Brooke Ann Spencer, FNP, NP

An individual with anemia will have the following symptoms: shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, cold hands or feet, paleness, and irritability. Anemia is diagnosed when blood tests show low counts for hemoglobin, which is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen to different tissues throughout the body.

Treatments for anemia are dependent on the kind of anemia an individual has. For example, iron supplementation may correct iron deficiency anemia. For anemia caused by chronic kidney failure, chemotherapy treatments, and HIV/AIDS, a group of medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents may be prescribed.

-Abnormally low BMI (body mass index)

-Vitamin deficiency

-Fatigue

-Fainting

-Amenorrhea (lack of menstruation in women)

-Emaciation

-Poor wound healing

-Anemia

-Irregular heart rhythms

Anorexia may also cause bluish discoloration of the hands, brittle and falling out hair, yellowish skin, and lanugo (fine, downy hair). These physical symptoms are frequently accompanied by altered behaviors and emotions. Those with anorexia may feel compelled to hide their weight and actions from others. For example, someone with anorexia may wear oversized or baggy clothing to conceal weight loss or may deny hunger or lie about the amount of food that he or she consumes. Some people with anorexia may withdraw from social activities and may experience irritability and depression.

People of all ages, genders, and races may be diagnosed with anorexia; however, the condition affects more women than men. There is no single known cause for anorexia, but biological, psychological, and environmental factors may play a role. Athletes who participate in certain sports that emphasize body shape and size (such as ballet, figure skating, and wrestling) may be more likely to develop anorexia.

Anorexia has two subtypes that are referred to as the restrictive type and binge-purge type.

Restrictive type is the more frequently represented form of anorexia, involving the extreme restriction of food. Binge-purge type anorexia is food restriction accompanied by episodes of binging (eating large quantities of food) and purging (vomiting). Binge-purge type anorexia differs from bulimia as people with this type of anorexia severely limit calories and purge most of what they eat and are generally underweight, while those with bulimia are in a normal weight range. Left untreated, both types of anorexia have severe and life-threatening effects on health. Anorexia can lead to heart failure and even death.

Many people do not consciously develop anorexia, and have difficulty seeking treatment. For this reason, early detection and treatment helps with long-term recovery outcomes. Treatment for anorexia can vary from therapy visits to inpatient treatment, depending on the severity of a person's anorexia. Severe anorexia is typically treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, where patients increase their food consumption and gain weight under medical supervision. Eating disorder specialists provide therapy sessions and oversee a physical and mental treatment plan. Outpatient programs help patients return to a healthy weight through frequent talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions, specialized nutrition plans, and eating disorder support groups. Anorexia treatment aims to not only restore physical health and correct negative behaviors, but to also promote psychological well-being and self-confidence.