Eating Disorders: An Even Greater Complication in Weight Management

Eating Disorders Lead to Life-threatening Conditions

Millions of people around the world are suffering from eating disorders and the truth is that anyone can be affected. Any form of eating disorder might prove to be fatal and it is in the best interest of the patient to seek professional help. Such early interventions give hope for total recovery.

The Three Main Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are the three main categories of eating disorder.

• Anorexia Nervosa patients follow unusual calorie restrictions. They are constantly scared of weight gain and follow strict eating “rules”. Binge eating followed by purging is also possible.
• Bulimia Nervosa presents the same kind of fears and restrictions but individuals lack control and binge eating can be followed by purging. Here, vomiting or use of laxatives and excessive exercise is also possible.
• Binge eating disorder is characterized by excessive consumption of food in minimal time duration without attention to hunger or fullness. Purging is not present in this disorder.

People with any of the eating disorders may have one or many symptoms present, and their appearance is not the index of the amount of physical or emotional danger they undergo.

Symptoms that Define Every Disorder
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Anorexia Nervosa: People with anorexia may display signs of:

• Excessive food restriction and avoidance
• Obsession with weight, exercise and/or calories
• Strongly feel that life would be better if he/she loses weight
• Isolation and fears of eating with others
• Suspicious eating patterns
• Dependence on diet pills, laxatives and/or enemas
• Low self-esteem and the need for acceptance by others
• Feeling cold
• Pale skin, sunken eyes and hair loss
• Decreased blood pressure and heart rate
• Covering the body with baggy clothes or layers to hide body shape
• Missed menstrual cycles or irregular menstrual periods
• Absence of sexual desire
• Stomach ache and constipation
• Sleeping problems
• A picky perfectionist
• Headache and dizziness
• Storing food in strange places
• Anxiety, mood swings, depression and/or fatigue
• Excessive weight loss and stubbornness against maintaining a healthy body weight
• Maintaining a food dairy along with the list of calories and exercise schedules  

Bulimia Nervosa: People with this disease experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms along with other signs such as:

• Purging and binging
• Fear of not able to eat in a controlled manner
• Sore throat and/or swollen glands
• Frequent bathroom visits after meals. These people also turn on the water tap sometimes to hide the sound of vomiting
• Bloodshot eyes, light bruising under eyes and bruised or callused knuckles

Purging is Common after Binging in Bulimia Nervosa

Binge Eating Disorder: Along with any of the symptoms mentioned above, binge eating may be accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Eating until uncomfortably full
• Rapid eating
• Persistent dieting with/without weight loss
• Eating in isolation
• Leg and joint pain, decreased activity
• Low self-esteem and depression about his/her eating habits
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure and/or cholesterol
  
  

What are the Possibilities of Physical Danger?
Eating disorders act as constant stress factors and disrupt health in numerous ways. It can end up in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hormone loss and electrolyte imbalances.

• Anorexia Nervosa: Starvation can affect most organ systems causing anemia, bone loss, kidney problems and changes in brain functions. Constipation, low heart rate/blood pressure, dry skin, abdominal pain and missed menstrual cycles are also common physical dangers.
• Bulimia Nervosa: Vomiting and laxative abuse leads to swollen glands, wearing down of tooth enamel and vitamin and mineral imbalance. The person might even be affected by long-term heart and digestion problems.
• Binge Eating Disorder: Binge eating can lead to heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, bone loss, stroke, kidney disease and arthritis.

To overcome any of these eating disorders and to stay fit on a healthy weight, get in touch with an RDN at www.firsteatright.com.