Monday, July 6, 2009

Anorexia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Anorexia is a serious disorder that affects not only the physical structure of the body, but the mind as well. This eating disorder is common among teenagers, celebrities and fashion models who are seemingly obsessed about losing weight, the skin-and bone structure being the acceptable and usual body types of people who are in this career.

Eating disorder treatment centers in Los Angeles affirms that anorexia typically starts in the teenage years when girls become more conscious about their bodily shape and their weight. Other factors that may cause anorexia are the family, and the friends. Certain affiliations such as sports like ballet and gymnastics where one has to keep and maintain a specific body size may also cause anorexia. This can also happen due to unexpected stressful events such as divorce and death of a loved one.

There are various anorexia symptoms to watch out for, some of which are observable among patients with anorexia nervosa. These people generally do not see this problem within them and continue to believe that they are rather obese and have much more weight to shed off despite being underweight. Anorexic patients are obsessed with thoughts of dieting and would do everything to get more weights off their body, by exercising even when they are already ill. Some people with anorexia also use laxatives to induce vomiting and to avoid weight gain.

Persons suffering anorexia exhibit signs of starvation like feeling tired, weak, and faint; feeling cold all the time. They also have slow heartbeat and low blood pressure; brittle nails and thinning hair. It can also be observed that these persons have pale skin color on arms and legs because of poor blood flow.

Anorexia treatment is advised as early as possible. Concerned individuals are encouraged to seek professional help from anorexia treatment centers where anorexia patients can best recover from the disorder.


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