What causes anorexia? What are the early symptoms and solutions?
How is anorexia nervosa caused? Most cases of anorexia nervosa are related to unhealthy eating habits. Habits such as excessive snacking, consuming large amounts of beverages before meals, and eating while distracted (such as listening to stories or watching TV while eating) can disrupt or inhibit the secretion of gastric acid and digestive enzymes, leading to a decrease in appetite in affected individuals. Gastrointestinal diseases such as peptic ulcers, acute and chronic hepatitis, chronic enteritis, various causes of diarrhea, and chronic constipation are common reasons as well. Other factors include liver dysfunction, hypertension, acidosis, uremia, heart failure, and gastrointestinal congestion.
What are the early symptoms of anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa primarily refers to neurotic anorexia, and in the early stages, patients may exhibit the following:
- Psychological fear of obesity, fear of weight gain, deliberate control of diet, resistance to all high-calorie foods. If the intake of food exceeds expectations in a meal, the patient may experience deep self-blame and guilt, leading to measures such as induced vomiting, laxatives, and excessive exercise to restore psychological balance.
- Some patients cannot tolerate hunger and may experience episodic binge eating and compulsive overeating. Some engage in vomiting after binge eating, and there is often an alternation between anorexia and binge eating.
- Neurotic anorexia may also present some psychological symptoms in the early stages, such as emotional depression, insomnia, emotional anxiety, and compulsions.
- In female patients, it can disrupt hypothalamus and ovarian function, resulting in menstrual irregularities, reduced menstrual flow, or even amenorrhea. In males, it affects sexual function, leading to impotence, premature ejaculation, and decreased sexual performance.
- In the early stages, there may be a slight decrease in body weight, but it is not significant. In the later stages, it can lead to emaciation, fatigue, anemia, and even if the weight is already below normal, most patients still feel it is not ideal.
Without timely intervention, patients with anorexia nervosa may experience malnutrition, delayed growth and development, weakened immune system, and various psychological issues. In severe cases, multiple organ dysfunction combined with severe infections can endanger life.
Therefore, once the above symptoms appear, it is advisable to seek early intervention from a psychiatric department for systematic treatment, including medication, psychological intervention, and nutritional support therapy to break the vicious cycle and prevent serious complications.
Anorexia nervosa can generally be treated through dietary regulation, psychological therapy, medication, and other methods.
- Dietary Regulation: Patients should develop good eating habits, follow a regular eating schedule, consume foods rich in vitamins and minerals to promote gastrointestinal motility and digestion. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables is helpful in improving anorexia nervosa and alleviating symptoms.
- Psychological Therapy: Patients can engage in self-psychological regulation or communicate with others to alleviate mental stress and anxiety. Psychological therapy aims to improve the condition, enabling patients to return to normal eating habits.
- Medication: Severe cases of anorexia nervosa often involve dysfunction in multiple organs and systems, requiring medication for targeted treatment. Additionally, anorexia nervosa patients may experience accompanying psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and compulsions, which may also require corresponding therapeutic medications.
In conclusion, individuals with anorexia nervosa should seek timely treatment under the correct guidance and advice of a medical professional to avoid worsening the condition.
