Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
Alternative Names Return to top
Eating disorder - anorexiaDefinition Return to top
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person refuses to stay at even the minimum body weight considered normal for their age and height. Persons with this disorder may have an intense fear of weight gain and a distorted body image. Inadequate eating or excessive exercising results in severe weight loss.
See also:
Causes Return to top
The exact cause of anorexia nervosa is not known, but social attitudes towards body appearance are believed to play a role.
Causes may include genetic, constitutional, psychological, trauma, family, and society or cultural factors. Any given case is likely due to more than one factor.
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 have a goal-oriented family or personality.
Symptoms Return to top
Most individuals with anorexia nervosa refuse to recognize (deny) that they have an eating disorder.
Symptoms may include:
Exams and Tests Return to top
A diagnosis of anorexia nervosa is not made until other causes of weight loss are ruled out. The health care provider will determine if endocrine, metabolic, digestive, and central nervous system abnormalities can explain the weight loss. (For example, extreme weight loss could be due to celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison's disease, and many other possible conditions.)
Tests will be done to help determine the cause of weight loss or to determine what damage the weight loss has caused cause. They may include:
Treatment Return to top
The biggest challenge in treating anorexia nervosa is having the person recognize that their 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 goal of treatment is first to restore normal body weight and eating habits, and then attempt to resolve psychological issues. A hospital stay may be needed, especially if the person has lost a lot of weight.
Supportive care by health care providers, structured behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and anti-depressant drug therapy are some of the methods that are used for treatment. Severe and life-threatening malnutrition may require intravenous feeding.
Support Groups Return to top
Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top
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 Complications Return to top
Complications can be severe. A hospital stay may be needed.
Complications may include:
When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top
If you see that your child is restricting his or her food intake, over-exercising, or is excessively preoccupied with weight, talk to your doctor. Early intervention before abnormal patterns are established can reduce the severity of an eating disorder.
Go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911), if fainting, irregular pulse, seizures, or other severe symptoms develop in a person with anorexia nervosa.
Prevention Return to top
In some cases, prevention may not be possible. Encouraging healthy, realistic attitudes toward weight and diet may be helpful. Sometimes, counseling can help.
References Return to top
American Psychiatric Association. Treatment of patients with eating disorders, third edition. American Psychiatric Association. Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Jul;163(7 Suppl):4-54.
Marcus MD. Eating disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007:chap 238.
Morris J, Twaddle S. Anorexia nervosa. BMJ. 2007 Apr 28;334(7599):894-8.
Update Date: 3/25/2008 Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy, ELS. Previously reviewed by Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/21/2007).
Home | Health Topics | Drugs & Supplements | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Disclaimers | Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Quality Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 09 September 2008 |