Nutrition

Nutrition

Introduction:
In the United States, about seven million females and one million males suffer from eating disorders. Eating disorders typically occur in young women. Bulimia nervosa involves a pattern of bingeing and purging. Many individuals suffering with bulimia nervosa also suffer from depression. Anorexia nervosa involves patterns of self-starvation and deprivation. Patients often have an accompanying anxiety disorder (such as obsessive compulsive disorder) or depression. Patients with anorexia and depression have a high risk for suicide, primarily due to chemical imbalances associated with malnutrition. Some complications of anorexia nervosa include; hormonal changes including reproductive, thyroid, stress, and growth hormones, heart problems such as abnormal heart rhythm, electrolyte imbalance, problems associated with fertility, anemia, and neurological problems. Many patients with eating disorders experience depression and anxiety disorders. It is unknown if these disorders, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), cause the eating disorders, increase proneness to them, or share common biologic causes.
The term "anorexia" literally means absence of appetite. Anorexia can be associated with medical conditions or medications that cause a loss of appetite. At least 15% to as much as 60% of normal body weight is lost during periods of starvation. Patients with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight, even when severely underweight. They have a distorted image of their own weight or body shape and deny the serious health consequences of their low weight. Levels of the hormone testosterone decline in young men as they lose weight, which also can affect their bone density.
Patient Introduction & Risks:
Patient is a 17 year old Caucasian male previously admitted for the first time in June of 2012. Primary care physician reported patient has been restrictively eating and engaging in excessive exercise in which resulted in a 35 pound...

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