HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR ANOREXIA NERVOSA
Anorexia nervosa — often
simply called anorexia — is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally
low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of
body weight. People with anorexia place a high value on controlling their
weight and shape, using extreme efforts that tend to significantly interfere
with activities in their lives.
To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with
anorexia usually severely restrict the amount of food they eat. They may
control calorie intake by vomiting after eating or by misusing laxatives, diet
aids, diuretics or enemas. They may also try to lose weight by exercising
excessively.
Some people with anorexia binge and purge, similar to individuals
who have bulimia nervosa. However, people with anorexia generally struggle with
an abnormally low body weight, while individuals with bulimia typically are
normal to above normal weight. No matter how weight loss is achieved, the
person with anorexia has an intense fear of gaining weight.
Anorexia isn't really about food. It's an unhealthy way to try
to cope with emotional problems. When you have anorexia, you often equate
thinness with self-worth.
Anorexia can be very difficult to overcome. But with treatment,
you can gain a better sense of who you are, return to healthier eating habits
and reverse some of anorexia's serious complications.
Causes-The exact cause of anorexia nervosa is unknown. As with many
diseases, it's probably a combination of biological, psychological and
environmental factors.
Biological. Although it's
not yet clear which genes are involved, there may be genetic changes that make
some people more vulnerable to developing anorexia. Some people may have a
genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance — all
traits associated with anorexia.
Psychological. Some
emotional characteristics may contribute to anorexia. Young women may have
obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to strict
diets and forgo food despite being hungry. They may have an extreme drive for
perfectionism, causing them to think they're never thin enough. They may have
high levels of anxiety and restrict their eating to reduce it.
Environmental. Modern
Western culture emphasizes thinness. Success and worth are often equated with
being thin. Peer pressure may help fuel the desire to be thin, particularly
among young girls.
Symptoms--The physical signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa are related
to starvation, but the disorder also includes emotional and behavior issues
related to an unrealistic perception of body weight and an extremely strong
fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.
Physical symptoms
Physical signs and symptoms of anorexia may include:
·
Extreme weight loss
·
Thin appearance
·
Abnormal blood counts
·
Fatigue
·
Insomnia
·
Dizziness or fainting
·
Bluish discoloration of the fingers
·
Hair that thins, breaks or falls out
·
Soft, downy hair covering the body
·
Absence of menstruation
·
Constipation
·
Dry or yellowish skin
·
Intolerance of cold
·
Irregular heart rhythms
·
Low blood pressure
·
Dehydration
·
Osteoporosis
·
Swelling of arms or legs
Emotional and behavioral symptoms
Behavioral symptoms of anorexia may include attempts to lose
weight by either:
·
Severely restricting food intake through dieting or fasting and
may include excessive exercise
·
Bingeing and self-induced vomiting to get rid of the food and
may include use of laxatives, enemas, diet aids or herbal products
Other emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms related to
anorexia may include:
·
Preoccupation with food
·
Refusal to eat
- Denial of hunger
- Fear of gaining weight
- Lying about how much food has been eaten
- Flat mood (lack of emotion)
- Social withdrawal
- Irritability
- Reduced interest in sex
- Depressed mood
- Thoughts of suicide
Risk factors--Certain risk factors increase the risk of anorexia nervosa,
including:
Being female. Anorexia is
more common in girls and women. However, boys and men have been increasingly
developing eating disorders, perhaps because of growing social pressures.
Young age. Anorexia is
more common among teenagers. Still, people of any age can develop this eating
disorder, though it's rare in those over 40. Teens may be more susceptible
because of all the changes their bodies go through during puberty. They also may
face increased peer pressure and be more sensitive to criticism or even casual
comments about weight or body shape.
Genetics. Changes in
certain genes may make people more susceptible to anorexia.
Family history. Those with a
first-degree relative — a parent, sibling or child — who had the disease have a
much higher risk of anorexia.
Weight changes. When people
change weight — on purpose or unintentionally — those changes may be reinforced
by positive comments from others for losing weight or by negative remarks for
gaining weight. Such changes and comments may trigger someone to start dieting
to an extreme. In addition, starvation and weight loss may change the way the
brain works in vulnerable individuals, which may perpetuate restrictive eating
behaviors and make it difficult to return to normal eating habits.
Transitions. Whether it's
a new school, home or job; a relationship breakup; or the death or illness of a
loved one, change can bring emotional stress and increase the risk of anorexia.
Sports, work and
artistic activities. Athletes, actors, dancers and models are at higher risk of
anorexia. Coaches and parents may inadvertently raise the risk by suggesting
that young athletes lose weight.
Media and society. The media,
such as TV and fashion magazines, frequently feature a parade of skinny models
and actors. These images may seem to equate thinness with success and
popularity. But whether the media merely reflect social values or actually
drive them isn't clear-cut.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Well selected
Homoeopathic medicines are effective for anorexia nervosa. Some important
remedies are given below.
ARSENICUM ALBUM 30-Arsenicum alb is an
excellent remedy for the condition anorexia nervosa .Arsenic alb person is
fastidious, upset about disorder , dirt, germs etc. They are irritable ,
oversensitive and fault finding. They are suspicious and fear of being
poisoned. They think it useless to take medicines and fear of death and certain
diseases so they starve. Cannot bear the sight and smell of food. Nausea,
retching and vomiting after eating and drinking.
ALFALFA
Q—Alfalfa
is considered a specific for anorexia nervosa. There is emaciation and
anorexia. Alfalfa induces a mental exhilaration and buoyancy. There is impaired
appetite.
CARCINOSIN
200-
Carcinosin is best for anorexia nervosa where the person is fastidious and possess
obsessive compulsive disorder. Carcinosin person always trust in perfectionism
, so they fear of becoming fat and also fear of rejection. They always have abuse, grief or
fears often related to weight. Great anxiety in pit of stomach. Malnutrition
due to effects of additives.
HYOSCYAMUS
NIGER 200- Hyosyamus is effective for anorexia nervosa with
mania and insanity. Hyosyamus persons are highly suspicious and they fear of
being poisoned. They are jealous and are more concern about their weight and
getting fat. So they restrict their diet. They experiences cramps in stomach
better after vomiting , worse after irritating food.
IGNATIA AMARA 200- Ignatia amara is best for anorexia nervosa from
grief, fright, or emotional shocks , disappointments. These are often related
to weight.In order to reduce weight they limit their food. Ignatia persons
possess perfectionism and also have fear of becoming fat and fear of rejection.
They are hysterical persons , loss of control of emotions and they faint very
easily. They often feel sinking in stomach, better by taking a deep breath.
They have hunger with nausea, and have cramps in stomach.
NATRUM
MURIATICUM 200-
Natrum mur is another effective remedy for anorexia nervosa due to the effects
of grief, disappointment love, fright and anger. They are depressed and
introverted. Natrum mur person have fear of being rejected ot hurt emotionally.
They also possess perfectionism and fear of becoming fat. Natrum mur persons
have dry lips, dry skin , often constipated and have no appetite. They have a
special craving for salt. They feel better in an empty stomach. They have
terrible headaches. Their face is oily , as if greased with pimples.
PHOSPHORIC
ACID 30- Phosphoric acid is good for anorexia nervosa results
from grief and mental shock. They are pinning away from loss of love with
emaciation. They are indifferent to all emotions and food with loss of
appetite. They feel a pressure in stomach as if from a weight with sleepiness
after eating. Phosphoric acid is good for anorexia nervosa resulting from
chronic diseases.
PLATINA
METALLICUM 200-
Platina met is best for anorexia nervosa with obsessive and impulsive
personality. They are obsessed with their appearance , they fear of becoming
fat. They are very arrogant , proud and erotic, all based with their sexuality.
They have religious mania. Platina persons experiences aching pressure in
stomach , especially after a meal.
PULSATILLA
NIG. 30- Pulsatilla is good for anorexia nervosa and is most
suited to mild, timid, emotional and tearful persons. They weeps easily and
craves sympathy. Pulsatilla patients prefer rich food , so there is a chance
for becoming fat. To reduce weight Pulsatilla persons limit their food. They
have scanty or suppressed menses.
SEPIA
200-
Sepia is effective for anorexia nervosa due to hormonal imbalance. They have faint
sinking feeling at epigastrium. Acid dyspepsia with bloated abdomen and sour belching.Nausea
at the thought and smell of food. They have lack of appetite and disgust for
food.
STAPHYSAGRIA
200-Staphysaria
is best for anorexia nervosa with deep
depression and deep sense of
worthlessness . They even think of suicide. Humiliation, deep guilt and shame.
They have no confidence. They feel canine hunger even when stomach is full.
TARENTULA
HISPANA 200- Taretula his is effective for anorexia nervosa
with religious mania. They have a fear of being poisoned. They are very
restless and hyper energy people , do everything fast. They are more conscious
about their body weight. They vomit all food eaten.
SULPHUR
200-
Sulphur persons have a unhealthy, dry skin with intense itching worse when
scratched or washed. They have complete
loss of appetite with sour belching and great acidity in the stomach.They have
a sensation of weakness that is worst at 11 am. The abdomen is very sensitive
to pressure. Sulphur persons are selfish, irritable and argumentative.
THUJA OCCIDENTALIS 200- Thuja
persons have fixed ideas , thinks his blood is dirty or poisoned. They have
adull mind. They have a sinking sensation in the epigastrium before food. A rancid
belching after fat food.
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