Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating problem that occurs when you are so afraid of becoming overweight that you eat as little as possible. If you have this disorder, you see yourself as being overweight when you are not.

This condition is both a physical illness and a mental illness. Hormone changes result from the low weight and low levels of body fat. In women menstruation usually stops. Death may occur from starvation or suicide.

You may be at risk of developing anorexia nervosa if you have a family history of anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders or have a family or personal history of mood disorders. Signs and symptoms of anorexia include weight loss from strict dieting; eating large amounts of food in a short period of time and then using laxatives, diuretics, or making yourself throw up; too much exercise; weakness and feeling dizzy; brittle nails; increased body hair; feeling cold all the time; feeling depressed or anxious; fearing weight gain even when you are underweight; or, thinking about food all the time. Anorexia can be very difficult to treat. It does not go away or get better on its own. Your doctor will help you to start eating normally again. You also may want to contact Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. (EDAP). Their toll-free number is: 800-931-2237. The Web site is http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder. If you have this disorder, you eat larger amounts of food than most people would eat in a short time, then you may purge by making yourself vomit or using laxatives. Purging is meant to make up for binging. You may also cut back on eating or over-exercise to make up for what you ate. Most bulimics have a normal weight but feel they cannot control their eating. Some people swing back and forth between anorexia and bulimia.. Signs and symptoms of bulimia include: eating large amounts of food in short periods of time without being able to stop; making frequent trips to the bathroom after eating; vomiting, or using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to purge food; dieting or fasting; exercising a lot after eating; repeatedly losing or gaining more than 10 pounds; feeling weak, depressed, or guilty after binge eating; having heartburn or reflux from stomach acid injuring the esophagus or damaged teeth from stomach acid contained in vomit; having swollen cheeks from repeated vomiting; having scratches or scars on the back of fingers or hands from self-induced vomiting; constantly thinking about being thin and feeling that weight is tied to self-esteem; in addition, if you are female you may have menstrual irregularities. Bulimia is especially dangerous when vomiting or laxatives are used to remove food from the body. Either habit can cause an electrolyte imbalance that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death. If you have bulimia, you must recognize that you are suffering from a dangerous disorder. Treatment involves getting your eating habits back to normal. Seek professional help if you need to lose weight as it is best to loose weight slowly in a way that balances a healthy diet with exercise.