Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is characterised by self-starvation and excessive weight loss resulting in dangerously low body weight. 

Some symptoms include:

• Refusal to maintain weight at or above a normal weight for height, body-type, age and activity level.
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming "fat".
• Body image disturbance ie feeling "fat" despite being underweight.
• Loss of menstrual periods in women.
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape.

Health Risks of Anorexia Nervosa
The body is deprived of the essential nutrients and energy it needs to function effectively, it is then forced to slow down all of its processes in order to conserve energy which results in serious medical consequences and sometimes death.

Some medical effects of starvation include:

• Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure.
• Risk for heart failure increases as the blood pressure and heart rate drops.
• Reduction of bone density which results in dry and brittle bones (osteoporosis).
• Muscle loss and weakness.
• Severe dehydration (may result in kidney failure).
• Dry hair and skin.
• Hair loss.
• Lanugo (growth of a fine downy hair layer to keep the body warm).
• Severe sensitivity to the cold.

• Problems conceiving and infertility
• Headaches
• Oedema (retention of fluid giving a "puffy" appearance)
• Stunting of height and growth.
• Loss of periods.
• Anaemia (iron deficiency).
• Hypoglycaemia.
• Abdominal pain.
• Constipation or diarrhoea.
• Fainting.
• Reduced ability to concentrate and think clearly.

For more information, visit the National Eating Disorders Collaboration here.