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Does Someone You Care About Have Anorexia?
Anorexia is an eating disorder that develops
when someone stops eating enough food for adequate nutrition.
It can happen slowly, over several months or even years, as
when some people grow older or develop an underlying disease
like cancer. As their appetite dwindles, they may stop eating
altogether or gradually eat less and less. Without taking
in enough calories or nutrients, a person can get sick or
become weak. Any other health condition that develops during
this time can then further compromise that person's health.
Another type of anorexia is based on personal
self-image. People who are trying to lose weight sometimes
take extreme measures by reducing the amount of food they
eat and eating much less frequently. While it can be easy
to lose several pounds each week in this way, such dramatic
weight loss can lead to unhealthy consequences, including
heart arrhythmias, weakness, dehydration, loss of concentration,
and nutritional imbalances, among others. If left undiagnosed
and untreated, some of these results can be fatal.
If you suspect someone you care about has anorexia,
here are some of the possible symptoms that may indicate the
presence of this situation.
1. The person may eat little or nothing for
many meals. Watch to see how much food is placed on the person's
plate, whether she eats it all, and if she has second helpings.
If she picks at her food, spits some bites into her napkin,
or leaves some on her plate, this could signal that she isn't
getting much nutrition, especially if it happens frequently.
She may sip water instead or poke at her food instead of taking
regular bites, chewing, and swallowing.
2. The person may binge and purge. You might
see the person stuffing her face with regular or high-calorie
foods, and then disappearing into the bathroom soon after
eating. Excessive eating followed by fasting, or binging following
by prolonged bathroom visits may be signs that the person
is not processing food correctly.
3. The person may use diet aids or medications
to slow eating. If you have access to her medicine chest,
or feel comfortable enough asking, you can find out if the
person is taking diuretics to make her urinate more frequently
and eliminate extra water for temporary weight loss. An anorexic
also may be taking appetite suppressants that cause her to
feel less hungry and to eat less. She also might have medication
to cause frequent bowel movements, or even take enemas fairly
often. This, however, may cause the intestines to become sluggish
and stop working much on their own.
4. The person might show signs of moodiness,
fatigue, or depression. These, however, also may represent
other conditions as well, so urge the person to see the doctor
if you're not sure anorexia is the cause.
If someone under your supervision shows symptoms
like these, take her or him to the doctor. If the person is
an independent adult, make yourself available as a confidante,
and when opportunities arise, be ready to advise a medical
examination.
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About the Author:
For more information on anorexia and bulimia, Visit Anorexia
and Bulimia.com
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