Anorexia Nervosa (F50.01) Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Anorexia nervosa is a severe food disorder with excessive food restrictions, intensive fear of weight gain, and an image of a distorted body. According to the ICD-10 classification, anorexia nervous is a restricted type (f50.01).

Come under mental health, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders. This condition affects both physical and psychological health, causing serious complications when untreated.

What is anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is a condition in which individuals become passionate about controlling their body weight. They often purify behavior to prevent excessive diet, exercise, or weight. This condition changes the natural functioning of the body.

Principal for severe weight loss and other health complications. People suffering from anorexia usually have a deep bias toward calorie intake and avoiding food, resulting in malnutrition and life-threatening results.

Symptoms and Physical Effects

Anorexia nervosa manifests through both physical and psychological symptoms. Some of the most frequently observed symptoms include:

Severe weight loss due to restricted food intake
Distorted body image, with an irrational fear of gaining weight
Avoidance of meals and obsessive calorie counting
Excessive exercise to compensate for eating
Use of appetite suppressants, laxatives, or diuretics to aid weight loss
Hormonal changes, leading to missed menstrual cycles in women and potential infertility in men
Slow heart rate and low blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart complications
Hair thinning and brittle nails, as a result of nutrient deficiencies
Growth issues in adolescents, impacting height and overall development

Diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa (ICD-10 Code: F50.01)

The diagnosis of anorexia nervosa follows the criteria established by ICD-10 and DSM-V guidelines. Restricting the ICD-10 code, type (F50.01) for anorexia nervosa helps healthcare professionals identify and classify this disorder. Diagnosis is based on this:

Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment: A BMI may indicate anorexia below the normal range.
Psychological evaluation: assessing body image perception, fear of weight gain, and restrictive food behavior.
Physical examination: Malnutrition, hormonal imbalance, and significant signal for irregularities.
Laboratory Testing: Blood tests to assess nutritional levels, thyroid functions and organ health.

ICD-10 code for food disorders

Healthcare professionals can also mention the concerned ICD-10 code while diagnosing food disorders:

ICD-10 anorexia nervous criteria:01 (restricted type), f50.02 (biting-grain/purification type)
ICD-10 code for food disorders: F50.9 (unline of food disorder)
DSM-V anorexia nervous code: used for clinical diagnosis in psychiatric settings
Afraid ICD-10: Coded as Parihar/restrictive food intake disorder, F50.8

Seeking Treatment and Recovery

Early diagnosis and intervention are essential for managing anorexia nervosa. Treatment options include:

Nutritional counseling: To restore a healthy diet and eating habits
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): To address distorted body image and anxiety around food
Medical intervention: Monitoring weight, electrolyte levels, and overall health
Support groups and treatment: For emotional and social support

Conclusion

Anorexia nervosa (F50.01) is a complex eating disorder that requires medical and psychological attention. Recognizing the signs early and seeking professional help can significantly improve outcomes and promote recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, consult a healthcare provider for guidance and support.

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