Definition

Anorexia is an eating disorder. A person is obsessed with losing more weight than needed. Losing weight may involve exercising too much, taking laxatives or diuretics, or inducing vomiting.

Causes

The cause of anorexia is not known. It appears to be a mix of your genes, way of life, and environment.

Risk Factors

Anorexia is more common in young women. Your risk is also higher for:

• Low self-esteem
• Feelings of helplessness
• Wanting to be perfect
• Fear of gaining weight
• Pressure to be thin
• Other people in your family have the same problems
• Emotional stress
• Other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety
• Way of life that highlights being thin as ideal

Symptoms

Anorexia may cause:

• Excess weight loss
• Obsession with food, and how much fat and calories are in it
• Dieting even when thin
• Strong fear of gaining weight, even when underweight
• Body dysmorphia—you see yourself as overweight when you’re not
• Basing self-evaluation heavily on body weight or shape
• Loss of monthly periods in women
• Excess exercising
• Feeling cold, mainly in the hands and feet
• Being secretive about food
• Hair loss or growth of fine hair on the body
• Fainting or lightheadedness
• Constipation
• Heart palpitations

Anorexia often leads to:

• Osteoporosis —makes the chances of broken bones higher
• Heart problems, which can be deadly if arrhythmias start

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Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. Your answers and a physical exam may point to anorexia. You may also have:

• Blood tests
• ECG —to check how the heart is working
• Bone density tests
• A psychological exam

Treatment

The goal is to return to and keep a healthy weight. A healthy weight is above 85% of your ideal weight. The intake of calories is slowly added to. For serious anorexia, care may start in a hospital.

This can be done with:

Prevention

There is no way to prevent anorexia since the cause is unknown.