User-agent: Google Allow: A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions: EATING DISORDERS

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Thursday, December 8, 2011

EATING DISORDERS

DOC I HAVE EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders is defined as the persistent refusal of a person to eat resulting in marked loss of weight.


It is a psychological problem with patient becoming obsessed with his or her so called obesity with intent to lose weight as a result  


This condition is more prevalent in women than in men.


Onset usually occur in puberty.

Eating disorders include:
1.anorexia nervosa - refusal to eat or eating very minimally
2.bulimia - eating followed by vomiting
3.binged eating with induced vomiting

The most common cause is obstensible fear of obesity resulting in excessive dieting.

There is this distorted image of the body size related to social norms and psychosexual conflicts.

Other causes are:
1.anxiety


2.depression


3.low self esteem


4.troubled family and personal relationships


5.history of physical or sexual abuse


6.cultural and social norms that value people on basis of physical appearance and not inner qualities and strength


7.sometimes may be hereditary - It may run in families

Symptoms of eating disorders are:
1.progressive and excessive weight loss


2.loss of muscle mass (thin stick like)


3.loss of bone mass with osteopenia, osteoporosis , possible fractures,


4.Damage to esophagus, lining of stomach, gastritis, bloating from gas


5.Associated induced endocrine changes (amenorrhea, hirsutism)


6.Stunted growth due to  insufficient growth hormones as a result of  malnutrition


7.Weakened immune system with icy hand and excess hairs on the skin (body too cold)


8.Anemia and Induced vitamin deficiency due to poor nutrition


9.Fainting spells, sleep disruptions, mental confusion, seizures due to insufficient nutrients to the brain


10.Low blood sugar with chills, giddiness, shaking and restlessness from insufficient absorption of sugars


11.Disruption of body fluid mineral balance especially potassium can affect the heart with irregular heart beat , cardiac arrest and death


12.general organ failure resulting in kidney and liver damage from insufficient nutrients to the body's organs


13.Constipation, urinary and anal incontinence, resulting from weakened perineal muscles of the pelvis

14.Mental development and psychological development may be affected from the lack of nutrients to the brain

Treatment of eating disorders:
1.Hospitalization is necessary when the condition becomes life threatening


2.Weight restoration to improve mood and health of patient

3.Correction of nutrition and metabolic deficiency in patient


4.Psychotherapy and counseling of individual to develop healthy ways of controlling one's life


5.Use of antidepressant and serotonin blockers and other newer medications for depression and anxiety


6.Support groups to help family and nutritional counseling

Prognosis of eating disorders:
1.Good in mild cases


2.Poor in severe cases,may be fatal

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