Meydalis Feliciano Valderrama 11-2 february 2008

Anorexia September 17, 2008 Volume 1

oss of apetite. Should be distinguished from the psychological disorder specifically known as anorexia nervosa, and also a diet that is relatively low in nutrients; this last one does not result dangerous to the health as long as

the diet varies and body weight is maintained, and it must not be contemplated as a disorder that needs medical treatment.

CAUSES

Medical and psychological conditions that can cause anorexia include emotional disorders, stress, excess of work, anxiety, depression, sharp pain, serious illnesses of any class (especially the infectious ones), disorders of the digestive system such as gastritis, hepatic illnesses, kidney disorders, and cancer. Also anorexia can result from taking medicines, such as opiods, diarretics, and those that are used to treat hypertension (blockage) and heart failure. Due to this large variety of causes, it is useless to diagnose anorexia as an underlying illness.

Anorexia nervosa

Illness that is characterized by the intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted image of the proper body (dismorfofobia). Drives to a serious

slimming due to an exaggerated diet and an excess of exercise. It does not collaborate with any other prior organic illness. It appears habitually in adolescents, especially in women. The illness produces alterations in the hormonal cycles, an immunodepression with increased risk of infections, and approximately between 5 to 18 % of anorexics die of undernourishment.

Many patients with anorexia nervosa never come to the doctor, because the frequency of the illnesses appearance is not known with

ac curacy.

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