When most of us hear that someone has an eating disorder, we usually think that this person has a problem with food, but that is generally not the case. Eating disorders can actually be one of the symptoms of an underlying problem in a person's life. With proper treatment and care a person affected by an eating disorder can fully recover. Another misconception is that anorexia and bulimia are the only types of eating disorders out there. In this research paper we will discuss all types of eating disorders, their probable causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments. .
Two of the most known eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia Nervosa is the disease that makes the sufferer believe that they are fat, no matter what their weight. Often anorexics do not recognize that they are under weight, even when they weigh seventy pounds. In attempts to become thinner they avoid calories and food at any cost, and this can lead to serious health complications and death. An estimated 15-20% of anorexics will die from complications of the disease. Some signs of anorexia are noticeable weight loss, withdrawal, excessive exercise, fatigue, weakness, making excuses for not eating, fainting spells or dizziness, and a pale complexion. Some physical and medical complications could include skin problems, dehydration, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, cold hands and feet, bloating, constipation, hair loss, osteoporosis, insomnia, depression, cardiac arrest and death (1). .
Bulimia is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by purging in attempt to clear the body of fat and calories. Binging is different for every bulimic. Where one might think it is eating a full meal with a second helping and dessert, another may think eating one cookie is far too much. When we think of bulimia most of us think that it means throwing up everything that was eaten. Although that is the case with most bulimics, some other methods of purging are laxative abuse, excessive exercise, fasting, diet pills and enemas.
