Dieting Illnesses Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa
The sad truth is our society greatly contributes to dieting illnessess. Along with an heavy emphasis on beauty and physical looks, the American population, beginning in our early years, is commonly raised hearing talk about weight loss and diets.
Dieting illnesses of the type anorexia nervosa and bulimia more accurately are known as eating disorders. Approximately two million inhabitants of the United States suffer from one of these two eating disorders. These dieting illnesses most commonly afflict girls and women, though some men also experience these disorders.
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Anorexia nervosa
This disease typically occurs during teenage years, especially in girls of middle to upper class families. Yes, men and boys do suffer from anorexia, but it is much less frequently. Put simply, anorexia is a person’s refusal to eat when he or she truly needs to eat. Although their body weight is already below average, anorexic patients avoid eating most foods. Plus, they tend to participate in activities such as tough physical exercises in order to lose weight. Gaining weight is the anorexics’ worst fear. The excessive weight loss seen in anorexics commonly causes hormonal imbalances in women and girls. These issues further enhance the number of possible health problems.
Dangers & Diseases Related To Eating Disorders
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Insomnia
- Cancer from acid reflux
- Low blood pressure
The exact causes of anorexia are not known. Health experts believe that a combination of biological, nutritional, and psychological causes lead to this eating disorder. Social and environmental causes like puberty, deaths in the family etc., create stress that can increase the chance of a person developing anorexia. No single effective treatment exists for anorexia at this time. Medications are used to treat depression associated with anorexia. Psychological and familial support is offered to help the patient come out of the eating fear.
Bulimia nervosa
This is an eating disorder in which the patient has an irresistible craving for eating. Repeated episodes of binging in short periods of time. Surprisingly, patients of bulimia also fear obesity and this fear leads them to self-induced vomiting in order to get rid of what they binged on. Patients also frantically try laxatives, diuretics, strict fasting and dieting, or vigorous exercise to prevent the supposed weight gain. These are all potentially dangerous for heart and kidney function.
Like anorexia, bulimia is far more frequent in girls and women. But men do suffer from bulimia, only much less frequently. An estimated 7 % of young women seeking health advice or treatment suffer from bulimia. Also like anorexia, the exact causes of bulimia are not known and once again there is no single effective treatment for this harsh eating disorder. Prescription medications may be used to treat related depression and psychological counseling. Often, familial support may be called in to treat the low self esteem observed in bulimia patients.
Both, anorexia and bulimia nervosa, are very unhealthy dieting illnesses to say the least. They are truly dangerous and can be life-threatening. If you suffer from an eating disorder, realize that this is not a healthy or natural kind of diet. Please, reach out for help. If someone you know suffers from an eating disorder, be compassionate and offer loving assistance.
