In advanced stages of the illness, the dieting is hard to reverse. At that point, hunger may disappear completely and the pursuit of thinness becomes a way of life. Starvation causes medical complications of its own, such as thyroid problems, anemia [link to anemia?] and joint pains. Extreme dieting can lead to death in the most severe cases, most commonly because of an irregular heartbeat caused by an imbalance of the salts in the bloodstream.
There are two subtypes of anorexia nervosa, a restricting type and a binging/purging type. A person with the restricting type of anorexia diets, fasts and exercises. People with the binging/purging type eat large quantities of food, then vomit. Many people go back and forth between these two patterns.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:
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Significant weight loss (more than 15% of ideal body weight)
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Extreme dieting, including skipping meals or extended fasting
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Obsessions about food and fears of eating in public
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Obsessive exercise
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Use of laxatives
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Binging and purging
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Distorted self-image; feeling fat despite being thin
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Self-esteem that depends on weight and appearance
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Amenorrhea (stopping of menstrual periods or a delay of starting menstruation in young teens)
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Skin dryness or flakiness
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Brittle nails and hair
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Anemia
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Swelling in feet and ankles
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Intolerance to cold
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Hypothermia (low body temperature)
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Poor concentration
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Dehydration
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Fainting
