Copilot
Your everyday AI companion
About 210,000 results

  1. Anorexia nervosa

    Content medically reviewed by
    Dr. Abhimanyu Chandakverified specialist
    MD, Psychiatry
    View full profile onLinkedIn logoLinkedIn
    Symptoms & Reports
    If you are experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.

    Not eating enough food and over conscious of the physical appearance is the first sign of Anorexia. The other symptoms include:

    • Extreme weight loss
    • Thin appearance
    • Intense fear of gaining weight
    • Bingeing and purging
    • Abnormal blood counts
    • Fatigue
    • Insomnia
    • Dizziness or fainting
    • Bluish discolouration of the fingers
    • Hair that thins, breaks or falls out
    • Soft, downy Hair covering the body
    • Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
    • Constipation
    • Dry or yellowish skin
    • Intolerance of cold
    • Irregular heart rhythms
    • Low blood pressure
    • Dehydration
    • Osteoporosis
    • Swelling of arms or legs

    Common symptoms and their severity as reported by people on Patientslikeme.

    Symptoms
    Severity Graph
    (326)
    (324)
    (321)
    (317)
    (91)
    Last Update : 2024-04-01.
    Seve...
    Mode...
    Mild
    None
    Causes

    The exact cause is not known. The following factors may play a role:

    • Genetic: Certain genetic changes confer a predisposition
    • Neurochemical factors - Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine dysfunction
    • Environmental: Socio- cultural influences that project thinness as a desirable trait and peer pressure which encourages associated behaviours

    Psychological factors include:

    • Tendency towards depression and anxiety
    • Difficulty in handling stress
    • Excessive worrying and feeling scared or doubtful about the future
    • Perfectionism – setting strict, demanding goals or standards
    • Being very emotionally restrained
    • Having feelings of obsession and compulsion

    Prevention

    There is no way to prevent anorexia. Early diagnosis and treatment slows down the disease progression

    • Avoid punishing or rewarding your children with food

    Complications

    If untreated for a prolonged period it may lead to:

    • Anaemia
    • Heart problems, such as mitral valve prolapsed, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure
    • Bone loss which increases the risk of fractures later in life
    • In females, the absence of a period
    • In males, decreased testosterone
    • Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating or nausea
    • Electrolyte abnormalities, such as low blood potassium, sodium and chloride
    • Kidney problems
    • Sudden death

    Source: Focus Medica . For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Learn more
    Was this helpful?
  2. People also ask
    What are the symptoms of anorexia nervosa?
    The main symptom of anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) is deliberately losing a lot of weight or keeping your body weight much lower than is healthy for your age and height. Signs and symptoms include: You may also notice physical signs and symptoms such as:

    Symptoms - Anorexia nervosa - NHS

    nhs.uk
    What is anorexia nervosa?
    Anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. People who have anorexia try to keep their weight as low as possible. They may do this in different ways, such as not eating enough food, exercising too much, taking laxatives or making themselves sick (vomit).

    Overview - Anorexia nervosa - NHS

    nhs.uk
    Can anorexia nervosa cause weight loss?
    Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that can result in severe weight loss. A person with anorexia is preoccupied with calorie intake and weight. People with anorexia nervosa eat an extremely low calorie diet and have an excessive fear of gaining weight. They often feel better about themselves when they lose weight.

    Anorexia Nervosa: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments - Healthline

    healthline.com
    Is anorexia nervosa a serious eating disorder?
    Disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight. Even if all the DSM-5 criteria for anorexia nervosa are not met, a serious eating disorder can still be present.

    Anorexia Nervosa - National Eating Disorders Association

    nationaleatingdisorders.org
    Feedback
  4. NHS
    https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/anorexia/overview

    Overview - Anorexia nervosa - NHS

    • Symptoms of Anorexia

      Symptoms of Anorexia - Overview - Anorexia nervosa - NHS

    • Treatment

      Treatment for anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) usually involves a …

    • How to Help Someone With …

      If a friend or relative has an eating disorder, such as anorexia, bulimia or binge …

    • Symptoms

      The main symptom of anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) is deliberately …

  5. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia-nervosa/...

    Anorexia nervosa - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

    Explore further

    Anorexia Nervosa | Johns Hopkins Medicine
    hopkinsmedicine.org
    Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa - Healthline
    healthline.com
    Recommended to you based on what's popular • Feedback
  6. NHS
    https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/anorexia

    Anorexia nervosa - NHS

  7. Explore Anorexia Nervosa Woman

  8. Office on Women's Health
    https://www.womenshealth.gov/.../eating-disorders/anorexia-nerv…

    Anorexia nervosa | Office on Women's Health

  9. Healthline
    https://www.healthline.com/health/anorexia-nervosa

    Anorexia Nervosa: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments - Healthline

  10. Patient
    https://patient.info/mental-health/eating-…

    Anorexia Nervosa: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

    WebFeb 26, 2023 · Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE, FRCGP. Anorexia nervosa (often just called anorexia) is an eating disorder. It is ten times as common in women as in men. It most often starts during teenage years. About 9 in 1,000 …

  11. The Merck Manuals
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/.../eati…

    Anorexia Nervosa - Mental Health Disorders - The …

    WebAnorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a relentless pursuit of thinness, a distorted body image, an extreme fear of obesity, and restriction of food consumption, leading to a significantly low body …

  14. Some results have been removed