| The distinctions between eating disorders
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| | Health Issues:
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| can be confusing. While anorexia and
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| | Both disorders can cause severe health
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| bulimia may have some issues in common,
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| | issues. Bulimia damages the digestive
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| other factors make them distinct. For
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| | system and can affect electrolyte
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| parents, understanding the differences
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| | balances, which in turn damages organs.
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| can be crucial, as early detection and
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| | The starvation of anorexia causes the
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| proper treatment significantly improve
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| | body to slow down to preserve energy,
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| the chances a child will recover.
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| | which in turn has adverse consequences.
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| Following is information to help
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| | In extreme cases, both can lead to death.
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| distinguish between the two.
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| | Other health issues include:
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| Definition:
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| | Anorexia
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| Anorexia is more common in teenagers,
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| | • Reduction of bone density
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| while bulimia is more often seen in women
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| | • Cessation of menstrual periods
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| in their 20's. However, don't make the
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| | • Fatigue
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| mistake of thinking there is a set age
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| | • Depression
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| for either of these diseases. Here are
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| | • Irregular heart rate, leading to
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| differences between anorexia and bulimia
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| | possible heart failure
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| based on the American Psychiatric
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| | • Mild anemia
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| Association's definition:
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| | • Muscle loss
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| Bulimia Nervosa
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| | • Possible kidney failure due to
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| • Recurrent episodes of binge eating
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| | dehydration
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| (minimum average of two binge-eating
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| | • Low blood pressure
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| episodes a week for at least three
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| | Bulimia
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| months).
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| | • Possible rupture of the esophagus due
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| • A feeling of lack of control over
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| | to frequent vomiting
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| eating during the binges.
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| | • Fatigue
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| • Regular use of one or more of the
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| | • Depression
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| following to prevent weight gain:
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| | • Stomach pains
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| self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives
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| | • Irregular heart rate, leading to
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| or diuretics, strict dieting or fasting,
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| | possible heart failure
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| or vigorous exercise.
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| | • Constipation
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| • Persistent over-concern with body
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| | • Tooth decay from stomach acid
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| shape and weight.
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| | Treatment:
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| Anorexia Nervosa
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| | When seeking treatment, parents may find
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| • Refusal to maintain weight that's
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| | their child resists admitting they are
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| over the lowest weight considered normal
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| | ill. In dealing with a child suffering
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| for age and height.
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| | from an eating disorder, treatment for
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| • Intense fear of gaining weight or
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| | involves a team of specialists: doctors,
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| becoming fat, even though underweight.
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| | dieticians, and therapists. Self-help
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| • Distorted body image.
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| | groups and treatment centers are also
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| • In women, three consecutive missed
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| | effective. Following are treatment goals
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| menstrual periods without pregnancy.
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| | and options for anorexia and bulimia,
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| Signs & Symptoms:
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| | based on recommendations from the
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| While both disorders focus on an
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| | National Institute of Mental Health:
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| obsession with thinness, anorexics
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| | Anorexia: The treatment of anorexia has
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| display noticeable, often severe weight
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| | three main phases:
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| loss while bulimics usually maintain a
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| | • Restore weight loss
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| healthy weight. Here are other signs and
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| | • Treat psychological issues such as
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| symptoms of these two eating disorders:
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| | depression, self-esteem, and
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| Anorexia
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| | interpersonal conflicts
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| • Avoids eating
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| | • Achieve long-term recovery and
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| • Exercises excessively
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| | remission
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| • Weighs food and counts calories
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| | The use of anti-depressants for treating
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| • Wears baggy clothes
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| | anorexia should be considered only after
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| • Takes diet pills
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| | weight gain has been established.
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| • Has dry skin and thinning hair
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| | Bulimia: The main goal in the treatment
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| • Has fine hair on other parts of body
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| | of bulimia is to eliminate binging and
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| • Acts moody or depressed
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| | purging.
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| • Feels cold
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| | • Establish healthy and consistent
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| • Has frequent sensation of dizziness
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| | eating habits, i.e. three meals a day at
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| Bulimia
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| | regular times
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| • Has a puffy face
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| | • Encourage healthy, not excessive,
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| • Exercises excessively
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| | exercise
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| • Has swollen fingers
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| | • Treat psychological issues such as
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| • Has cuts and calluses on the back of
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| | mood or anxiety disorders
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| the hands and knuckles
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| | The use of anti-depressants for treating
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| • Discoloring or staining of teeth
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| | bulimia has been shown to be helpful for
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| • Goes to the bathroom a lot after
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| | those with bulimia and may help prevent
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| eating (to purge)
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| | relapse.
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