Eating disorders are illneses that, even though they can be treated, they tend to have extremely detrimental effects on those who suffer from them. These illneses affect eating behaviours and take a huge toll on one’s mental and emotional health as well as on their physical health, so they can be really dangerous and can sometimes even lead to death.
On the following article we want to expose some fast facts on eating disorders so you can easily learn more about these diseases.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are many different types of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorders. Each one of these disorders is equally as dangerous as the others and none of them should be taken lightly. There are some noticeable differences among these types of disorder but they all are characterized by unhealthy eating behaviors such as fasting or purging.
What Causes Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders can be triggered by a wide variety of factors that may vary from one person to another depending on a number of factors.
Those factors can be biological, meaning that they are caused by genetics, nutritional deficiencies or irregularities in human functions; psychological, being caused by a negative perception of one’s own body or a low self-esteem; environmental factors, like a professional carreer choice that requires looking a certain way (modelling, ballet…) growing up in a dysfunctional home, having childhood traumas or living under strong cultural or social pressure.
Whatever the cause, the toll that these diseases can take on one´s health are so detrimental that it is vital to detect them as soon as possible and find an appropiate treatment.
What Are The Most Common Symptoms?
When someone is suffering from an eating disorder, these are some of the most common symptoms they tend to show:
- Excessive control of food
- Skipping meals
- Mood swings
- Extreme concern with body image
- Dramatic weight loss or fluctuations
- Stomach cramps
- Sleep issues
- Being cold too often
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
- Teeth discoloration
- Deficiencies in the immune system
- Stealing or hoarding food
- Depression, disgust
How To Treat Eating Disorders
Everyone is different, and every case will be different, so when it comes to treatment, every patient will be different. However, there is always some common ground between them. The following are the most effective ways to treat these conditions.
When it comes to anorexia, it is very important to get the patient to restore their weight and go through a process of re-nutrition. It is very important
that the patient is supported by their loved ones and therapy is recommended.
For bulimia or binge-eating disorder cases, cognitive behavioural therapy seems to work wonders. Sometimes treatment may need to include some medication like Prozac.
Is Recovery Possible?
Fully recovering from an eating disorder can take a long time, this is why being supported by your family and/or loved ones is very important. It could take up to ten years to fully recover, given that relapse is very common with these illneses. However, it is possible, specially it the condition is detected and treated as early as possible.
Try Dr. Jud’s binge eating app, Eat Right Now if you want to overcome your binge eating disorders and lose weight. Download his app today!
