Anorexia Nervosa - Definition, Clinical Manifestations, Etiology and Complications
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain weight within the limits of the normal minimum. Characteristics are losing weight on purpose, driven and or maintained by the patient.
Clinical Manifestations of Anorexia Nervosa
- Sudden weight loss, without any obvious cause.
- Look emaciated, loss of subcutaneous fat.
- Changes in eating habits, meal times are not uncommon.
- Exercise and excessive physical activity.
- Amenorrhoea.
- Dry scaly skin.
- Lanugo on the extremities, back and face.
- The skin turns yellowish.
- Sleep disorders.
- Constipation.
- Erosion of the esophagus.
- Natural feelings of depression.
- Excessive focus on achieving high results.
- Excessive attention to food and body image.
- Erosion of enamel and dentin.
Etiology of Anorexia Nervosa
Various psychological factors associated with the development of the typical behavior of Anorexia Nervosa. Low self-esteem is often instrumental in the emergence of this disease. Weight loss is seen as an achievement and self-esteem depend on the size and weight. There is also a relationship between eating disorders with mood disorders. Family dynamics can also play a role in the development of symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Parents may be too in control and too protect children. Other factors also play a role in the emergence of this disorder is the ideal slimness society that seeks equaled or even exceeded by the teens. Individuals affected by this disorder have a distorted body image consider themselves obese or obsess about the size and shape of certain body parts.
Complications of Anorexia Nervosa
- Cardiac: bradycardia, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypotension, heart failure.
- Gastrointestinal: esophagitis, peptic ulcer, hepatomegaly.
- kidney; serum urea and electrolyte abnormalities.
- Skeletal; osteoporosis, pathologic factors.
- Endocrine; reduced fertility, increased levels of cortisol and growth hormone, increased gluconeogenesis.
- Metabolic; decrease in BMR, body temperature regulation disorders.
