Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are not the same illnesses but they can be very similar in both cause and effect. Treatment for each disorder also overlaps. Anorexia is a growing eating disorder among young women where they starve themselves to become thin. Bulimia is also a popular eating disorder that commonly affects women who have an extreme fear of gaining weight. Instead of starving, they choose to stuff themselves with food and then purge it by forcing themselves to vomit. Both disorders have risen dramatically in the last few years, with one in three women below the age of 20 suffering from either one.
Anorexics and bulimics grow to become very good at hiding their conduct. Eventually they reveal themselves by manifesting some of the common warning signs like: irregular menstrual cycle, excessive exercising, sour breath and sore throat from vomiting, rushing to the bathroom to throw up after meals, brown tooth enamel damaged by stomach acids, extreme obsession with food and a general physical weakness. Other more dangerous signs of bulimia and anorexia nervosa are low blood pressure, depression, irregular heart beats, muscle spasms, severe dehydration and broken blood vessels in the face.
Anorexia and the bulimia are primarily psychological disorders that stem from a distorted understanding of a wide range of social influences that demand women to be thin and look like supermodels. Sometimes, women inflict these disorders on themselves as a way of refusing to enter puberty. Other experts attribute low self-esteem, loneliness, a history of abuse, peer pressure, inferiority complex and perfectionism as other triggers. Biologically, a chemical imbalance in the body such as the lack of zinc can attribute to an eating disorder.
It is important to understand that it is difficult to overcome an eating disorder alone. There are many forms of treatment for these disorders and they are readily available. There are psychotherapists, telephone hotlines, web sites and support groups that help both the sufferer and her family.
It is also important that both physical and psychological aspects of anorexia and bulimia be treated at same time. If you suspect that you or a loved one has these eating disorders, the best way to begin is to see a trained counselor who specializes in these fields. In addition to seeking professional help, starting a light diet of small fruits and vegetables with a steadily increasing amount of protein can help. Foods high in zinc can help stimulate the appetite, so you may start by eating small portions of rice, oats, chicken, eggs and beef.
Historically, a tablespoon of royal jelly taken twice a day has been used to cure anorexia. Royal jelly contains all the B vitamins, essential amino acids and many important minerals like iron and calcium. Patients who the eating disorders can also benefit from modern tablets containing 30 mg of zinc and 100 mg of vitamin B complex.
It is easier to prevent eating disorders than to cure them. As a parent, you can prevent your children from being anorexic or bulimic by strongly keeping a healthy attitude to war your own body. Make meal times a positive experience by cooking or ordering good and nutritious food. If your child really needs to lose excess weight, advocate healthy options for her and do not pressure her into dieting. It has been found that children who were bullied into dieting or exercise are 20 times more likely to develop an eating disorder. Children are also at risk if they see you or their relatives trying to lose weight in an unhealthy way (taking laxatives, exercising too much, etc.). Instead of dieting, show your children that you can eat sensibly and still lose weight. Remember, actions will always speak louder than words.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Eating Disorders
