When it comes to choosing a representative food for summer, Malatang is definitely one of the strongest contenders. Cheap and delicious, who doesn’t like it? However, a recent news article mentioned that someone got into trouble because of eating spicy hotpot frequently. She became depressed, had no appetite for food, lost weight like crazy, and even had abnormal menstrual cycles, with menopause lasting several months. [1]
The doctor said: "You are suffering from anorexia."
So, is there any connection between Malatang and anorexia?
Anorexia in a broad sense refers to eating disorders caused by all causes. For example, after receiving chemotherapy, some cancer patients lose their appetite due to the effects of the drugs; some children do not want to eat after weaning, which may be due to a lack of trace elements,[2] or abnormal blood lead levels[3].
For otherwise healthy adults, there are usually two causes of anorexia, one is anorexia nervosa (AN) and the other is bulimia nervosa (BN) .
The picture comes from the Internet
Although one is "anorexia" and the other is "bulimia", they seem to be completely opposite, but many scholars believe that these two diseases are different types of the same disease. It has even been suggested that bulimia nervosa is a sequel to anorexia nervosa. [4]
The history of anorexia nervosa is very old. It was recorded by doctors as early as 1689. An 18-year-old girl developed an eating disorder and irregular menstruation due to excessive worry and worry. [5] Since then, related cases have appeared sporadically. However, it was not until the 1970s that this disease really attracted the attention of doctors as the incidence rate continued to increase.
It is currently believed that the main clinical feature of anorexia nervosa is significant weight loss, which is more than 15% lower than the normal average weight; moreover, this weight loss is intentionally caused by the patient, such as Avoid certain foods that may lead to obesity, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, etc. [6]
Due to massive weight loss, patients may experience symptoms such as hypoglycemia, low blood pressure, dry skin, hair loss, etc. The resulting endocrine abnormalities may manifest as amenorrhea for women and menopause for men. , manifested as loss of sexual desire and impotence. [7] If symptoms persist, the patient may “rebound” and overeat on one side while controlling his or her weight by inducing vomiting, diuresis, intermittent fasting, etc., presenting a contradictory state. This is bulimia nervosa. disease. [6]
Although patients with anorexia nervosa have some endocrine abnormalities, it is generally believed that this disease is caused by psychological factors.
Abroad, "fat fear" has always been considered the core of anorexia nervosa. Due to the ubiquitous "slim beauty" propaganda, patients have abnormal expectations about their weight. Often thinking "I'm too fat" or "I don't want to keep getting fat". [8] Therefore, women often become victims of anorexia nervosa, and the incidence rate is much higher than that of men. In industries with high physical requirements, such as dance, performance, and modeling, the incidence rate is particularly terrible.
(French model, has been suffering from anorexia since she was 13 years old, pictures from the Internet)
However, domestic research shows that Chinese patients with anorexia nervosa have their own characteristics . On the one hand, more than half of the patients have never expressed fear of obesity, but refuse to eat for reasons such as "no appetite" or "not hungry"; on the other hand, job changes, academic stress, etc. may increase mental stress. Life events have a great impact on patients.
For anorexia nervosa, psychological treatment is emphasized. With the close cooperation of doctors and family members, the patient's unreasonable eating concepts are corrected. If the symptoms worsen and psychological treatment is obviously ineffective, drugs can be considered to change the patient's disorder. eating habits, increasing their weight, and improving symptoms such as depression and amenorrhea. [9]
To be fair, Malatang is not considered a health food. Ingredients and utensils may be contaminated; excessive intake of salt, meat, and fat is indeed not good for the body. However, these have nothing to do with anorexia. I won’t take the blame for this.
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References
[1] SINA_MOBILE. Eat Malatang every day for 4 months! A 27-year-old white-collar worker actually contracted this disease and lost a total of 40 pounds! Doctor: If you eat more it will kill you [EB/OL]. (2017-04-17)[2017-04-22]. /article_1847582585_6e1fdf79019002tqg.html?wm=3049_0016&from=qudao.
[2] Gao Pengxiang . Cause analysis and clinical treatment observation of anorexia in children[J]. China Medical Herald, 2009, 6(16): 250–250.
[3] Zeng Guozhang. Research on factors related to the onset of anorexia[J] ]. Chinese Maternal and Child Health Care, 2008, 23(27): 3840–3841.
[4] Zhang Darong, Shen Yucun. Evolution of the concept of eating disorders and progress in etiological research [J]. Chinese Mental Health Magazine, 1993, 7(1): 7–10.
[5] Mou Zhiwei, Lin Bing. Understanding and research on anorexia nervosa[J]. Health Vocational Education, 2005, 23(2) : 110–111.
[6] Wu Meng, Wu Chengli. Discussion on influencing factors of eating disorders[J]. Social Psychological Science, 2006, 21(4): 89–92.
< p>[7] Pu Su, Li Hongliang. Clinical analysis of 52 cases of anorexia nervosa[J]. Chinese Comprehensive Clinic, 2005, 8.[8] Chen Jue, Zhang Mingdao, Xiao Zeping. Neurology Psychosocial factors of anorexia nervosa[J]. Shanghai Psychiatry, 2004, 16(5): 298–300.
[9] Zhang Xiaoxiao, Sun Bomin, OTHERS. Treatment of anorexia nervosa. Progress[J]. International Journal of Psychiatry, 2013, 40(3): 182–185.