Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa - Research Paper Example

Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Both men and women, as they grow up, may have tendencies of either eating too much or too little food. This is what is referred to as “an eating disorder.” Women however, are more likely to develop an eating disorder than males. The purpose of this paper is to define and exemplify such an illness, show who are the main victims, provide causes, signs and give treatment options of eating disorders. A few prevention measures especially among teenagers are also highlighted. Special attention is given to both ‘anorexia nervosa’ and ‘bulimia nervosa’ as two key examples of eating disorders. Introduction An eating disorder is a treatable illness that makes one to eat extremely small amounts of food or to overeat severely. This commonly starts at one’s teen years or during early adulthood and it later spirals to become a huge matter of concern. Both males and females can develop an eating disorder but chances are higher in females. The three types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). Binge-eating disorder is an example of EDNOS. However, this paper deals only with the first two types: anorexia and bulimia. Worth noting is the fact that eating disorders usually go hand in hand with depression or anxiety disorders (Nih.gov, 2012). According to Stanford School of Medicine (2012), anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is typified by the dread of gaining excess weight and being obese, which leads to rigorous food intake restriction and sometimes making use of other weight-loss techniques such as purging behaviors, too much exercise, as well as diet pills usage. Those suffering from anorexia nervosa are eighteen times more likely to die earlier compared with age mates free from this condition (Nih.gov, 2012). On the other hand, bulimia nervosa is characterized by taking in a lot of food and then seeking a way of compensating such an amount of food. For instance, one may overdo eating, exercises or taking of laxatives and then purge (Stanford School of Medicine, 2012). Eating disorders are not issues that will only have to do with food. This is because food is only used in attempts to take hold of other overwhelming feelings. For instance, people with anorexia may starve as they try to relieve tension, anxiety as well as anger, while on the other hand people with bulimia may purge in order to ensure weight-loss and ease stress and anxiety (Womenshealth.gov, 2010). Eating disorders may be developed due to several factors. Firstly, chances are that if one’s close relatives suffer from such a condition, he/she may also suffer from the same. In other cases, families have conceptions about appearance and diet, which may affect their children,’s eating behaviors. Secondly, it is socially and culturally ideal to be slim especially for women and hence, to be socially considered attractive, some women may develop these disorders. Poor self-image, feelings of worthlessness among other mental disorders like depression and anxiety do accompany eating disorders. Fourthly, such traumatic experiences like rape or assault and some changes in life like joining a new school or work place often contribute to this medical problem (Womenshealth.gov, 2010). How can one tell that someone has eating disorders? Among others, some of the signs and symptoms to look out for include selective eating, restrictive intake of fats and carbohydrates, as well as skipping of meals. In other cases large amounts of food may be noted missing having been eaten for instance by one’s teen son or daughter. If such people rush to the bathroom after a meal or increasingly complain of stomach upsets, they have eating disorders. Use of diet pills or diuretics, fasting, complete refusal to eat and especially refusal to eat with the others are clear signals of eating disorders. Since these disorders go hand-in-hand with over-exercising; one can look out for an excessive or rigid exercise routine to know such patients. For girls and women, they cease menstruating due to increased lack of eating (Stanford School of Medicine, 2012). Males may have muscle dysmorphia whereby they become obsessed with becoming more muscular than they really are, hence end up using steroids or other drugs to increase muscle mass (Nih.gov, 2012). Eating disorders have immense emotional and physical health effects. These include low blood pressure, low heart rate, lack of (or irregular) menstruation, low body temperatures and hormonal changes, among others (Stanford School of Medicine, 2012). Among teenagers, eating disorders may have various consequences that double as signs and symptoms. These include dizziness, fatigue, constipation, sleeping troubles and concentration difficulties. At a worse and fatal level, these disorders may cause depression, heart and digestive problems, seizures, muscle wasting, tooth decay, anemia among others (Mayoclinic.com, 2012). One’s particular eating disorder and symptoms determine the treatment intervention. One must treat other health problems associated with these disorders in a move to treat the disorder itself. The treatment can include psychotherapy, nutrition education and/or medications. Seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist regularly and as soon as the problem has been noted is vital. This is because the experts will offer psychological counseling especially to improve one’s self esteem and deal with negative thoughts and feelings associated with the eating disorder. Nutrition educationists will show importance of nutrition, meal planning, regular eating plans and avoidance of dieting. Antidepressants and other medications are also vital but they are more effective when combined with psychological counseling (Mayoclinic.com, 2012). Conclusion Apparently, eating disorders are real and sometimes life threatening. They are treatable and any early intervention saves a lot. However, prevention is better than cure. A deliberate awareness of the information discussed herein is important towards prevention of eating disorders. There is need to adopt open discussions about appropriate eating behaviors and how to deal with faulty thoughts and feelings in life. As Mayoclinic.com (2012) points out, parents should set good examples to their teens by eating reasonably and taking pride in their bodies. Food should not be used as a reward for good behavior or its denial as a punishment. Food is for nourishment. References Mayoclinic.com (2012). Treatments for eating disorders. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eating-disorder-treatment/MY00794 Mayoclinic.com (2012). Teen eating disorders. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-eating disorders/MY01156/NSECTIONGROUP=2 National Institute of Mental Health. (2012). Eating disorders. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml Stanford School of Medicine. (2012). What are eating disorders? Retrieved from http://edresearch.stanford.edu/eating-disorders.html#ednos Womenshealth.gov. (2010). About eating disorders Retrieved from http://womenshealth.gov/body-image/eating-disorders/ Read More