Food Disorders Essay, Research Paper
Food Disorders
Throughout recorded history and even before, mankind has suffered from a variety of illnesses and ailments. Whether it be from viruses, bacterium, or from the person himself, diseases and other disorders continue to take their toll, both physically and mentally. Among these disorders, one might find it unusual to find that even the very act of eating can sometimes be harmful to oneself. Compulsive overeating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa are disorders that do not receive much of the media spotlight: nevertheless, these are serious enough to warrant medical care, since if left untreated, the patients succumb to the disorder or to one of many related side effects.
These eating disorders combined affect about five million people in the United States alone, and of that number, about one percent of men and five percent of adolescent and adult women have anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. What is even more compelling is that fifteen percent of young women have unhealthy or disordered eating patterns that, in time, could lead to severe health problems. As if these statistics were not sobering enough, about one thousand women die from anorexia nervosa each year (mirror-miror/symptoms.htm). Research has proven that there is no single group of people afflicted with these disorders. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating can strike anyone, no matter their ethnicity, sex, or age. Other illnesses can bring about eating disorders, but more often than not their origin is somewhat uncertain. What one can be certain of is that these diseases can be cured, although, not without the disorder taking its toll on the body. Grants and funds have been set up for the education of people about eating disorders and to provide help and support, such as the Elisa Ruth McCall Memorial Endowment Fund, established in memory of Elisa McCall, who at age 20 died from an eating disorder (mirror-miror/symptoms.htm).
Anorexia nervosa is probably the easiest to spot of the three major eating disorders. It was also one of the first to be recorded, as early as 1649, by an English physician. However, it was not until the 1870’s that a Parisian neurologist again described the disorder and a British physician gave it its current name (ndmda/eating.htm). At first, it was thought to be related to the endocrine system and was treated with thyroid extracts, which did not help. Anorexia nervosa was thought to be a rare disease, but in the early 1980’s it became widely known as a result of the death of Karen Carpenter, a popular singer.
Some of the warning signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa are a very rapid and noticeable weight loss, excessive exercise, unusual eating habits, and of complaining about one’s weight, even when it is within reasonable limits. Fatigue and muscle weakness are brought about by the decrease in food consumption. Evidence of excessive use of laxatives, enemas, diet pills, or frequent vomiting are other signs of the disorder, as are depression, irritability, mood swings, or dizziness. People that suffer from the disorder often wear baggy clothing to hide their weight loss. In women, the loss of the menstrual pattern or an irregular pattern are often signs of the disorder. Other symptoms are headaches, a pale complexion, and cold spells. Curiously, the absence of appetite is very rare until the later stages of the disease. Another symptom is lowered hormonal levels in the patient, very often thyroid suppression (mirror-mirror/def.htm).
Factors that could be the precipitating causes of the disease are most likely to be social and psychological, although biological factors could indicate a predisposition towards the disease. In the Unites States and other Western societies, there is much emphasis on a woman being thin to be considered attractive and desirable. That is supposed to be the main culprit in the development of this disorder. Women often get the impression that attractiveness equals thinness and they will do anything to slim down. Some evidence suggests that anorexia is also caused by a dysfunctional relationship between the patient and the parents. Overprotection and lack of conflict resolution may lead a child to establish self control through appetite suppression and self-starvation. Psychological factors are also come into play. Patients suffering from this disorder tend to be perfectionists, rigid, and lack autonomy and selfhood. A delay in sexual development in teenagers is not uncommon as is a decreased interest in sex for older patients (ndmda/eating.htm).
Often, treatment is started or recognized when the patient has already lost a considerable amount of weight. For effective treatment, the patient must be a willing participant in the treatment plan. Hospitalization is usually the first step in treating this disorder, followed by psychotherapy sessions and pharmacotherapy. Patients do resist hospitalization, but after several weeks they do realize they need help. Cognitive behavioral approaches are used to address the disorder as is family therapy. No one has come up with any type of medication yet to cure the core symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Some drugs have been used, such as Periactin and Elavil, but they in no way cure the disorder (ndmda/eating.htm).
Bulimia nervosa is another of the major eating disorders that most people suffer from. This disorder is characterized by binge eating, where a person eats a vast amount of food and then purges it, either by vomiting or by using laxatives. It is not uncommon for people suffering from this disorder to eat up to 10000 calories in one sitting and then purge it. Ancient Romans and Greeks used to practice it, but it was not widely known to doctors until the 1970’s. Even then, it was though to be a stage of anorexia nervosa. In 1979 the disorder was given its name by Gerald Russell an English psychiatrist. Occasional binges have been reported in up to 40 percent of college women, and this disorder typically strikes more women than men (ndmda/eating.htm).
Some of the warning signs and symptoms of the disorder are secretive eating or missing food, frequent bathroom visits after eating, fasting and rapid weight fluctuation. As with anorexia nervosa, the person also suffers from depression, fatigue, and muscle weaknesses. Binge eating, vomiting, diet pill and laxative abuse are other of the symptoms that signal the disorder. Swollen glands, broken blood vessels, and an irregular heartbeat are signs that the person is suffering from bulimia nervosa. Tooth decay and a sore throat could result of the frequent vomiting (mirror-mirror/def.htm).
Probable causes of the disorder are being linked to biological causes, such as the absence of serotonin and norepinephrine, both neurotransmitters. Antidepressant drugs often benefit these patients so they are prescribed. As for social factors, there seems to be that bulimic patients tend to have more outward conflicts with parents. These patients also seem to be suffering from depression. Psychological factors also play a role here, with patients usually not adjusting well to adolescence. Bulimic patients tend to be more outgoing, angry and impulsive, so self-destructive behavior is also indicative of the disorder.
Treatment for bulimia nervosa is quite similar to that of the treatment for anorexia nervosa. Since patients feel less secretive about their disorder, they respond better to treatment than patients with anorexia. Psychotherapy, group therapy, and family therapy are all used to treat this disorder. Bulimia patients usually do not have to be hospitalized, since their condition does not warrant it. However, in extreme cases where the patient has a severe metabolic disruption or suicidal tendencies hospitalization is urgent and needed. Patients are taught self-control and judgment. Group therapy is also recommended for patients. Prozac, Tofranil, Norpramin , and other drugs have proven effective in treating bulimia(ndmda/eating.htm).
Compulsive overeating is another of the food disorders many people suffer from. It is generally characterized by uncontrollable eating and weight gain (mirror-mirror/phymed.num). The main goal of compulsive eaters is to escape from problems, or to cope with emotions or stress. The people suffering from this disorder do realize they have a problem. Usually the problem starts in a person’s early years as a result of never learning how to handle stressful situations(mirror-mirror/def.htm). Dieting does not help, since they usually fail, and in doing so, often bring on another eating binge. As of today, this problem is not taken as seriously as anorexia and bulimia. Therapy and counseling could be effective in dealing with this problem.
Of course, not every person that completes the treatment will go on and be cured of it forever. Every so often a person will fall into the cycle again, but that person does not have to continue in it. Discussion of the relapse with the therapist is recommended. Punishing oneself after a relapse is discouraged. When one does relapse, think about how it happened and the steps that led to it. The underlying issues of the disorder must be dealt with even if one is already eating normally (mirror-miror/symptoms.htm).
Eating disorders can be overcome if the person suffering from it seeks the needed help, since most people will not admit to the problem, either because they believe they do not have a problem or because they are too afraid to admit it. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are now being treated for serious disorders, but compulsive overeating is still not being classified as a serious disorder. These three disorders combined are taking their toll on people of all ages and their families. (mirror-mirror/def.htm) (mirror-mirror/phymed.num) (ndmda/eating.htm) (smu.edu/~eating_disorders/body.html) (mirror-miror/symptoms.htm)
Bibliography
. (mirror-mirror/def.htm) (mirror-mirror/phymed.num) (ndmda/eating.htm) (smu.edu/~eating_disorders/body.html) (mirror-miror/symptoms.htm)
Другие работы по теме:
My Symbolical Snack Essay Research Paper My
My Symbolical Snack Essay, Research Paper My Symbolical Snack THE LIQUID My liquid is APPLE JUICE. The apple, once portrayed as the Forbidden fruit eaten by Adam and Eve, has a lot of nutrients that are essential to the body. Potassium, fiber, and many vitamins are things that your get from the apple.
Tapeworm2 Essay Research Paper Biological RelationshipIn nature
Tapeworm2 Essay, Research Paper Biological Relationship In nature you see many biological relationship in which two living aninamls have a relationship. One animal will benefits from the other aninaml that animal which lives off the other benefits from that animal or could suffers. A tapeworm and a human are example of a parasitism.
Misleading Nutrient Lables Essay Research Paper In
Misleading Nutrient Lables Essay, Research Paper In the new twenty-first century, health is the major concern among the human species. Thus, maintaining a healthy diet is very essential for all human beings. Numerous food companies attempt to advertise their products by promoting the health issues so people will buy it since they believe the food they are buying are considered somewhat healthy.
Plants Essay Research Paper Plants give us
Plants Essay, Research Paper Plants give us lots of things including oxygen, foods, and medicines. Plants need things like water, light, and air. The amount of daylight affects their
Hatchet Essay Research Paper His dad and
Hatchet Essay, Research Paper His dad and mom were divored. The boy was on his way to see is dad. so he got in a plane. & on the way the ploit showed he to fly the plane . then the ploit
Gentetically Modified Food Essay Research Paper The
Gentetically Modified Food Essay, Research Paper The article, Frankenfears, written by Andy Coghlan, David Concar and Debora MacKenzie was published in the New Scientist magazine in February of 1999. The article dealt with an issue of rising concern, genetically modified food. Arpad Pusztai, a researcher at the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen, suggested that procedures routinely used in genetic engineering can make plants harmful.
Vbnfg Essay Research Paper Mrs NicholsChoosing to
Vbnfg Essay, Research Paper Mrs. Nichols Choosing to Participate June 14, 2000 Saving the Children Save the Children is an organization that was created to help less fortunate children that have little money for food and clothing. It is a nonprofit association that is working in more than 35 nations to improve the living qualities of the children and their families.
No-Calorie Powder May Substitute For Food
’s Fat Essay, Research Paper No-Calorie Powder May Substitute for Food’s Fat George E. Inglett of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Biopolymer Research Unit in Peoria III invented a no-calorie fat substitute called Z-Trim.
Twenty And Ten Essay Research Paper The
Twenty And Ten Essay, Research Paper The name of the book: TWENTY AND TEN THE AUTHOR: CLAIRE HUCHET BISHOP THE PUBLISHER: SCHOLASTIC INC. COPYRIGHT DATE: 1980
Baby Foods Essay Research Paper Baby foods
Baby Foods Essay, Research Paper Baby foods are basically sold through supermarket, grocery stores, mass merchandisers, and some of direct marketing.? Opportunities:The demand in baby food industry is constant. Except United States, there are good opportunities in international markets like European, Asia and South America.
The Digestive Track Essay Research Paper The
The Digestive Track Essay, Research Paper The Digestive Track The BIG MAC is placed in the mouth. The bread is mainly starch, the special sauce is mainly fat, lettuce, pickles, and onions are niacin. The beef patties
Rose Circle Essay Research Paper Rose oh
Rose Circle Essay, Research Paper Rose, oh how you lie there, Lifeless and withered, Deprived of water and of food, You struggle to survive, You catch the odd droplet of life,
The Truth About Fast Food Essay Research
Paper The truth about fast food restaurants. Fast food restaurants are a very quick and easy way to get food if you are in a hurry, but there is a dark side to this convenience. Most fast food restaurants are generally bad for both people and the environment. The production of food is in a way harmful to the environment.
Hunting Is Bad Essay Research Paper A
Hunting Is Bad Essay, Research Paper A hunter walks through the woods, stalking an unsuspecting deer…Bang! The deer is dead. The hunter walks away feeling good about himself, and happy that he got a deer. Some people think this is wrong. They think that you should not kill animals for sport. It is important that hunting does not become extinct.
Genetic Engineering Essay Research Paper Genetically Engineered
Genetic Engineering Essay, Research Paper Genetically Engineered Plants Genetic engineering has some history of good and bad. In 1989as a result of the food supplement Typtophan, 37 people died, 1500 were permanently disabled, and 5000 were very ill as result of high toxin levels in the food. No one knows the future side effects.
Food Problem Essay Research Paper The population
Food Problem Essay, Research Paper The population of human beings had been showing a rapid increasing during the past several hundred years due to the adequate food supply and the top position where human species is in the food chain. However, many people are concerned about that one day the Mother Earth may not be able to provide adequate food for the increasing population on the Earth, as the number of people is growing unlimitedly.
Child Care Essay Research Paper Caring for
Child Care Essay, Research Paper Caring for a pet is like caring for a child. I feel this is because you do almost the same things that you do when caring for a child, that you would do when caring for a pet. The similarities are you provide food and shelter, you provide them with entertainment, and you take them to a doctor or vettrnarin when they are sick.
Anorexia 2 Essay Research Paper Anorexia and
Anorexia 2 Essay, Research Paper Anorexia and bulimia are excessive eating disorders. Anorexia is the act of starving oneself, usually to maintain a certain physical image. Bulimia is a disorder in which one person eats an excessive amount (bingeing) and then purges the food on purpose. Bulimics usually induce vomiting or use laxatives of some sort.
Bad Cafeteria Essay Research Paper Griffin ElliottOctober
Bad Cafeteria Essay, Research Paper Griffin Elliott October 18, 2001 Talk about losing an appetite. Barbecue sauce and puddles of pop cover the tables. As students go to sit down, their attention is drawn to the sticky substance on their hands. One usually prefers to have a clean table while they eat but it is seldom that one will be available while dining at the Loyola Cafeteria.
Food Stamps Essay Research Paper while others
Food Stamps Essay, Research Paper while others think that giving away food stamps is a helpful thing, i think that the gov. should stop distrubuting food stamps. the aqusition and use of food stamps is frequently abused. people can easily obtain food stamps by creating their eligibility even if it involves cheating. one thing i believe that the government should stop handing out food stamps is that most of the people who receive food stamps are capable of working.
Honey Bee Dances Essay Research Paper The
Honey Bee Dances Essay, Research Paper The honey bee does a waggle dance is the food source is MORE THAN 50 meters away. A waggle dance is when the bee does a little ditty like a figure-eight. If the food source is LESS THAN 50 meters
Fast Food Essay Research Paper The fast
Fast Food Essay, Research Paper The fast food industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Fast food has been known to be a large area of investment involving food. Restaurants such as McDonald s and Burger King have been known for their popularity mostly from advertisements and are highly rated to be the trademarks for the fast food industry.
Food Of Mexico Essay Research Paper The
Food Of Mexico Essay, Research Paper The Wonderful Food of Mexico! Food is probably the most important element of Mexican culture. Much of the daily routine and tradition in Mexico revolves around the ritual of preparing and eating food. In history, women made their way to the local markets to fill their basket with vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish.
Anorexia Essay Research Paper My project was
Anorexia Essay, Research Paper My project was on eating disorders, mainly anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.Eating disorders are strong expressions of food and weight concerns. People with eating disorders often control their liver by controlling their weight. Thinness is an important measure of self worth for these individuals. it affects all ages, color, occupation, and social class.
Eating Disorders Essay Research Paper Eating disorders
Eating Disorders Essay, Research Paper Eating Disorders: Physical and Psychological Damages Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and disordered eating. That?s all we see in the bathroom stalls on the seventh floor in Hayes ? Healy. What exactly are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and disordered eating? Anorexia, bulimia, and disordered eating are habits that become an eating disorder.
The Heart Essay Research Paper The heart
The Heart Essay, Research Paper The heart is the pump that powers the human body. With every heart beat it sends life giving blood throughout the body. The blood carries oxygen and food to the cells. Beating of the heart begins seven months before you are born. The heart is large, hollow, and muscular. The heart is divided into two pumps that are side by side.
Anorexia Nervosa And Bulimia Essay Research Paper
Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia are two deadly disorders that haunt teenage men and women each year. Both conditions are emotional disorders in which have to do with fears of being overweight. Usually, young women are recipients of these plagues, but it isn’t uncommon for young men to suffer from Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia.
Eating Disorders Essay Research Paper Eating DisordersEating
Eating Disorders Essay, Research Paper Eating Disorders Eating disorders are mental disorders that can have serious physical complications. These disorders may make normal functioning difficult and can become chronic, crippling illnesses and in extreme cases require hospitalization. There are two main types of eating disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia.