Anorexia is a type of eating disorder. People who have it have an intense fear of gaining weight. They strictly limit the amount of food they eat and can become so thin that it becomes a danger to them.
Anorexia is both a physical and emotional problem. It almost always begins with a strict weight-loss diet. Over time, strictly limiting foods leads to malnutrition and unhealthy weight loss.
It usually starts in the teen years. And it's much more common in females than in males. The earlier the problem is treated, the better the chances are that someone with anorexia can recover. If not treated, it can lead to serious health problems and starvation.
People who have anorexia often strongly deny that they have a problem. It's most often up to their loved ones to get help for them. If you're worried about someone, you can look for certain signs.
People who have anorexia:
Their lives become focused on controlling their weight. They may:
There is no single test that can diagnose anorexia. But this illness has a visible effect on your health and eating habits. If your doctor thinks that you may have anorexia, he or she will compare your weight with the expected weight for someone of your height and age. He or she will also check you for signs of malnutrition or starvation.
Common exams and tests for anorexia include:
All people who have anorexia need treatment. Treatment can help you get back to and stay at a healthy weight.
Because anorexia is both a physical and an emotional problem, you may work with:
If your weight has dropped too low, you will need to be treated in a hospital.
There are no medicines to treat anorexia. But an antidepressant medicine may help if you also have depression, an anxiety disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Anorexia can take a long time to overcome. Many people have ups and downs. Try to think of treatment as an ongoing process.
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Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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