In the modern world, all girls dream of a thin waist and slender body. Of course, you have to fight for a beautiful figure. However, sometimes the sacrifices are too great and can even cost lives. Everything needs moderation and harmony. Many representatives of the fair sex wonder: anorexia - what is it? In this article we will look at all the features of this disease, because it can really be very serious. You will also learn how to recognize pathology and treat it correctly. Please read this information carefully to equip yourself as much as possible. After all, every girl can face such a problem.
Anorexia: what is it?
In fact, despite the fact that in the presence of anorexia the patient begins to lose weight quickly and intensively, this phenomenon is still considered a very dangerous nervous disease, which manifests itself in the form of a conscious refusal to eat and a complete loss of appetite. This pathology most often occurs in young girls during hormonal changes.
However, sometimes pathology also occurs in young men of the transition period. Usually, with age, the likelihood of developing such a pathology is minimized. Recently, this disease has become more and more common, and the reason for this is the incredible desire to lose weight and look like the girls on the covers of popular glossy magazines.
Causes of anorexia
The main causes of anorexia can be considered diseases that are directly related to loss of appetite. This includes gastritis, hepatitis and other ailments associated directly with loss of appetite in humans. The cause may also be diseases of the genitourinary system, for example, renal failure. All kinds of cancer, dental and oral diseases, constant anxiety, depression, increased body temperature after various diseases - all this can cause anorexia.
Among other things, even taking certain potent medications (abuse of them) can cause illness. Particular care should be taken when taking medications that affect the central nervous system. In some cases, the cause of anorexia may be monotony and irregular eating. Constant consumption of alcohol, in turn, leads to exhaustion of the body, and subsequently to anorexia.
The main causes of the disease
Before asking the question of how to cure anorexia, you need to understand for what reasons it arose. After all, it is simply impossible to cure it without eliminating the cause. Once again it is worth saying that this disease develops mainly in girls of adolescence. It is during this period that a huge number of changes occur in the body, and the nervous system is not particularly strong. Therefore, it is very easy for a girl to become a “typical anorexic”.
Let's consider the main factors that contribute to the occurrence of such a dangerous and practically incurable disease:
- Physiological features. If a girl is overweight due to the physiological characteristics of her body, then getting rid of it is not so easy. The young representative of the fair sex is doing everything possible and impossible to eliminate it.
- Personality factors. If a girl has low self-esteem, is very unsure of herself and her abilities, or has the qualities of a perfectionist, then the likelihood of anorexia increases significantly.
- The social factor has a very dangerous influence. Quite often, this pathology is found in well-developed countries, where the basic needs of society are satisfied, which means that it does not need to worry about meeting the initial needs. In this case, the desire of young girls to conform to fashion trends and images comes first.
- The influence of heredity. According to scientists, there is a gene that makes a girl prone to anorexia. Very often, the pathology occurs in those people whose relatives also suffered from anorexia, alcoholism, or other nervous diseases. A special place should be given to those representatives of the fair sex who had relatives in their family who suffered from serious depressive disorders.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa syndrome often occurs in a number of neuropsychic pathologies, namely: psychopathy, neuroses, organic neuroendocrinopathies, neurosis-like schizophrenia. It is also possible that an independent disease may appear, called anorexia nervosa (or endoreactive pubertal anorexia), a special type of pathological personality development.
Female patients are more susceptible to anorexia nervosa; the ratio of the incidence of diseases in men and women is 1:10. True, over the past decades, cases of this pathology in male patients have increased significantly. Typically, anorexia nervosa occurs between the ages of 14 and 20, but can begin at a later age.
The prevalence of this syndrome remains unknown. The frequency of patient hospitalizations is 0.5 per 100 thousand population per year.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
A disease such as anorexia can only occur if a person decides to go on a very strict diet or completely refuses to eat food. In some cases, girls also engage in grueling sports, which leads to complete exhaustion of the body. You can hear your stomach constantly growling, demanding food, and also bloating. In addition, the girl begins to suffer from constipation.
It is also worth paying attention to the patient’s weight. With anorexia, it decreases very sharply by more than 15-30%. The symptom of lack of appetite plays an important role in determining the disease. Very often, teenagers artificially induce vomiting and also take large amounts of diuretics and laxatives.
The patient does not notice his excessive thinness. It seems to the patient that excess weight is still present, even if this is far from the case, and the weight is already far beyond normal.
There are also a huge number of problems with the hormonal system. In girls, menstruation occurs irregularly, and over time it stops completely. In addition to sex hormones, the general hormonal background of the body changes. The adrenal glands, thyroid gland, pituitary gland and hypothalamus are affected. Body growth slows down significantly, and in some cases stops altogether. In guys, the growth of male genital organs is suspended, and hair, which should appear in accordance with the male type of development, is almost completely absent.
Causes
The most common cause of anorexia is diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, the cause of lack of appetite can be many common diseases of the body: brain tumors, some endocrine diseases, hysteria, psychosis, chronic heart and lung diseases, kidney failure.
Often, lack of appetite can occur under the pressure of external stimuli, traumatic events, emotional experiences: fear, anger, resentment, expectation of something, the desire to correspond to a certain image of one’s “ideal”.
Who is at particular risk?
Anorexia most often develops in adolescents. Since it is at this age that personality formation occurs, parents should be especially attentive to the mental state of their children and pay attention to such signs as:
If even one of the signs described above is present, begin to closely monitor the child’s condition. But if several of them are combined, immediately contact a psychologist to prevent the problem.
Anorexia in children
Anorexia in childhood is one of the most pressing problems in modern pediatrics, which is determined by the frequency of its occurrence, as well as the difficulty of treatment. Unfortunately, insufficient attention is paid to this issue in the pediatric literature.
The following main factors can be identified that provoke the development of anorexia in children:
- feeding irregularities. It is no secret that it is possible to develop and consolidate the food reflex only by observing the feeding hours;
- children's consumption of easily digestible carbohydrates between meals (sweets, sweet tea, etc.). This reduces the excitability of the food center;
- monotonous diet (consumption of only dairy products, excess fats and carbohydrates);
- overfeeding the child.
initial stage
The very first initial stage of the development of pathology is called dysmorphism. It is at this stage that significant changes occur in the human psyche. The guy or girl is not happy with their appearance and is already at the mental level developing a plan for further action to, as it seems to them, improve it. Typically, it is during adolescence that changes in appearance are most noticeable, and often teenagers do not like them. At the same time, no matter what adults say, it has absolutely no meaning. But even a seemingly small remark regarding appearance can be the start of an already latent mental illness. Usually the first stage lasts for several years.
Reviews about the treatment
Ekaterina, 28 years old, Kazan
I have chronic anorexia, the first episode of the disease was in adolescence against the background of psychological trauma. I’m starting to lose weight, I don’t want to eat. I go on a special diet, try to eat more, make an appointment with a psychotherapist. The doctor helps to cope with this condition.
Natalya, 20 years old, Lipetsk
At school I fell unrequitedly in love. I was always overweight and decided to lose weight. I got so carried away that I drove myself to anorexia. My mother saved me and sent me to a trusted psychoanalyst. I took antidepressants and changed my diet. I have gained back the weight I lost and now it is slightly below normal. The doctor told me to control my body weight because the disease may return.
Anorectic stage
The next stage is characterized by rapid human activity. Young individuals begin a rapid weight loss operation, partially or completely refusing to eat, and also torturing themselves with excessive amounts of physical exercise. At the same time, weight loss can be very rapid. Sometimes the patient loses about 50% of his weight.
This stage is when a person pushes himself into very strict limits, wanting to lose weight. He not only refuses to eat, but also deliberately induces vomiting and takes various medications to speed up this process as much as possible.
At this stage, any compliment regarding weight loss can be a motivation for even greater weight loss. Even an expression such as “typical anorexic” can be perceived as praise and encourage further action. At the same time, the patient further tightens weight loss. Also at this stage, the activity of all organs in the body deteriorates. Girls stop menstruating, and boys stop developing male genital organs.
Diet rules for anorexia
There is a chance that many of the adverse effects of refeeding in anorexia will not occur or will be minimized if treatment is started with small amounts of food and gradually increased. If the metabolic load is quickly increased, then biochemical decompensation can be provoked and hidden deficiencies can be unmasked.
At the beginning of treatment, the target body weight should be determined. The first stage of treatment involves treating the damage that has already been caused by the disease. At the second stage, a psychiatrist will have to work. At all stages of treatment, the menu and diet should be constantly monitored by a nutritionist. Nutrition for anorexia is one of the main components of successful recovery.
The first rule of nutrition for anorexia is to eat food regularly without being rejected by the body. You should start with oatmeal, chicken broth, soft-boiled eggs, oatmeal jelly, butter, vegetable oil, mashed potatoes, carrots and zucchini cooked in milk. All food should not be spicy, soft, and should not irritate the stomach.
On the 5-6th day of treatment for anorexia, the menu may include bananas, non-acidic berries, applesauce and various cereals cooked in water and milk, taken in equal quantities. Chopped vegetables and minced chicken can be added to the chicken broth. At the end of the second week, steamed fish (bream, pollock) is added to the diet. From this time on, the patient can begin to consume live fruit juices, with the exception of citrus fruits, and vegetables, which should be diluted in half with water. Cabbage juice is considered especially beneficial.
Cachectic stage
At this stage, a person’s adipose tissue completely disappears, and skin cells begin to break down. Negative changes also affect bones and heart. The heart begins to beat not so fast. At the same time, blood pressure drops and body temperature decreases. The skin takes on a bluish tint, hair and teeth begin to break and fall out. Nails also become very brittle and break down over time. A person develops a disease such as anemia.
Despite the fact that the body is in a phase of complete exhaustion, patients continue the process of losing weight and refuse to eat food. It becomes more and more difficult to move, so the patient spends more and more time in a lying position. The water balance in the body is also disturbed, so convulsions may occur.
At this stage, the treatment should already be of a violent nature, because there is a direct threat to the patient’s life. It simply cannot be done without medical intervention.
Anorexia in men
Anorexia in men often acts as an independent pathology. As a rule, it is one of the manifestations of psychopathy, neurosis, schizophrenia or other mental disorders. In this case, we can identify some circumstances that lead to the appearance of the disease. So, risk factors for men are:
- excess body weight in childhood;
- genetic predisposition to mental pathologies;
- some sports, for example running;
- some professions (actor, model);
- a man’s environment that focuses attention on physical appearance or weight loss.
Quite often, anorexic men in childhood suffered from excess weight and had short stature and a weak muscular system. Since childhood, they have had problems with the gastrointestinal tract, decreased appetite, and possibly intolerance to certain foods.
In a family, such children were usually raised in greenhouse conditions and protected from everything. As a result, they remain dependent on their parents and strive to shift the solution of their own problems to others. Adult men in this category are mostly distinguished by their isolation, unsociability, and emotional coldness.
Reduction stage
At this stage, anorexia, the symptoms and treatment of which are described in this article, returns. After providing a large number of therapeutic measures, the patient's condition improves again, and weight increases. However, the patient’s consciousness actively begins to look for all kinds of ways to lose weight. The person again refuses to eat, induces vomiting artificially, takes laxatives and commits many other dangerous acts. If the patient manages to get out of the cachexia stage, it is very important to closely monitor him for several years, since it is during this period that there is simply a huge probability of relapses.
Types of Anorexia
There are two types of this disease: restrictive anorexia and purifying anorexia. The first type is characterized by significant restrictions on food intake. At the same time, the patient never eats until he feels completely full.
The second type is known as purging anorexia. People suffering from this type of disease always eat until they are completely full, after which they artificially induce vomiting, empty their intestines by taking laxatives, and take diuretics. Such people eat much more than a healthy person.
Features of treatment
Many people are interested in the question of how to cure anorexia. Of course, the earlier treatment was started, the more effective it will be. It is best to start treatment at the initial stage of the pathology, when the mental state is just beginning to deteriorate. In this case, the main focus should be on the psychological state of anorexia. A psychologist will tell you how to cure the disease after testing and conversations with the patient.
If the disease has already entered the cachectic stage, then you cannot do without the help of an experienced doctor. It is very important to prevent the destruction of the body, as well as to return to its previous mass. In addition, the electrolyte and water balance in the body should be restored.
Treatment of anorexia
There are no specific medications for psychogenic pathologies. Initially, medications are prescribed to correct existing health problems such as electrolyte imbalances, heart rhythm disorders and more.
Antipsychotic medications
Olanzapine is a medicine that belongs to the group of benzodiazepines. In certain doses, it can be used for anorexia to reduce anxiety about issues such as weight and diet, especially when the patient does not respond to other treatments.
Weight restoration
Every gram of weight regained is critical to treatment, and the patient should be encouraged and encouraged to succeed. Weight restoration alone does not mean a complete cure, and treatment should not be stopped. Periodic blood and urine tests are required, and other indicators are monitored if necessary.
It's all about gradualism
Many people wonder how to cure anorexia quickly. In fact, therapy for this pathology is quite long. The patient will be placed on bed rest. It is very important to normalize the digestive system. To do this, you need to do everything possible to ensure that the body begins to take food again. Treatment should begin very gradually. To begin with, food should enter the body in very small portions. In this case, it needs to be finely chopped or processed using a blender. Do not overload the digestive system too much, as this can simply lead to vomiting.
Treatment of pathology
Getting rid of the problem requires identifying the cause and type of disease. To do this, a test for anorexia is carried out, based on the results of which the tactics to combat the disease are determined. Treatment of the disease involves an integrated approach and the use of traditional remedies, as well as therapy at home. Many patients feel better after visiting a psychologist.
Drug treatment
The use of drugs may be required for secondary forms of damage. This is necessary for endocrinopathies, as well as for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The funds are aimed at combating the primary problem. Medicines are also used for the psychogenic origin of anorexia. In such cases, special drugs that stimulate appetite are used, as well as antidepressants if the patient is in a state of depression. With the development of a malignant process, specific treatment with cytostatics will be required.
It is important that the fight against anorexia with medications alone does not have the desired effect. Studies have been conducted, the results of which prove the pointlessness of using such drugs without their combination with psychotherapy. The anxiolytics and antidepressants used help increase appetite, but do not lead to complete relief from the disease. Combating anorexia requires a comprehensive approach. The ideal combination is the joint work of a therapist, psychologist and nutritionist. This comprehensive approach provides optimal impact on the pathology and is especially important for the psychogenic origin of an eating disorder, but can also be used for somatic problems. In such cases, the participation of a highly specialized specialist who deals with the root cause of the disease will also be required.
In addition to medications aimed at stabilizing the psychological state and stimulating appetite, drugs are used to combat bradycardia and electrolyte disturbances in advanced stages of pathology. Such cases require hospitalization of the patient, as they can lead to severe complications and even death.
Help from a psychotherapist
The basis of the fight against anorexia is emotional support for the patient. In many cases, food refusal is a type of behavioral disorder, especially in women and adolescents. In such cases, it is necessary to visit a psychologist who will try to understand the main reasons that caused such a problem. To cure anorexia, long-term work will be required both with the patient and with his relatives and friends, who play an important role in getting rid of the disease. A combination of psychotherapy with home remedies and medications is also effective.
Folk recipes
The disease can be treated using unconventional methods only after confirmation of the diagnosis and consultation with a doctor. In such cases, traditional medicine recipes help to improve the patient’s well-being and stabilize his condition. The following remedies are effective:
Tincture of calamus root helps stimulate appetite. You will need to pour 2 teaspoons of the crushed ingredient into 250 ml of boiling water and leave for 8–10 hours. Strain the finished medicine and take ¼ cup before meals.
Grapefruit juice, especially freshly squeezed, activates the natural functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Take the liquid 30 minutes before meals. The product stimulates appetite and ensures easy absorption of nutrients.
Wormwood tincture is useful for anorexia. You will need a teaspoon of herb per two cups of boiling water. The solution is infused for 2 hours, then filtered and taken 50–70 ml before meals.
Consequences
They can be divided into: hormonal imbalances and diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Hormonal disorders are the most dangerous complications of anorexia. Can lead to serious disruptions in the functioning of the body.
First of all, the production of sex hormones - estrogen and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - is disrupted. Estrogen is responsible for human sexual activity, has an effect on primary sexual characteristics, as well as on the state of the cardiovascular system (heart, blood vessels, capillaries) and the musculoskeletal system (bones, cartilage, and so on).
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - this hormone is produced by the adrenal glands and ovaries and plays an important role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle, promotes the normal course of pregnancy, and slows down the aging process of the body.
Anorexia has the same strong influence on the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism and are responsible for the growth of organs and tissues and their restoration. As a result of the breakdown of these processes, serious consequences develop in the body: metabolism and temperature conditions are disrupted, increased fragility of bones and degradation of muscle mass are observed.
During the development of anorexia, the level of cortisol (stress hormone) in the body increases significantly, which leads not only to psychological disorders, but also to various allergic pathologies and skin diseases. At the same time, there is a decrease in growth hormone (somatotropin), which in children and adolescents provokes a slowdown in growth, and in adults it leads to impaired carbohydrate metabolism (obesity) and a slowdown in protein synthesis (early aging).
Disorders of metabolic processes, as well as the immune system, not only contribute to a general deterioration of the condition, but also provoke irreversible negative consequences for the patient’s appearance (hair and teeth begin to fall out, the skin becomes dull, acquires a gray tint, and so on). In addition, the body’s ability to resist diseases and external environmental influences decreases (anemia develops, the likelihood of contracting pneumonia increases, etc.).
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system . Heart disease is the most common cause of death in patients suffering from severe anorexia. The main signs of violations in this area are as follows:
- heart rate decreases;
- the size of the heart muscle decreases;
- blood flow decreases and, as a result, there is an insufficient supply of tissues and organs with nutrients and oxygen (this is why a person constantly experiences a feeling of cold).
