The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders classifies an eating disorder as “an unhealthy relationship with food and weight that interferes with many areas of a person’s life”. Anorexia nervosa, one of the more extreme eating disorders, is characterized by emaciation, distorted body image, and disturbed eating behaviors. This is an extremely deadly disorder, killing between 5% and 20% of those who have it (National Eating Disorders Association, 2010), but luckily there are warning signs that, if noticed, can lead to prevention of this and other extreme health consequences. There is no one cause of anorexia; theories range from psychological causes to brain abnormalities. Anorexia nervosa, and other eating disorders,
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The National Association of ANAD says that when one starves their body of vital nutrients, it causes major deteriorations within the body. Cardiovascular problems include slow irregular pulse, cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrests. There’s an increased likelihood of broken bones due to muscle deterioration. Anorexia also causes thyroid abnormalities, extreme illness, and even organ failures. Other complications include shortness of breath, low energy, and fatigue. If one’s anorexic habits involve purging, their tooth enamel will erode, which leads to tooth decay and gum disease. They may vomit blood from tears in the esophagus, and in extreme cases, purging habits may cause the esophagus to rupture which can lead to circulatory collapse and death. (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 2014). However, the body isn’t all that’s affected by eating disorders. Anorexia takes a toll on one’s quality of life too because by affecting self-image and …show more content…
Anorexia is the “third most common chronic illness among adolescents (National Association of ANAD, 2014), and “the probability of death increases…depending on the length of the condition” (National Eating Disorders Association, 2010). It’s the third most common chronic illness among adolescents. Unfortunately, nearly 50% of those who have anorexia also develop bulimia (National Association of ANAD, 2014). Warning signs of anorexia nervosa are plentiful. Those who have it develop a preoccupation with weight and food. They deliberately starve themselves and compulsively diet and exercise (National Eating Disorders Association, 2010). People suffering from this will have abnormal weight loss and absent or irregular menstruation and may have hair loss and sensitivity to cold. Anorexics “typically weigh themselves repeatedly, portions food carefully, and eats only very small quantities of only certain foods” (National Association of ANAD, 2014). These behaviors are indicators that one might have the disease and should get help before it’s too
The National Association of ANAD says that when one starves their body of vital nutrients, it causes major deteriorations within the body. Cardiovascular problems include slow irregular pulse, cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrests. There’s an increased likelihood of broken bones due to muscle deterioration. Anorexia also causes thyroid abnormalities, extreme illness, and even organ failures. Other complications include shortness of breath, low energy, and fatigue. If one’s anorexic habits involve purging, their tooth enamel will erode, which leads to tooth decay and gum disease. They may vomit blood from tears in the esophagus, and in extreme cases, purging habits may cause the esophagus to rupture which can lead to circulatory collapse and death. (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 2014). However, the body isn’t all that’s affected by eating disorders. Anorexia takes a toll on one’s quality of life too because by affecting self-image and …show more content…
Anorexia is the “third most common chronic illness among adolescents (National Association of ANAD, 2014), and “the probability of death increases…depending on the length of the condition” (National Eating Disorders Association, 2010). It’s the third most common chronic illness among adolescents. Unfortunately, nearly 50% of those who have anorexia also develop bulimia (National Association of ANAD, 2014). Warning signs of anorexia nervosa are plentiful. Those who have it develop a preoccupation with weight and food. They deliberately starve themselves and compulsively diet and exercise (National Eating Disorders Association, 2010). People suffering from this will have abnormal weight loss and absent or irregular menstruation and may have hair loss and sensitivity to cold. Anorexics “typically weigh themselves repeatedly, portions food carefully, and eats only very small quantities of only certain foods” (National Association of ANAD, 2014). These behaviors are indicators that one might have the disease and should get help before it’s too