Anorexia

In Western medical nomenclature, anorexia nervosa is classified as an eating disorder characterized by a pronounced loss of appetite, an irrational aversion to weight gain, and a distorted self-perception of body image (Treasure et al., 2015, The Lancet; FDA Guidelines).

Conversely, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides an alternative etiological framework, positing that anorexia nervosa may be linked to various deficiency or excess patterns, such as damp heat in the spleen and stomach, spleen blood or Qi deficiency, stomach food stagnation, and stomach Qi deficiency (Chen et al., 2010, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine; NIH Research). These disparate medical paradigms each offer unique diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approaches, underscoring the complex and multifaceted nature of anorexia nervosa (WHO Recommendations; USDA Guidelines). The intricacies of the condition necessitate integrated, evidence-based research for a more comprehensive understanding and management strategy (NIH Clinical Trials).