Definition:
Anorexia is significant weight loss from excessive dieting. Anorexics are often women. There is a strong desire to be thin, and a fear of gaining weight or becoming obese. Anorexics will avoid taking in food and having any sort of caloric intake. 10-20% will die from this eating disorder. Anorexics usually have a very high goal for themselves, and feel that it is never attained. They usually put other peoples in needs in front of theirs. The number on the scale will determine whether or not they feel they have succeeded in the area of being thin. Focussing on caloric intake and being thin can sometimes block out their emotions and feelings. Anorexics usually have low self-esteem and often feel that they don't deserve to eat. Denial is often an issue aswell. They deny anything is wrong and that there is no problem. They do not want to be helped because that is seen as a way to force them to eat.

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Signs/Symptoms:
>Fatigue and lack of energy
>Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation)
>Skin problems
>Dizziness and headaches
>Dehydration
>Shortness of breath
>Irregular heartbeats
>Cold hands and feet
>Bloating
>Constipation
>Hair loss
>Stomach pains
>Decreased metabolic rate
>Edema (water retention)
>Lanugo(fine downy hair)
>Loss of bone mass
>Kidney and liver damage
>Electrolyte imbalances
>Osteoporosis
>Insomnia
>Anemias
>Infertility
>Depression
>Cathartic colon(caused from laxative abuse)
>Low potassium (most common cause of nocturnal cardiac arrest)
>Cardiac arrest and death

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