Information on Anorexia

• Anorexia

Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an irrational fear of gaining weight -- even when dangerously thin. As this eMedTV article explains, anorexia can lead to severe health risks, including cardiac arrest, brittle bones, and brain damage.

• Causes of Anorexia

The exact causes of anorexia are not known; however, as this page of the eMedTV library explains, possible risk factors include biochemistry, personality traits, and genetics. The risk factors will be studied further to determine causes of anorexia.

• Warning Signs of Anorexia

Of the warning signs of anorexia, excessive weight loss is the most obvious. However, as this eMedTV article explains, there are subtle warning signs of anorexia, such as dressing in layers and conducting elaborate rituals around food.

• Signs of Anorexia

Signs of anorexia include reduced muscle mass, compulsively exercising, anemia, and brittle hair and nails. This eMedTV article discusses signs of anorexia in detail, from the early stages of the disease to when it is more advanced.

• Anorexia Treatment

No universal anorexia treatment will cure someone with the condition. Rather, as this eMedTV article explains, a combination of anorexia treatments, such as counseling, medications, and hospitalization, is used to return the person to normal weight.

• Health Risks of Anorexia

Health risks of anorexia range from psychological issues, cardiac failure, and even death. This eMedTV article describes the health risks of anorexia, including those that remain after the disease has been treated.

• Male Anorexia

Male anorexia is not much different from the condition in females. As this page of the eMedTV library explains, people with male anorexia suffer from the same problems and the same treatment methods are often applied.

• Anorexia Research

Anorexia research is currently under way on appetite control biology, hormones, and genetics to better understand this condition. This eMedTV resource discusses ongoing anorexia research in detail.

• Anorexia Statistics

The anorexia statistics in this eMedTV article indicate that while the related death rate is higher than all other causes of death in women, more men are developing the disease. Anorexia statistics also show that the problem is a global one.