Anorexia Support
A victim who is suffering from anorexia needs a lot of support and medical attention. They have to admit that they have a problem and in many cases they will not admit it until a lot of damage has already been done to their body and they are suffering from severe health issues. Anorexia causes major damage to all of the vital organs in the body, especially the heart, brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Some of the damage can not be fixed or repaired. The victim often times hides their condition with layers of clothing or baggy clothing so those around them can not see their thinness. Others will not admit to having a problem and will refuse any help their family tries to get for them. The treatment for anorexia and other eating disorders involves both medications and psychological help. The treatment is very expensive and many do not have medical insurance and can not afford the help they need. Doctors are much better qualified to treat the problem today than in the past because they now treat it as a disease. Anorexia was first described back in 1684 but was not described or identified with its own diagnosis until 1870. Even then there was not much scientific study done until the 1970 and 1980's after the death of Karen Carpenter (famous singer in the 70's and 80's. She died from a heart attack caused by anorexia in 1983. She had been receiving treatment for her anorexia and many thought she had beat it when she had the heart attack. Karen was just one of many to follow. Some received treatment, some died, some survived, and others committed suicide.
The world we live in today puts too much stress on the fact that we should be thin. There is one thing to be average weight and another to be severely underweight. Also the fast way the weight comes off is a contributing factor to the disease. Some use excessive exercise to lose weight as well as not eating or eating much less and not eating the right foods we need.. They deny they have a problem until they begin to suffer from health issues and need medical care. By this time the damage is already done and some of it can not be repaired. The signs and symptoms are often there but many people do not notice them until they have become severe. Some of the symptoms are thinness, nausea, abnormal blood count, dizziness, fainting, dry skin, dehydration, osteoporosis, low blood pressure, constipation, fatigue, brittle nails, soft hair all over the body, hair that thins, breaks, or falls out, irregular heart beat, and more.
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