Eating Disorders

What are eating disorders?

Let's refer to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa , which are the most common eating disorders. We talk about anorexia nervosa when a person is in dire need to lose weight, even if your weight is between 15% and 60% below what would correspond to their age, sex and height. Those who suffer from this disorder, which are usually more women than men feel "terror" to gain weight, even if they are extremely thin. Normally there are thin because they distorted perception of their body image. This extreme thinness has serious problems such as amenorrhea (loss of menstruation) and can lead to death.

Patients with bulimia go through phases in which large binge eating, so excessive and uncontrolled occur. As feel fat, these people cause vomiting to lose weight, and taking laxatives and diuretics. They also often make exaggerated exercise.

Three out of 10 cases of patients with anorexia nervosa also occasionally overeat, and then vomit, as in bulimia.

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Who gets eating disorders?

We can estimate at 1 million Spaniards the number of people affected by anorexia and bulimia. Studies show that 9 out of 10 cases occur in women. They tend to be perfectionists and people with particularly demanding family. These disorders are more common in industrialized societies. As for the age of onset, anorexia usually starts between 14 and 18 years, while bulimia appears from the 20s.

Lately they come increasingly diagnosed cases of so-called "orthorexia" consisting of the pathological obsession with biologically pure food. Experts (Calañas, 2003) estimate that 1% of the Spanish population suffers ostorexia.

Of interest

We suggest reading some articles of interest:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Unhealthy Habits
• Losing weight healthily
• The basic nutrients

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What are the causes of eating disorders?

There seems to be a single cause, but rather an accumulation of factors that triggers these disorders. The truth is that people affected by anorexia and bulimia are fat, excess fat and are unhappy with it. Among the factors that can trigger anorexia and bulimia include:

• There may be a familial predisposition.
• Recent research concludes that vulnerability to a disorder of eating behavior is determined by genetic and environmental factors, although the former seem to have a greater weight.
• They may also be involved biological factors.
• They are more likely to suffer these disorders who have a perfectionist, ambitious and rigid personality.
• Usually people dissatisfied with their physical and low self-esteem.
• People are more likely to live in harsh environments, enshrining success and control over oneself.
• It can occur in adolescents who go through moments of uncertainty about their sexual orientation .
• Strongly influence the media in our society. Reflect the prototype of winning and desirable person is thin, attractive, athletic and watch your diet. We see it in the models, the large stars and the people who appear in the media.

Symptoms of anorexia nervosa

• They have an intense fear of gaining weight and are obsessed with it.
• They lose the sense of reality of their own body image. They are fat when they are actually skeletal.
• Avoid eating, to the extent possible. Spartan diets slimming plan.
• Menstruation (amenorrhea) disappears.
• Feeling cold, dizziness or fainting.
• They may suffer from malnutrition and physical diseases of the circulatory system, liver, kidney, abdominal pain, dental problems and hair.
• Suffer large swings in mood.
• In three out of ten cases, also they added the symptoms of bulimia.
• The patient, in extreme cases, can die from malnutrition.

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa

• They have a tremendous fear of becoming fat and are obsessed with it.
• Pulse feel inevitable binge eating without being satisfied.
• After binging, causing vomiting or taking laxatives and diuretics to prevent weight gain.
• Binge often occur after periods that have followed a strict diet and in situations of anxiety, depression and stress. At first they obtained a degree of satisfaction, but then make their guilt, so vomit, etc.
• Often ashamed of their behavior, leading them to hide.
• They are common problems in the throat and teeth, due to the effects of constant vomiting.
• In severe cases, a lack of minerals that can affect various organs occurs.
• Often they have wounds on the back of the hand, caused by the teeth to induce vomiting. This may be a sign that helps the doctor, family or friends to identify the case.

What are your symptoms? What can we do to prevent and treat these disorders?

As for prevention, let us try not require our children too. It is convenient to speak openly and inform them about weight, line, beauty etc. At the first worrying signs, consult a doctor.

The main support that they will find those who suffer from eating disorders is his family.

To start treatment, the patient must want to be treated and is satisfied. Patients with bulimia tend to be more enthusiastic when starting treatment, but then often back down.

In the case of anorexia nervosa, the priority is for the patient to regain your ideal weight. A diet and gradually incorporating the calories will be planned. As it recovers the patient weight will be less supervision necessary. This phase will probably be performed on an inpatient basis, to control it properly.

When the patient with anorexia nervosa recovers its weight, it is desirable to establish psychotherapy. The specialist can use individual psychotherapy, group or both, depending on patient characteristics. Through psychotherapy, it seeks to inform himself about all aspects of their illness and its negative consequences. It will seek to encourage and enhance monitoring of the prescribed diet and exercised self-control skills. Increasing their self-esteem it is also encouraged. Psychotherapy can last months, as appropriate.

Sometimes it is useful to use drugs antidepressants, which improve mood in both patients with anorexia and bulimia.

For bulimia, it may be also required hospitalization. psychotherapy will be set up, to break the vicious circle binging / vomiting. The objectives of psychotherapy be similar to those described for anorexia.

It is desirable that the family, mainstay of the patient, receive support and information. It may be useful to go to family associations. The patient, family and friends will help you follow the diet, provide support to overcome the daily activities and, especially, should give much affection.

Let us not neglect if we observe any indication of thought or attempted suicide .

As for health care resources, is the doctor, with the family, who will guide the patient to the various assistive devices (specialized units, hospitals, day care centers, outpatient, etc.) where the various professionals fulfill their role as the time and the case. Monitoring and continuity of care are essential to prevent relapses.