what makes you considered an aneorexic? im not skinny, but when i feel i lose control i will sometimes go with

Question

out eating for days at a time? I know this sin't healthy, but is it unhealthy? Could i be doing harm to my body?

Answer 1

There are two types of anorexia. The clinical diagnosis is anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion. Individuals with anorexia often control body weight by voluntary starvation, excessive exercise, or other tactics such as diet pills or diuretic drugs. Anorexia primarily affects young adolescent girls in the Western world and has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition, with approximately 10% of people diagnosed with the condition eventually dying due to related factors according to some studies. Anorexia nervosa is thought to be a complex condition, involving psychological, neurobiological, physiological and sociological components. Anorexia is known to be a life threatening condition that can put a serious strain on many of the body's organs and physiological resources. A recent review of the scientific literature outlined a number of reliable findings in this area. Anorexia puts a particular strain on the structure and function of the heart and cardiovascular system, with slow heart rate (bradycardia) and elongation of the QT interval seen early on. People with anorexia typically have a disturbed electrolyte imbalance, particularly low levels of phosphate which has been linked to heart failure, muscle weakness, immune dysfunction, and ultimately, death. Those who develop anorexia before adulthood may suffer stunted growth and subsequent low levels of essential hormones (including sex hormones) and chronically increased cortisol levels. Osteoporosis can also develop as a result of anorexia in 38-50% of cases, as poor nutrition lead to the retarded growth of essential bone structure and low bone mineral density. Furthermore, changes in brain structure and function are noted as early signs of the condition. Enlargement of the ventricles of the brain is thought to be associated with starvation, and is partially reversed when normal weight is maintained. Anorexia is also linked to reduced blood flow in the temporal lobes, although as this finding does not correlate with current weight, it is possible that it is a risk trait, rather than an effect of starvation.

The second type of anorexia is anorexia as a symptom of some other disease/disorder. Anorexia as a symptom is the decreased sensation of appetite. While the term in non-scientific publications is often used interchangeably with one of its subtypes, anorexia nervosa, there are many possible causes for a decreased appetite, some of which may be harmless while others pose significant risk for the person. The most common form of anorexia is simply satiation following the consumption of food. This happens in all normal humans and is called postprandial anorexia. It is important and healthy as it prevents overeating and obesity. Common disorders that cause (harmful) anorexia include anorexia nervosa, severe depression, cancer, dementia, AIDS, and chronic renal disease and the use of certain drugs, particularly stimulants and narcotics. Environmentally induced disorders, such as altitude sickness, can also trigger an acute form of anorexia. Anorexia may also be seen in congestive heart failure, perhaps due to congestion of the liver with venous blood. Although the presenting symptom (the one which prompts a patient to seek medical attention) in acute appendicitis is abdominal pain, the presence of anorexia is required to make the final diagnosis. Some medications, antidepressants for example, can have anorexia as a side effect. Most notoriously, however, chemicals that are a member of the phenethylamine family are known to have more intense anorectic properties. For this reason, many individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa seek to use these medications as a crutch. Such prescription medications include Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, and Desoxyn. In some cases, these medications are prescribed to patients prior to undergoing an operation requiring general anesthesia. This is a prophylactic measure taken to ensure no food will back up into the esophagus and cause the patient to stop breathing during the procedure.

Answer 2

Yes, harm is done. If what you wanna do is lose weight (more than 5 kg) this will turn into a burden, you will surely hit a plateau and you can stop losing even if you'll eat an apple a day. The problem: metabolism. Trust me, I tried it both ways, in the long term starving isn't good, I would make so many sacrifices without any result. And the worst part is I got a bitchy attitude from the lack of food :-) You know you can lose faster if you eat certain foods than when you don't eat at all? I understood that and I'm doing it the right way now. There are some diets that promise 1 kg weight loss in a day (results, yay! yes, i know you can gain it back fast, but if you can be anorexic you can be careful not to) and you eat every 2 hours or so.. So not eating, losing slow and feeling down or eating something, lose fast and be happy? You choose, girly

Answer 3

Yes. Without a free supply of nutrients, your body will break down your muscles, even before fat supplies. Also, a constantly empty stomach will get ulsers much easier since you don't have any food to absorb the acid.

Eat and exercise. Those two together will provide you with a skinny, healthy body.

Answer 4

I can understand, Its probably OK to go 24 hours without eating about once a week. But going for more then 1 day at a time will screw you up.

Answer 5

I never admitted it, but NOT EATING FOR A DAY OR MORE, is not normal, specially if by some point you see at your belly and think: "There's fat in there", so start doing something about it, and force yourself to eat all days, with no excuse, and more than once, like I'm doing now :)

Answer 6

eat a little every day. It does hurt your body doing without food.

Answer 7

Anorexia is a mental condition. You may be borderline anorexic. Only you know how you feel emotionally.

Answer 8

It sounds like EDNOS.

Yes you probably are doing harm to your body.