Eating disorders cause more deaths than any other mental illness. Anorexia is the most dangerous, with only 40% of patients ever achieving a full recovery. Though mostly thought to be a disease of teenage girls, boys and even adults can develop anorexia.
Bulemarexia is closely related to anorexia. Patients with bulemarexia typically go through periods of starvation and periods of gorging and purging. Purging usually takes the form of vomiting and misusing laxatives.
The symptoms of anorexia are as many as systems in the body. Every cell in the body suffers when the body is starving. Patients usually notice constipation, hair loss, skin problems and mood swings. Blood tests are needed to determine what each patient needs in terms of nutrition.
Since anorexia causes constipation, it can be difficult to tell if a patient is abusing laxatives to loose more weight.
There are many physical problems in anorexic patients, but the root cause is psychological. Patients with anorexia need therapy and counseling as much as a medical doctor. Family support is also necessary for most anorexics to make a full recovery.
Family support is often directly related to a person’s ability to recover from an eating disorder. Sometimes, families have trouble being supportive of the patient and not the eating disorder. Counselors trained and experienced with these disorders can help families get perspective.
Deaths from anorexia can often be traced to an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Besides nutritional supplements, sports drinks can provide important electrolytes just as they replenish electrolytes lost during sports.
If body weight drops below a certain point, hospitalization may be required. Only a doctor can determine whether a patient needs to be treated as an inpatient or an outpatient. Inpatient treatment usually includes medical treatment for the undernourished body, help from a certified nutritionist and counseling for both the patient and their family members.
Outpatient treatment usually includes regular visits to a doctor, individual and family counseling and a nutrition specialist is usually recommended.