Download Diapositivo 1

Eating
Disorders
Work made by:
Ana Leonor nº1
Ana Rita nº2
Luís Filipe nº15
Sofia Marques nº21
Introduction
When most people hear of someone
with an eating disorder they almost
automatically assume the person has a
problem with food. Eating disorders
are not a sign that a person has a
problem with food, rather eating
disorders are actually only the
symptoms of underlying problems in
that person's life. With proper
treatment, people can fully recover.
Anorexia is
characterized by a
significant weight loss
resulting from excessive
dieting. Most women and
an increasing number of
men are motivated by
the strong desire to be
thin and a fear of
becoming obese.
Anorexics consider
themselves to be fat, no
matter what their actual
weight is. Often
anorexics do not
recognize they are
underweight and may
still "feel fat" at 80 lbs.
Anorexics close to
death will show you on
their bodies where they
feel they need to lose
weight. In their
attempts to become
even thinner, the
anorexic will avoid food
and taking in calories at
all costs, which can
result in death. An
estimated 10 to 20% will
eventually die from
complications related to
it.
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia is characterized by a cycle of
binge eating followed by purging to try
and rid the body of unwanted calories. A
binge is different for all individuals. For
one person a binge may range from 1000
to 10000 calories, for another, one cookie
may be considered a binge. Purging
methods usually involve vomiting and
laxative abuse. Other forms of purging
can involve excessive exercise, fasting,
use of diuretics, diet pills and enemas.
Bulimics are usually people that do not
feel secure about their own self worth.
They usually strive for the approval of
others. They tend to do whatever they
can to please others, while hiding their
own feelings. Food becomes their only
source of comfort. Bulimia also serves as
a function for blocking or letting out
feelings. Unlike anorexics, bulimics do
realize they have a problem and are more
likely to seek help.
B
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Binge eating disorder is characterized by consuming large quantities of food in a
very short period of time until the individual is uncomfortably full. Binge eating
disorder is much like bulimia except the individuals do not use any form of purging
(i.e. vomiting, laxatives, fasting, etc.) following a binge. Individuals usually feel out
of control during a binge episode, followed by feelings of guilt and shame. Many
individuals who suffer with binge eating disorder use food as a way to cope with or
block out feelings and emotions they do not want to feel. Individuals can also use
food as a way to numb themselves, to cope with daily life stressors, to provide
comfort to themselves or fill a void they feel within. Like all eating disorders,
binge eating is a serious problem but can be overcome through proper treatment.
Binge Eating Disorder
Dangerous Methods
Ipecac Syrup
Many people with eating
disorders abuse a syrup called
Ipecac to help induce vomiting.
Ipecac should only be used in
cases of accidental poisoning.
Repeated use can cause the
heart muscle to weaken. It can
cause irregular heartbeats,
chest pains, breathing problems,
rapid heart rate and cardiac
arrest. Ipecac is very dangerous
and it has been the cause of
death in many people suffering
with an eating disorder. If you
are using this, I would urge you
to speak to your doctor
immediately.
Laxatives
Stimulant laxatives such as Ex-Lax and Correctol are the most common
laxatives used by someone with an eating disorder. Laxatives have little or no
effect on reducing weight because by the time they work, the calories have
already been absorbed. The person usually feels like they have lost weight
because of the amount of fluid that is lost. That feeling is only temporary
because the body will start to retain water within a 48 to 72 hour period. This
usually leaves the person feeling bloated and fearing they are gaining weight.
This is usually what leads to repeated use of these products. Laxative abuse can
cause bloody diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. Many people find
that after prolonged use they cannot move their bowels without them. The
person may also experience constipation, severe abdominal pain, nausea and
vomiting. Laxative abuse is very dangerous, can lead to permanent damage to
the bowels, severe medical complications and even death.
Diuretics (water pills)
Diuretics are much like laxatives in the sense
that they give the person a feeling of weight
loss. When taken, a person will only lose vital
fluids and electrolytes. Within a day or two the
body will react and start to retain water, which
is usually what causes a person to use them
repeatedly. Abuse of diuretics usually leads to
dehydration which can cause kidney damage.
Electrolyte imbalances can occur from repeated
use which is very serious. Your body's
electrolytes need to be in balance in order for
your organs, such as the heart, kidney and liver,
to function properly. Once the electrolytes go
out of balance, the person is at a very high risk
for heart failure and sudden death. Diuretics do
not cause weight loss, but repeated use can
cause serious medical complications.
Diet Pills
The sale of diet pills continue to be on the rise in North
America. Many people are lead to believe that they are a safe
and effective way to lose weight. Most diet pills on the market
are not safe, can cause serious side effects and have resulted in
death. Popular diet pills such as Acutrim and Dexatrim contain a
combination of phenylpropanolamine and caffeine.
Phenylpropanolamine is a stimulant and effects the central
nervous system. It can produce symptoms such as increased
heart rate, dizziness, high blood pressure, nausea, anxiety,
irritability, insomnia, dry mouth and diarrhea. Fenfluramine (FenPhen) is also found in many diet pills and it is quite popular. Like
all diet pills, it stimulates the central nervous system and can be
addictive. Its side effects can include diarrhea, high blood
pressure, dry mouth, rash, palpitations and chest pains.
Conclusion
This work has help us to understand the
problems which “live” in our society. Most adults,
teenagers and even children can suffer from
eating disorders. These people shouldn’t be
excluded out of society. The fault isn’t of them.
With this project we learned more about
anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating
disorders and compulsive overeating.
Bibliography
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutri
tion/eating_disorders.html
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_h
ealth/eat_disorder.html
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/
ken98-0047/default.asp
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