One of the problems faced by millions of pre-teens and teens across the globe is anorexia. Though teen anorexia dangers are numerous, they can be treated and corrected medically with the help of professional attention, treatment centers and family support.
Anorexia is a particular type of the eating disorders faced by many teens and young adolescent adults. Teen anorexia is also known as anorexia nervosa.
Teen Anorexia Dangers
Teen anorexia nervosa is psychological and emotional disorder that affects the young girls more than the boys (although there are some report cases among boys).
This eating disorder is characterized by weight loss or failure to gain weight. Teen anorexics believe that they are fat and have an obsession to lose weight by depriving their body of nutrients and healthy food. This can damage the body in the long run.
The anorexics experience fatigue and weakness. Studies reveal that they are also hungry but abstain from eating because of fear from putting on excess weight.
When your body is deprived of the necessary nutrients, it affects the hormone secretion of the body. There is a complete shut down of hormones because of the lack of body fat. When body stops hormone production, it will affect the menstrual cycle leading to infertility problems in girls. When minerals such as sodium, zinc, calcium and potassium are denied to the body through healthy diet, it can cause heart failure due to abnormal heat beats. There is also a possibility of death due to abnormal heart beats and the failure of key internal organs.
Loss of body fat and ceasing of hormone secretion can lead to hair loss, brittle nails and dry skin. In the long run, it can cause osteoporosis.
Losing 25 percent of your body weight without any signs of illness is a sign of anorexia. Weight loss coupled with irregular periods and low RBC count is another sign of anorexia. Reduced intake of foods rich in carbohydrates and fat is also a warning sign of anorexia. These points are not only the warning signs of starvation but it also highlights the intense dangers of the condition.
Relationship between Anorexia and Obsessive Compulsion Disorder (OCD)
OCD is one of the most common anxiety disorders and a victim of this disease suffers from a repetitive pattern of unhealthy thoughts. They have a persistent fear that somebody may harm them. Some victims display compulsive behavioral patterns such as counting and recounting and also arranging and then rearranging objects on the table. They want perfection in what they do.
Remember, anxiety is one of the teenage anorexia dangers. A teen anorexic displays fear and anxiety for no reason. They are also obsessed with weight loss. They take weight loss supplements along with strenuous physical exercises to help them reduce weight.
Teen anorexics have an aversion towards food and are very calculative about the intake of calories. They follow a strict regime of diet and they have certain eating patterns. The anorexics display a pattern of cutting their food into tiny bits before consumption. Studies reveal that anorexics exhibit a pattern of compulsions and obsessions that are co-related to order and symmetry. Therefore, researchers opine anorexia is modern manifestation of obsessive compulsive disorder.
Another eating disorder is the bulimia anorexia. Here the anorexics will over eat and due to the fear of putting on weight would induce vomiting. Self-induced vomiting can result in erosion of enamel. This is one of the bulimia anorexia dangers. Teen anorexia dangers can sometimes lead to death. Hence, if someone you know suffers from anorexia, get medical help and rehab treatment help soon as possible.