Disease Symptom Tips :: Anorexia Symptoms
Anorexia Symptoms: The Symptoms of Anorexia
Identifying anorexia symptoms with a patient is an important first step in not only diagnosing the disease, but helping to engage the patient in treatment.
And though eating disorders are a rare mental health disorder (when compared to issues like depression), they have a high morbidity rate – meaning it's critical to identify the disease and treat it effectively.
To learn more about Anorexia nervosa, including the disease's symptoms, keep reading.
About Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is defined as a patient's refusal to maintain a healthy body weight coupled with a strong fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.
Though related, Bulimia nervosa is not the same disease and refers to those who indulge in binge eating and then take action to prevent subsequent weight gain (such as purging or vomiting).
Symptoms Associated with Anorexia Nervosa
Often Anorexia is diagnosed after a patient's loved one or even the patient themselves recognizes the clear anorexia symptoms. These symptoms include unexplained and extreme weight loss, vomiting, fainting, fatigue and high levels of stress.
The disease is fairly easy to diagnose, particularly when it has reached a stage that is obviously evident – weight loss, hair loss, rotting teeth, poor skin condition, lethargy, dry skin, menstrual irregularities, etc.
To clinically identify the disease and then mark progress, it's critical that psychiatrists and medical doctors obtain complete measurements of the patient's height and weight. Their BMI can then be tracked on an ongoing basis. The doctor should also exclude other possible causes of the weight loss such as IBS, diabetes mellitus or severe depression.
In addition, the supervising doctor should ask for a full blood count, electrolytes, thyroid function tests and liver function assessments. This should be done to either exclude hypokalaemia, anemia, or hyperthyroidism or identify them as possible side symptoms of the disease itself.
Difficulties Treating of Anorexia Nervosa
Though diagnosing the disease may be relatively simple, treating it is another story. The patient may be in extreme denial and continue to maintain that nothing is wrong with them or their lifestyle. They may also hide symptoms or gain small amounts of weight to maintain a secretive level of obsession with their weight.
Patients are often unable to give in, but also very aware of the dangers associated with their disease. They understand that they need to seek treatment, but the prospect of eating more is frightening.
Coupled with this is the fact that the disease causes low energy levels and even depression – making the disease harder to fight.
Remember, though anorexia symptoms may be easily identified, often after it's too late, treatment of the disease is very difficult. Effective treatment often needs the full support of the patient's family and medical practitioners.
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