Anorexia is an eating disorder, which could lead to sudden and extreme weight loss combined with self-starvation. It is found in people whose body weight drops by 15% of their ideal weight. This sudden and excess weight loss in patients suffering from this medical disorder can be life-threatening. It can also lead to death if the condition remains undiagnosed and untreated for extended periods.
The term refers to “loss of appetite”. But, in reality, the patients of anorexia reported hunger and food cravings, but they still refused to eat anything. It’s more of a mental health issue, in which the patient refuses food because of their fear of gaining weight. They consider themselves fat (even if they are skinny). These people tend to exercise frequently to shed the “perceived extra pounds” and limit their consumption.
Who is at High Risk of Anorexia?
Anyone (regardless of age and gender) can get anorexia. However, the condition is more common in females than males. Plus, it is mostly seen in people who are in the industry where their appearance, skin tone, body shape & size matter. For example, actors and athletes are at high risk of getting Anorexia than a person with a 9-5 job.
Moreover, these are mostly goal-oriented people who want to be perfectionists in every field. They also report depressive and obsessive symptoms.
Symptoms and Treatment
The eating disorder starts during puberty, but it can occur at later stages as well. The symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa are:
- Sudden and extreme weight loss in a short time
- The fear of gaining weight
- Not wanting to eat
- Taking diet pills to shed pounds
- Exercising excessively
- Wearing loose-fitting outfits to hide their fatness
- Feeling fat even if they are thin
Anorexia can be dangerous if the patient doesn’t eat for days. Dehydration and loss of appetite can cause serious health risks, such as kidney failure, heart problems, and irregular heartbeat.
Anorexia treatment in Pune is about helping patients deal with low self-esteem, weight management, behavioral changes, and other emotional issues. Psychotherapy is the most popular treatment option for people suffering from anorexia.
The therapy is combined with medications for quick results. The doctor might also recommend nutritional counseling to help the patient to restore the normal body weight and follow a healthy and nutritious diet plan. Basically, the treatment for any type of eating disorder includes a combination of therapies and medication.
If not treated in time, anorexia can affect the patient’s heartbeat, kidneys, bones, and other essential organs. It could also lead to death if the patient staves for days.
