Post by Mel on Dec 30, 2005 17:50:20 GMT -5
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders Several mental health disorders are characterized by insufficient or excessive consumption of foods. These disorders are much more prevalent among females, particularly teenage girls and young women, than among males.
People who starve themselves because of a pathological fear of weight gain suffer from anorexia nervosa. Excessive weight loss and malnutrition result, and anorectics have many symptoms associated with chronic starvation, including low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, constipation, osteoporosis, weakened immunity, and failure to menstruate. Treatment is often difficult, and death occurs in about 6 percent of cases.
Bulimia nervosa is an abnormal, rapid consumption of large amounts of food (bingeing) followed by selfinduced vomiting or the use of laxatives to get rid of the food (purging). The person may experience rapid fluctuations in weight, but the weight generally remains close to normal. Other symptoms may include swollen salivary glands, erosion of tooth enamel, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. Treatment generally includes psychiatric counseling to break the binge-purge cycle.
Binge eating disorder is characterized by eating abnormally large amounts of food, which leads to significant weight gain. People with this problem tend to be older than anorectics and bulimics, and their numbers are more evenly divided among men and women. Treatment consists of behavior therapy. (Source: NYT Guide to Knowledge)
Eating disorders Several mental health disorders are characterized by insufficient or excessive consumption of foods. These disorders are much more prevalent among females, particularly teenage girls and young women, than among males.
People who starve themselves because of a pathological fear of weight gain suffer from anorexia nervosa. Excessive weight loss and malnutrition result, and anorectics have many symptoms associated with chronic starvation, including low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, constipation, osteoporosis, weakened immunity, and failure to menstruate. Treatment is often difficult, and death occurs in about 6 percent of cases.
Bulimia nervosa is an abnormal, rapid consumption of large amounts of food (bingeing) followed by selfinduced vomiting or the use of laxatives to get rid of the food (purging). The person may experience rapid fluctuations in weight, but the weight generally remains close to normal. Other symptoms may include swollen salivary glands, erosion of tooth enamel, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. Treatment generally includes psychiatric counseling to break the binge-purge cycle.
Binge eating disorder is characterized by eating abnormally large amounts of food, which leads to significant weight gain. People with this problem tend to be older than anorectics and bulimics, and their numbers are more evenly divided among men and women. Treatment consists of behavior therapy. (Source: NYT Guide to Knowledge)