| What is Anorexia? And What is Bulimia? | | | | • Unusual and dramatic weight loss. |
| Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are | | | | • Stunted growth |
| psychological disorders which causes eating in a | | | | • Irregular or inconsistent menstrual periods |
| complex, compulsive way that disturbs the physical, | | | | in women |
| mental, and psychological health of the individual. | | | | • Sunken eyes or dark circles around the |
| A person suffering from anorexia harbors an | | | | eyes |
| obsessive, irrational fear of gaining weight, and will | | | | • Pale complexion |
| utilize extreme measures such as starvation or | | | | • Excessively dry or chapped lips and skin |
| vomiting to maintain thinness. A bulimic individual | | | | • Creaking joints and bones |
| consumes excessive quantities of food, feels guilty | | | | • Anemia |
| afterwards, then relieves the guilt by taking extreme | | | | • Headaches |
| measures to purge themselves of the food | | | | • Fainting spells |
| consumed. | | | | • Constipation and diarrhea |
| Both disorders are typically observed among | | | | • Oral hygiene problems such as discolored |
| prepubescent and teenage girls. Men also suffer from | | | | teeth, sensitive, swollen and bleeding cheeks and |
| eating disorders, but not at the same frequency as | | | | gums. |
| do women. | | | | Behavioral symptoms include: |
| What are the causes? | | | | • Extreme exercising |
| A combination of social, psychological and biological | | | | • Social withdrawal |
| factors. | | | | • Self-destructive behavior including |
| Modern Western culture portrays the thin body | | | | substance abuse |
| structure as the ideal female form. A prevailing | | | | • Refusal to eat in public |
| condescending attitude towards overweight | | | | • Secretive behavior, especially when it |
| individuals, and positive attention awarded to thin | | | | comes to eating habits |
| individuals make staying thin a priority to many young | | | | • Moodiness |
| people. Sometimes the desire to be thin can lead to | | | | How is it treated? |
| the development of an eating disorder. | | | | Both anorexia and bulimia are most successfully |
| A person suffering from either anorexia or bulimia | | | | treated with a combination of psychological and |
| usually holds a distorted image of his or her body. | | | | behavioral therapies and consistent emotional support |
| Certain traits such as obsessive behavior, | | | | from friends and family. But some natural remedies |
| perfectionism, and pessimism may also contribute to | | | | can also be helpful as well. |
| the development of eating disorders, as can | | | | HERBAL TEAS created with calming herbs such as |
| traumatic experiences such as sexual abuse, bullying, | | | | chamomile, comfrey, valerian root or mint (and |
| or the death of a loved one. | | | | sweetened with honey if so desired) have been |
| Genetics may also play a small role in determining an | | | | proven effective in balancing emotions and reducing |
| individual's susceptibility to anorexia and bulimia. | | | | stress that may lead to eating disorders. |
| What are the symptoms? | | | | ZINC improves appetite. The consumption of 50 |
| The symptoms are generally both physical and | | | | milligrams of zinc each day (thru diet and |
| behavioral. | | | | supplements) along with one to three milligrams of |
| Physical symptoms include: | | | | copper can increase the desire to consume food. |