Medical News

We all see and hear how quickly the youth grow up in today’s society due to the amount of information and knowledge thrown at them. Everyone today seems to dress older, act older, and be involved in more adult-like situations from an increasingly young age. Children and teens today are completely immersed in the media from a young age, and have access to opportunities that seem foreign to many adults today. For some, this can be a great advantage and a way to begin their careers early or overcome their circumstances, while for others the stress and responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming. The result of these negative reactions can very well affect ones life indefinitely.

A growing problem facing today’s generation is the fact that teens today are dealing with very serious issues that can take a serious toll on their emotional, mental and physical health. A study posted by the South Carolina Department of Mental health had shocking information about just one of the serious conditions that are affecting our youth: it stated that 95% of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25. The survey also stated that eight million people in America have a serious eating disorder, and that most people personally know someone who has or is suffering from a disorder. Furthermore, the study found that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate among other mental illnesses.

Perhaps even more shocking than the volume of people who suffer from eating disorders is the dangers that many do not see, and how so many fall so quickly into such a serious problem. Even though treatment is readily available, only one in ten of those diagnosed with eating disorders seeks and receives such help. Because of these startling statistics, it is important to teach and understand that there are options for those suffering with an eating disorder. Even though punishment may seem to be the easiest solution, forcing a person to change their habits or beliefs about themselves is not the most efficient way to help. Instead, offer support and listen while encouraging them to seek professional services. Since prevention is key in issues such as these, keep an eye out for symptoms to any illnesses, as the problems are always easier to treat when caught early on. It is most likely that the person will try to hide their eating patterns, but if you have concerns talk to the person and offer your help and support.

It is so important for us to help inform and educate all Americans about the seriousness of eating disorders, as well as the treatment options. If you or someone you love are suffering from an eating disorder seek help and save a life. There are many free services that allow you to learn more about these subjects, so if you ever have any questions utilize these resources to make sure you are fully informed.

Many people if asked could not tell the difference between someone who is on a diet and someone who is suffering from an eating disorder. They are however two very different things though. A diet is used as a means to lower your weight in a healthy manner; a disorder however, is an illness which effects the self esteem of the individual suffering from it in a very dangerous way.

The most well know of all these disorders is Anorexia Nervosa. The name itself means ‘a lack of desire to eat’. People who have Anorexia Nervosa experience obsessive feelings of self loathing. The only time they feel good about themselves is when they are starving. No matter how thin an anorexic becomes, their body dimorphic disorder is so strong they still believe themselves to be fat.

Commonly linked to Anorexia is Bulimia Nervosa. It shares some of Anorexia’s features especially the sufferers’ low self esteem. The difference is food is used by the Bulimic as a comfort and is not avoided at all. Bulimics are able to ingest as much food as they wish and rid themselves of it soon afterwards by taking laxatives or making themselves vomit it up again, this is known as purging.

Another closely linked eating disorder is Compulsive Eating Disorder. In many ways this is very similar to Bulimia and to Anorexia, the factor that sets it aside from both of these is that sufferers do not purge.

Compulsive sufferers consume and keep all the food they eat. Their days can revolve around nothing but food, from reading about it, to cooking to planning the next meal or snack. Some of the world’s heaviest people suffer from this disorder, which is fundamentally an addiction to food.

Next we have Binge Eating Disorder, again very similar to Compulsive Eating Disorder. It differs in the frequency in which food is consumed and in its secretive nature. Binge eaters will meticulously plan their binging and store large quantities of food away to eat all in one sitting when they know they will be alone.

The same issues with self esteem are very apparent in this illness and the shame the binge eater feels at eating beyond their own bodies calorific needs leads of a cycle of yet more comfort eating. Much like the compulsive sufferer the binge eater will not purge but rather keeps the calories. The only reason they are not generally as large as the compulsive disorder sufferers is they binge less frequently.

Anorexia and Bulimia are both serious eating disorders, but they are often confused. While they are similar in some ways, they also have some distinct differences. If you’re worried that someone you love may have an eating disorder, you might need some more information before talking to them about it.

Anorexia vs Bulimia: definitions

Anorexia sufferers keep themselves from eating in order to lose weight. They can’t see their bodies the way they really are, to the point that stick-thin anorexics look in the mirror and see only fat. Their response to this distorted body image is discipline. They force themselves to dramatically reduce the amount of food they eat. They starve themselves. If you know someone who eats only tiny amounts of food and makes frequent and insecure comments about weight, they may be anorexic.

Bulimia sufferers have the same complex about body and weight issues, but address the “problem” differently. They binge and purge. This means that they eat large amounts of food and then expel it from their bodies before it truly converts into energy (or in their minds – fat). Bulimics often purge by forcing themselves to vomit, either by gagging themselves or taking a substance that will induce vomiting. A small number of bulimics use laxatives or other means to expel their food.

Anorexia vs Bulimia: detecting the signs

Anorexia is often easier to detect than bulimia, because its symptoms are more difficult to hide. Anorexics lose weight quickly. They often wear baggy clothes to conceal their weight loss, and passionately defend their right to decide what and when to eat. They avoid social situations that might make them eat, like Thanksgiving dinners, parties, or family get-togethers.

Bulimia sufferers have similar body issues but have a “better” system of hiding their behaviors. They purge secretly, and many bulimics maintain a body weight that is slightly more or less than their ideal body weight. The lack of dramatic weight loss doesn’t mean that their condition is any less dangerous. Vital minerals and nutrients are drained from their bodies, and regular vomiting causes serious respiratory and dental problems. In any case of Anorexia vs Bulimia – Bulimia is more difficult to detect.

Anorexia vs Bulimia: Prognosis

Anorexia and Bulimia are both serious eating disorders with frighteningly low recovery rates. Many people live with these conditions and struggle for many years. Recovery is possible and sufferers do find balance and cultivate better relationships with food, but it is not easy. The key is investigating all of the techniques and options for recovery, and finding the one that works best for you or your loved one.