The Differences Between Anorexia And Bulimia
06/06/2010
The Differences Between Anorexia And Bulimia
By Rob Zawrotny
The distinctions between eating disorders can be confusing.
While anorexia and bulimia may have some issues in common, other
factors make them distinct. For parents, understanding the
differences can be crucial, as early detection and proper
treatment significantly improve the chances a child will
recover. Following is information to help distinguish between
the two.
Definition:
Anorexia is more common in teenagers, while bulimia is more
often seen in women in their 20’s. However, don’t make the
mistake of thinking there is a set age for either of these
diseases. Here are differences between anorexia and bulimia
based on the American Psychiatric Association’s definition:
Bulimia Nervosa
•Recurrent episodes of binge eating (minimum average of two
binge-eating episodes a week for at least three months).
•A feeling of lack of control over eating during the binges.
•Regular use of one or more of the following to prevent weight
gain: self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics,
strict dieting or fasting, or vigorous exercise.
•Persistent over-concern with body shape and weight.
Anorexia Nervosa
•Refusal to maintain weight that's over the lowest weight
considered normal for age and height.
•Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though
underweight.
•Distorted body image.
•In women, three consecutive missed menstrual periods without
pregnancy.
Signs & Symptoms:
While both disorders focus on an obsession with thinness,
anorexics display noticeable, often severe weight loss while
bulimics usually maintain a healthy weight. Here are other signs
and symptoms of these two eating disorders:
Anorexia
•Avoids eating
•Exercises excessively
•Weighs food and counts calories
•Wears baggy clothes
•Takes diet pills
•Has dry skin and thinning hair
•Has fine hair on other parts of body
•Acts moody or depressed
•Feels cold
•Has frequent sensation of dizziness
Bulimia
•Has a puffy face
•Exercises excessively
•Has swollen fingers
•Has cuts and calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles
•Discoloring or staining of teeth
•Goes to the bathroom a lot after eating (to purge)
Health Issues:
Both disorders can cause severe health issues. Bulimia damages
the digestive system and can affect electrolyte balances, which
in turn damages organs. The starvation of anorexia causes the
body to slow down to preserve energy, which in turn has adverse
consequences. In extreme cases, both can lead to death. Other
health issues include:
Anorexia
•Reduction of bone density
•Cessation of menstrual periods
•Fatigue
•Depression
•Irregular heart rate, leading to possible heart failure
•Mild anemia
•Muscle loss
•Possible kidney failure due to dehydration
•Low blood pressure
Bulimia
•Possible rupture of the esophagus due to frequent vomiting
•Fatigue
•Depression
•Stomach pains
•Irregular heart rate, leading to possible heart failure
•Constipation
•Tooth decay from stomach acid
Treatment:
When seeking treatment, parents may find their child resists
admitting they are ill. In dealing with a child suffering from
an eating disorder, treatment for involves a team of
specialists: doctors, dieticians, and therapists. Self-help
groups and treatment centers are also effective. Following are
treatment goals and options for anorexia and bulimia, based on
recommendations from the National Institute of Mental Health:
Anorexia: The treatment of anorexia has three main phases:
•Restore weight loss
•Treat psychological issues such as depression, self-esteem,
and interpersonal conflicts
•Achieve long-term recovery and remission
The use of anti-depressants for treating anorexia should be
considered only after weight gain has been established.
Bulimia: The main goal in the treatment of bulimia is to
eliminate binging and purging.
•Establish healthy and consistent eating habits, i.e. three
meals a day at regular times
•Encourage healthy, not excessive, exercise
•Treat psychological issues such as mood or anxiety disorders
The use of anti-depressants for treating bulimia has been shown
to be helpful for those with bulimia and may help prevent
relapse.
About the Author: Rob Zawrotny is a copywriter for MWI web
design. He has been assisting Avalon Hills Eating Disorder
Treatment Center in developing content for those seeking
information about Anorexia and Bulimia. Visit
http://www.avalonhills.org for more information.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=100724&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
By Rob Zawrotny
The distinctions between eating disorders can be confusing.
While anorexia and bulimia may have some issues in common, other
factors make them distinct. For parents, understanding the
differences can be crucial, as early detection and proper
treatment significantly improve the chances a child will
recover. Following is information to help distinguish between
the two.
Definition:
Anorexia is more common in teenagers, while bulimia is more
often seen in women in their 20’s. However, don’t make the
mistake of thinking there is a set age for either of these
diseases. Here are differences between anorexia and bulimia
based on the American Psychiatric Association’s definition:
Bulimia Nervosa
•Recurrent episodes of binge eating (minimum average of two
binge-eating episodes a week for at least three months).
•A feeling of lack of control over eating during the binges.
•Regular use of one or more of the following to prevent weight
gain: self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics,
strict dieting or fasting, or vigorous exercise.
•Persistent over-concern with body shape and weight.
Anorexia Nervosa
•Refusal to maintain weight that's over the lowest weight
considered normal for age and height.
•Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though
underweight.
•Distorted body image.
•In women, three consecutive missed menstrual periods without
pregnancy.
Signs & Symptoms:
While both disorders focus on an obsession with thinness,
anorexics display noticeable, often severe weight loss while
bulimics usually maintain a healthy weight. Here are other signs
and symptoms of these two eating disorders:
Anorexia
•Avoids eating
•Exercises excessively
•Weighs food and counts calories
•Wears baggy clothes
•Takes diet pills
•Has dry skin and thinning hair
•Has fine hair on other parts of body
•Acts moody or depressed
•Feels cold
•Has frequent sensation of dizziness
Bulimia
•Has a puffy face
•Exercises excessively
•Has swollen fingers
•Has cuts and calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles
•Discoloring or staining of teeth
•Goes to the bathroom a lot after eating (to purge)
Health Issues:
Both disorders can cause severe health issues. Bulimia damages
the digestive system and can affect electrolyte balances, which
in turn damages organs. The starvation of anorexia causes the
body to slow down to preserve energy, which in turn has adverse
consequences. In extreme cases, both can lead to death. Other
health issues include:
Anorexia
•Reduction of bone density
•Cessation of menstrual periods
•Fatigue
•Depression
•Irregular heart rate, leading to possible heart failure
•Mild anemia
•Muscle loss
•Possible kidney failure due to dehydration
•Low blood pressure
Bulimia
•Possible rupture of the esophagus due to frequent vomiting
•Fatigue
•Depression
•Stomach pains
•Irregular heart rate, leading to possible heart failure
•Constipation
•Tooth decay from stomach acid
Treatment:
When seeking treatment, parents may find their child resists
admitting they are ill. In dealing with a child suffering from
an eating disorder, treatment for involves a team of
specialists: doctors, dieticians, and therapists. Self-help
groups and treatment centers are also effective. Following are
treatment goals and options for anorexia and bulimia, based on
recommendations from the National Institute of Mental Health:
Anorexia: The treatment of anorexia has three main phases:
•Restore weight loss
•Treat psychological issues such as depression, self-esteem,
and interpersonal conflicts
•Achieve long-term recovery and remission
The use of anti-depressants for treating anorexia should be
considered only after weight gain has been established.
Bulimia: The main goal in the treatment of bulimia is to
eliminate binging and purging.
•Establish healthy and consistent eating habits, i.e. three
meals a day at regular times
•Encourage healthy, not excessive, exercise
•Treat psychological issues such as mood or anxiety disorders
The use of anti-depressants for treating bulimia has been shown
to be helpful for those with bulimia and may help prevent
relapse.
About the Author: Rob Zawrotny is a copywriter for MWI web
design. He has been assisting Avalon Hills Eating Disorder
Treatment Center in developing content for those seeking
information about Anorexia and Bulimia. Visit
http://www.avalonhills.org for more information.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=100724&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
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