Dr. Suken A. Shah, MD

-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.

Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.

Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.

Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.

Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.

Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.