A Closer Look On Eating Disorders
Eating is a favorite past time of many people
Eating is a favorite past time of many people. However, when eating habits become excessive or deficient then a red flag in health is raised. There are many factors influencing people on the formation of their eating habits. Some of these factors include food availability, family, cultural practices and mass media. People are persuaded to lose weight due to popular fashion trends, activities and occupations. People feeling extreme to body weight and shape often choose to not eat normally.
Studies related to eating disorder are discussing at what point does a person goes beyond controlling their eating behaviors. Eating disorder is not just a simple change in behavior but rather a medical illness which has underlying reasons. The two major types of eating disorder are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Another type called binge-eating nervosa has no formal psychiatric diagnosis yet. Symptoms of this disorders usually appear during early adulthood.
Oftentimes, eating disorders happen simultaneously with mental disorders such as depression, alcohol or dug abuse and anxiety disorder. Moreover, people suffering from eating disorder are more prone to other illnesses like heart problems and kidney failure. It is very important to diagnose eating disorder as early as possible.
Getting Thinner: Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa, or simply anorexia, is a combination of eating and mental disorder. A person suffering from anorexia goes way beyond just losing down the weight. As time passes, weight loss becomes the center of the person's life. The individual do things in extreme manner over dieting and over exercising. In some cases, patients seek the use of diuretics or laxatives. This can be considered both an obsession and addiction to get thin.
A person is said to be anorexic when these symptoms are exhibited:
Has increased interest in pieces of information about food.
Always has an excuse not to eat.
Feeling fat even though scales says otherwise.
Obsesses with over-all appearance
Frequently in denial of being too thin.
Exercises without following any program.
The effects of anorexia nervosa cover the whole body system. It can result to complications of organs. Specific effects of anorexia in the body include missed menstrual periods, weakness, chills, dry and yellowish skin. A patient can also experience constipation, abdominal pain, insomnia and headaches.
There are three things to be achieved in treating anorexia: to restore the healthy weight of the person; resolve the psychological issues related to the eating disorder; and manage the behaviors that will bring back unhealthy eating habits.
Different types of therapy are available for a person suffering from anorexia. There are cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, family therapy and group therapy.
Purging: Bulimia Nervosa
According to statistics, at some point in their life, 3% of all the women in US will experience bulimia. Bulimia or bulimia nervosa is distinguish with series of binge eating occurring multiple times a day followed by extreme means control weight. Bulimia is considered a psychological disorder related to depression, stress and obsession to physical appearance. Binge eating brings patient short-lived happiness of not adding a pound to the current weight despite consuming tremendous amount of food.
In an episode of binge eating, a bulimic can consume 3,000 to 5,000 calories in an hour. After this, the person will turn to inappropriate ways to keep the weight off induce vomiting, take laxative or do excessive exercise.
Bulimia is characterized with both psychological and physical symptoms. When a person shows the following symptoms, it is better to consult a physician right away:
Uncontrollable and secretive eating habits.
Goes to the washroom after meals to throw up.
Takes laxative or diet pills after eating.
Works out excessively.
Has calluses in the hand caused by sticking the finger down the throat.
Discoloration of teeth due to exposure to stomach acid.
Experience weight gain and loss in matter of days.
One of the most dangerous effects of bulimia is dehydration due to purging. Also, the use of laxatives, diuretics and diet pills can lead to electrolyte imbalance in the body. Other consequences of bulimia to physical health include abdominal pain, swelling of hands and feet, sore throat, tooth decay, dizziness, ruptured stomach and chronic constipation.
Overcoming bulimia is possible through multidisciplinary approach including medical and psychological treatments. These treatments aims to restore good physical health and right eating patterns. The cognitive-behavioral therapy consists of two phases: breaking the binge-and-purge cycle and reducing the unhealthy thoughts and patterns.
To know more how you can manage the signs and symptoms of eating disorder, check out the
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by: Bridgette Puckett
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