Although I personally do not have
anorexia I have several friends
with children that do.
   It is a growing disorder that has
attacked young girls,boys, women and
men around the world.
   Depsite the growth of anorexia
and its counter part, bulimia there
has not been much progress in the
medical needs for these people.
   Anorexia and bulimia are both
deadly diseases and kill. They
need to be addressed and more real
focus placed upon them....and soon.
   This page is being done in an
effort to give you some insight 
into them. Perhaps it will
 enlighten someone that lives
with or knows someone suffering
from either or both of them.
   Please, take the time to
read the symptoms. If YOU
can help...please do.
   
Anorexia Nervosa is an emotional
"weight loss" disorder that is characterized
by physical, social and psychological
symptoms. Weight loss is achieved
by a variety of obsessive behaviors.
Most individuals with this disorder
strongly deny it. A feeling of control
is gained by severely restricting the
amount of food eaten and the ability
to do without food is viewed as
success in attempting to cope
with life's stresses.

Because early detection is
important to successful
recovery, it is important to
recognize the common
warning signs of Anorexia
Nervosa.

Significant or extreme weigh
loss with no known medical illness

Reduction in food intake

Ritualistic eating habits such as
cutting up meat into extremely 
small bites or chewing every bite
excessively.
Denies hunger
Critical and intolerant of others
Exercises excessively
Chooses low to no fat and low
calorie foods

Says he/she is too fat, even
when this is not true

Practices highly self-controlled
behavior

Hides feelings



Anorexia Nervosa -
Medical Consequences:

Anorexia Nervosa is intentional
starvation that deprives the body
of protein and prevents the
normal metabolism of fat.
In an effort to protect itself,
the body slows down.

The heart muscle changes
and its beat becomes irregular.
The ultimate result can be heart
failure that results in death.
Menstruation often stops, even
before extensive weight loss.
This is called amenorrhea.
Dehydration, kidney stones,
and kidney failure may result.
A fine body hair, called lanugo,
develops on the arms and can
even cover the face.
Muscles atrophy or waste away,
resulting in weakness and
lost muscle function.
Delayed gastric emptying caused
by a lack of energy and slowed
body function results in bowel
irritation and constipation.
Loss of bone calcium leads to
osteoporosis.


Anorexia Nervosa - Treatment

Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa is three-fold.
1. Medical assessment and stabilization
2. Weight restoration
3. Psychological recovery

Treatment is highly individual.
Over 25% of patients require
inpatient hospitalization.
Partial hospitalization programs
have become increasingly more
available as a good treatment option.
Most patients require continued
psychotherapy after discharge.

Other interventions may become
part of the treatment plan.
Nutritional counseling, group
therapy, family/couple counseling,
and general education about the
disorder are sometimes recommended.
Although drug therapy is not
generally used during the acute
phase of the disorder,
antidepressants may be prescribed
if mood symptoms persist.
Psychotropic medications and
continued physician monitoring
may also be recommended.

Treatment response varies
among patients, but in general,
approximately one-third of patients r
ecover completely, one-third
demonstrate significant improvement,
and about one-third remain chronically ill.

LINKS ON ANOREXIA>

SHANNON

IN LOVING MEMORY
In tribite to Diana, princess of Wales

Multidisciplinary treatment:
Anorexia Nervosa

ANOREXIC WEB

THE RITUALS OF ANOREXIA

ANRED
ANOREXIA AND RELATED EATING DISORDERS

HEALTHTOUCH
Natl assoc of Anorexia and other eating disorders

ANOREXIA FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP

JANICE'S SUPPORT PAGE

includes a husbands view of this disease

ED SUPPORT on line

SHATTERED IMAGE

ANOREXIA SUPPORT

ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA

STRAIGHT TALK
about anorexia and bulimia

MALE ANOREXIA

MALE EATING DISORDERS

MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA

ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA

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