Master Anorexia Nervosa with a Mnemonic

Anorexia nervosa involves a highly distorted body image and a severe fear of gaining weight. Those suffering from the disease go through great lengths to lose weight such as excessive dieting, purging, and excessive exercise.

Those with anorexia nervosa engage in excessive dieting practices due to a distorted body image and fear of gaining weight. These excessive dieting habits include, purging, use of laxatives and diuretics, and excessive exercising. Those with anorexia nervosa may be seen cutting their food into tiny bites and moving it around their plates without eating much. If a patient loses 30% of their weight within six months, it is important to consider hospital admission.

Anorexia nervosa stems from a heavily distorted body image. Generally, patients with this disorder will weigh less than 75% of their necessary body weight.

Anorexia nervosa may lead to decreased bone density due to decreased estrogen levels and reduced calcium intake.

Due to decreased bone density and strength, bones are at increased risk for fracture when stress is applied. This occurs as a result of decreased nutritional intake and hormonal imbalances.

When anorexia nervosa becomes severe, weight loss is so extreme that the body is no longer able to insulate itself. The body produces tiny white hairs called lanugo all over in an attempt to compensate for insulation.

Anorexia nervosa, when severe, may cause amenorrhea. This occurs because the body is not receiving adequate nutrition and therefore estrogen production decreases, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. This symptom is not required for diagnosis.

Decreased nutritional intake that occurs with anorexia nervosa often results in anemia because the necessary requirements of proteins, vitamin B, and iron are not being met with the extreme dieting.

In order to diagnose a patient with anorexia nervosa, he or she must have a low body weight compared to age-related norms, in addition to the above symptoms and signs.