretics or enemas. Other emotional and behavioral symptoms include lack of emotion or irritability, social withdrawal, reduced interest in sex, depression, and denial of hunger. The physical symptoms of anorexia include extreme weight loss, anemia, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness or fainting, thin hair, lack of menstruation, constipation, irregular heart beat, low blood pressure, electrolyte abnormalities, and osteoporosis. In severe cases, anorexia can cause serious health problems such as malnutrition, organ damage, and death.  Continue reading for Causes Information . . .


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