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Eating Disorder

Rumination Disorder

Rumination Disorder

All You Need to Know About Rumination Disorder

Rumination disorder occurs when the affected individual mistakenly vomit up unprocessed or partially digested food from their stomach, re-chew it, and then either re-swallow or spit it up.

Overview

Rumination disorder, also known as rumination syndrome, is a chronic illness that affects a small number of people. Infants, children, and adults are all affected. Most meals are regurgitated by people with this disease. When recently ingested food rises into the esophagus, throat, and mouth, it isn’t evacuated from the mouth involuntarily or forcefully as it is with vomiting. Rumination disorder is a complex and time-consuming condition to diagnose. The prognosis is good after a diagnosis has been made. The majority of patients with rumination disorder respond well to treatment. Rumination disorder can even go away on its own in rare situations.

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Rumination Disorder

Symptoms of Rumination Disorder

This disorder causes people to regurgitate practically every day and after almost every meal.
Other signs and symptoms could include:

  • Bad breath
  • Loss of weight
  • Indigestion or stomach discomfort
  • Rotting of the teeth
  • Chapped lips or dry mouth

Both children and adults experience the same signs and symptoms of rumination disorder. Regurgitated food is more likely to spit out by adults. Food is more likely to be re-chewed and swallowed by children.

Causes of Rumination Disorder

Rumination, according to experts, is an unconscious process. They do believe, however, that deliberate diaphragm muscle relaxation becomes a learned habit. It’s similar to the classic belching reaction. Instead of gas, the reflex causes actual food to return to the stomach.

Risk factors of Rumination Disorder

Factors that can increase the risk of rumination disorder in both children and adults involve:

  • Having an acute illness
  • Having a mental disorder
  • Going through a psychiatric disorder
  • Undergoing a major surgery
  • Going through a stressful experience

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Complications of Rumination Disorder

Untreated, rumination disorder can damage the tube between the mouth and stomach i.e. esophagus.
Rumination disorder can also lead to

  • Detrimental weight loss
  • Malnutrition
  • Dental decay
  • Bad breath
  • Humiliation
  • Social isolation

Prevention of Rumination Disorder

It might be possible to reduce your risk of rumination syndrome by learning more about the positive coping strategies for ongoing stressful situations.

Diagnosis of Rumination Disorder

To be diagnosed with rumination syndrome, a person must meet the following criteria, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition:

  • Food regurgitation on a regular basis for at least a month. Food that has been regurgitated can be eaten, swallowed, or vomited up.
  • Regurgitation isn’t caused by a gastrointestinal or other medical problem (for example, gastroesophageal reflux, pyloric stenosis)
  • There must be no anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in addition to the eating disorder.
  • If an eating disorder coexists with another mental disorder (for example, intellectual disability), the symptoms must be severe enough to warrant medical attention.

Treatment of Rumination Disorder

Diaphragmatic breathing exercise is the easiest and most effective treatment for rumination disorder in children and adults. It entails learning to breathe deeply while also relaxing the diaphragm. When the diaphragm is relaxed, regurgitation is impossible. During and after meals, use diaphragmatic breathing exercises. Rumination disorder should eventually go away. Other options for treating the rumination problem include:

  • Alterations in posture, both during and immediately following a meal
  • Eliminating distractions at mealtimes
  • Minimizing distractions and stress at mealtimes
  • Psychotherapy

For the time being, there is no treatment for rumination disorder.

Pica

Pica

All You Need to Know About Pica: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Pica is an eating disorder marked by the consumption of non-food things such as paint chips, dirt, paper, or hair. Pica is a condition in which people swallow or absorb foods that have no nutritional value.

Overview

Pica has been found in ethnic groups all across the world, in both primitive and modernized cultures, in both sexes, and in people of all ages. Pica is derived from the Latin word magpie, which refers to a bird known for its odd and indiscriminate eating habits. Pica eating disorder affects up to one-third of children between the ages of one and six. Pica is not identified in children under the age of two because it is typical for toddlers and younger children to put foreign objects in their mouths.
Pica is a common childhood illness that lasts only a few months. It will, however, be more difficult to handle in children with developmental disabilities.

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Pica

Types of Pica

Pica in humans is divided into several divisions according to the substance consumed. Eating earth, soil, or clay (geophagia); ice (pagophagia); and starch (starchophagia) are some of the most often documented varieties of pica (amylophagia). Pica involving dozens of additional substances has been documented, including cigarette butts and ashes, hair, paint chips, and paper.

Symptoms of Pica

Pica symptoms are caused by swallowed toxic or poisonous substances, as well as bacteria found in nonfood things. Among the signs and symptoms are:

  • Nausea
  • Stomach discomfort (or abdominal cramping which can indicate that there may be an intestinal blockage)
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Ulcers in the stomach (which may cause blood in the stools)
  • Lead poisoning symptoms (if paint chips that contain lead are ingested)
  • Dental injuries (such as broken or fractured teeth from chewing on hard non-food items)
  • An obstruction in the intestines (from eating non-food items that cannot be digested and end up blocking up the intestine)
  • Infections (caused by germs and/or parasites that enter the body through ingested non-food items)
  • Fatigue
  • Issues with behavior
  • Issues at school
  • Other lead poisoning or malnutrition symptoms

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Causes of Pica

Some of the conditions that put a person at a higher risk of getting pica include: 

  • Intellectual impairments and developmental problems, such as autism spectrum disorder
  • Mental illnesses including schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Those who are malnourished or hungry, resulting in low levels of minerals like iron and zinc, which might cause some sorts of cravings.
  • Stress, such as that experienced by children who have been mistreated or neglected, or those who live in extreme poverty
  • Pregnant women may crave dirt in rare instances during their pregnancy, which could be due to an iron shortage.

Risk Factors of Pica

Pica can emerge as a coping mechanism in people with mental illnesses including schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some people may even seek the textures or flavors of nonfood objects. Eating clay (geophagia) is a common practice in various cultures. Pica can be caused by both dieting and malnutrition. Nonfood items may help you feel full in certain situations.

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Complications of Pica

Consumption of certain nonfood products might sometimes result in the development of other significant illnesses. The following are examples of these conditions:

  • Choking
  • Poisoning (for example, lead poisoning)
  • Infections caused by parasites
  • Bowel obstructions

Prevention of Pica

Pica cannot be prevented in any way that we know of. However, once pica has been identified or suspected, steps can be taken to reduce non-food consumption. It may be beneficial to remove the drug from easily accessible areas. Close monitoring of a person with pica may help to prevent inappropriate eating patterns.

Diagnosis of Pica

Pica is most commonly diagnosed when an individual can provide a description of such actions or when another person can document them. Pica is sometimes identified after tests to investigate the presenting symptoms. Imaging investigations ordered to evaluate severe gastrointestinal problems, for example, may indicate intestinal blockage with an opaque substance, which is indicative of pica. Biopsy of the contents of the intestine can also reveal abnormalities that are compatible with pica, such as parasite infection. If abnormal levels of certain minerals or compounds are found in the blood, pica may be considered.

Treatment of Pica

Pica treatment is typically determined by the cause and type of pica. In some cases, traditional medical treatment may be suitable. Supplementing with iron-containing vitamins, for example, has been proven to reduce odd appetites in some iron-deficient patients. Beyond resolving the underlying issue of pica, medical consequences and health dangers such as elevated lead levels, bowel perforation, or intestinal obstruction would necessitate extra medical therapy. Because the majority of cases of pica have no evident medical cause, counseling, education, and nutritional management are often more effective and suitable than medication. Pica may be treated by some therapists who specialize in eating disorders.

Pregorexia

Pregorexia

All You Need to Know About Pregorexia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Pregorexia is a term that combines the words pregnancy and anorexia to describe a woman who has an unnatural fear of gaining weight during pregnancy.” Despite the fact that pregorexia is not a medical illness, it is generally known that many pregnant women obsess about their weight and engage in excessive diet and exercise regimens.

Overview

While there are no exact figures on how many pregnant women suffer from pregorexia, it is estimated that roughly 30% of pregnant women in the United States do not accumulate adequate weight gain during pregnancy. Eating disorders can be dangerous at any time, and an eating disorder during pregnancy puts the mother and the child in danger. A woman who is suffering from disordered eating when pregnant may feel humiliated or afraid of being judged. It’s critical to seek help from a trained practitioner who can compassionately address your concerns and challenges.

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Pregorexia

Symptoms of Pregorexia

The following are some of the more typical symptoms and warning indicators that you may be suffering from pregorexia while pregnant:

  • Overworking oneself to the point of fatigue
  • A reluctance to change your exercise routine
  • Limiting your dietary intake
  • Overeating & Calorie counting obsession
  • Purging entails self-induced vomiting or the use of laxatives.
  • A sense of shame and remorse about gaining weight
  • Dining alone
  • Weighing oneself on a daily basis
  • Gaining very little weight
  • Exhibiting self-consciousness about one’s physical weight, shape, or size
  • Chronic exhaustion
  • Drowsiness and blackouts

Causes of Pregorexia

Here are a few factors that can have an impact. If someone has previously struggled with an eating disorder, they are more likely to battle with one during pregnancy.

Pressure from society: People in Western society are under a lot of pressure to be skinny. People are bombarded with images and messages about how their bodies should look. This is also true for pregnant women. There is a lot of discussion regarding how much weight a celebrity gained during their pregnancy and how to stay fit while being pregnant. This can put a lot of pressure on you to keep as slim as possible.

Mental Illnesses That Haven’t Been Resolved: People with eating disorders are frequently diagnosed with another mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. Pregnancy can be a thrilling experience, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. An eating problem could be a person’s reaction to their specific pressures.

Genetics: There is a hereditary component to eating disorders. While there is no unique gene for eating disorders, persons who have a family member who has one are more likely to develop one as well.

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Health Risks of Pregorexia

The following are some of the potential health hazards of disordered eating during pregnancy:

  • Bone loss in a pregnant woman
  • Restrictions on the baby’s growth
  • Obstacles to fetal development
  • Low birth weight due to nutrient deficiency
  • Excessive fatigue beyond what is expected during pregnancy
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Dizziness & Dehydration
  • There’s a higher chance of prolonged labor.
  • There’s a higher chance of miscarriage.

Complications of Pregorexia

Complications of pregorexia commonly involve growth restrictions for the baby. Fetal developmental problems. Low birth weight due to lack of nutrients. Fatigue beyond what is normal in pregnancy.

Prevention of Pregorexia

The most crucial piece of advice is to deal with any previous or current eating disorders before getting pregnant. Women strive to address pre-existing medical illnesses like diabetes and hypertension before getting pregnant, and eating disorders are no different. During pregnancy, women with eating disorders should continue to get any therapy or counseling they are receiving for the disease.
Normal weight gain during pregnancy is healthy and necessary for both the mother and the baby, and it is important to be aware of this fact. It can reduce the chances of having a cesarean section, as well as the chances of having a premature delivery. It’s also required for postpartum nursing.

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Diagnosis of Pregorexia

Pregorexia has no formal diagnosis; nonetheless, if the majority of the symptoms are present in the pregnant woman, the illness is diagnosed:

  • Fats, lipids, and carbs should be consumed in smaller amounts or not at all.
  • Amount of weight gain is negligible or very low (not even the healthy or expected weight gain in a pregnant woman).
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiency as a result of restricted nutrition
  • Constant calorie counting and weight gain monitoring
  • Obsessed with her appearance and the expansion of her stomach.
  • Exercising vigorously in order to shed the pounds gained throughout her pregnancy.
  • Wearing garments that fit snugly around the waist to prevent the belly from expanding.
  • Denial that there is a real problem or that she needs help.
  • Lack of energy because of an unbalanced diet.

Treatment of Pregorexia

The following are common treatments:

Medical monitoring and care: The medical parts of the eating problem and recovery process are overseen by a doctor. An OBGYN may be consulted by a pregnant woman to monitor the health of the baby.

Therapy: Individual, group or family therapy may be used to treat an eating disorder. Individual therapy can aid in the development of unique coping strategies, the exploration of unresolved emotions, and the treatment of untreated mental health conditions. People in recovery may benefit from group therapy since it allows them to talk with others who are in similar situations. Family or couple counseling can also be effective in helping loved ones understand how to support an individual.

Nutritional guidance: Nutritional advice is provided by a licensed dietitian (RD). An RD can assist someone in developing healthier eating habits and working through any concerns about eating during pregnancy.

Drunkorexia

Drunkorexia

All You Need to Know About Drunkorexia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Drunkorexia is a slang term for someone who reduces dietary calories to make place for alcoholic beverage calories. Despite the known hazards of these activities, research suggests that 30% of women between the ages of 18 and 23 diet in order to drink. “Drunkorexia” is college-age binge drinkers, mostly women.

Overview

Drunkorexia is not just a problem in the United States. It is seen in college students around the world. 
Men and women who engage in drunkorexia activity appear to have different motivations, and females appear to be more likely to engage in this behavior. According to one study, college women were more than 1.5 times more likely than males to reduce their meal consumption before drinking.
According to studies, the link between weight control motivation and women who drink heavily is particularly strong. Women who restrict their food before drinking have been found to have higher incidents of eating disorders, alcohol abuse, and depressive and/or anxious symptoms. 

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Drunkorexia

Symptoms of Drunkorexia

The main symptom of this condition is avoiding food intake to consume alcohol. Other symptoms involve:
• Restriction of food intake
• Excessive exercise or physical activity to compensate for the calorie intake
• Calculating daily intake of calories in order to ensure that no weight is gained when consuming alcohol
• Skipping or missing meals to conserve calories that will be recompensed by alcohol consumption
• Drinking dangerous amount of alcohol to vomit formerly ingested food
• Feeling embarrassed while drinking because of consuming the calories
• Getting sick after a drinking session and then drinking more after purging to sustain high levels of intoxication
• They are more likely to get intoxicated faster if they drink on an empty stomach. They are more likely to become ill and vomit as a result of this. If this occurs on a regular basis, it may lead to tooth decay.
• Behavioral changes
• Obsessive concern over weight gain and body image
• A lack of self-confidence
• Depression
• Poor coping abilities
• Anxiety about losing control

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Causes of Drunkorexia

Drunkorexia behaviors are more common in college-aged women, but men often experience them too. They come from the dread of weight gain from alcohol. The behaviors may be linked to bulimia or anorexia in extreme circumstances. Individuals who do not have an eating disorder yet restrict their food before going out may nevertheless experience “Drunkorexia.”

Risks of Drunkorexia

• Drinking on an empty stomach can lead to overindulgence and an unanticipated level of intoxication. This can impair judgment and increase the risk of bodily harm.

• Restricting food intake reduces nutritional availability while metabolizing alcohol raises the need for specific nutrients. Nutrient deficits are more likely as a result of this combination.
• Drinking alcohol after a workout limits protein synthesis and muscle regeneration, slowing the recovery process and reducing potential fitness gains.
• Drinking alcohol impairs our decision-making ability and may lead you to harmful eating practices like binge eating.

Complications of Drunkorexia

Following are the long term effects and complications of Drunkorexia:

  • Reduced coordination
  • Abdominal pain
  • Slowed brain function
  • Light-headedness
  • Mental disorientation
  • Liver Damage
  • Higher blood pressure
  • Cancer
  • Anemia
  • Pimples / Acne-prone skin
  • Brittle nails and hair
  • Unclear speech
  • Mood swings
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Heart problems
  • Diabetes
  • Forgetfulness / Dementia
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Driving under the influence
  • Showing no interest in things

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Prevention of Drunkorexia

Colleges and institutions should educate new freshmen about the elevated health risks connected with calorie restriction prior to alcohol consumption to address the problematic behavior of Drunkorexia. High-risk groups, such as those in sororities and fraternities, should be screened and given additional support.

Diagnosis of Drunkorexia

A physical examination may be performed by the doctor to rule out any underlying illnesses that have harmed the patient. The doctor will recommend them to a psychiatrist after an evaluation. The psychiatrist will inquire about their eating and drinking habits. In order to identify this disease, they will also consider their personal and medical histories.

Treatment of Drunkorexia

The treatment method is a combination of medication and therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Understanding the beliefs and patterns that govern bad behavior and replacing them with good ones in order to achieve the desired outcome is the goal of this therapy. CBT is regarded as the most effective treatment for all eating disorders, including Drunkorexia, according to research.

Group Therapy
A group of people addresses their concerns to a team of therapists in this therapy. They talk about their eating habits and drinking, as well as how they feel about it, then their concerns are met on an individual basis.

Medications
To alleviate the symptoms, the patient may be prescribed medication. Alcoholism, on the other hand, does not have medical treatment. There are drugs that can make drinking less pleasurable, causing you to drink less. Disulfiram (which makes people feel nauseous or spew up), Acamprosate (which helps with cravings), and Naltrexone are among them (this blocks the high they get from drinking). The doctor will evaluate the situation and give medication as needed.

Selective Eating Disorder

Selective Eating Disorder

What is Selective Eating Disorder? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Selective eating disorder falls under the umbrella of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder or ARFID. Someone with a selective eating disorder may have a phobia of certain foods, maintain an excessively limited diet, and have sensory aversions to specific tastes, textures, or scents, or anxiety or aversion to swallowing, which is far more severe than merely being a fussy or picky eater.

Overview

This type of disordered eating is rather frequent. More than half of eating disorders fall into the Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder group because they do not fit the diagnostic criteria for more well-known eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, bulimia, or anorexia.
It usually does not become chronic. Many primary care professionals and pediatric specialists say that it is common that children will grow out of a “fussy eating” period by the age of six. Individuals can have anxiety at the thought of putting certain “unsafe” items in one’s mouth and it can be crippling for those who suffer from this illness. Children and adults with selective eating disorders believe that if they consume certain foods they will die, regardless of their age. As a result, comprehensive mental health care (and frequent medical treatment) is critical in helping them overcome their anxieties and develop healthy eating habits.

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Selective Eating Disorder

Symptoms of Selective Eating Disorder

Anxiety and depression, as well as social impairments, are all typical psychological disorders that accompany a selective eating disorder. A person with a selective eating disorder will only eat foods that they deem safe or acceptable and will go to great lengths to avoid foods that have particular tastes, colors, textures, or scents. When someone with a selective eating disorder is urged (or forced) to try new foods, they may become uncomfortable or nervous. Anxiety can be caused by food phobias, a fear of choking or vomiting as a result of consuming the meal, or anxiety-inducing memories associated with a food or food group. Other common symptoms and warning signs of a selective eating disorder include having a limited list of foods that one will eat, eliminating entire food groups, eating foods with similar characteristics (texture, color, etc. ), and becoming visibly emotional or stressed when presented with or around unfamiliar foods.

Causes of Selective Eating Disorder

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, unlike other well-known eating disorders, has nothing to do with body image or the desire to reduce or maintain weight. Instead, trauma is a common cause of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Early trauma in infancy typically leads to the development of this eating disorder and it convinces the individual that eating certain foods they are frightened of may kill them.

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Risk factors of Selective Eating Disorder

The traumatic event could be anything from choking to, in some cases, repressed memories of infants who were born preterm and spent months in the NICU with tubes running through their mouths and noses. Selective Eating Disorder is a sensory disorder, hence it is centered on fear, unlike other eating disorders.

Complications of Selective Eating Disorder

When compared to someone who does not have a selective eating disorder, long-term selective eating can cause malnutrition, digestive issues, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances, and a slower heart rate.

In addition to the aforementioned issues, children who acquire a selective eating disorder at a young age may have developmental delays and weight loss. It can be difficult to use weight as a visual indicator of a selective eating disorder in adults. Some adults may lose a lot of weight in a short period of time. In some circumstances, though, their weight may be perfectly normal and within medically recommended parameters.

Prevention of Selective Eating Disorder

Individuals with Avoidant Resistant Food Intake Disorder may be able to create better, safer coping skills for managing food phobias by examining the fundamental causes of their concerns and aversions to food. They will gradually begin to eat a more nutritious, well-balanced diet. Seeking treatment for selective eating disorders is typically far more beneficial and effective in modifying behaviors than hoping for symptoms to go away on their own.

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Diagnosis of Selective Eating Disorder

A selective eating disorder is defined as an eating or feeding disturbance (e.g., apparent lack of interest in eating or food; avoidance based on sensory characteristics of food; fear of aversive consequences of eating) manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs associated with one (or more) of the following:

  • Weight reduction is significant (or failure to achieve expected weight gain or faltering growth in children).
  • Nutritional deficit to a significant degree.
  • Nutritional supplements or enteral feeding are required.
  • Significant disruption in psychosocial functioning

Treatment of Selective Eating Disorder

Graduated exposure therapy, also known as systematic desensitization, is frequently used in the treatment of younger children. This is a type of behavioral treatment that aims to help people overcome their fears and anxiety problems. It incorporates cognitive-behavioral therapy and applied behavior analysis techniques.

The capacity to control selective eating disorders is heavily influenced by the age at which symptoms appear. Seeking treatment as an adult can help you discover safer and healthier ways to cope with triggering and fear-inducing events. If you suspect your child is suffering from a selective eating disorder, you should immediately contact their primary care provider or a mental health specialist.

Orthorexia Nervosa

Orthorexia Nervosa

All About Orthorexia Nervosa: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Orthorexia, also known as orthorexia nervosa, is a type of eating disorder characterized by an obsession with eating well. “Ortho,” which means “right,” “Orexia,” which means “hunger,” and “Nervosa,” which means “fixation or obsession.” Unlike other eating disorders, orthorexia is mostly concerned with food quality rather than quantity.

Overview

People with orthorexia, unlike those with anorexia or bulimia, are rarely concerned with decreasing weight. Instead, they have an unhealthy concern with the “purity” of their foods, as well as the health benefits of eating healthily.
It’s not a formal diagnosis but the core concept is that it encompasses eating behaviors that reject a wide range of foods because they are not “pure” enough. People with orthorexia eventually start avoiding entire meals that don’t satisfy their criteria or that they didn’t prepare themselves.
Orthorexia and eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa, according to some doctors, have parallels. Everything revolves around food and control.

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Orthorexia Nervosa

Symptoms of Orthorexia Nervosa

Symptoms of the condition include:

  • Obsessive adherence to an eating plan. What was once a choice becomes a compulsion, and the individual no longer has the option of relaxing their own restrictions.
  • Consuming only nutritious foods. According to their belief system about what constitutes healthy eating, people with symptoms of this disease restrict items they consider to be unhealthy and embrace some “superfoods” they perceive to provide exceptional health benefits. These limits frequently result in the eradication of entire food groups as well as the addition of cleanses, fasts, and detoxes.
  • Shame and guilt. A person’s self-esteem is inextricably linked to their adherence to their chosen diet. As a result, any deviation from the diet usually results in intense feelings of guilt, humiliation, and worry.
  • Negative impact on normal functioning. Restrictive eating eventually has a negative influence on a person’s health, as well as their social and vocational functioning; eating the appropriate meals becomes increasingly crucial, crowding out other activities.

Causes of Orthorexia Nervosa

The following are some of the most common causes of Orthorexia Nervosa:

  • Adoption of a dietary theory that is extremely restrictive.
  • Dietary and/or digestive problems as a child’s illness
  • Fear of illness
  • Modern issues that medical science is unable to solve
  • Parents who place an excessive amount of emphasis on eating nutritious foods
  • Perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and extremist characteristics

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Risk Factors of Orthorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder can strike anyone at any time. Though the causes and risk factors differ from one person to the next, they can be divided into three categories:

  • Biological: Having an eating disorder in a close relative, a history of dieting, or type I diabetes.
  • Psychiatric: Perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, or a history of anxiety
  • Social/cultural: Being taunted or bullied about your weight

Complications of Orthorexia Nervosa

Many of the same medical issues that other eating disorders cause are likely to occur with this illness.

  • Immune system is weakened.
  • Severe malnutrition can cause digestive issues, electrolyte and hormonal imbalances, metabolic acidosis, and bone health difficulties.
  • Physical issues might be life-threatening, so don’t take them lightly.
    Other serious Orthorexia Nervosa consequences include:
  • Cognitive difficulties, osteoporosis & deficiencies in nutrition
  • Infertility, kidney disease & coronary artery disease.
  • Restrictive eating, for example, can lead to malnutrition, anemia, or an abnormally slow heart rate due to a lack of essential nutrients.
  • Anxiety and stress are two of the most common symptoms of anxiety.

Prevention of Orthorexia Nervosa

Once a person recognizes these harmful consequences, they should seek support from a multidisciplinary team that includes a doctor, psychologist, and dietician.
Among the most common coping mechanisms are:

  • Prevention of exposure and response
  • A change in behavior
  • Restructuring of the brain
  • A variety of relaxing techniques

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Diagnosis of Orthorexia Nervosa

Individuals with all of the following symptoms are diagnosed with orthorexia Nervosa:

  • Obsessive conduct and/or obsession with a limited diet in order to achieve optimum health
  • Self-imposed dietary norms are broken, resulting in an increased dread of sickness, a sense of personal impurity, and/or bad physical sensations, anxiety, and shame.
  • As dietary restriction progresses, it may entail the exclusion of food groups and the use of cleanses. Weight loss is common, although the desire to lose weight is not the primary motivation.
    Individuals with any of the following symptoms may be diagnosed with orthorexia Nervosa:
  • Malnutrition, extreme weight loss, or other health problems as a result of a restricted diet
  • Intrapersonal suffering or impairment in social, intellectual, or occupational functioning as a result of healthy diet attitudes or activities
  • Self-worth, identity, and body image are overly reliant on sticking to a “healthy” diet.

Orthorexia Nervosa Treatment

Common treatments include:

Exposure and reaction prevention: The more you’re exposed to the anxiety-inducing environment, the less it will bother you.

Behavior modification: Recognize the negative consequences of your conduct so you can make changes.

Cognitive restructuring, also known as cognitive reframing, is a technique for identifying stress-inducing habits and beliefs and replacing them with less rigid ideas and actions.

Breathing exercises, guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, yoga, and tai chi are all examples of relaxation training.

Diabulimia

Diabulimia

All About Diabulimia Nervosa: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Diabulimia is a form of eating disorder in which a person with diabetes  reduces insulin intake in order to lose weight. Diabulimia is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), yet it can cause major medical complications.

Overview

Diabulimia is a term that combines the words diabetes and bulimia. Eating Problem-Diabetes Mellitus Sort 1 (ED-DMT1) is a term used by some medical experts to refer to any type of eating disorder that is comorbid with type 1 diabetes. Adolescents with type 1 diabetes account for between 11.5 percent and 27.5 percent of those who satisfy the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, the most frequent of which is bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder. Diabulimia requires professional therapy because it is a mental condition. If you or someone you care about is exhibiting symptoms of diabulimia, seek medical, nutritional, and psychological support.

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Treatment
Diabulimia

Symptoms of Diabulimia

Because an individual requires insulin, physical indicators of diabulimia will definitely appear, as will symptoms of insulin deficiency, such as:

  • Uncontrollable thirst
  • Urination that is excessive
  • Weakness/Fatigue
  • Unprecedented blood glucose fluctuations
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis only gets better in the hospital.
  • Uneven heart rate.
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Rapid weight loss is possible.
  • Infections of the bladder.
  • Vision that is hazy.
  • Skin and hair that is dry and fragile.

Below are some of the warning signs:

  • Having worry or dread of gaining weight.
  • Those with petite or slim bodies are praised.
  • Refusal to let others see injections.
  • Discussing the effect of insulin on weight.
  • Having low self-esteem and/or a negative body image.
  • Isolating oneself from the rest of the world.
  • Increased depression and/or anxiety symptoms or expression.
  • Skipping doctor’s appointments.

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Causes of Diabulimia

Diabulimia is an eating disorder linked to type 1 diabetes and is caused by a combination of genetic, biochemical, psychological, and societal variables, as do all eating disorders. The following are some biological factors that may predispose someone to diabulimia:
• Having diabetes type 1
• There is a history of eating disorders in your family.
• Being a woman.
• A diagnosis of anxiety.

Risk factors of Diabulimia

Diabulimia occurs when you purposefully avoid taking the insulin required to manage your type 1 diabetes in order to lose weight. Your body cannot produce insulin if you have type 1 diabetes. Because you can’t use sugar for energy, your blood sugar levels rise, and excess sugar is excreted in your urine.
You can also produce ketones as a source of energy if you don’t have enough insulin, which can lead to anorexia and weight loss. Diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to coma or death, can occur as a result of this.

Complications of Diabulimia

Diabulimia complications are a mixture of those that come with diabetes and eating disorders:

  • Higher blood sugar levels
  • Sugar/glucose in the urine
  • Confusion
  • Lack of fluids /dehydration
  • Muscle loss (atrophy)
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis
  • Higher levels of cholesterol
  • Bacterial infections of the skin
  • Yeast infections
  • Skipped or disturbed periods
  • Staph infections
  • Damage to the blood vessels of eyes 
  • Numbness in hands and feet due to nerve damage
  • Peripheral arterial disease 
  • Thicker / harder arterial walls 
  • Liver disease
  • Coma, Stroke, Death

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Prevention of Diabulimia

Diabulimia requires professional therapy because it is a mental condition. If you or someone you care about is exhibiting symptoms of diabulimia, seek medical, nutritional, and psychological support from professionals such as:

  • Diabetes counselors
  • Social workers
  • Endocrinologists
  • Nutritionists who specialize in eating disorders or diabetes
  • Nurses
  • Counselors/psychologists

Diagnosis of Diabulimia

Diabulimia is diagnosed when a diabetic has hyperglycemia, an elevated HbA1c despite insulin treatment, weight loss despite increased food consumption, recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis, and typical diabetes symptoms such as excessive appetite, urine, and thirst.

Treatment of Diabulimia

Diabulimia treatment is not a quick remedy. Changing behavior patterns and learning to control triggers might take a variety of ways and a lot of hard effort.
• Counseling can be really beneficial.
• You can try cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing your thoughts in order to improve your behavior.
• Group therapy, which provides support from other diabulimia sufferers.
• Family-based therapy (FBT) is a type of therapy that involves the entire family. It can be a useful tool for parents who have a teen who is suffering from the disease.

Prader Willi Syndrome

Prader Willi Syndrome

All About Prader Willi Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder that alters a child’s metabolism and results in physical and behavioral problems. It is characterized by low muscle tone and inadequate eating throughout early childhood, followed by a voracious appetite between the ages of 2-3 years, resulting in the kid becoming overweight.

Overview

PWS can affect anyone. The disorder affects one out of every 12,000–15,000 births, and both boys and girls are affected equally. PWS can also cause puberty and childhood milestones to be delayed. If excessive weight gain is not managed, it can lead to life-threatening consequences like sleep apnea, diabetes, and heart problems. Various professionals can collaborate with you to manage symptoms of this complicated condition, lower the chance of developing complications, and enhance the quality of life for your loved one with Prader-Willi syndrome, which is best managed by a team approach.

Following Topics of This Blog Have Been Discussed Below:

Symptoms
Symptoms
Causes
Causes
Complications
Complications
Prevention
Prevention
Treatment
Treatment
Prader Willi Syndrome

Symptoms of Prader Willi Syndrome

Each person is affected differently by PWS. Symptoms typically occur in childhood and include:

  • A feeble scream
  • Eyes that are almond-shaped and a long, narrow head are unusual facial traits.
  • Tiredness (tiredness, listlessness)
  • Inability to feed
  • Muscle tone that is weak (hypotonia)
    As a kid with PWS grows older, new symptoms emerge, such as:
  • Emotional and behavioral issues
  • Intellectual disability
  • Eating issues, such as not feeling content after eating and eating an excessive amount of food (hyperphagia). Hyperphagia can develop to morbid obesity, which raises the risk of additional health problems like diabetes.
  • Small hands and feet due to short stature
  • Genitals that aren’t fully grown

Causes of Prader Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome is a hereditary ailment caused by a mutation in one or more genes. Although the actual mechanisms causing Prader-Willi syndrome have yet to be discovered, the disease is believed to be c sed by genes found in a specific region of chromosome 15. Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by the non-expression of certain paternal genes for one of the following reasons:

  • There are no paternal genes on chromosome 15.
  • The child was born with two copies of chromosome 15 from his mother and none from his father.
  • On chromosome 15, there is a mistake or deficiency in paternal genes.

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Complications of Prader Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome itself is not life-threatening. Compulsive eating and weight gain can drive young adults with the syndrome to acquire significant obesity-related diseases such as:

  • Diabetes type 2
  • Heart attack
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sterility
  • Osteoporosis
  • Poor quality of life
  • Obesity

Prevention of Prader Willi Syndrome

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most critical aspects of caring for someone with Prader-Willi syndrome. Consider obtaining genetic counseling if you have a child with Prader-Willi syndrome and want to have another child. A genetic counselor can help you figure out how likely it is that you will have another child with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Prevention of Prader Willi Syndrome

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most critical aspects of caring for someone with Prader-Willi syndrome. Consider obtaining genetic counseling if you have a child with Prader-Willi syndrome and want to have another child. A genetic counselor can help you figure out how likely it is that you will have another child with Prader-Willi syndrome.

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Diagnosis of Prader Willi Syndrome

Genetic testing can usually confirm the diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome.
If a child exhibits symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome, genetic testing may be recommended. Babies who are born with a lot of floppy skin may also be evaluated.

Treatment of Prader Willi Syndrome

The focus of treatment is on symptom management and avoiding complications. The following treatments may be used to help the child:

  • Devices to assist infants obtain enough nutrients, such as customized bottle nipples
  • Assisting the child with optimal nutrition, including a low-calorie diet and portion management
  • Medications that boost the levels of particular hormones in boys and girls, such as growth hormone, testosterone, or human chorionic gonadotropin.
    Physical treatment, speech-language therapy, and special education are examples of supportive therapies.

Compulsive Eating Disorder

Compulsive Eating Disorder

Symptoms, Causes & Treatment of Compulsive Eating Disorder

Compulsive eating is a form of eating behavior in which a person consumes food in a way that feels out of control, has an emotional component, and involves consuming an excessive amount of food. In and of itself, compulsive eating is not an eating disorder. It can be a distinguishing feature of eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

Overview

This condition resembles a binge eating disorder. COE is distinguished by the fact that the person does not binge in spurts, but rather consumes excessive amounts of food all day.The sensations associated with compulsive overeating are more important than the amount invested in a single episode of compulsive overeating. Without the existence of single, major binges, compulsive overeating could be present in a pattern. Many doctors believe the distinction between the two definitions is minor in practice. People appear and talk about binges, compulsion, and food addiction. The underlying sentiments of loss of control, disgust, and secrecy, as well as the link between food consumption and painful emotions, are the most typical characteristics.

Following Topics of This Blog Have Been Discussed Below:

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Symptoms
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Causes
Complications
Complications
Prevention
Prevention
Treatment
Treatment
Compulsive Eating Disorder

Symptoms of Compulsive Eating Disorder

Overeating compulsively is a major eating problem marked by an obsessive or compulsive relationship with food. The following are some of the most common symptoms of compulsive overeating:

  • Binge eating, or the inability to stop eating even when you aren’t hungry.
  • Eating at a faster rate than usual.
  • Eating alone because of shame, humiliation, or fear of sadness, mood swings, exhaustion, or insomnia.
  • A history of weight changes as a result of long-term dieting.
  • Secretive eating habits, such as hiding food in unusual places so that it can be eaten at a later time.
  • Feelings of intense remorse and pain following a binge.

Causes of Compulsive Eating Disorder

There is no recognized etiology for an obsessive eating disorder. Many experts, however, feel that a mix of genetic, physical, social, and psychological variables may play a role in the disorder’s development.
Serotonin, for example, may influence eating habits, according to research. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the brain that affects mood, learning, and sleep, among other things.

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Complications of Compulsive Eating Disorder

Overeating compulsively is an eating disorder that is caused by emotional concerns and requires treatment to overcome. High cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, kidney disease, arthritis, stroke, and depression can all result from compulsive overeating if left untreated.

Prevention of Compulsive Eating Disorder

It is not always possible to avoid compulsive overeating. This is especially true if the problem began in childhood. However, the following suggestions may be useful:

  • Avoid following fad diets. They are easily capable of causing sensations of deprivation. Binge eating is a result of these sentiments.
  • Examine your body image. If you have a negative body image, go to a dietician, nutritionist, or psychologist.
  • Recognize when you’re eating for comfort. Speak with your healthcare practitioner if you are sad, angry, or anxious.
  • Be aware of how you react to social media. Unrealistic expectations resulting from social media posts might lead to anxiety and sadness. These reactions have the potential to lead to a binge.

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Diagnosis of Compulsive Eating Disorder

Because there is no single test that can indicate whether someone has a compulsive eating problem or is simply overeating, doctors must gather medical, family, and mental health information to diagnose this illness. The symptoms listed below can aid in the diagnosis of a compulsive eating disorder.

  • Eating a small amount in public and a large amount in private
  • Negative self-perceptions based on weight
  • Suffering from depression as a result of overeating
  • Are your eating habits tormenting you?
  • Overeating or changing diets several times

Treatment of Compulsive Eating Disorder

Overeating can be overcome with the help of counselling. Treatment will include psychological counselling (i.e., resolving the emotional issues needed to have a healthy connection with food) as well as nutritional counselling to teach the individual how to maintain a balanced diet. Learning coping skills to identify the emotional and external triggers that drive an overeater to binge, as well as improving self-esteem and confidence, are common components of therapy.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder

Symptoms, Causes & Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is defined by eating huge amounts of food in a short period of time. A binge occurs when a person consumes an excessive amount of food in a two-hour period. Binges are often accompanied by a trance-like condition, guilt and shame, and weight gain. Unlike bulimia, BED normally does not involve any purging/compensatory behaviors.

Overview

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a form of eating disorder that is now officially recognized. It affects around 2% of the world’s population and can lead to other health problems associated to diet, such as high cholesterol and diabetes. When you have binge-eating disorder, you may feel ashamed of your eating habits and promise to stop. However, you are so compelled that you are unable to ignore the desires and continue to binge eat. Treatment for binge eating disorder is available.

Following Topics of This Blog Have Been Discussed Below:

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Symptoms
Causes
Causes
Complications
Complications
Prevention
Prevention
Treatment
Treatment
Binge Eating Disorder

Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

  • Consuming exceptionally enormous amounts of food in a short period of time, such as two hours.
  • Feeling out of control when it comes to your eating habits
  • Eating even if you’re not hungry
  • Eating a lot of food in a short period of time during binge episodes
  • Eating till you’re stuffed to the gills
  • Eating alone or in secret on a regular basis
  • Feeling depressed, disgusted, humiliated, guilty, or disturbed because of your eating habits
  • Constant dieting, possibly without achieving weight loss

Unlike bulimia, you do not consistently compensate for extra calories consumed by vomiting, using laxatives, or exercising excessively after a binge. You can either diet or consume regular meals. However, restricting your diet may lead to binge eating.

Causes of Binge Eating Disorder

The causes of BED remain unknown but there are a number of risk factors: 

  • Genetics: There is also substantial evidence that the condition is passed down through the generations.
  • Gender: Women are more likely than males to have BED. It will affect 3.6 percent of women in the United States at some point in their life.
  • Changes in the brain’s structure; There are signs that persons with BED may have structural alterations in their brains that cause increased sensitivity to eating and a loss of self-control.
  • Your physical stature. Obesity affects over half of those with BED, and 25–50 percent of patients seeking weight loss surgery match the BED criteria.
  • Self-esteem. Body dissatisfaction, dieting, and overeating all play a role in the disorder’s progression.
  • Overeating. Binge eating is frequently reported as the initial symptom of the disease by those who are affected. This involves binge eating as a child and during adolescence.
  • Emotional adversity. Abuse, mortality, being separated from a family member, or being in a car accident are all risk factors. Bullying based on the weight in childhood may also play a role.
  • Other mental health issues. Almost 80% of persons with BED have at least one other mental illness, such as phobias, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or substance misuse.
  • Stress, dieting, bad sentiments about body weight or form, food availability, or boredom can all contribute to binge eating episodes.

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Complications of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge-eating disorder can lead to a variety of complications, including:

  •  Deplorable living conditions
  • Difficulties operating at work, at home, or in social circumstances
  • Social exclusion
  • Obesity
  • Obesity-related medical diseases, such as joint pain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes etc.

The following psychiatric conditions are frequently connected to BED:

  • Depression
  • Bipolar illness
  • Anxiety
  • Substance abuse problems

Prevention of Binge Eating Disorder

If you suspect a friend or loved one has a binge eating issue, encourage them to adopt healthier habits and get professional help before things become worse. If you have a child suffering from this disorder, you should promote and reinforce positive body image regardless of their size or body structure and speak to their pediatrician about your concerns. This will allow the pediatrician to look for early signs of an eating disorder. 

Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder

Medications (SSRIs and Vyvanse) and psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, are used to treat binge eating disorder. Guided self-help is effective. To find the correct treatment for you, talk to your doctor about your unique treatment options, which could include any of the following or a mix of medication and therapy.

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