If you think that your friend is becoming a bag of bones or if you notice that she or he is puking whatever food consumed the minute they are out of sight, then you don’t have a minute more to waste as your friend is definitely building her way to a health disaster.  Health disasters like Anorexia and Bulimia! This what you need to know about these two diseases so that you can warn a loved one or save yourself earlier on?
 

 

What is Anorexia?
 
The Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an obsessive fear about gaining weight due to a distorted self image. The affected person will not be able to maintain a healthy body weight. It is in reality a mental illness that leads to an unhealthy life style and disastrous ends…..sometimes even death!!
 
Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
 
The Symptoms of anorexia nervosa involves as mentioned before an incorrect and extremely low self-esteem and distorted body image.  An anorexic person experiences extreme anxiety especially about food and eating, a feeling of complete lack of control, becoming an introvert and preferring to stay isolated and away from family or friends  and fatigue. In time there will be evident physical repercussions including, Amenorrhea (Menstrual stops), increased facial and body hair, receding hairline, high sensitivity to cold, dehydration, inflammation of the esophagus, Oral trauma and swollen cheeks because of salivary glands that are distended because of persistent forced vomiting, constipation, gastric ulcer and even infertility. Depression is also one of the symptoms and the patient will mostly never accept that he or she is anorexic or suffering from any kind of problem rather they will be happy only when they are in control of the food they eat and the way their body appears.
 
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
 
Bulimia Nervosa on the other hand is where the patient frequently binges on food and then jumps into a guilt ridden compensatory mode. While in Anorexia Nervosa the  person refuses to eat, this condition is characterized by persistent binging to the extent of the patient's stomach hurting due to  over extension and then actions like purging, fasting, over exercising and even using laxatives, enemas or diuretics.
 
Symptoms of Bulimia
 
The symptoms of Bulimia will also include a low self-esteem or rather a belief that ones self worth is dependent on how much one weighs. As with anorexia there is an obsession with weight and body image and they often suffer from anxiety, depression, irritability and self indulgent behavior. The physical consequences include gastrointestinal disorders, Oral trauma and lacerations on the back of hands because of forced vomiting, anemia, Gum Disease, chronic sore throat, difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Extreme conditions can also lead to rupture of the heart, esophagus and even peritonitis.
 
NOTE : When Anorexia and Bulimia attacks together a complicated situation arises. A person who has already been anorexic
for sometime is more vulnerable to Bulimia and starts exhibiting bulimic symptoms too. 
 
Treatment for Anorexia and Bulimia
 
Treatment and rehabilitation of Anorexic and Bulimic patients can take from 1 to 3 years. The first step towards getting better would be to get the patients to accept that they have a problem and that they are ill.  Then it is time for professional medical and psychiatric help. Counseling and medical help will slowly assist the patient to resume self control, normal eating patterns and to help them work on diminishing their fear, guilt&depression. An understanding family, supportive friends and an optimistic outlook can also do wonders.
 
You can blame the fashion industry that idolizes skinny models or peer pressure or the superficial concept of beauty for
developing the need in the affected person to be thin. But often she or
he doesn’t realize that they are well within the medical BMI standards.
It affects women and men from all over the world.
 
Image Credit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christineeee/