Anorexia nervosa is sometimes known as the "starvation sickness." Preoccupied of food, weight, and thinness, individuals suffering from anorexia refuse their hunger and refuse to eat-even after severe fat loss.

As they consume too few calories for their basic needs, their bodies slowly waste away. By starving themselves, people with anorexia don't get the nutrients they require for regular bodily functions.

Bulimia nervosa is marked by binge consuming and purging (self-induced vomiting).

The person gorges, usually on high-calorie foods, and then intentionally vomits or uses laxatives or diuretics. A diuretic increases urine production. The consequences are severe: dehydration, organ damage, internal bleeding from the stress of vomiting, tooth decay from acids in vomit, and in some cases, death.

Many people with these consuming disorders alternate between anorexia and bulimia. Reports indicate that 60 % of individuals who have dieted extensively or starved themselves resort to bingeing, and then purging to maintain their fat off. When does an eating disorder begin? Generally it begins with an ordinary weight-loss diet, begun either just before or after a major life change or trauma.

Nevertheless, there's no clear understanding of the exact causes. We do know, nevertheless, that consuming disorders are more than food problems. The person's whole life- schoolwork or career, family life, day-to-day patterns, emotions, growth, overall health-gets wrapped up within the consuming issues.

Who's at Danger for Anorexia and Bulimia? Individuals of almost any age and either gender might develop an consuming disorder. However, some groups of individuals are much more at danger than others.

1. Females clearly are the most susceptible. Actually, approximately 95 percent of all people with
anorexia are women.
2. Adolescents are at particular danger. Estimates indicate that as numerous as one of every 250 teenage girls will develop at least some symptoms of anorexia.
3. Athletes for example dancers and gymnasts, who must control their fat, are susceptible.
4. Consuming disorders are being increasingly identified in males, as well as in adults and even in children
as young as eight, nine, and ten years old.

The warning signs:

Eating disorders create warning signs. If you or someone you know shows any combination of these
symptoms, be concerned! People with anorexia might:

1. Consume tiny portions, refuse to eat, and deny they are hungry.
2. Show abnormal fat loss-as much as 15 percent or more of body weight-or a big weight
loss in a short time.
3. Act hyperactive, depressed, moody, or insecure.
4. Have an intense fear of becoming fat.
5. See themselves as fat, wanting to lose much more weight, even when they are really thin.
6. Exercise excessively and compulsively.
7. Suffer from constipation or irregular menstrual periods.
8. Develop fine, downy hair on their arms and face.
9. Complain of nausea or bloating after eating normal amounts of foods.
10. Binge-eat, then purge, perhaps by vomiting or using laxatives or diuretics.

People with bulimia may:

1. Eat mainly in private.
2. Disappear after eating-often towards the bathroom.
3. Show great fluctuations in fat, and may be of regular weight or be overweight.
4. Feel out of manage when consuming.
5. Eat enormous meals but not gain weight.
6. Feel ashamed and depressed after gorging.
7. Have swollen parotid glands. The parotid glands, located near the ears, are one kind of salivary
glands.
8. Encounter irregular menstrual periods.
9. Binge-eat, then purge.
10. Abuse alcohol or drugs.
11. Become dependent on laxatives, diuretics, emetics, or diet pills to lose fat. Emetics such as
syrup of ipecac induce vomiting.
12. Develop dental difficulties caused by acid from vomiting. Acids eat away at tooth enamel.

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