Anorexia nervosa Health Dictionary

A neurotic and metabolic condition, mostly in young women who suppress appetite by refusing food in an effort to be thin. Such starvation may result in death.

The patient may start as a food faddist with depressive tendencies. Some gorge huge meals (bulimia) and induce vomiting later. Such women are known to be oestrogen deficient; most have a low dietary intake of calcium, resulting in reduced bone density (osteoporosis). Lack of exercise has a worsening influence, often with severe loss of weight.

It is now established that one cause is a deficiency of zinc in the diet. Individuals suffering from the condition (with its depression) may recover when given 15mg zinc daily. Starvation causes increased urinary zinc secretion, thus further reducing body levels of the mineral. Most anorectics complain of loss of sense of taste and smell which is a symptom of zinc deficiency. Loss of these two senses reduces further the desire for food.

Symptoms. Excessive thinness. Anaemia. Poor haemoglobin levels. Absence of menses. Episodic hyperactivity. Slow pulse when resting. Teeth decay, brittle bones. Heart weakness. Low blood pressure, hormonal disorders, yellowing skin, blood disorders, abnormal drowsiness and weakness. Reduced bone density may develop during the illness, the subject being prone to bone fracture for years afterwards. Treatment. Correct anaemia with iron-bearing herbs, Vitamin B12, mineral supplements and nourishing food.

Angelica root, Barberry, Bogbean, Burdock root, Calamus, Centuary herb, Chamomile flowers, Condurango bark, Dandelion (coffee), Garden Sage, Gentian, Ginkgo, Helonias, Hops, Marshmallow root, Milk Thistle, Quassia chips, White Poplar.

Alternatives:– Tea. Formula. Equal parts, Centuary, Chamomile, Peppermint. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. Dose: 1 cup thrice daily, before meals.

Decoction. Formula. Combine Angelica root 1; Burdock root 1; Condurango bark half. 1 teaspoon to each cupful water simmered gently 20 minutes. Dose: Half-1 cup thrice daily before meals.

Powders. Formula. German Chamomile 2; Gotu Kola 1; Ginkgo 1. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) before meals thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Combine: Condurango quarter; Burdock root half; White Poplar 1; Ginkgo 1; add 2- 10 drops Tincture Capsicum fort. 1-2 teaspoons in water thrice daily, before meals.

Tincture: Tincture Gentian Co BP. Dose: 2-4ml (30-60 drops).

Ginger, stem. Success reported.

Milk Thistle and Turmeric: popular in general herbal practice.

Diet. High protein, low fat, low salt. Dandelion coffee. Liver. Artichokes. 2-3 bananas (for potassium) daily.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin B-complex. Vitamin C, 1g. Vitamin E, 200iu. Zinc, 15mg. Magnesium, 250mg morning and evening. 

An eating disorder characterized by severe weight loss and altered self-image that leads sufferers to believe they are fat when they are, in fact, dangerously underweight. Anorexia nervosa most often affects teenage girls and young women, but the incidence in young men is rising.

The causes of anorexia are unclear, but the condition may be linked to a lack of self-worth that leads to excessive concern over physical appearance. Normal dieting may develop into starvation.

In the early stages, sufferers may be overactive and exercise excessively. They are obsessed with food, and often make complicated meals for their families, but are reluctant to eat socially and manage to avoid eating the meals themselves. As weight loss continues, they become tired and weak, the skin becomes dry, lanugo hair (fine, downy hair) grows on the body, and normal hair becomes thinner. Starvation leads to amenorrhoea in many women. Some anorexics sometimes make themselves vomit or take laxative drugs or diuretic drugs to promote weight loss (see bulimia). Chemical imbalances as a result of starvation with or without vomiting can cause potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Hospital treatment is often necessary and is usually based on a closely controlled feeding programme, combined with psychotherapy or family therapy. For some people, antidepressant drugs may be helpful. Many sufferers relapse after treatment, and long-term psychotherapy is required.

See under EATING DISORDERS.

a psychiatric illness in which the patients starve themselves or use other techniques, such as vomiting or taking laxatives, to induce weight loss. To fulfil ICD-10 criteria for anorexia nervosa a patient must have a distorted body image (thinking they are overweight when they are not), a defined weight loss or *body mass index reduction, amenorrhoea, and vomiting or purging. The illness is most common in female adolescents, but about 10% of sufferers are male. There is a significant mortality associated with anorexia nervosa because of the medical consequences of weight loss. The causes of the illness are not clearly understood: problems within the family, rejection of adult sexuality, self-harming behaviour in the context of an *emotionally unstable personality disorder, and performance pressure are hypothesized as factors involved. Patients must be persuaded to eat enough to maintain a normal body weight and their emotional disturbance is usually treated with *psychotherapy supported by a dietician and possibly the *community mental health team. See also bulimia.