With how society views beauty today, it is no wonder eating disorders are as common as they are. There are many added pressures, especially for women, to be as thin as possible and it does not matter how they accomplish this. The most common eating disorders are Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia and both of them can do severe damage to the mind and body.

Bulimia, is characterized by binging and purging. What this means, is that the person will have no control over the amount of food they eat. There are moments when they will eat for hours straight. However, they will then feel ashamed of how much they have eaten and will force themselves to throw up. Many people suffering from Bulimia can actually maintain a normal weight and so, it may be difficult to give that person help.

Anorexia nervosa deals more with very little or no food intake. There is a strong focus on constantly being thinner than they are. Those who suffer from Anorexia have a distorted body image and no matter how thin they get, it is never enough. They cannot see the weight they are losing or how horrifying their bodies have become.

Very often with eating disorders, there is an obsession with food. Although it may seem like the person detests even the sight of food, it actually plays a major role in their lives. Especially with anorexics, food rituals are often practiced; they will eat a certain amount of calories a day or cut their food up very small while eating. No matter what they do, food remains a large part of their thoughts.

What many people do not understand is that although eating disorders revolve around food, the disorders themselves are not always about weight. Particularly with Bulimia, there is a need to control the hectic world around them. Many of these eating disorders can be triggered by an event in the person’s life in which they lose all control, such as a move or the death of someone close to them; the amount of food they put into their bodies or remove seems to be the only thing they have a say in. Sadly, what many do not realize is that an eating disorder is the absolute opposite of that; the food is actually controlling them.

An estimated eight million Americans are suffering from an eating disorder, but only one in ten will receive treatment. Anorexia and Bulimia are two of the most common eating disorders as well as the most dangerous. Twenty percent of those who suffer from Anorexia will die from complications. Dealing with an eating disorder is extremely difficult and not something that should be taken lightly. It is vital for those who exhibit symptoms of these disorders to get the help they need as soon as possible.

Shockingly, eating disorders are becoming an increasingly popular way of losing weight. With societal as well as professional pressures of being thin, it is no wonder that so many turn to eating disorders despite the dangerous side effects they have on the body. Many of these eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia can result in death, so if you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, it is vital they receive treatment; it could save their life.

Although much of the treatment for eating disorders revolves around statistics and common symptoms, it is important for treatment to see the person as an individual. It can be very detrimental to a patient to be treated as a statistic or someone that is common. Many eating disorders are based on low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness, so one of the worst things is to take away a person’s individual symptoms.

One of the most common treatments for eating disorders is therapy. It is important to realize that you cannot get better alone. The process is going to take time, but no matter how long a person has been suffering, it is never too late to get help. Therapy is more likely to work when the person stops dieting. Most people suffering from eating disorders have enough trouble eating properly, so any continuous dieting can actually be harmful to their recovery.

Most times, cognitive behavioral therapy is used as treatment for eating disorders. This treatment is so effective because it helps the patient in two ways. The first step helps the patient get into healthy eating habits; the person needs to learn how to begin eating again and if they are suffering from Bulimia, how to stop binging and purging. Patients also learn to cope with situations that may trigger negative eating habits.

The second part of cognitive behavioral therapy targets the mindset of the patient. Many of those suffering from eating disorders link weight and thinness to self worth, which is a dangerous way of thinking. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches the patient positive ways of thinking and how to let go of these ties between weight and feelings.

Other treatments for eating disorders include other types of therapy as well as anti-depressant medications. The after effects of eating disorders can be just as nerve raking as the actual disorder. It is important that all aspects, physical and mental be taken care of during treatment.

Many people with eating disorders have a lot of feelings built up and therapy and other treatment can help sort them out. The road to recovery can be long and bumpy, but it is vital that the person receive the help they need as soon as possible. Any eating disorder should never be ignored nor taken lightly. It is difficult to go through this alone and treatment is the first step to recovery.  

Eating disorders are some of the most dangerous ways to lose weight. There is a common misconception that all eating disorders leave the person extremely thin and so, it is easy to tell those who are suffering from them. However, some disorders such as Bulimia, are not so easy to spot and the person can go for years with this disorder. As with any eating disorder, if you suspect someone is suffering from one, it is important to make sure they get the help the need, as it could end up saving their life.

A person suffering from Bulimia does not have any control over the amount of food they eat. It is characterized by binging and eating as much as you can at a particular time. After they have eaten, they may feel ashamed of themselves and they will force themselves to throw up or purge. This dangerous pattern of binging and purging may be caused by a lack of control in the person’s life. Generally a traumatic event can cause this feeling of no control such as the death of a loved one, beginning school or moving. Being able to establish this control by eating allows the person to cope with these changes.

As with any eating disorder, the cause will vary depending on the person. There is no medical cause of Bulimia, but it most likely begins with an initial feeling of worthlessness or poor body image. It is most important to remember that every person suffering from Bulimia is different and every case is caused by something different. Unfortunately, treating someone with Bulimia is not as simple as looking at statistics, there is much more to treating them.

There are some causes of Bulimia that cannot be controlled by the person. Eating disorders can run in families, so those who have eating disorders directly in their families are more likely to develop it. There are also psychological factors such as depression or a chemical imbalance in the brain that can put a person at a higher risk for developing Bulimia. Other causes such as sexual abuse can have severe damage on the person’s self esteem, which can also lead to Bulimia.

Some of the biggest causes of Bulimia are environmental. Hollywood, advertisements and peer pressure can all trigger Bulimia. There are many pressures, especially for young women, to be thin and only those who are extremely thin can be successful and beautiful. There may be pressures from parents as well to remain thin, especially if the child is involved in activities that demand thinness such as ballet or gymnastics. 

It is important to remember that there is no definite cause of Bulimia. Although every person is different, no matter what the cause, if someone is suffering from Bulimia, or any other eating disorder, they need help as soon as possible.

During the early stages of Bulimia, the side effects caused by this illness are not always obvious.  In many cases the sufferer of this illness will complain of a stomach ache and nothing else.  However, as time passes and they continue to binge and purge their body of sustenance then the Bulimia side effects will become far worse.

In this article we look at some of the physical side effects that those who suffer from this illness can expect to have to deal with in the future.  But it isn’t just the physical Bulimia side effects that need to be treated it is the psychological ones as well.

1.  A person who suffers from Bulimia is likely to suffer with cardiac arrhythmias, which is where the electrical activity of their heart becomes irregular.  Also the walls of the person’s heart become weakened over time and could end up rupturing leading to them having a heart attack.  If some bulimics use ipecac too much in order to induce vomiting this can lead to the heart muscle becoming diseased or to cardiomyopathy occurring.

2.  People when they suffer from Bulimia will binge eat and this can lead to the stomach swelling and causes some considerable pain to the person.  Plus in order to purge what they have their bodies they induce vomiting this can result in their esophagus becoming swollen.  However, if the purging continues for any amount of time then the esophagus may well rupture at some point as it becomes weakened by the stomach acids that attack it.  If a person’s esophagus does rupture through excessive vomiting then they will need to seek medical attention immediately.

3.  Because people with Bulimia will vomit frequently this can lead to muscles becoming weakened along with them suffering from proximal muscle atrophy.  Also there is a strong possibility for this person to develop tetany because of potassium irregularities.  The reason the muscles become weakened over time is simply through the purging their body is not being supplied with the nutrients, minerals and vitamins it needs in order to function.

4.  One of the most common problems that people with Bulimia suffer from is that their teeth become discolored or decayed.  These problems are caused through the stomach acid coming into contact with the teeth every time a person vomits in order to purge their body of what they have just eaten.

5.  A side effect of Bulimia which can affect women is that they may find it difficult to conceive a child.  If they do conceive then the chances of them having a premature baby of suffering a miscarriage are greatly increased.

There is without a doubt, many pressures, especially on young women to be thin. Whether this comes from Hollywood stars and their trendy diets or parents and other family members, the idea that being thin is equivalent to being beautiful and successful is out there. There are even professions that demand thinness such as ballet or gymnastics. All of these influences can lead to eating disorders such as Anorexia.

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by very little food intake. There is an extreme fear of becoming overweight despite the fact the person is already dangerously thin. For those suffering from Anorexia, looking in a mirror is like looking in a fun house mirror, no matter how thin they get, they still feel heavy, as they have a severely distorted bodily image. Anorexia is an extremely dangerous illness and it can have brutal side effects on the body as well as the mind.

There are many side effects on the body that are caused by not eating. The body can literally shut down because it is not getting the nutrients it needs to maintain itself and its vital functions. During the early stages, a girl may stop menstruating regularly; this is also a sign that the body is not functioning properly. A person suffering from Anorexia will often feel weak and extremely tired; fainting is very common because the body is not given anything it can use for energy.

The side effects of Anorexia on the body can be very dangerous. The body of an anorexic may become so thin that there is no way it can keep itself warm; in this case, the body will grow a thin layer of hair over the face and arms in an attempt to stay warm. Nails may become brittle, hair may start falling out and the skin will become very pale. These are just some of the side effects of Anorexia, but the list goes on.

There are also psychological side effects of Anorexia. The illness can greatly affect the personality of the person suffering. Someone who was once very outgoing and social may become depressed and introverted. Food and eating become the center of their thoughts and many times, it will be all they can think about. Those dealing with Anorexia have very low self-esteem and feel a sense of worthlessness so Anorexia often leads to depression and even suicide.

Some of the more serious, long term side effects include liver damage, osteoporosis, difficulty carrying a pregnancy and even death. Anorexia is a very complicated disease and there are many more side effects. Eating disorders are not something that should be taken lightly because they can have serious consequences. Anyone suffering from these side effects of Anorexia should have treatment as soon as possible, as it could end up saving their life.

It will probably be helpful to let you know a few Binge Eating facts. All too often people make assumptions  about Binge Eating that they later find to be incorrect.Binge Eating is when a person eats a very large portion food and doesn’t purge it like a bulimic or anorexic.  They also do not take any measures to burn the extra calories through exercising.  Consequently, most binge eaters will gain weight very quickly, though it is possible to be a smaller size and have the condition, particularly if a person has a fast metabolism.  Either way, the illness must be addressed because it puts a person at risk for diabetes, heart disease and other problems associated with eating poorly.

So, how does a Binge Eating session differ from occasional overeating during the holidays or at a buffet?   Well, the keyword is ‘occasional.’  Average people may consume more calories than they want if they are having a good time, but it is usually ‘every now and then.’  Binge eaters overeat constantly, and do so in a way that is not typical.  For example, they may eat over 10,000 calories in the course of just a couple hours.  The foods consumed tend to be high in fat, salt and carbohydrates… fruits, vegetables and even meat usually are not on a binge eater’s menu.  Additionally, binge eaters will go through a binging session whether or not they are hungry. 

According to Wikipedia.com 4 million Americans have this disorder.  Surprisingly, many suffering through this condition have actually dieted in the past.  In fact, it is not uncommon for binge eaters to actually have concern for their weight, since many will feel incredibly guilty once their binging session has finished.  However, unless they get professional help, they usually won’t succeed in losing weight on their own, since dieting only makes binging worse for most sufferers. 

Bulimia Nervosa is when a person tries to lose weight through purging or other excessive means.  Bulimia is often associated with Binge Eating, though unlike the binge eater, bulimics will resort to drastic measures for losing the calories consumed.  The most common way this is done is through purging though they may also use diet pills, diuretics, laxatives and exercise.  If a bulimic doesn’t purge they are known as non-purging, though this form of Bulimia is not as common.  In either case the bulimic will not starve themselves like an anorexic would. 

When it comes to weight, many bulimics do not have the same appearance as the anorexic.  This is because through Binge Eating, bulimics are able to consume enough calories to maintain a ‘healthier’ weight, (though some bulimics might even be overweight).  And with a healthier weight, most bulimics won’t get amenorrhea, (cessation of the menstrual cycle).  However, they do suffer complications.   These complications include: digestive problems, complications with the esophagus, voice damage, electrolyte imbalance, pancreatic problems, throat cancer, seizures, kidney infection and heart failure.  Death can occur for a variety of reasons some of which include heart or liver complications, stroke, gastric rupture, or internal bleeding.

Treatment for Bulimia is often approached in the same way as Anorexia.  In fact, it is not uncommon for bulimics and anorexics to be housed in together in the same eating disorder clinics, since many professionals consider the underlying reasons behind the conditions to be similar. 

In nations where food is plentiful, the average person won’t have many issues when it comes to eating.  They will eat when they are hungry, and won’t eat when they aren’t hungry.  However, there are some groups of people that are unable to eat normally.  They either starve themselves, eat non-food items, overeat and/or purge any food that has been ingested.  The reason behind such behavior is usually psychological, though occasionally there are health conditions that are the culprit.  For example, pica, (a condition where a person eats materials that are not food), is caused by a nutritional deficiency.  Other health conditions might deteriorate a person to the point that they naturally don’t have an appetite or possess too much of an appetite.  But in these situations, they are not eating or eating too much because their body is not properly registering appropriate hunger feelings.  For individuals that have eating disorders, the physiological mechanisms controlling hunger are normal, so they do have ravaging hunger if they are starving themselves.
 

Surprisingly, eating disorders have been around since ancient times.  For example, Egyptian, Hebrew and Greek cultures had incidents of Bulimia.  Anorexia was acknowledged in the 1600s.  Yet, back then people didn’t have as much knowledge of psychology, so it was not understood that these conditions signify mental problems.  This type of classification didn’t occur until 1980, when the medical community determined eating disorders to be psychological in origin. 

So, what is happening psychologically when a person becomes a victim of an eating disorder?  Usually, they are preoccupied with trying to attain a false standard of thinness, though this is just the ‘surface’ reason of why they do what they do.  Underlying reasons reach deeper into a person’s psyche.  They could be using an eating disorder as a way to establish ‘control’ in their lives, especially if they are going through something where they feel out of control.  An eating disorder could also be used to gain self-esteem, since the victim falsely believes they will be ‘beautiful’ if they keep losing weight.  Of course, things are a little different if an eating disorder involves overeating without purging the contents.  In these situations a person is using food to fill emotional voids.  Yet, with either type of eating disorder, if help is not obtained quickly, the victim’s health could be at risk.  For example, anorexics or bulimics can lose the ability to have a period in the intermediate stages of their illness.  Bulimics could ruin their digestive tract through the obsessive vomiting.  Overeaters that do not purge become obese, putting their body at risk for heart attack, stroke or diabetes.  And all of these eating orders can lead to the ultimate consequence… death.  This is why if an eating disorder is suspected by family members, action must be taken so a person can become healthy again.  The road to recovery for both the victim and their loved ones will not be easy, but it is one that must be traveled on if the victim wants to reclaim their life.