Headlines:

Don’t Ignore Irregular Heartbeat

Participate from Home: A Study on Heart Health and Detection of AFib

Thyroid 101: Getting Down to Basics

Avoid Body Drought — How to Prevent Dehydration

How Penn Medicine Centralized Its Fragmented Spine Referral Process

Need a Helping Hand? Massage Benefits Reach Beyond Relaxation

How CHI Memorial Increased Access To Lung Cancer Screening With a Bus

5 Ways to Help Victims of Crime Cope With Trauma

How Health Plans Can Improve Behavioral Health Access

Dietary Supplements Can Support Your Immune System

Epilepsy Tragedies Stir Reform for Emergency Personnel

Sanitize Your Nose: Help Protect Yourself and Others from Infection

Building a Better Bridge From Hospital to Home Health Care

The Oncology Leader’s Advanced Practitioner Toolkit

Cancer Clinical Trials See Shortage of Participants

Infant Health Inequity

Tips to Help Older Adults Stay Apart, Not Alone During COVID-19

World Restart a Heart Day Highlights CPR Safety

Don’t Let Diabetes Wipe That Smile From Your Face

Fitness Has a New Focus During Medicare Open Enrollment Time

“Keep Up The Rates” Campaign Encourages Vaccination Amidst COVID-19

Stem Cells Research

Herbal Elderberry Supplements Support Sleep and Immunity

Cancer Center Finds Smokeless Tobacco May Help You Quit

Certain Medicare Plans Could Offer Members Food Assistance Benefits

Health Officials Still Focused on COVID, Despite Rise in Opiod Epidemic

Blood Pressure Control Starts With Measuring Accurately

Oral Health Tips for a Timeless Smile

Enjoy Pregnancy Without Foot Pain

Best Tips to a Health Lifestyle You Need to Understand

Don’t Let COVID-19 Impact Your Credit Score

Military Veterans, Here’s What You Need to Consider About Medicare

Clinical Trials Seek Cancer Patients

Don’t Ignore Irregular Heart-Related Complications

Your Blood’s Amazing Trip Through Your Vascular System

MyFreePharmacy Takes the Pain Out of Filling Prescriptions

Getting the Most of Medicare Prescription Drug Home Delivery

Students’ Mental Health Must Figure in Plans to Restart Classes

Do we need a dedicated global agency that would deal with covid 19 and other future pandemics?

Professional Diseases

Drug-Free Device Simplifies Sinus Pain Relief

Should Your Exercise Routine Include Massage?

Helping Teens Improve Mental Health by Finding Happiness

Need More Treatment Options? Cancer Clinical Trials May Help

Better Immunity is Just a Spray Away For Health

About Palliative Therapies To Treat Mesothelioma

5 Tips to Practice Good Public Hygiene

Should animals be used in research?

Dry Eye: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Women’s Hearts Need Attention

Mental Health of Students Must Figure in Restarting Classes

Self-care on Your Schedule with Mental Wellness App

NFL Superstar and Family Tackle High Blood Pressure

A One-of-a-Kind Lifeline: A First Responder’s Kidney Health Journey

5 Tips to Save Money While Getting Quality Health Care

Study Shows Older Americans Are Coping Best During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Why Getting a Flu Shot Makes Sense

Tips to Help You Avoid Cold and Flu All Year

Turning 65: What to Consider When Selecting a Medicare Plan

How to Safely Select Your 2022 Medicare Plan During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Seven Ways to Support Healthy Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

HIV/AIDS: What Methods of Treatment Can the Modern Medicine Offer?

Insulin Production Of UNDBIO Supported By Sen Manchin And WV Officials

Is Your Family at Risk for Hypothyroidism?

Three Tips to Avoid Heartburn

New Treatment Shows Signs of Curbing Cancer Growth

Should the State Regulate Social Media Use to Prevent Its Negative Impact on Mental Health and Social Media Addiction?

How to Maximize Your 2022 Medicare Advantage Plan

Control Your Blood Pressure, Protect Your Body Health

Colorectal Cancer Screening Options Reduce Disparities

Ultrasound Technology Helps Clean and Whiten Teeth With Braces

Expert Offers Tips to Boost Your Immunity

Novel Cell Therapy May Improve Heart Failure Symptoms

How to Maximize Your Medicare Plan in 2023

Should unhealthy people be refused emergency organ transplants due to their lifestyle choices?

Patty Duke Family Reunites for Dinner: Medicare on the Menu

Stay Smart When Using OTC Pain Medicines

Fitness Has a New Focus During Medicare Open Enrollment Time

The Newest Diagnostic Exam Aging Adults Can’t Miss: The Elderoscopy

Arm Your Medicine Cabinet for Cold and Flu Season

Five Tips You Need to Know about Prescription Home Delivery

Can’t Stop Smoking? Protect Your Smile

Homeopathic Medicine

Expand Your Self-Care Horizon with Quantum Energy

Program Teaches EMS Workers How to Respond to Epilepsy

Novel Drug Shows Potential to Repair Stroke Damage

Got Diabetes? Take Your Multivitamin

Now There’s a Painless Cure for the Most Common Cancer Type

Why Getting a Flu Shot Makes Sense

Regenerative Medicine May Help Avoid Surgery

Yes, Most Insurance Plans Cover Chiropractic Care

Artificial Coma

Three Things Every Contact Lens Wearer Should Know

Can Chiropractic Care Help Treat Obesity?

Putting Psoriasis to Rest Starts with Relieving Stress

Is Your Eye Makeup Making You Sick? What You Need to Know

Every Lung Cancer Patient Should Ask About Biomarkers

Cell Therapy May Improve Heart Failure Symptoms

Medicinal Mushroom Supplement AHCC Helps Clear “Invisible” HPV Infections

New Law Makes It Easier to Save on Prescription Costs

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia
Eating disorders

Date

Eating disorders are characterized by an unhealthy obsession with food and body image.

Two prominent examples of eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia, both of which are marked by the strong desire to lose weight.

People with anorexia drastically reduce their food intake in an attempt to lose weight, while those with bulimia consume an excessive amount of food and then use extreme methods to purge this food from their bodies. Purging may include the use of laxatives or forcing themselves to vomit.

A recent study estimated that 13.6 billion people worldwide have anorexia or bulimia.Both disorders are life-threatening. Among all mental health illnesses,anorexia nervosa is currently the highest-ranked cause of mortality.The stress of weight loss and starvation can lead to complications affecting the heart, brain,gastrointestinal system, and kidneys.

Symptoms

Anorexia

Symptoms of anorexia may be physical, emotional, and behavioral. Physical symptoms include:

  • sudden weight loss
  • fatigue
  • constipation
  • a dull, yellowish complexion
  • thin, fragile hair and nails
  • menstrual problems, including amenorrhea
  • irregular heartbeat

Emotional symptoms may be harder to identify, especially if the person is more withdrawn about their thoughts and feelings. Symptoms typically include:

  • mood changes, including increased irritability
  • emotional isolation
  • depression and anxiety
  • poor self-esteem and a low body image

Behavioral changes may be fairly noticeable. People living with the affected individual should watch out for the following signs:

  • repeatedly asserting that they are “fat” despite evidence otherwise
  • intense exercising without positive, healthy habits such as eating healthy meals
  • skipping meals and lying about what they have eaten
  • avoiding eating with others

Bulimia

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by excessive efforts to excrete or eliminate the food from their bodies.A 2016 study found that people with bulimia are more likely to have families with very high expectations or families that are highly concerned about fitness and physical appearances.

The two types of bulimia are known as purging and non-purging bulimia. People with the former will usually binge eat and then induce vomiting or use laxatives and diuretics. Those with non-purging bulimia will resort to extreme exercise or fasting methods.

Causes

The cause of mental illnesses may be difficult to pinpoint and usually require an extensive review of the patient’s background. In both anorexia and bulimia, causes may include:

Genetics. A history of mental illness in the family may predispose the individual to develop one as well.

Peer pressure.This is especially true for younger people. The media and social networking platforms may serve as a source for highly unattainable body ideals.

Emotional and psychological factors. Stress,low self-esteem, and the presence of other mental health problems may trigger eating disorders.

Diagnosis and treatment

When signs and symptoms of eating disorders are identified, the affected person should be taken to a medical professional immediately for assessment. Lab tests will be given to measure the person’s BMI and to check for any severe damage,such as heart problems or injuries to the digestive tract.

Treatment for both disorders may include psychotherapy to correct any negative body prejudices and irrational fears, and to manage feelings of anxiety. Medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed, especially for complicated cases. For bulimia, antiemetics may also be given to reduce vomiting.

Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
LinkedIn
Email

More
articles

Join DBN Today!

Let DBN help guide you to success!

Doctors Business Network offers everything new and existing health care providers need to establish and build a successful career! Sign up with DBN today and let us help you succeed!

DBN Blog