ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Anorexia nervosa — often simply called anorexia — is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of body weight. People with anorexia place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, using extreme efforts that tend to significantly interfere with activities in their lives.

To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia usually severely restrict the amount of food they eat. They may control calorie intake by vomiting after eating or by misusing laxatives, diet aids, diuretics or enemas. They may also try to lose weight by exercising excessively.

Some people with anorexia binge and purge, similar to individuals who have bulimia nervosa. However, people with anorexia generally struggle with an abnormally low body weight, while individuals with bulimia typically are normal to above normal weight. No matter how weight loss is achieved, the person with anorexia has an intense fear of gaining weight.

Anorexia isn't really about food. It's an unhealthy way to try to cope with emotional problems. When you have anorexia, you often equate thinness with self-worth.

Anorexia can be very difficult to overcome. But with treatment, you can gain a better sense of who you are, return to healthier eating habits and reverse some of anorexia's serious complications.

Causes-The exact cause of anorexia nervosa is unknown. As with many diseases, it's probably a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.

Biological. Although it's not yet clear which genes are involved, there may be genetic changes that make some people more vulnerable to developing anorexia. Some people may have a genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance — all traits associated with anorexia.

Psychological. Some emotional characteristics may contribute to anorexia. Young women may have obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to strict diets and forgo food despite being hungry. They may have an extreme drive for perfectionism, causing them to think they're never thin enough. They may have high levels of anxiety and restrict their eating to reduce it.

Environmental. Modern Western culture emphasizes thinness. Success and worth are often equated with being thin. Peer pressure may help fuel the desire to be thin, particularly among young girls.

Symptoms--The physical signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa are related to starvation, but the disorder also includes emotional and behavior issues related to an unrealistic perception of body weight and an extremely strong fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.

Physical symptoms

Physical signs and symptoms of anorexia may include:       

·        Extreme weight loss

·        Thin appearance

·        Abnormal blood counts

·        Fatigue

·        Insomnia

·        Dizziness or fainting

·        Bluish discoloration of the fingers

·        Hair that thins, breaks or falls out

·        Soft, downy hair covering the body

·        Absence of menstruation

·        Constipation

·        Dry or yellowish skin

·        Intolerance of cold

·        Irregular heart rhythms

·        Low blood pressure

·        Dehydration

·        Osteoporosis

·        Swelling of arms or legs

Emotional and behavioral symptoms

Behavioral symptoms of anorexia may include attempts to lose weight by either:

·        Severely restricting food intake through dieting or fasting and may include excessive exercise

·        Bingeing and self-induced vomiting to get rid of the food and may include use of laxatives, enemas, diet aids or herbal products

Other emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms related to anorexia may include:

·        Preoccupation with food

·        Refusal to eat

• Denial of hunger
• Fear of gaining weight
• Lying about how much food has been eaten
• Flat mood (lack of emotion)
• Social withdrawal
• Irritability
• Reduced interest in sex
• Depressed mood
• Thoughts of suicide

Risk factors--Certain risk factors increase the risk of anorexia nervosa, including:

Being female. Anorexia is more common in girls and women. However, boys and men have been increasingly developing eating disorders, perhaps because of growing social pressures.

Young age. Anorexia is more common among teenagers. Still, people of any age can develop this eating disorder, though it's rare in those over 40. Teens may be more susceptible because of all the changes their bodies go through during puberty. They also may face increased peer pressure and be more sensitive to criticism or even casual comments about weight or body shape.

Genetics. Changes in certain genes may make people more susceptible to anorexia.

Family history. Those with a first-degree relative — a parent, sibling or child — who had the disease have a much higher risk of anorexia.

Weight changes. When people change weight — on purpose or unintentionally — those changes may be reinforced by positive comments from others for losing weight or by negative remarks for gaining weight. Such changes and comments may trigger someone to start dieting to an extreme. In addition, starvation and weight loss may change the way the brain works in vulnerable individuals, which may perpetuate restrictive eating behaviors and make it difficult to return to normal eating habits.

Transitions. Whether it's a new school, home or job; a relationship breakup; or the death or illness of a loved one, change can bring emotional stress and increase the risk of anorexia.

Sports, work and artistic activities. Athletes, actors, dancers and models are at higher risk of anorexia. Coaches and parents may inadvertently raise the risk by suggesting that young athletes lose weight.

Media and society. The media, such as TV and fashion magazines, frequently feature a parade of skinny models and actors. These images may seem to equate thinness with success and popularity. But whether the media merely reflect social values or actually drive them isn't clear-cut.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When anorexia nervosa   is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

Well selected Homoeopathic medicines are effective for anorexia nervosa. Some important remedies are given below.

ARSENICUM ALBUM 30-Arsenicum alb is an excellent remedy for the condition anorexia nervosa .Arsenic alb person is fastidious, upset about disorder , dirt, germs etc. They are irritable , oversensitive and fault finding. They are suspicious and fear of being poisoned. They think it useless to take medicines and fear of death and certain diseases so they starve. Cannot bear the sight and smell of food. Nausea, retching and vomiting after eating and drinking.

ALFALFA Q—Alfalfa is considered a specific for anorexia nervosa. There is emaciation and anorexia. Alfalfa induces a mental exhilaration and buoyancy. There is impaired appetite.

CARCINOSIN 200- Carcinosin is best for anorexia nervosa where the person is fastidious and possess obsessive compulsive disorder. Carcinosin person always trust in perfectionism , so they fear of becoming fat and also fear of rejection. They always have abuse, grief or fears often related to weight. Great anxiety in pit of stomach. Malnutrition due to effects of additives.

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER 200- Hyosyamus is effective for anorexia nervosa with mania and insanity. Hyosyamus persons are highly suspicious and they fear of being poisoned. They are jealous and are more concern about their weight and getting fat. So they restrict their diet. They experiences cramps in stomach better after vomiting , worse after irritating food.

IGNATIA AMARA 200- Ignatia amara is best for anorexia nervosa from grief, fright, or emotional shocks , disappointments. These are often related to weight.In order to reduce weight they limit their food. Ignatia persons possess perfectionism and also have fear of becoming fat and fear of rejection. They are hysterical persons , loss of control of emotions and they faint very easily. They often feel sinking in stomach, better by taking a deep breath. They have hunger with nausea, and have cramps in stomach.

NATRUM MURIATICUM 200- Natrum mur is another effective remedy for anorexia nervosa due to the effects of grief, disappointment love, fright and anger. They are depressed and introverted. Natrum mur person have fear of being rejected ot hurt emotionally. They also possess perfectionism and fear of becoming fat. Natrum mur persons have dry lips, dry skin , often constipated and have no appetite. They have a special craving for salt. They feel better in an empty stomach. They have terrible headaches. Their face is oily , as if greased with pimples.

PHOSPHORIC ACID 30- Phosphoric acid is good for anorexia nervosa results from grief and mental shock. They are pinning away from loss of love with emaciation. They are indifferent to all emotions and food with loss of appetite. They feel a pressure in stomach as if from a weight with sleepiness after eating. Phosphoric acid is good for anorexia nervosa resulting from chronic diseases.

PLATINA METALLICUM 200- Platina met is best for anorexia nervosa with obsessive and impulsive personality. They are obsessed with their appearance , they fear of becoming fat. They are very arrogant , proud and erotic, all based with their sexuality. They have religious mania. Platina persons experiences aching pressure in stomach , especially after a meal.

PULSATILLA NIG. 30- Pulsatilla is good for anorexia nervosa and is most suited to mild, timid, emotional and tearful persons. They weeps easily and craves sympathy. Pulsatilla patients prefer rich food , so there is a chance for becoming fat. To reduce weight Pulsatilla persons limit their food. They have scanty or suppressed menses.

SEPIA 200- Sepia is effective for anorexia nervosa due to hormonal imbalance. They have faint sinking feeling at epigastrium. Acid dyspepsia with bloated abdomen and sour belching.Nausea at the thought and smell of food. They have lack of appetite and disgust for food.

STAPHYSAGRIA 200-Staphysaria is best for anorexia nervosa with deep depression and deep sense of worthlessness . They even think of suicide. Humiliation, deep guilt and shame. They have no confidence. They feel canine hunger even when stomach is full.

TARENTULA HISPANA 200- Taretula his is effective for anorexia nervosa with religious mania. They have a fear of being poisoned. They are very restless and hyper energy people , do everything fast. They are more conscious about their body weight. They vomit all food eaten.

SULPHUR 200- Sulphur persons have a unhealthy, dry skin with intense itching worse when scratched or washed. They have complete loss of appetite with sour belching and great acidity in the stomach.They have a sensation of weakness that is worst at 11 am. The abdomen is very sensitive to pressure. Sulphur persons are selfish, irritable and argumentative. 

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS 200- Thuja persons have fixed ideas , thinks his blood is dirty or poisoned. They have adull mind. They have a sinking sensation in the epigastrium before food. A rancid belching after fat food.