Eating disorders

Question 1

What are the symptoms for bulimia nervosa?

Answer 1

• recurrent episodes of binge eating
• a feeling of lack of control over eating during binges
• regular use of one or more of the following to prevent weight gain: self-induced vomiting, laxatives or diuretics, strict dieting or fasting, or vigorous exercise
• persistent over-concern with body shape and weight

Question 2

symptoms for anorexia nervosa?

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Causes?

Answer 3

Pressure to be as thin as the “ideal” portrayed by magazines, movies and TV.
-Defects in key chemical messengers in the brain may contribute to the disorder’s development or persistence

Question 4

Behaviours for bulimics ?

Answer 4

• Bulimic binges average about 3,400 calories in 1 1/4hours according to one study
• Some could consume up to 20,000 calories in binges lasting as long as 8 hours
• Some spent $50 or more a day on food-> resort to stealing food or $$$ to support their obsession

Question 5

What are the body damages that are caused by eating disorder?

Answer 5

• upset the body’s balance of sodium, potassium and other chemicals
• fatigue
• seizure
• irregular heartbeat
• thinner bones
• possible damages to stomach and esophagus
• receding gums
• eroded tooth enamel
• skin rashes
• broken blood vessels in the face
• irregular menstrual cycles

Question 6

What is anorectic and what are the symptoms?

Answer 6

Anorectics may exercise excessively, push food around plate, prolong eating or not eat around 
symptoms include: 
-sleep difficulties 
-withdrawal/isolation
-blood pressure falls
-breathing rate slows
-menstruation ceases 
-thyroid activity diminishes 
-body chemicals may get so imbalanced that heart failure occurs

Question 7

Help?

Answer 7

Early treatment is vital as damage becomes less reversible

• Psychotherapy
• nutrition counselling
• behaviour modification
• self-help groups
• hospitaliation
• possibly antidepressants