Good Anorexia
There is no such thing as good anorexia. Anorexia can become life threatening if it is allowed to progress too far. People who suffer from anorexia need to get medical assistance as soon as possible to avoid damage to vital parts of the body. Every part of the body can be effected by anorexia and some of the most serious problems can be lung problems (resembling emphysema), heart problems (mitral valve prolapse, irregular heartbeat, heart failure), anemia, constipation, bloating, nausea, electrolyte abnormalities such as low blood potassium, low sodium, low chloride, and kidney problems. If the person is severely malnourished, every organ in the body can be damaged. The damage may not be repairable even after the anorexia has been controlled. Anorexia causes not only physical problems but it can cause mental disorders also. This might include depression, drug abuse, obsessive compulsive disorder, personality disorders, and anxiety disorders. The sooner you get a medical evaluation, the sooner you can get treatment and maybe avoid other health complications. Many people who are anorexic do not want to get help until they are suffering from other health problems. They are under so much peer pressure or have such low self esteem, they feel they have to lose the weight so they will ‘fit in’ with the crowd or feel good about themselves.
If the doctor suspects anorexia they will give the patient a physical exam which might include measuring weight, height, and checking vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. They will also check the skin for dryness, listen to the heart and lungs, and examine the abdomen. There will be lab tests which may include a complete blood count, and other blood tests to check the electrolytes and protein in the body, liver, kidney, and thyroid functions. The urine may also be checked. There will be a psychological evaluation done by a doctor or professional mental health professional. They will check the feelings and eating habits. X-Rays may be taken to check for pneumonia, heart problems, or broken bones. All of these tests will help the doctor determine if the patient is in fact anorexic. An anorexic person does not have to have all of these symptoms but they can have them all and even more if the situation has progressed to very dangerous stages.
Anorexia usually begins in the teen years but not always. It can begin earlier or much later. It is not always in females either. It is reported that one out of every six patients diagnosed with anorexia are males. That is a surprising amount for some because we very seldom see a male with the problem or we just do not think about the men or boys suffering from it.
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