Usually the condition occurs during early adolescence to young adulthood, although it may strike later. Some 90 percent of sufferers are female; about 1 percent of American women are afflicted. Anorexia is dangerous, and professional help should be sought early. Prompt treatment will usually keep the condition from progressing, but some cases are very resistant to treatment and may require hospitalization. Some anorexics die from complications.

Anorexia is believed to be primarily an illness of the mind or illness of psychological origin; however, it has significant medical and physical consequences. Often it

Eating disorders are serious: They can lead to stomach problems and tooth decay, bone loss, blood and endocrine abnormalities, infertility — and ultimately death from starvation, suicide or heart problems. Treatment described in an April 8 summary in the New England Journal of Medicine involves education about nutrition, medical supervision, and a combination of individual, group or family therapy. Fluoxetine (Prozac) and other antidepressants have been helpful, especially in bulimia.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa — the more severe eating disorders — affect approximately 3 percent of young women. More than twice that number have other forms of disordered eating, a precursor that includes daylong preoccupation with food (counting calories and fat grams and planning or avoiding food), and weight loss or bingeing not severe enough to meet the official criteria for an eating disorder. Older adults, men and preadolescents are also susceptible.

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