Health Tip: Warning Signs of Anorexia

(HealthDay News) - Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person refuses to stay at even a minimum recommended body weight, resulting in severe weight loss that could be life-threatening.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these common warning signs of anorexia:

• Extreme fear of gaining weight.
• Distorted impression of weight and body.
• Excessive weight loss, or being seriously underweight.
• Frequent use of laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics with the goal of losing weight.
• Eating very little food or very few calories.
• Missing periods, low blood pressure, lack of fat on the body, or pale or yellowish skin.
• Depression.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Oct. 10, 2007

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