Living Under The Influence Of Good Health (LUI): Eating With a Purpose 5:2

MIND-

Eating disorders are severe disturbances in one's eating behavior, such as extreme reduction of food intake or extreme overeating or feelings of extreme distress or concern about body weight or shape. They are usually long-term and require long-term treatment. Eating disorders are usually accompanied by other mental disorders such as, depression substance abuse, or anxiety disorders. 90% of those with an eating disorder are female between the ages of 12-25. The three most common eating disorders are, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA- The individual has an intense fear of gaining weight. They severly limit the amount of food they eat and can become dangerously thin (emaciated). Anorexia nervosa effects both the body and the mind. It may start as dieting, but it gets out of control. You think about food, dieting, and weight all the time. You have a distorted body image. Other people say you are too thin, but when you look in the mirror, you see a fat person. People who have anorexia develop unusual eating habits such as avoiding food and meals, picking out a few foods and eating them in small amounts, weighing their food, and counting the calories of everything they eat. Some people with anorexia lose weight by dieting and exercising excessively; others lose weight by self-induced vomiting, or misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas. People with anorexia are up to ten times more likely to die as a result of their illness compared to those without the disorder. The most common complications that lead to death are cardiac arrest, and electrolyte and fluid imbalances. Suicide is also a concern.

Other symptoms that may develop over time, include:

thinning of the bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
brittle hair and nails
dry and yellowish skin
growth of fine hair over body (lanugo)
mild anemia, and muscle weakness and loss
severe constipation
low blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse
drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold all the time
lethargy

TREATING ANOREXIA involves three components:

1.restoring the person to a healthy weight.
2.treating the psychological issues related to the eating disorder.
3.reducing or eliminating behaviors or thoughts that lead to disordered eating, and preventing relapse.

BULIMIA NERVOSA- People with bulimia eat a large amount of food in a single episode and almost immediately make themselves vomit or use laxatives or diuretics to get rid of the food in their bodies. This is referred to as the "binge/purge" cycle. Like people with anorexia, people with bulimia have an intense fear of gaining weight. They may binge because food gives them a feeling of comfort. But eating too much makes them feel out of control. After they binge, they feel ashamed, guilty, and afraid of gaining weight. This causes them to purge. Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their age and weight.

Other symptoms include:

chronically inflamed and sore throat
swollen glands in the neck and below the jaw
worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acids
gastroesophageal reflux disorder
intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
kidney problems from diuretic abuse
severe dehydration from purging of fluids

BINGE-EATING DISORDER- People with this recently recognized disorder have frequent episodes of compulsive overeating, but unlike those with bulimia, they do not purge their food. During these binges, they often eat alone and very quickly, regardless of whether they feel hungry or full. They often feel shame or guilt over their actions. Unlike anorexia and bulimia, binge-eating disorder occurs almost as often in men as in women. People with binge-eating disorder are often overweight or obese.

Symptoms include: