Along with the problems of obesity in children, pediatricians are concerned about yet another pathological condition - anorexia. This is called the lack of appetite when the body needs food. The disease is quite serious, as it is difficult to control and treat.
There are primary and secondary anorexia. The first develops with the wrong behavior of the parents:
- the feeding schedule is not observed;
- the baby is preparing a monotonous meal;
- the child is given snacks between meals;
- it is overfed.
As a result of forcible feeding, anorexia nervosa develops in children. It occurs when a child is forced to eat at a time when he wants, and not as much as he would like to eat. This provokes the appearance of a negative attitude towards food in the child. Anorexia nervosa in adolescents is associated with stereotypes of behavior and images imposed on the media.
Secondary form occurs with diseases of internal organs.
Symptoms of anorexia in children
The first symptoms of anorexia include a sharp loss of weight, a refusal of food, a decrease in portions of food. Over time, the child's growth slows down, bradycardia develops, body temperature decreases. In children with anorexia, there is increased fatigue, insomnia. Their nails are exfoliated and hair falls out, the skin color turns pale. The girls stop menstruating.
In the nervous form of the disease, characteristic most often for adolescent girls, there are changes in the child's psyche: a distorted perception of his body appears, depression and low self-esteem develop. The child becomes uncommunicative and withdrawn. In the late stages of anorexia, there is aversion to food, obsessive thoughts about figure and weight loss, difficulties in concentrating attention.
How to treat anorexia in children?
To get rid of this dangerous disease, you should first find out the cause of anorexia. The organism of the patient is examined to exclude the possibility of affecting the gastrointestinal tract. With anorexia nervosa, parents and children are referred to a child psychologist who will conduct psychotherapy. The general strengthening measures (LFK, hydrotherapy) are shown. Assign medications for the purpose of improving gastric function (pancreatin, vitamin B1, ascorbic acid).
A large role in the treatment of pediatric anorexia is given to parents. They should create a favorable environment in the family, in which the child is not forced to eat. It is recommended to diversify the diet of the patient, and also prepare him some mouth-watering dishes. The intake of food begins with small doses with a gradual increase in them to the age norm.