FitnessForU » Eating Disorders

Bulimia Symptoms and Treatment

Navin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:00:04 +0000

Bulimia is an eating disorder. People with bulimia usually have a normal weight, but perceive themselves to be fat. Or they may feel intense guilt or self-disgust when they eat. These feelings are so strong that people with bulimia throw up much of the food they eat.

Bulimia is not exclusively caused by the changes of puberty, nor is it exclusive to women. Although 90 percent of bulimia cases occur in women, and most of these women begin to eat and vomit in their mid- to late-teens, bulimia nervosa can stem from diverse causes. Bulimia nervosa is obsessive compulsive disorder of eating. The person suffering from this disorder has the tendency to consume big amount of food in a short span of time.

Effects of bulimia can be divided into long term and short term side effects. Also you can then subdivide the side effects of bulimia to correspond with the system or the organs bulimia affects: e.g. psychological problems, mental, gastro-intestinal, cardio-vascular system, kidney, skin, bones and hormonal problems.

Bulimia treatments should be followed strictly, if possible it must start from the early stages of the condition. Early treatment is very important, because if a person tries to delay in treating this eating disorder, excessive eating behavior pattern might further become more deeply ingrained and harder to change.

Nutritional Therapy is yet another way to treat Bulimia Nervosa. In this type of therapy, dieticians and other health care providers offer information about a healthy diet. At times, they even help in designing a proper eating plan to achieve a healthy weight and healthy-eating habits.

Bulimia may be caused by a genetic component. Certain genes may predispose a person to developing bulimia. Bulimia appears to run in families—people with relatives suffering from bulimia have a higher frequency of developing bulimia. This may, however, have more to do with family influences and role models than genetics.

Bulimia affects people’s mental and emotional well-being. These problems can come directly from bulimia, or bulimia may be a response to the other problems. People with bulimia may be tired and unable to perform at peak levels from the mental and physical stress bulimia puts on the mind and body.

Bulimia often begins with a dissatisfaction of the person’s body. The individual may actually be underweight, but when that person looks in a mirror they see a distorted image and feel heavier than they really are. At first, this distorted body image leads to dieting.

Bulimia nervosa can cause constipation, diarrhea, and other intestinal problems. The acidic content of vomit damages the teeth and the esophagus. It can also cause stomach ulcers and sores inside the mouth. It can even cause the stomach to rupture.

Physical symptoms of bulimia are observed only after a longer period, while psychological indicators can be seen relatively early. The eating self-abuse is usually kept secret by the patient, a fact which makes identification of bulimia even harder. The person suffering from bulimia eating disorder problems will show fatigue and a general state of weakness. With women, loss of menstrual cycles was often observed, as a consequence of the bulimia eating disorder.

Sleep Eating Associated With Ambien

Jennifer — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:39:00 +0000

Most of us have habit of sleeping late at night and than getting late in the morning. For some it has become regular schedule. Some of us have also observed and noticed that when we sleep late and get up early in the morning, than we feel tired and can not concentrate on our work properly. A normal grown up human being should sleep for 7-8 hrs daily. People who take proper sleep is more energetic, fresh and have full concentration on there work.

This behavior of sleeping late and not completing proper sleep cycle leads to sleep disorders like Insomnia. Insomnia is growing among all age groups and need to be taken care of. Insomnia is an inability to sleep. There are some factors associated with sleep disorders. Tension and depression are the main factors which causes Insomnia.

But now there is no need to worry about insomnia , we have sleeping pills to keep you out of this dilemma. There are so many sleeping pills available in the market but Ambien is the most prescribed drug. Ambien has cured millions of people in the world and is most preferred among all sleeping pills. There are some side effects of Ambien also. Some common side effects are drowsiness, dizziness and diarrhea, among all these one serious side effect is sleep eating. It has been observed recently that people start eating while they are asleep.

Sleep eating and Sleep driving are increasing after taking Ambien . In sleep eating patient get out of the bed and prepare food or sometimes take already prepared food and eat it there and go back to bed. They do not have any memories of all this. They wake up in the morning find crumbs of food in the kitchen or near bed. This is a serious problem because a person is not aware what he/she is doing and may cut fingers or may fall in some other serious problem. Another health problem related to sleep eating is Obesity. People take so much of fatty food in sleep and that fat makes them Obese.

All this must be amusing for normal person but this is not a matter of amusement. Person taking any sleeping pill or face sleep eating than consult doctor as soon as possible.

Nocturnal Eating Disorder: A Rare Kind of Eating Disorder?

Navin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:40:17 +0000

Sleep eating syndrome (called Nocturnal Eating Disorder, or NED) is a type of sleeping disorder in which the patient eats while clinically asleep. As a result of unconscious sleep eating, the patient often consumes extra calories and gains weight. In many cases, the type of food consumed during night eating is junk food, exacerbating the health problems associated with this sleeping disorder. This article will discuss nocturnal eating disorder: how to diagnose it, and what to do about it.

Because of a lack of judgment on the part of someone suffering from NED, the person may eat too much of what tends to be fat or sugar-rich junk food. This can lead to obesity. Another prominent risk of nocturnal eating disorder is the possibility of the patient cooking while asleep. The patient is not aware of cooking with fire, heat or sharp utensils.

Is nocturnal eating disorder considered to be an eating disorder? Technically, this eating disorder is not an eating disorder, but rather it is classified as a sleep disorder. What can you do if you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from nocturnal eating disorder? The most important thing is to get an accurate diagnosis. Visit your doctor so that they will conduct a physical examination and take note of all your symptoms. Your doctor may order you to spend a night in a sleep lab.

Once the doctor diagnoses NED, there are many treatment options available for this problem. Physicians recommend that patients follow several preventative measures in order to keep nocturnal eating sessions at bay. Here are some of the most helpful tips for anyone who might be suffering from NED; Exercise has been proven to be beneficial for victims of nocturnal eating disorder. Even just a few minutes of movement and exercise each day can make a significant difference. Easy exercises that you can try include walking, bicycling, and dancing. Making just a few simple changes in your everyday routine can help you become more active. Try parking further away from the store when you go shopping, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Try to get in all your exercise in the morning. If you exercise in the evening, it might interfere with your ability to fall asleep.

Avoid caffeine and other stimulating substances. Don’t drink coffee; consume chocolate, soda, or other caffeinated or sugar-rich drinks near bedtime. Also, avoid any medications that you know interfere with your normal sleeping pattern. Many over the counter and prescription medications can interrupt with your sleeping pattern. Also, alcohol and nicotine can make it difficult for you to fall asleep. Instead of consuming anything that may be stimulating, drink warm milk instead.

Take a warm bath before bedtime. A warm bath can be relaxing and signals the body that it’s time to wind down for the day. However, showers should be avoided right before bedtime, as these can be stimulating.

Consult your health professional for medications that can help. Nocturnal eating disorder can be helped through the use of specific medications. These include medications such as anti-depressants, including the drug Wellbutrin. Certain anti-seizure medications have also proven beneficial for counteracting the symptoms of NED. However, sedatives should be avoided; these can worsen the condition.

Blue Period: anorexia and bulimia eating disorder (not pro-ana)

Jennifer — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:50:01 +0000

music by: BLONDE REDHEAD photography by: anonymous paintings by: anonymous / EDVARD MUNCH / PICASSO. Seek help and have compassion for those who suffer from eating disorders. It is not a fashion accesory nor is it a diet. Its a destructive psychological disease that our society and our health care and insurance companies NEED to start taking seriously. … anorexia bulimia eating disorder blonde redhead picasso munch OneTrueMedia

Video – The Amazing Sleep Eating Trick

Navin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:43:52 +0000

Haylee missed her nap….you can figure out the rest

Getting Help Through an Eating Disorder Program

Navin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:54:58 +0000

Although trite and irreverent, the above “attention grabber” is technically correct. For anyone suffering from Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder, an accredited eating disorder program is essential and life-saving. Without recovery, these people will probably die from the medical complications of their condition. The primary obstacle to recovery via an eating disorder program is the secrecy that always prevails in these disorders.
Sufferers are extremely reluctant to change their pathological eating behavior. Denial of the problem is pervasive and they very rarely seek professional help through an eating disorder program. Most sufferers enter treatment either at the insistence of friends and family, or by physicians when they experience a heart attack, kidney failure, or another medical complication of eating disorders.
How can an Eating Disorder Program Help Me?
The first and most essential step is to stop denying that you have a problem and admitting to yourself and trusted others that you need professional help. An eating disorder is not something you can “fix” by yourself. You need a very structured, on-going eating disorder program, most likely an in-patient program. You need to be hospitalized for maximum benefit from the eating disorder program; being treated as an out-patient gives you ample opportunity to not follow the instructions of the program and thereby failing to recover.
Hospitalization is definitely indicated if your weight is so low from anorexia, it’s life-threatening, or if you are binging and purging (vomiting) several times a day due to bulimia.
Eating disorder programs are very comprehensive. Since the great majority of people who suffer from eating disorders also suffer from depression and/or anxiety, you will be evaluated by a psychiatrist to determine if antidepressant and/or an antianxiety medication would benefit you. All eating disorder programs provide intensive nutritional counseling.
You will, simply, learn how to eat in a normal and healthy manner. You will receive extensive medical treatment for the medical complications, often severe, caused by anorexic and/or bulimic behaviors. If you’re bulimic, you’ll have your teeth evaluated by a dentist. Constant vomiting causes the enamel on your teeth to erode from stomach acids, leading to massive tooth decay and loss.
No eating disorder program is complete without intensive psychotherapy by a team of therapists who habitually treat eating disorders. Individual therapy helps you express the distressing feelings of fear, loneliness, anger, sadness and others that you’ve been self-medicating with food or self-starvation. Your program will include daily group therapy sessions.
You need to know that you’re not alone in your troubles, and receive help and support from others who have “been there.” In group, you can speak rather than remain silent about your disorder. Family therapy is also important in eating disorder programs especially for teenagers.
Parents want to understand your disorder and help you overcome it. With adults, your spouse or relationship partner can also be a tremendous source of support. Most important, in a recovery program that involves friends and/or family, they will learn to immediately recognize the signs that you’ve relapsed back into anorexia and/or bulimia and assist you in seeking aftercare support to get back into recovery.
After you’re discharged from the hospital, eating disorder programs strongly recommend your participation in support groups. These support groups for anorexia, bulimia and binge overeating are run by those who are in long-term recovery, not by professionals. Your continuation of aftercare services is vitally important to prevent relapses. Your in-patient program can help you find a support group that is effective for you.

Eating Disorders: An Overview

Navin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:10:09 +0000

Eating disorders refer to conditions whereby you have an extreme compulsion to eat or the lack of it. Eating disorders are disruptive to your physical and emotional well-being.

There are many types of eating disorders. However, the most commonly known ones are known bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder. These three conditions have different symptoms and causes and effects. Other eating disorders include hyperphagia, rumination and pica.

Anorexia nervosa is also known as a psychiatric disorder. More females are diagnosed with this condition than men. It is usually associated with the perception of your body image. When inflicted with this condition, you become obssessed with the idea of carving your body to a “perfect” shape. In order to achieve this, you adopt harsh eating habits such as voluntary starvation, excessive exercise, taking diuretic drugs, taking diet pills, etc. Eating disorders in this form have extremely unhealthy effects on the stomach, esophagus and to the entire digestive system.

Bulimia symptoms differ from anorexia but has similar psychological causes. In bulimia, the main idea behind it is to trick the body in the eating process. Binge eating disorders are a central feature of bulimia nervosa; that is when you rapidly consume an excessive amount of food.

If you have eating binges, very often you do not want others to know about your behaviour. You feel ashamed or depressed about overeating. You then undertake compensatory behaviour for overeating such as purging (induced vomiting or laxative abuse), fasting, and heavy exercising. By first eating an excessive amount of food, you get the pleasure of eating what you want without caring about the nutritional and then by vomiting it out for example, the fat and calories from the food are eliminated.

Bulimia eating disorders have two negative aspects. By vomiting, acid forms up in the stomach and esophagus which can get damaged quickly. Your body also does not receive adequate vitamins, minerals and other nutritional elements from the food, since they are all purged.

Eating disorders are mostly triggered by psychological factors. In minor cases, however, they are due to intolerance to certain foods. For example, you may have a calcium eating disorder because of being lactose intolerance. The causes of your intolerance in this case may not be entirely psychological.

Eating disorders can be treated with the appropriate help and care. Do not dismiss your condition believing that they are not serious. In severe cases, eating disorders can lead to death. Seek medical attention rightaway if you suspect that you have any warning indications of this condition.

Eating Disorders;what really happens

Navin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:24:10 +0000

on pro-ana’s, sorry, this isnt the video your looking for. Thanks everyone for the feedback. Its so nice to know that this is reaching out to people. I also hope that this can add a little support to the millions of people out there suffering from not only eating disorders, but also from any other forms of pain that are unfortunately very common today. This is proof that your not alone, take care everyone. … anorexia bulimia eating disorder pro-ana ana-mia mental health reflection pressure …

Eating Disorders in Children

Navin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:23:15 +0000

Eating disorders also called is Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia. Eating disorders is important to recognize that each factor plays a role in predisposing, precipitating, or perpetuating the problem. Anorexia nervosa compulsive eating are the most common among such young children, but there are cases of bulimia being reported. It is usually begins at the age of fourteen or fifteen, with another peak in incidence in eighteen year olds. It is estimated that 40% of nine year olds have already dieted and we are beginning to see four and five year olds expressing the need to diet. It’s a shame that children so young are being robbed of their childhoods. Children raised in a dysfunctional family are at a higher risk for developing an eating disorder. In a home where physical or abuse is taking place, the child may turn to an eating disorder to gain a sense of control. Children may also develop eating disorders as a way of dealing with the many emotions that they feel, especially if they are raised in a home that does not allow feelings to be expressed. Children who are compulsive eaters are usually using food to help them deal with feelings of anger, sadness, hurt, loneliness, abandonment, fear and pain. There are many serious complications of anorexia, including fainting from low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, being intolerant to cold, constipation, decreased energy, changes in mood, anemia, kidney failure and osteoporosis (brittle bones).

Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death. Genetic attributes and it is more common in children who have a first-degree relative with an eating disorder. Children are at a risk for developing an eating disorder if the parents themselves are to preoccupied with appearance and weight. Eating disorder risk factors is purging behaviors (vomiting or using diuretics (water pills) or laxatives to lose weight). Restrictive eating patterns, which can lead to a failure to gain weight or to being underweight and can include skipping meals, fasting, or eliminating entire food groups. Amenorrhea (absence of menstrual cycles) or delayed onset of puberty and menarche. Parents may first suspect a problem when they discover large amounts of food are missing from the pantry or the refrigerator, though it’s hard to imagine one child could have eaten so much. Mothers with eating disorders may have a difficult time feeding their infants and young children and will further effect the child. Often the family environment will be less cohesive, more conflicted, and less supportive. People with bulimia may be anywhere from underweight, to normal weight, to overweight. It is estimated that as much as 3% of college-aged women have bulimia. Other signs found in teens with eating disorders include having dry and brittle hair, losing hair, and having muscle wasting.

Treatment of eating disorders is slow and difficult (and sometimes requires hospitalization) and should be overseen by a mental health. Exercise is also an important part of everyone’s life and we need to help our children become involved in physical activity. Patients with anorexia also require nutritional and medical intervention to make dietary. Do not criticize your own or your child’s weight, shape or size. Different types of therapy can help treat binge eating disorder. For example, family therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy teach people techniques to monitor and change their eating habits and the way they respond to stress. Family therapy includes the whole family in the process of helping the individual. Cognitive-behavioral therapy combines the approach of helping the individual change their self-defeating thoughts with changing their behavior. Counseling also helps patients look at relationships they have with others and helps them work on areas that cause them anxiety. Weight-control programs are helpful for some people affected by binge eating. The medical treatment of bulimia has concentrated on antidepressants , particularly fluoxetine, which has been found to decrease binge eating and vomiting for about two-thirds of bulimic patients.

Bulimia Nervosa – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Navin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:47:05 +0000

Bulimia nervosa, also known is bulimia. Bulimia word is comes from the Latin (bulimia) from the Greek. It is eating disorder. Bulimia is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Because it’s so intimately entwined with self-image — it’s not just about food — bulimia can be difficult to overcome. Person with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short amount of time (binges) and then tries to prevent weight gain by getting rid of the food, called purging. This purging is done in order to compensate for the excessive intake of the food and to prevent weight gain. Purging typically takes the form of vomiting; inappropriate use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics or other medication; and excessive physical exercise.

Bulimics are also susceptible to other compulsions, affective disorders, or addictions. Bulimia is often less about food, and more to do with deep psychological issues.About 6% of teen girls and 5% of college-aged females are believed to suffer from bulimia. Approximately 10% of identified bulimic patients are men. Binge/purge episodes can be severe, sometimes involving rapid and out of control feeding that can stop when the sufferers “are interrupted by another person” or when their stomach hurts from over-extension. This cycle may be repeated several times a week or, in serious cases, several times a day. Unlike anorexics, bulimics experience significant weight fluctuations, but their weight loss is usually not as severe or obvious as anorexics.

Causes of Bulimia Nervosa

1.Genetic contribution.

2.Eating disorders ( anorexia and bulimia).

3.Certain neurological or medical conditions.

4.Depression.

5.Anxity.

6.Harmones imbalances (Testosterone and low estrogen levels).