Tag: Anorexia nervosa

According to MedlinePlus, the medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia. While this can be a symptom of many conditions, it is often confused with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, which involves a person intentionally restricting food intake. Understanding this distinction is crucial for proper medical assessment and public health literacy.

In a 2011 study on mice, scientists discovered that neurons in the hypothalamus began a self-cannibalization process called autophagy during food deprivation. While the sensationalized idea of your brain eating itself from lack of food is a myth, this cellular recycling mechanism is very real and has a profound impact on brain function during starvation. This article explores the truth behind this fascinating biological process and its effects.

According to the National Institutes of Health, refeeding syndrome is a potentially fatal complication of nutritional rehabilitation in malnourished individuals. The answer to "can refeeding syndrome be prevented?" is yes, and prioritizing prevention is crucial to avoid severe electrolyte shifts, organ failure, and other life-threatening complications.

Refeeding syndrome was first identified following World War II, when severely starved prisoners of war developed fatal complications after being fed too quickly. It is a serious and potentially fatal metabolic complication caused by fluid and electrolyte shifts that occur when nutrition is reintroduced to a severely malnourished individual.

Approximately 60% of patients receiving parenteral nutrition are at risk of refeeding problems, highlighting its prevalence in clinical settings. Understanding what is refeeding syndrome is crucial for safe and effective nutritional rehabilitation after a period of prolonged starvation.

Studies have shown that over 50% of individuals with anorexia nervosa have at least one significant micronutrient deficiency, highlighting the profound impact of restrictive eating on the body. These deficiencies are not merely secondary symptoms but can drive serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications affecting nearly every organ system.

While not a required diagnostic criterion since the DSM-5, a high percentage of females with anorexia nervosa experience amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation. It is understood that severe caloric restriction and malnutrition, hallmark behaviors of anorexia, disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, leading to the cessation of the menstrual cycle. This physiological shutdown is a survival mechanism, as the body conserves energy when it perceives it is under threat.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa are serious illnesses that can have severe physical and mental health consequences. This article explores how two different health disorders that affect what you eat—one psychological and one autoimmune—fundamentally alter a person's relationship with food.

Research on patients with severe anorexia nervosa shows that nearly one-third can develop mild neutropenia, indicating a clear connection between nutritional deprivation and low neutrophil counts. This condition, where the body's white blood cell production is compromised, directly answers the question of whether starvation can cause neutropenia.

According to Cleveland Clinic, the medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia. This is a clinical symptom that can stem from numerous conditions and should not be confused with the mental health eating disorder, anorexia nervosa.