Note: Homeopathic Treatment requires strict individualization. Please do not take any medicine without consulting your physician/homeopath.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder affecting mainly girls or
women, although boys or men can also suffer from it. It usually
starts in the teenage years.
Anorexia nervosa - CAUSE
The cause of anorexia nervosa is unknown, although it is likely
that both inherent biological factors and factors in the patient's
social environment play a part. The disease is mainly encountered
in the western world and is more common among women in certain professions,
such as models and ballet dancers. Puberty, deaths in the family
and other life stresses are all believed to be potential triggers
of anorexia.
Anorexia nervosa - SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Weight loss of at least 15 per cent below the normal ideal body
weight for a person of the same age and height.
Cessation of periods or delayed development in puberty.
Self-induced weight loss. Methods can include fasting, low food
intake, excessive exercise, diuretic medicines (medicines that make
you urinate more) laxatives, diet pills or vomiting. Sometimes people
make themselves sick to lose weight. Others take excessive exercise.
Sufferers have a constant fear of gaining weight, as well as a
feeling of being fat, even when their weight is much less than that
of other people of the same height.
Sufferers may feel bloated, even after a small meal.
They may lose interest in socialising with friends.
Other side effects include tiredness, feeling cold, constipation
and stomachache.
Some patients also develop additional disorders such as bulimia.
Anorexia nervosa - HOW DIAGNOSIS IS DONE?
Body weight is maintained at least 15 per cent below that expected
for a person's height.
It is self-induced weight loss caused by avoiding fattening foods
and may involve taking excessive exercise, using laxatives or diuretics
or self-induced vomiting.
There is a strong, almost overwhelming fear of putting on weight,
with sufferers preoccupied with the shape or size of their bodies.
Rules are invented regarding how much food is allowed and how
much exercise is needed after eating certain amounts of food.
Those suffering from anorexia pursue a very low 'ideal' weight.
The weight loss may cause hormonal disturbances and women with
anorexia nervosa may stop having periods.
Anorexia nervosa - HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Homeopathic medicines are known to have deep effect on human economy
and have been found effective in various psychological and devlopmental
disorders. The focus of homeopathy is not to treat the isolated
symptoms of Anorexia but to treat the child as a whole. Not only
the symptoms of Anorexia but also the general physical and mental
constitution of the patient, past medical history, medical history
of parents, information about pregnancy and vaccination - all are
used to find the probable cause in a given case and based on the
final analysis a remedy is chosen for a patient. The following medicines
may help in the treatment of Anorexia:
Anorexia nervosa - CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT
Treatments used include individual psychological therapy, family
therapy and drug therapy using antidepressants.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Join some support groups and get the disorder treated at the earliest.
REFERENCE WORKS
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed, McGraw-Hill
Davidson's Principles and Practise of Medicine, 17th ed, 1996,
Churchill Livingstone
New Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory, William
Boericke, 2nd revised ed., 2001, B. Jain |
