The Effects of Anorexia on the Human Body and Organ Systems What is anorexia? According to Mayo Clinic, “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 the disorder are insistent on having complete control of their body’s appearance no matter the cost, which ultimately results in the interference with everyday activities and routines. Anorexia not only has tremendous effects on the psychological well-being of an individual, but has a great impact on many of the body’s organ systems. Although there isn’t solid evidence of what the exact cause of the disorder is, it is thought that there are many factors associated including “environmental, biological, and psychological factors” (Mayo Clinic). It has been suggested that there may be certain genes associated or genetic changes involved that contribute to the disorder, making certain individuals more susceptible than others. It has also been suggested that psychological effects such as obsessive compulsive tendencies or anxiety can leave individuals more prone as well. In today’s society, it is encouraged that only thin is healthy and acceptable, leaving individuals feeling inadequate and having little self-worth (Mayo Clinic). Anorexia has detrimental effects on the body’s circulatory system. Low blood sugar can create or …show more content…
Those suffering from the condition are at an increased risk for the destruction of the circulatory system and could potentially cost them their lives. Anorexia can occur in both males and females, but is most prevalent in teenagers and young adults due to an increasingly distorted view of personal appearance relating to the body image norms that society has inflicted on us. It is an illness which can kill and which makes life very distressing for everyone it touches in any
Anorexia is a terrible disorder that ravages the body as it seems to bring comfort to the mind. A female anorexic tends to lose mostly body fat. Men primarily lose muscle tissue and tone. As this is destroyed it takes its toll on the body. Bone loss, heart muscle loss, and anemia are just a few of the ways this disorder affects the body. The two main causes of death with Anorexia are cardiac arrest and terminal dehydration. These are typically brought on by complications of starving the body of required nutrients for long periods of time.
This crucial disease can cause behavioral, physical, cognitive, and psychosocial symptoms for ones health; some examples of these would be binge-eating, dehydration, agitation, compulsion, and of course other medical diagnoses that caused by this (Anorexia Causes and Effects). An anorexic will often deal with major risk factors that can play a powerful role. A few examples of these major risks could be low self esteem, strict dieting, difficulty in expressing feelings, and of course many others (Anorexia Nervosa). The longer an individual battles with
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder found in both male and female, and it ranges in all age groups. Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder in which one starves themselves for different reasons. Anorexia is found in models that are influenced by the media thinking that stick thin is the only way to be attractive. Anorexia is found in teens that fear weight gain, have struggled with a large weight, have the fear of throwing up, etc. Anorexia is even found in older adults for the same reasons as teens. Once one recovers from anorexia the rest of his or her life is an uphill battle. The thought of gaining weight and the slightest bit of weight gain can cause an immediate relapse. Anorexia is a serious condition
Anorexia Nervosa or more commonly called Anorexia is a disease that is caused by any number of things including stress, self-esteem issues, and the words of other people. These things can cause someone to feel ashamed or self conscious of their weight and lead them to start dieting which in extreme cases leads to anorexia due to the intense fear of gaining weight. For anorexics, the line between dieting and malnourishment becomes blurred and most reject offers for
An individual with Anorexia is unable to recognize the severity of their condition; they are so far gone into their disorder, all they can see is a shrinking number on a scale. “ In Anorexia Nervosas’ cycle of self-starvation, the body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally. Thus, the body is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy .” (NEDA. “Health Consequences, Including Mortality”). The symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa include: abnormally slow heart rate, low blood pressure, reduction of bone density, muscle loss and weakness, fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness. According to Walter Kaye, in the article, “Mortality and Eating Disorders”, Anorexia Nervosa has a mortality rate of four percent (Walter.“Mortality and Eating Disorders”).
Anorexia is a kind of eating disorder disease. It makes people lose more weight than normal. The people with these disease see themselves as overweight, even when they are not. The most people evicted by this disorder are females. Also, it is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses in young women. Furthermore, these sickness scored the highest death rates of any mental health. In addition, it has two subtypes, and both subtypes are very dangers illnesses that need help from professional people. The first type is restricting. The people with the first type there behaviors usually be like skip meals, fasting, and count the calories in unnatural way. The second type is purging. It is similar to the first type. But it
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by abnormally low body weight. Anorexia is an intense fear of gaining weight with a distorted perception of body weight. People with Anorexia Nervosa value themselves on controlling their weight and shape. Mainly using extreme efforts to attend this disorder; it significantly interferes with their daily lives. Anorexia Nervosa can be treated, and the complications from day to day life will subside.
Anorexia is a sickening disease where a person feels so uncomfortable with their body that they feel the need to starve themselves to look good. People with anorexia often struggle with body image and are Fearful of what people think. 1 Anorexic people are so afraid that they are going to be fat that they starve themselves. No matter what they always see a fat person staring back at them even if they are so skinny you can see their bones. About 69% that's more than half of anorexic patients have combined anxiety disorders. 2 People who have anorexia also have very high stress levels. They often feel suicidal and that no one can help them. No food will ever hurt you as much as a eating disorder. Anorexia isn’t a illness of the body but
?Anorexia nervosa, as we know, is a psychological disorder that is defined as the “loss of appetite”. Although the disease is rare and dramatic, in 2007 it was only “affecting about 1% of women and 0.3% of men”(Cacioppo and Freberg, 2013, p.302). Those percentages are low but can equate to a large number of Americans. The biological dangers of anorexia can be very large, including the possibility of death. The disorder carries many symptoms such as low body weight, dry and yellow skin, increased sensitivity to cold, a distorted image of oneself, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems.
This paper was designed to discuss several basic topics regarding anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is and eating disorder with an incredibly high mortality rate characterized by low body weight and an obsessive fear of becoming overweight that occurs primarily in females after puberty, yet before the age of 40 years. Unfortunately, Not much is known about the causes of anorexia nervosa, but possible correlations are blood relation to a person suffering from anorexia nervosa, those who have recently experienced a stressful event, a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder in childhood, or participation in a culture or profession that values thinness.
This disorder greatly varies from one person to the next and a contributor can be from cultural factors. Where one country accepts this severe form of thinness another may not. The media is also a major contributor for people accepting this extreme weight problem. Individuals then strive to make themselves exactly as these people depicted on TV are in fear that they are not perfect enough. It has also been shown that anorexia can cause heart problems such as irregular heartbeat, stomach problems, and a major reduction in bone density making it easier break a bone. Individuals that suffer from anorexia nervosa are often severely underweight due to the fact that they choose not to eat or eat so little that the amount of cariole’s that they are taking in isn’t enough to sustain their body. Individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa have a distorted image of the way there body looks otherwise called a body dimorphic disorder. They always see themselves as fat and they turn to starving themselves to help lose the weight. These individuals also have a great fear of gaining weight but because they choose either not to eat or eat very little there is no chance of them to gain any form of weight. Anorexia effects both men and women but with women this serve drop in weight effects there ability to be able to menstruate. This is a condition otherwise known as amenorrhea. An example of
The mental disorder, called: anorexia nervosa, is a disorder characterized by intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image itself. Leads to a severe weight loss due to an exaggerated diet and excessive exercise. It is not associated with any previous organic disease. It usually occurs in adolescents, like my cousin, and especially in women. The disease causes changes in hormone cycles, immunosuppression with an increased risk of infections, and approximately between 5% and 18% of anorexics die from malnutrition (Aingeru).
Anorexia Nervosa affects 90-95 percent of females, it can peak at any time, but it is more common between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, and in the Western culture. An individual suffering from Anorexia has a fear of becoming overweight and has a distorted view of weight and shape (Comer 266). The social and psychological causes as to why this disorder developed usually occurs after a person has been dieting or has experienced a stressful event, such as a separation of parents, has failed at something important or experienced a move from a place they were attached to. Most individuals recover but the ones that are not able to overcome disorder die from the medical conditions that are brought on by starvation or by suicide (Comer 266).
Anorexia is when a person starves themselves because they have a fear of gaining weight. Anorexia is very common in the ages 14-19, it is also common to see this in adults as old as 60. This disease is normally self diagnosed but it can also be treated by seeking medical help. With this disease there are more than 200,000 cases per year. An example of this may include a person maintaining below normal body weight, to achieve this they may starve themselves or use an excessive amount of exercise. They may also experience a change in mood, many people feel guilty or experience a great deal of depression and anxiety. For women dealing with anorexia menstruation may become irregular or it may just stop. Also if a child is going
In-patients with anorexia, starvation can damage vital organs such as the heart and brain. To protect itself, the body shifts into " slow gear ": monthly menstrual periods stop, breathing, pulse and, blood pressure rates drop, and thyroid function slows. Nails and hair become brittle, the skin dries, yellows, and becomes covered with soft hair called lanugo. Excessive thirst and frequent urination may occur. Dehydration contributes to constipation, and reduced body fat leads to lowered body temperature and inability to with stand cold. Mild anemia, swollen joints, reduced muscles mass, and light headedness also commonly occur in anorexia. If the disorder becomes severe, patients may lose calcium from their bones, making them brittle and prone to breakage. Scientists from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have also found that patients suffer from other psychiatric illnesses. They may suffer from anxiety, personality or substance abuse disorders, and many are at a risk for suicide. Obsessive compulsive disorder, an illness characterized by repetitive thoughts and behaviors, can also accompany anorexia.