Overview

An eating disorder is a compulsion to eat, or avoid eating, that negatively affects both one's physical and mental health. Eating disorders are all encompassing. They affect every part of the person's life. According to the authors of Surviving an Eating Disorder, "feelings about work, school, relationships, day-to-day activities and one's experience of emotional well being are determined by what has or has not been eaten or by a number on a scale." Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most common eating disorders generally recognized by medical classification schemes, with a significant diagnostic overlap between the two. Together, they affect an estimated 5-7% of females in the United States during their lifetimes. There is a third type of eating disorder currently being investigated and defined - Binge Eating Disorder. This is a chronic condition that occurs when an individual consumes huge amounts of food during a brief period of time and feels totally out of control and unable to stop their eating. It can lead to serious health conditions such as morbid obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Anorexia Nervosa - Symptoms and Treatments

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person drastically limits the amount of food that he or she eats. This limiting of food intake can result in starvation, as well as an inability to remain at the minimum body weight considered healthy for the person's age and height.

People with anorexia nervosa usually have an intense fear of weight gain, even when they are not overweight, or are underweight. The combination of not eating enough food and exercising too much can result in severe weight loss.

While genetics and unrealistic views of body type may play a role, the exact cause of anorexia is unknown. However, anorexia seems to be more common among people who have relatives with the disorder. Anorexia nervosa is more common in females and usually occurs in adolescence or in young adults.

Some of the symptoms of anorexia may include:

Fine, limp hair

Depression

Extreme sensitivity to cold temperatures

Low blood pressure

Confusion or poor memory

Poor dental health (cavities)

Loss of body fat and muscle

Blotchy skin

People with anorexia may exhibit unusual behaviors such as quickly eating large amounts of food, going to the restroom right after meals, exercising excessively, and using laxatives or enemas to lose weight.

Treatment

Perhaps the biggest challenge in treating anorexia nervosa is in getting the person to recognize that he or she has an eating disorder. The goals of treatment are to first restore the person to normal body weight and normal eating habits, and then to address the psychological issues that go along with the eating disorder. The mental aspect of anorexia is perhaps the most difficult bridge to cross, however, it is the light at the end of the tunnel. Hypnosis has been shown to be helpful in this area, using the power of suggestion to cause a shift in the anorexia sufferer's way of thinking. In addition, psychological counseling may be needed. As always, consult your physician before beginning any type of treatment.



Autor: M. A. Rose

Anorexia Natural Treatment - Discover Alternative Remedies and Treatments that are Safe and Effective, Plus Wellness Tips to Help You Live a Better Life.

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Added: January 20, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

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