Anorexia and Bulimia are terrifying diseases. Both of them have one thing in common, the desperation to loose weight. It may start out as an occasional thing like not eating a day or two to fit in a dress for a date the next day, or wanting to look good for the beach, but they turn into obsessions that can lead to sickness and death.
Anorexia is when a person will deny themselves the privilege of eating because they look at themselves as fat and have an extreme fear that they will gain an excessive amount of weight. Anorexia occurs more in women than in men and usually occurs in young adults. On average a person suffering with this mental disease will not eat at all, or will only consume six hundred to eight hundred calories a day, they will exercise excessively, and may take a large amount of laxatives to clean out their system.
People suffering from this disease continue to do so because they still think of themselves as fat and extremely overweight. They often times get very sick. If you are worried someone you care about may be suffering from anorexia look for signs. Common symptoms include: not wanting to eat in public, weakness, obsessive calorie counting, hiding or discarding food, wearing baggy clothes, and constantly talking about their weight. This disease will turn people into walking skeletons and can lead to death. Its kills ten percent of people that have it every year.
Bulimia is an illness in which a person will eat large amounts of food (binging) and will continue to eat because these people feel a loss in control. When they feel that they can not control what they are putting into their mouths they take matters into their own hands and will make themselves vomit or abuse laxatives to prevent weight gain. A person that suffers from this disease may also suffer from anorexia. They have the same common symptoms except when a person has this disease will often go to the bathroom after meals, and buy large amounts of food that will disappear right away. The disease also affects more women than men.
These diseases will starve the muscles and create a lot more health risks. Your heart is a muscle and can shrink in size. It will cause death. Some health problems it can cause is osteoporosis, neurological problems, diabetes, and multi-organ failure. It can also lead to infertility. Most people with the disease may also commit suicide due to the effects on their psychological state.
These diseases are serious and often are found in people that have very low self-esteem. They will not recognize their weight loss and will always continue to view themselves as overweight. Treatment is available for these diseases and should be taken seriously. These people may feel like their life is in a spiral and the only thing they can control is what they put into their mouths. This may be the leading cause of this disease, but no one is really sure. An eating disorder can occur in anyone. They are serious and should be treated right away. If you know someone suffering from these diseases, or you yourself is suffering from the disease. Get help now (800)-445-1900!! 
Written by: Kendra McCracken
Sources:
Http://www.euronet.nl/~jonkr/, Ron Jonk-. "Eating Disorders - Complications of Anorexia." University of Maryland Medical Center | Home. 21 Jan. 2009. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/how_serious_anorexia_nervosa_000049_5.htm.
"PubMed Health - Bulimia." Bulimia. 1 Feb. 2010. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001381.
Mama's Health. "Anorexia: What Is It, Symptoms, What Causes It, What Are the Medical Risks, Treatment, Prevention." MamasHealth.com: Simple, Easy to Understand Information about Health. 2000-2011. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. http://www.mamashealth.com/anorexia.asp.
Good topic that is more common than we think. I noticed a grammar error in the second sentence. Loose instead of lose? Look forward to reading your next one.
ReplyDeleteCary
Kendra,
ReplyDeleteI noticed two grammar errors, but other than that it looks good. This is an intense yet important topic. I don't think anyone realizes how common this is due to the fact that people suffering from these diseases are usually pretty good at hiding it. Nice job and I can't wait to read more.
Samantha Cribbs
Thank you both. Yea it should have been loose instead of lose. I do feel it is a very important topic that many people struggle with. I look forward to hearing your feedback throughout this blogging process.
ReplyDeleteKendra McCracken
Princess Diana had this disorder and she was one of the first of any well known people to write about it. Prince Charles was shocked when she would eat large amounts of food and throw up. She eventually got over it with exercise classes and a healthy diet, I remember reading.
ReplyDeleteRuth Hall
This is a very serious topic and glad you picked something so serious. It provides good information and a good outlook upon these "diseases". Very informational.
ReplyDeleteAlison
This was a very good blog! I feel like you hit on all of the issues with these diseases. I also feel like many don't see anorexia and bulimia as disease and like how it is addressed as a very serious disease in your blog.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Stickney
Thank you all, my friend struggles with this and I think it is very important. She has been doing better but she still struggles. Im glad you all liked it. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteKendra McCracken
I know the feeling...my two month old struggles everday to keep her formula down...my first is "normal" now but just know they aren't little forever and in time they will get better...Look at it as a learning experience. All the best.
ReplyDeleteAli
Kendra,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! This is a very serious disease that I think most people take lightly because they feel it's not that important.
Suzanna Harmening
Kendra, you address two very serious illnesses here and give great advice for people who may have a loved one suffering with one or the other. I also thought the photos were very thought-provoking. I would have loved to see some in-text citations, so the reader could tell which of these sources offered what information. Overall though, this is a great start to posting. I look forward to your future posts. Great comments, too, everyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks yes, my cousins baby also struggles to keep her food down, but the main point I wanted to get a cross is that it is a serious illness. I hope that everyone out there can get the help that they need. A current update is that my friend is doing better she has gained about four and a half pounds and is getting better. Thank you all for the feedback.
ReplyDeleteKendra McCracken