¿A QUE LLAMAMOS ANOREXIA?
Anorexia, pérdida del apetito, para poseer una perdida de peso rápido mediante la restricción de la ingesta de alimentos, sobre todo los de alto valor calórico, asociada o no al consumo de laxantes o diuréticos. Debe distinguirse del trastorno psicológico específico conocido como anorexia nerviosa, y también de la ingestión relativamente baja de alimentos; ésta última no resulta peligrosa para la salud mientras la dieta sea variada y el peso corporal se mantenga, y no debe contemplarse como un trastorno que requiera tratamiento médico.
Las personas que padecen de anorexia tienen una imagen distorsionada de su cuerpo ( se ven gordos, aun cuando presentan un estado de extrema delgadez.).La anorexia nerviosa consiste en una alteración grave de la conducta alimentaría que se caracteriza por el rechazo a mantener el peso corporal en los valores mínimos normales, miedo intenso a ganar peso y una alteración de la percepción del cuerpo.
Generalmente la pérdida de peso se consigue mediante una disminución de la ingesta total de alimentos. Aunque los anoréxicos empiezan por excluir de su dieta todos los alimentos con alto contenido calórico, la mayoría acaba con una dieta muy restringida, limitada a unos pocos alimentos, acompañado muchas veces por ejercicio físico excesivo.
En la anorexia nerviosa se pueden distinguir algunos subtipos: Restrictivo, que describe cuadros clónicos en los que la pérdida de peso se consigue con dieta o ejercicio intenso, donde los pacientes con anorexia nerviosa no recurren a atracones ni purgas, mientras que otro tipo es el Compulsivo purgatorio que utiliza para identificar al individuo que recurre regularmente a atracones o purgas, algunos no presentan atracones pero si recurren a purgas incluso después de ingerir pequeñas cantidades de comida.¿CUÁLES SON LOS SÍNTOMAS DE LAS PERSONAS QUE PADECEN ANOREXIA?
El diagnóstico de la anorexia se basa no sólo en la ausencia de un origen orgánico definido, sino en la presencia de ciertas características. En este sentido conviene recordar los criterios considerados por la Sociedad Americana de Psiquiatría para el diagnóstico de la anorexia psíquica:*Rechazo a mantener el peso corporal por encima del mínimo normal para la edad y talla.
*Adopción de dietas, que dan a la persona enferma sentimiento de poder y control.
*Posee un único objetivo, “ser delgado”.
*El carácter es hostil e irritable.
*Sobreviene la depresión.
*Realización de actividad física intensa.
*Miedo intenso al aumento de peso o a ser obeso incluso con peso inferior al normal.
*Distorsión de la apreciación del peso, el tamaño o la forma del propio cuerpo.
*En las mujeres, ausencia de al menos tres ciclos menstruales consecutivos en el plazo previsto (amenorrea primaria o secundaria).*Estreñimiento.
*Preocupación por las calorías de l9os alimentos.
*Dolor abdominal.
*Preocupación por el frío.
*Vómitos.
*Preocupación por la preparación de las comidas.
*Restricción progresiva de alimentos. Y obsesión por la balanza.
*Preocupación por la imagen y la idea.
*Abundancia de trampas y mentiras.
*Hiperactividad y preocupación obsesiva por los estudios, sin disfrute de ellos.¿CUÁL ES EL COMPORTAMIENTO DE UN ADOLESCENTE QUE PADECE ANOREXIA?
Tanto el adolescente anoréxico son emocionalmente inmaduros y muy dependientes del núcleo familiar.
Tiene terror a la madurez sexual y miedo a asumir el rol de adulto.
¿CUÁLES SON LAS COMPLICACIONES GRAVES DE LA ANOREXIA?
* Las complicaciones debidas a los vómitos provocados son las siguientes:
*Engrosamiento glandular (área cuello).
*Caries, erosión de la raíz dental, pérdida de piezas dentales.
*Desgarramiento esofágico.
*Esofagitis crónica.
*Inflamación crónica de la garganta, dificultad para tragar.
*Espasmos estomacales.
*Problemas digestivos.
*Anemia.
*Alteración del balance electrolítico.
*Problemas gastrointestinales e hipopotasemias (concentraciones bajas de potasio en sangre).
*Hipokalemia (descenso del nivel de potasio).
*Disminución de los reflejos.
*Arritmia cardiaca.
*Daño hepático.
*Deshidratación.
*Sed.
*Intolerancia a la luz.
Las complicaciones por el abuso de laxantes son:*Dolores abdominales no específicos (cólicos).
*Intestino perezoso (colon catártico).
*Mala absorción de las grasas, proteínas y calcio.
¿QUÉ DEBEN REALIZAR Y QUE NO, LOS FAMILIARES Y AMIGOS DE LAS PERSONAS AFECTADAS PARA PODER AYUDARLOS?
Lo que deben realizar:
*Ame a su hijo como se ama así mismo. (el amor lo hará sentirse importante).
*Ayude a su hijo a encontrar sus propios valores e ideales. (En la mayoría de los casos, los ideales no se alcanzan tan fácilmente).
*Haga lo necesario para fomentar su iniciativa, independencia y autoestima. (tenga presente que los anoréxicos y los bulímicos son perfeccionistas y nunca están conformes con ellos mismos. Este perfeccionamiento justifica su insatisfacción).
*Tenga cuidado con la duración de la enfermedad de su hijo u amigo. ( Los anoréxicos y bulímicos mejoran. Algunos en breve tiempo, muy pocos mueren, pero a veces se presentan casos que requieren largos meses y, en ocasiones, años de tratamiento.)
*Maneje su ansiedad.
*Ayude a su hijo o amigo a que comprenda que para Usted su vida es tan importante como la de él.
*Detectar lo antes posible los síntomas de la anorexia y bulimia.
*Si se observan actitudes sospechosas, no encubrirlas sino informar a los padres acerca de las mismas.Ante cualquier duda consultar con un especialista en patologías alimentarias.
Lo que no se debe realizar:
*No le imponga a su hijo o amigo que coma. (no lo observe ni discuta con él acerca de las comidas o de su peso).
*No se sienta culpable. (muchos padres se preguntan: “¿qué hice mal?”. No existen padres perfectos. Usted ha hecho lo mejor que ha podido).
*No deje de lado a su pareja ni a sus otros hijos. (centrar su atención en el hijo enfermo hará que su enfermedad se prolongue y destruirá la familia).
*No tenga miedo de tener a su hijo separado de Usted. (si la presencia de su hijo llegara a alterar la estabilidad emocional de la familia o si el facultativo le aconseja separarlo temporariamente, no dude en hacerlo).
*No compare a su hijo o amigo con compañeros o amigos de éxito.
¿EN QUE CONSISTE EL TRATAMIENTO PARA LA CURA DE LA ANOREXIA?
El impacto sociológico de la anorexia es marcado y repercute en la identidad del adulto joven. El narcisismo individual y social está en juego.
El diagnóstico no es difícil. Lo difícil es el tratamiento, por las implicaciones individuales, los familiares y sociales del síndrome.
Se usan muchos tratamientos:
*Psicoterapia.
*Terapias comportamental.
*Medicamentosa.
*Familiar hiperalimentación.
Los objetivos más importantes del tratamiento son la corrección de la mal nutrición y la resolución de las disfunciones psíquicas los pacientes y su familia. El fracaso en la solución de estos problemas a corto y largo plazo puede abocar al fallo terapéutico.
The diagnosis of anorexia is based not only in the absence of a defined organic cause, but in the presence of certain features. In this regard it should be noted the criteria considered by the American Psychiatric Association in diagnosing mental anorexia:
* Refusal to maintain body weight above the normal minimum age and height.
* Adoption of diets, giving the sick feeling of power and control.
* It has a single purpose, "to be thin."
* The character is hostile and irritable.
* Depression ensues.
* Implementation of intense physical activity.
* Intense fear of weight gain or being overweight even underweight.
* Distortion of assessing the weight, size or shape of your body.
* In women, absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles on schedule (primary or secondary amenorrhea).
* Constipation.
* Concern l9os calories from food.
Abdominal pain.
* Concern about the cold.
* Vomiting.
* Preoccupation with food preparation.
* Progressive food restriction. And obsessed with the scale.
* Concern over the image and idea.
* Plenty of tricks and lies.
* Hyperactivity and obsessive preoccupation with the studies, without enjoying them.
Both the anorexic and bulimic adolescents are emotionally immature and highly dependent on the family.
Has sexual maturity terror and fear to assume the role of adult.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR COMPLICATIONS OF ANOREXIA?
The complications caused by induced vomiting are:
* Glandular thickening (neck area).
* Decay, erosion of the tooth root, tooth loss.
* Tear in the esophagus.
* Chronic esophagitis.
* Chronic inflammation of the throat, difficulty swallowing.
* Stomach cramps.
* Digestive problems.
* Anemia.
* Disturbance of electrolyte balance.
* Gastrointestinal problems and hypokalemia (low blood potassium).
Complications from diuretic abuse are:
* Hypokalemia (low potassium level).
* Decreased reflexes.
* Cardiac arrhythmia.
* Liver damage.
* Dehydration.
* Sed.
* Intolerance to light.
Complications of laxative abuse are:
* Nonspecific abdominal pain (colic).
* Small sloth (cathartic colon).
* Poor absorption of fat, protein and calcium.
What to do:
* Love your child as he loves himself. (Love will make you feel important).
* Help your child find their own values and ideals. (In most cases, the ideals are not so easily reached.)
* Do you need to encourage their initiative, independence and self esteem. (Note that anorexics and bulimics are perfectionists and never are satisfied with themselves. This further justifies their dissatisfaction).
* Be careful with the duration of the illness of his child or friend. (Anorexics and bulimics improve. Some in short time, very few people die, but sometimes there are cases that require many months and sometimes years of treatment.)
* Manage your anxiety.
* Help your child or friend for you to understand that life is as important as his.
* Detect as soon as possible the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia.
* If you observe suspicious behavior, do not conceal but to inform parents about them.
* If in doubt consult a specialist in eating disorders.
* Do not impose your child or friend to eat. (Do not look or argue with him about food or weight).
* Do not feel guilty. (Many parents wonder, "What did I do wrong?". There are no perfect parents. You've done the best he could).
* Do not forget about your partner or your other children. (Focus on the sick child that his illness will be prolonged and destroy the family).
* Do not be afraid to take your child away from you. (If the presence of his son were to alter the emotional stability of the family or if the doctor advises him to separate temporarily, do not hesitate to do so.)
* Do not compare your child or friend with colleagues or friends to succeed.
*Psychotherapy.
*Behavioral therapies.
*Drug.
*Family hyperalimentation.
*Etc.
What do we ANOREXIA?
Anorexia, loss of appetite, to have a rapid weight loss by restricting food intake, especially high-calorie, with or without the use of laxatives or diuretics. Be distinguished from the specific psychological disorder known as anorexia nervosa, and also the relatively low food intake, the latter is not dangerous to health when the diet is varied and body weight is maintained, and should not be viewed as a disorder requiring medical treatment.
People with anorexia have a distorted body image (they look fat, even when they have a state of extreme thinness.).
Anorexia nervosa is a serious disturbance in eating behavior characterized by a refusal to maintain body weight at a minimally normal, intense fear of gaining weight and altered body perception.
Usually weight loss is achieved by reducing total food intake. While anorexics begin by excluding from your diet all foods high in calories, most recently with a very restricted diet, limited to a few foods, often accompanied by excessive exercise.
In anorexia nervosa can be distinguished several subtypes: Restrictive, describing pictures clones in which the weight loss achieved through diet or strenuous exercise, in which patients with anorexia nervosa do not resort to binge eating or purging, while another type is Compulsive purgatory used to identify an individual regularly engaged in binge eating or purging, some have not binge but purges rely on even after eating small amounts of food.
People with anorexia have a distorted body image (they look fat, even when they have a state of extreme thinness.).
Anorexia nervosa is a serious disturbance in eating behavior characterized by a refusal to maintain body weight at a minimally normal, intense fear of gaining weight and altered body perception.
Usually weight loss is achieved by reducing total food intake. While anorexics begin by excluding from your diet all foods high in calories, most recently with a very restricted diet, limited to a few foods, often accompanied by excessive exercise.
In anorexia nervosa can be distinguished several subtypes: Restrictive, describing pictures clones in which the weight loss achieved through diet or strenuous exercise, in which patients with anorexia nervosa do not resort to binge eating or purging, while another type is Compulsive purgatory used to identify an individual regularly engaged in binge eating or purging, some have not binge but purges rely on even after eating small amounts of food.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM ANOREXIA?
The diagnosis of anorexia is based not only in the absence of a defined organic cause, but in the presence of certain features. In this regard it should be noted the criteria considered by the American Psychiatric Association in diagnosing mental anorexia:
* Refusal to maintain body weight above the normal minimum age and height.
* Adoption of diets, giving the sick feeling of power and control.
* It has a single purpose, "to be thin."
* The character is hostile and irritable.
* Depression ensues.
* Implementation of intense physical activity.
* Intense fear of weight gain or being overweight even underweight.
* Distortion of assessing the weight, size or shape of your body.
* In women, absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles on schedule (primary or secondary amenorrhea).
* Constipation.
* Concern l9os calories from food.
Abdominal pain.
* Concern about the cold.
* Vomiting.
* Preoccupation with food preparation.
* Progressive food restriction. And obsessed with the scale.
* Concern over the image and idea.
* Plenty of tricks and lies.
* Hyperactivity and obsessive preoccupation with the studies, without enjoying them.
The profile of anorexics is identical to that of people suffering from bulimia.
WHAT IS THE PERFORMANCE OF A TEENAGER suffering from anorexia?
Both the anorexic and bulimic adolescents are emotionally immature and highly dependent on the family.
Has sexual maturity terror and fear to assume the role of adult.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR COMPLICATIONS OF ANOREXIA?The complications caused by induced vomiting are:
* Glandular thickening (neck area).
* Decay, erosion of the tooth root, tooth loss.
* Tear in the esophagus.
* Chronic esophagitis.
* Chronic inflammation of the throat, difficulty swallowing.
* Stomach cramps.
* Digestive problems.
* Anemia.
* Disturbance of electrolyte balance.
* Gastrointestinal problems and hypokalemia (low blood potassium).
Complications from diuretic abuse are:
* Hypokalemia (low potassium level).
* Decreased reflexes.
* Cardiac arrhythmia.
* Liver damage.
* Dehydration.
* Sed.
* Intolerance to light.
Complications of laxative abuse are:
* Nonspecific abdominal pain (colic).
* Small sloth (cathartic colon).
* Poor absorption of fat, protein and calcium.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE AND NO, THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN ORDER TO HELP?
What to do:
* Love your child as he loves himself. (Love will make you feel important).
* Help your child find their own values and ideals. (In most cases, the ideals are not so easily reached.)
* Do you need to encourage their initiative, independence and self esteem. (Note that anorexics and bulimics are perfectionists and never are satisfied with themselves. This further justifies their dissatisfaction).
* Be careful with the duration of the illness of his child or friend. (Anorexics and bulimics improve. Some in short time, very few people die, but sometimes there are cases that require many months and sometimes years of treatment.)
* Manage your anxiety.
* Help your child or friend for you to understand that life is as important as his.
* Detect as soon as possible the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia.
* If you observe suspicious behavior, do not conceal but to inform parents about them.
* If in doubt consult a specialist in eating disorders.
What should not be performed:
* Do not impose your child or friend to eat. (Do not look or argue with him about food or weight).
* Do not feel guilty. (Many parents wonder, "What did I do wrong?". There are no perfect parents. You've done the best he could).
* Do not forget about your partner or your other children. (Focus on the sick child that his illness will be prolonged and destroy the family).
* Do not be afraid to take your child away from you. (If the presence of his son were to alter the emotional stability of the family or if the doctor advises him to separate temporarily, do not hesitate to do so.)
* Do not compare your child or friend with colleagues or friends to succeed.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR THE CURE OF ANOREXIA?
The sociological impact of anorexia is marked and affects the identity of the young adult. Individual and social narcissism is at stake.
The diagnosis is difficult. The hard part is the treatment for individual implications, family and social syndrome.
The diagnosis is difficult. The hard part is the treatment for individual implications, family and social syndrome.
Many treatments are used:
*Psychotherapy.*Behavioral therapies.
*Drug.
*Family hyperalimentation.
*Etc.
