Ayurveda View  of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is known as ARUCHI in Ayurveda. It is caused by an aggravation of Vata, pitta, and Kapha doshas, and psychological factors such as fear, anger, and stress, leading to incomplete digestion of food. This leads to the formation of ama (mucus).

What is the Cause of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa often involves emotional challenges, an unrealistic body image, and an exaggerated fear of gaining weight. However, it can affect people differently.

In some cases, an individual may lose a significant amount of weight and demonstrate the characteristic behaviors of anorexia but not have very low body weight or body mass index (BMI). Researchers refer to this as atypical anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa often appears during a person’s teenage years or early adulthood, but it can sometimes begin in the preteen years or later in life.

People often think of anorexia nervosa in connection with females, but it can affect people of any sex or gender. Research suggests that the risk of eating disorders may be higher among transgender people than cisgender people.

Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition. The main sign is significant weight loss or low body weight. In atypical anorexia nervosa, the person may still have a moderate weight despite substantial weight loss.

A lack of nutrients may lead to other physical signs and symptoms, including:

• severe loss of muscle mass
• listlessness, fatigue, or exhaustion
• low blood pressure
• lightheadedness or dizziness
• low body temperature with cold hands and feet or, possibly, hypothermia
• bloated or upset stomach
• dry skin
• swollen hands and feet
• hair loss
• loss of menstruation or less frequent periods
• infertility
• insomnia
• loss of bone density, increasing the risk of fractures
• brittle nails
• constipation
• irregular or abnormal heart rhythms
• lanugo, which is fine downy hair on the body
• increased facial hair
• bad breath and tooth decay, in people who vomit frequently

Ayurvedic Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia refers to the loss of appetite or loss of taste. Those suffering from anorexia lose interest in eating and in food. Anorexia is different from Anorexia Nervosa which is a kind of psychological eating disorder, where people develop a phobia of eating more than required. This aversion to eating is rooted in a distorted body image and a fear of being obese. Anorexia, per se, is just a loss of apetite that can arise due to several reasons ranging from unhealthy eating habits, tummy problems, indigestion, inactive lifestyle, snacking between meals, emotional stress, or prolonged illness. Anorexia is temporary and mild anorexia may be treated with a couple of home remedies. In Ayurveda, this condition is known as ‘Aruchi’. Ayurveda expert Dr. Dhanvantri Tyagi explains, “Aruchi is simply declined interest in food or loss of taste. If a person is not in a mood to eat, or has lost interest in food or simply doesn’t like what is on the plate, he is said to have developed a ruchi towards the food.”

 Home Remedies for Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia refers to the loss of appetite or loss of taste. Those suffering from anorexia lose interest in eating and in food. Anorexia is different from Anorexia Nervosa which is a kind of a psychological eating disorder, where people develop a phobia of eating more than required. This aversion to eating is rooted in a distorted body image and a fear of being obese. Anorexia, per say, is just a loss of apetite which can arise due to several reasons ranging from unhealthy eating habits, tummy problems, indigestion, inactive lifestyle, snacking between meals, emotional stress or prolonged illness. Anorexia is temporary and mild anorexia may be treated with a couple of home remedies. In Ayurveda, this condition is known as ‘Aruchi’. Ayurveda expert Dr. Dhanvantri Tyagi explains, “Aruchi is simply declined interest in food, or loss of taste. If a person is not in a mood to eat, or has lost interest in food or simply doesn’t like what is on the plate, he is said to have developed a ruchi towards the food.”