Date: Monday Mar. 12, 2012 9:52 AM ET

TORONTO — Parents who have a child with an eating disorder can go through a whole host of problems themselves — they feel guilty, anxious and ashamed that they can’t seem to help their child, say the authors of a new book.

“It’s a very challenging kind of an illness,” said Dr. Ahmed Boachie, program director of the Eating Disorder Program at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont.

“There are a lot of myths and misconceptions. so many, many times even some of us physicians don’t seem to get the illness — the nature of it and why people refuse to eat.”

Boachie and Dr. Karin Jasper, co-authors of “A Parent’s Guide to Defeating Eating Disorders” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), bring years of expertise to the topic. Boachie said the subtitle refers to spotting a stealth bomber because an eating disorder can do damage before you know it’s there — it’s hard to detect on radar.

Parents should watch for a sudden change in the child’s relationship with the family, especially related to food — for example, suddenly making excuses about why she can’t be there at meals or saying “I’m not hungry, I’ll eat when I get to school,” Boachie said.

“Sometimes as they lose weight they become depressed and they isolate themselves from friends and they rationalize that, you know, ‘I need to take time to study,’ and they become alone, and you see them going on Internet sites and talking more about food.”

if a child protests before eating a meal and rushes to the washroom immediately after eating, a parent should be suspicious of intentions to throw up, he said.

other indicators could be a tendency to wear loose clothes, complaints of feeling cold or tired all the time, or even hair falling out.

“You better go to the family physician as soon as possible,” Boachie advised. “Every single day they delay getting the diagnosis and treatment, it’s not a good outcome.”

Jasper said it’s possible the doctor won’t recognize an eating disorder because symptoms can mimic some other kinds of illnesses, especially in the early stages.

“So it may be that the family doctor picks up that the child is depressed and sends the child to a psychiatrist to see about that, or it may be that he thinks the child is just having some dieting problems and sends her to the dietitian to get some advice about her food intake,” she said.

Bonnie Munslow of Aurora, Ont., struggled to figure out what was wrong when her daughter Sarah complained of stomach problems in Grade 8 or 9.

“She was having a hard time eating breakfast in the morning. We thought she was lactose intolerant so we were buying lactose-free milk and lactose pills and then she was avoiding cheese. That’s the way things started up, as far as we recall,” Munslow said.

Sarah’s concerned mother took her to the family doctor a number of times, thinking there might be intolerance to gluten, or a problem like Crohn’s disease related to the digestive system.

“And in that time period, which was probably a couple months, Sarah also started fainting, and of course we were very alarmed.”

the physician saw a loss of 15 pounds over several months, and asked Munslow if Sarah was dieting.

“Our family doctor was convinced that it was an eating disorder and Sarah wasn’t being forthcoming about it with the doctor, or us at all. It’s a very, very secretive disease.”

Eventually, Sarah “came clean” and received treatment that included a nine-week stay in hospital, Munslow said.

Jasper noted that a recent study found only eight per cent of family physicians surveyed, and 26 per cent of psychologists surveyed, said they had the tools necessary to diagnose and treat eating disorders.

Boachie said it’s often an independent, smart kid who listens to everybody and does homework who can develop an eating disorder, and the child or teen doesn’t want to give up their independence or admit to a problem.

Jasper said parents need to trust their own gut feelings.

“Many parents that we’ve talked to say that they’ve had to go several times back to the doctor to insist on having the child assessed again.”

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by deliberate weight loss, while bulimia nervosa involves repeated bouts of overeating and purging. Boachie says about five per cent of Canadians will develop eating disorders. among kids and teens, the incidence is zero to one per cent for anorexia, and around three to five per cent for bulimia, he said.

at Southlake, patients are interviewed and fill in questionnaires, and if physical complications are at a minimum, they begin therapy which usually involves family members.

But Boachie acknowledged there aren’t enough treatment programs in Canada.

“For every one that we get to a treatment centre, there will be more than 10 of them who will be out there without anybody pulling them up. We don’t have enough resources, and they quickly become overwhelmed.”

Left untreated, an eating disorder can result in serious medical complications, Jasper said.

“About up to 20 per cent of people with eating disorders will die, half of those as a result of the complications of the eating disorder, and about half from suicide,” she warned.

As for Sarah, now age 19, Munslow said she still sees Boachie, a psychiatrist, once every few months for a chat and to be weighed.

“She beat it. It’s always going to be in the back of her mind, and she says that. But coming with maturity and going through all the therapy that she did, hopefully there won’t be any relapses.”

Bulimia is an eating disorder. People with bulimia usually have a normal weight, but perceive themselves to be fat. or they may feel intense guilt or self-disgust when they eat. These feelings are so strong that people with bulimia throw up much of the food they eat.

Bulimia is not exclusively caused by the changes of puberty, nor is it exclusive to women. Although 90 percent of bulimia cases occur in women, and most of these women begin to eat and vomit in their mid- to late-teens, bulimia nervosa can stem from diverse causes. Bulimia nervosa is obsessive compulsive disorder of eating. the person suffering from this disorder has the tendency to consume big amount of food in a short span of time.

Effects of bulimia can be divided into long term and short term side effects. also you can then subdivide the side effects of bulimia to correspond with the system or the organs bulimia affects: e.g. psychological problems, mental, gastro-intestinal, cardio-vascular system, kidney, skin, bones and hormonal problems.

Bulimia treatments should be followed strictly, if possible it must start from the early stages of the condition. Early treatment is very important, because if a person tries to delay in treating this eating disorder, excessive eating behavior pattern might further become more deeply ingrained and harder to change.

Nutritional Therapy is yet another way to treat Bulimia Nervosa. in this type of therapy, dieticians and other health care providers offer information about a healthy diet. at times, they even help in designing a proper eating plan to achieve a healthy weight and healthy-eating habits.

Bulimia may be caused by a genetic component. Certain genes may predispose a person to developing bulimia. Bulimia appears to run in families—people with relatives suffering from bulimia have a higher frequency of developing bulimia. This may, however, have more to do with family influences and role models than genetics.

Bulimia affects people’s mental and emotional well-being. These problems can come directly from bulimia, or bulimia may be a response to the other problems. People with bulimia may be tired and unable to perform at peak levels from the mental and physical stress bulimia puts on the mind and body.

Bulimia often begins with a dissatisfaction of the person’s body. the individual may actually be underweight, but when that person looks in a mirror they see a distorted image and feel heavier than they really are. at first, this distorted body image leads to dieting.

Bulimia nervosa can cause constipation, diarrhea, and other intestinal problems. the acidic content of vomit damages the teeth and the esophagus. it can also cause stomach ulcers and sores inside the mouth. it can even cause the stomach to rupture.

Physical symptoms of bulimia are observed only after a longer period, while psychological indicators can be seen relatively early. the eating self-abuse is usually kept secret by the patient, a fact which makes identification of bulimia even harder. the person suffering from bulimia eating disorder problems will show fatigue and a general state of weakness. with women, loss of menstrual cycles was often observed, as a consequence of the bulimia eating disorder.

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A study found 1.5 per 200?000 British children under 10 had anorexia. Photograph: David Sillitoe for the Guardian

symptoms ofMore children have anorexia than previously though?More than two and a half times as many children under 10 have anorexia nervosa as previously thought? according to the first study into eating disorders among British children.

On average? 1.5 in every 200?000 British children under 10 have anorexia? according to experts from the UCL (University College London) Institute of Child Health? who carried out the research.

Direct comparison with previous UK data is limited but a general practice registry study in the early 1990s found an incidence estimate of 0.6 per 200?000 for anorexia among children aged up to nine.

The findings have shocked experts? who called for urgent action to help save young lives. there are no national paediatric guidelines for the care of individuals with eating disorders.

Recognition of eating disorders in children by GPs can be poor and? unfortunately? many eating disorder services are aimed specifically at adolescents? said Dr Dasha Nicholls? a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the UCL Institute of Child Health and the studys lead researcher.

Childhood eating disorders are not quick or easy to treat. for a minority of children it may be the start of a severe and enduring illness? with death rates comparable to some forms of leukaemia.

Early-onset eating disorders defined as those starting before 13 years of age represent a significant clinical burden to paediatric and mental health services. Efforts to improve early detection are needed but our study also shows there is an urgent need to consider the needs of children with eating disorders separately and not simply lower the age range of existing adolescent services? said Nicholls.

Most of the 208 patients in Nichollss study were girls 82% but boys accounted for almost one in five cases.

More than 80% of the children in the study? to be published in the British Journal of Psychiatry? had an anorexia-like illness: 37% had diagnosable symptoms while 43% were classified as having an unspecified eating disorder because although they showed symptoms of anorexia they were not underweight. Only 4% had bulimia.

An additional one in five children had symptoms of disordered eating? such as food avoidance and being underweight? but did not have a preoccupation with their weight or shape.

Half were admitted to hospital? over 70% of whom had anorexia. after a year? almost two thirds were still receiving treatment. 73% had improved but 6% were worse and 10% unchanged.

Almost 44% of the children had a close family member with a history of mental illness? most commonly anxiety or depression. another fifth had a history of early feeding problems? particularly fussy or picky eating.

Studies suggest that although the incidence of eating disorders has been fairly static over the past few decades? anorexia is being diagnosed among children in increasingly younger age groups.

Data on the rate and outcome of early-onset eating disorders is sparse. The National Inpatient Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Survey found that eating disorders were the most common diagnosis among child and adolescent psychiatric in-patients in England and Wales? 9.2% of whom were under 13.

The survey? however? did not include children on paediatric wards. ours are the first published data on the scale of paediatric resource used by this patient group in the British Isles? said Nicholls.

Previous research from the NHS Information Centre has found that children aged 14 to 16 account for one in every three patients treated in hospital for an eating disorder? an 11% rise on the 2?316 cases recorded for the previous 12 months.

The centres data? however? found only a small number of 10-year-olds diagnosed with conditions including anorexia and bulimia.

A 1999 Office for National Statistics study found 0.3% of 11- to 15-year-olds had an eating disorder? with no one in the five- to 10-year-old age group.

The new study found wide variation in confidence among paediatricians over how to treat children. this study provides the baseline figures needed to determine whether increases in hospitalisation rates are real or perceived? and can aid planning of age-appropriate services? said Nicholls.

Because the new study gives the first estimate of the incidence of early-onset eating disorders? Nicholls said she was unable to say if there hsymptoms of bulimiaas been a rise in this group. But we hope our research can be used as a baseline from which to monitor future trends? she added.

The findings have galvanised concern that societys obsession with physical appearance is making children become body-conscious at an increasingly early age. Blame has been placed on everything from poor parenting to the media and websites such as Facebook.

When Miranda turned eight? her parents took her to a pizza parlour to celebrate. for any other child? it would have been a common enough treat. But for Miranda ?????????? ????? the trip was nothing short of momentous as it signified a return to health.

Now 11? Miranda finds it hard to remember why? at seven? she developed an eating disorder so severe that she stopped eating and drinking and ended up almost 10kg underweight? with a body mass index (BMI) of 12.5. (A BMI of under 18.5 is officially underweight.)

I remember living in a clinic with other children. None of us could eat normally? she said. I was there for five months. they said I had food avoidance emotional disorder. I dont know where it came from but in my diary? I said it was like having a pixie in my tummy. The pixie was like the devil. when I wanted to eat? the pixie would fight me. At the beginning? in my diary? I said the pixie was stronger than me. But then I got stronger than him. I remember it being like he got smaller and I got bigger. The pixies not in my tummy any more. I hope he never comes back.

What is Zeitgeist? Zeitgeist is an experiment in showing trending news? topics and articles from the Guardian. Find out more in our blog post.

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Fears grow over care of mentally ill as GPs say they dont want the job

Family doctors feel unready to order mental health services? polls find

Teenage girls on diets more likely to suffer eating disorders

Teenage girls who diet even moderately are five times more likely to develop a serious eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia? according to research published today in the British Medical Journal.

Stacey Kole is a lot of things: a former teen beauty pageant winner and, as Miss Arizona, a top-six finalist in the Miss USA pageant in 1998.

things were beautiful and successful for her at the surface, but below that there was one thing she was not: secure.

In an address in front of 500 attendees at Emens Auditorium Monday night, Kole presented her personal account of a struggle with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, detailed the specifics of two eating disorders, and shared her realization of complete recovery from a potentially life-threatening disorder.

Kole began with a clip from the movie “Miss Congeniality” to help attendees evaluate their impressions of pageants and pageant contestants. She then recounted how her self-image was battered by interactions with fellow contestants at the 1998 Miss USA pageant in Louisiana.

“As contestants, we had talked big to one another about ourselves, but deep inside we were all so insecure,” Kole said. “Even the most perfect people by society’s standards feel insignificant.”

Kole admitted feeling “insecure ever since I can remember.”

her search for significance led to a bout with anorexia that developed at age 16.

“My once very directed life seemed aimless,” Kole said.

She cited national statistics that 8 million to 10 million Americans – 90 percent of them women – suffer from eating disorders. three of the four women in her college suite, including her, had battled eating disorders, she said.

“That was when I realized I had to take some action,” Kole said.

Kole has researched and advocated eating disorder education and prevention for the past decade. a Biola University graduate, she also received a master’s degree in Biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary.

An expert on eating disorders, Kole has written two books on the subject and received the Phoenix Sun’s Quality of Life Award for her work.

She has worked with Congresspeople to pass eating disorder legislation and recently spoke at Sen. Harry Reid’s national symposium on eating disorders.

Kole detailed symptoms and preventative and coping measures of both bulimia and anorexia. She reminded her audience not to discount the effects of another often-overlooked disorder, compulsive over-eating disorder, and that eating disorders can also affect men. Ten percent of men have such a disorder.

“There are a lot of people with bulimia or anorexia who don’t fit the stringent criteria,” Kole said.

Kole cited a study that anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, possibly as high as 20 percent. Bulimia is also potentially life-threatening, she said.

Kole said the two reasons for eating disorder development are cultural pressure and emotional vulnerability.

She suggested that people should educate themselves then talk to a loved one in a supportive manner if they suspect he or she has a disorder. Persistence is key, she said.

“Ninety-two percent of eating disorder sufferers said in a study that they would welcome help,” Kole said.

Kole said the turning point in her struggle came during a counseling session. She hearkened back to her fourth-grade teacher’s personal motto, the verse John 10:10 from the Bible: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

“Eating disorders are not so much about having empty stomachs as having empty hearts and souls,” Kole said. “So few people are living full lives and are without purpose.”

Kole described how coming to know Jesus Christ as her personal savior restored meaning to her existence.

Kole was able to gain complete recovery from her disorder by accepting God’s loving provision for her life, and she gained all the fullness she needed through him, she said.

“For the first time, I had hope. someone loved me unconditionally,” Kole said. “My soul found its worth through a relationship with God.”

She left her audience with a parting message directly from her teacher’s favorite Bible verse: “Live life – to the full.”

Kole’s presentation directly affected some audience members.

“I related to her because I have had problems with both bulimia and anorexia,” freshman Erin Marie Whitacre said. “She was honest, and her gospel presentation was truthful.”

others also saw the talk as having a genuine impact.

“I liked that she covered satisfying a starving soul, adding the gospel for an effective presentation,” sophomore Kaitlyn Snyder said.

Sophomore Medea Curry said, “I liked how she incorporated the gospel into her talk.”

After the presentation, Kole reverberated the reason for her redemption.

“There is hope for people struggling with eating disorders and self-image issues,” she said. “I found my hope through a relationship with God.”

Kole is a national speaker who regularly travels to colleges, high schools and women’s groups to speak. her talk was sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ, Greek Life, Student Government Association, and Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi and Delta Zeta sororities.

The issue of pregnant women with eating disorders has perhaps never crossed the minds of many, but that’s exactly why Dr. Brenda Broussard considers her research to be extremely important.

During her presentation last Friday, she explained that this issue flies under the radar for a number of reasons, the main one being that people with eating disorders often struggle to find the right opportunity to discuss the problem with their doctors.

“If someone has had an eating disorder for a long time, they’re often waiting for someone to ask them about it,” she said.

many of the women in her study were relieved to finally be able to face their issues head-on and to have someone listening to what they had to say.

if mothers either don’t get the chance or simply choose not to discuss their eating disorders during the pregnancy screening process, then it’s likely that the issue will go unaddressed.

“Also, if it gives the impression that you’re doing something harmful to your baby, then you might not be willing to talk about it,” said Broussard.

she began looking into this issue after receiving her bachelor’s degree at the University of Washington and got a job at Swedish Medical Center. she already knew a great deal about eating disorders at the time and was working primarily in labor and delivery at Swedish. Naturally, she decided to combine the two areas of study and attempted to obtain a research grant from the National Institute of Health. unfortunately, she claims to have been rather rudely rejected by NIH and had to limit her early research to eating disorders alone.

it wasn’t until later that she was able to focus on what she believed to be a serious issue: the combination of pregnancy and eating disorders. she received a small research grant from the Seattle University College of Nursing and has already completed a good portion of her study.

During her early days at Swedish, she noticed that many pregnant women’s health records did not mention a history of eating disorders even if the women later admitted in the midst of postpartum depression that such a history did, in fact, exist. These findings indicate that the problem might rest in the screening process, and pregnant women with eating disorders either aren’t asked about it, are asked about it in such a way that they don’t feel comfortable bringing it up or are simply too embarrassed to discuss the matter.

Surprisingly, Bulimia Nervosa in particular is not a weight-loss issue. Therefore, if the problem isn’t addressed early on, then the physician might not notice peculiarities.

“They look their normal weight,” she said (of women with bulimia), “or even a bit ‘fluffier’ than usual.”

As of yet, her research is mainly focused on numbers snf how many of these women exhibit eating disorder symptoms, how many have been formally diagnosed, how many breast feed, how long they might refrain from their harmful behaviors during pregnancy. But she’s really interested in what can be done to better this situation.

to sum up her concerns, she said, “It looks to me like many women show symptoms of eating disorders and aren’t having their needs met during pregnancy.”

There were several nurses and nurse practitioners at the discussion and many of them agreed with Broussard’s points. it was mentioned that the effectiveness of the screening process has a lot to do with how the questions are asked. For example, a woman might not claim to be bulimic if she has never been formally diagnosed. It’s also something that needs to be asked about and then checked in on frequently.

much of the audience agreed that Broussard still has a lot of work to do. she has written an article on her earlier findings that is currently under review by a journal, but she plans to continue raising awareness as her body of work expands.

Cameron may be reached at

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder. Anorexia Nervosa treatment and recovery is possible in a specialized treatment center.Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by extremely low body weight, distorted body image and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. this is more common in young adults, especially females. these young adults are consumed by an excessive desire to be thin and starve themselves in an effort to cope with overwhelming emotions. Anorexia can have dangerous health implications if untreated and may even cause death. it is important therefore to start treatment as early as possible, so the person has the best chance of recovery.

Anorexia can be difficult to diagnose in the affected persons as most of these people are in a state of self denial about their condition. it is only when they start showing symptoms like drastic weight reduction, depression, spells of dizziness and vomiting and general food aversion, that their loved ones become aware of their affliction. Some Anorexics may be more aware of their disorder but struggle to seek help due to the self hate and shame associated with the disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa treatment and recovery is possible in a specialized treatment center. There is a need for individualized treatment as each person has different underlying causes for the disorder. Treatment must include medical and weight stabilization along with psychotherapy, as the underlying causes of these eating disorders must be explored and resolved. Group therapy is also required along with medication management. the family of the affected person should be included in the treatment process to identify family dynamics that contributed to the development and maintenance of the disorder. Regular follow up and outpatient therapy is essential to prevent relapse of Anorexia.

Treatment centers offer various levels of care including outpatient, day treatment or residential care depending on the severity of the disorder.

To recover, someone with anorexia needs to:

-Maintain a healthy body weight-Normalize eating habits-Relinquish eating disorder identity and eating disorder thoughts-Develop new ways to self sooth and self-regulate-Have an increased ability to access social support from family and friends.

Anorexia Treatment – what is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia Nervosa or Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by self starvation, restriction of food intake, or calories, and sometimes excessive weight loss. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. it is a refusal to maintain a normal body weight for ones height. it is an intense fear of gaining weight or being fat, despites sometimes significant weight loss. Some women cease to have menstrual cycles. often there is an extreme concern with body weight shape a size. the person with anorexia may initially begin dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight loss becomes an illusion of mastery and control. it can become an obsession and is similar to drug addiction. the anorexic loses perspective of their appearance because they have distorted opinions about their self image. No amount of dieting or starvation can satisfy their desire to be thin.

Anorexia Signs & Symptoms

Of all the psychological disorders, Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate. many of the symptoms of Anorexia can have life threatening consequences. Some of the sufferers will have some but not necessarily all of the following symptoms:

* Restricting caloric intake to less than needed to maintain healthy ideal body weight* Following a severely limited diet even if underweight* Forced vomiting or other compensatory behaviors like laxative use, diuretic use or compulsive exercise* Absence of menstrual cycles for three or more consecutive months* fear of eating in social places or in front of others* Increased isolation and depressive symptoms* Relentless pursuit of thinness* Obsessive thinking and talking about weight, shape, size, appearance, or food* Rituals around body checking, exercise, or food* Loss of interest in activities and relationships* Body dissatisfaction, body image distortion* Chewing and spitting as an attempt to control weight* taking in excessive amounts of fluid or restricting fluid intake* Use or abuse of diet pills, herbal supplements, or teas

Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

Castlewood Treatment Center is a residential treatment center for people suffering from eating disorders. Castlewood provides an individualized treatment approach to meet the precise needs of each client. we look underneath the symptoms as a way to understand the function of the disorder in the client’s life. Here you can experience emotional and physical healing at the hands of experienced specialists in psychiatry, body image, internal family systems, family therapy, healthy nutrition and more.

Unique but Effective Treatment Strategy

The treatment of Anorexia nervosa at Castlewood is a unique therapeutic experience. Qualified licensed, specialists work with clients to help them regain control over symptoms, resolve trauma, and allow them to develop skills throughout the varying levels of care. the small nurturing environment of ten residential clients allows for personal care and attention. our entire staff is trained in Internal Family Systems therapy which allows healing to occur in and outside the therapy sessions.

We will:

* Find out the underlying issues that led to the onset of anorexia nervosa and help to resolve those issues* help the patient identify healthier ways to cope* Encourage the participation of the family in the treatment process* Provide a continuum of care, so that clients can practice dealing with everyday life situations while still in treatment* Provide continuing aftercare once his/her stay at Castlewood is over* help launch or support them into their transition to college, job, or relationships

Press Release Source: A place of Hope.com on Wednesday December 29, 2010, 6:00 am EST

EDMONDS, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Caring Online, an online resource for eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, provides a free eating disorder survey, among other self-assessment tools, that helps survey takers determine whether they might have an eating disorder.

The survey consists of 101 questions and value statements about users’ eating habits and feelings toward food as well as their mental and physical health. Survey items include “Are you obsessed or preoccupied with what you are eating and with dieting?” and “I feel I must do things perfectly or not at all.” those taking the survey are asked to indicate how often they experience these feelings or engage in these behaviors or to what extent they agree or disagree with these statements.

“The survey is designed to help those who might be suffering from an eating disorder realize that they might have a troubled relationship with food and encourage them to seek the proper treatment,” said Dr. Gregory Jantz, author of the best-selling “Hope, Help and Healing for Eating Disorders” and founder of A place of Hope, a whole-person treatment center for eating disorders.

after submitting the confidential survey, each user is given a score that indicates the likelihood that an eating disorder is present based on the answers provided in the survey. Users are also given the option to have a representative from A place of Hope contact them with more information about treatment options.

in addition to the survey, Caringonline.com provides a wealth of resources on eating disorders, including a list of symptoms, treatment options, news and studies, as well as recommendations for informative books, videos, magazines and other websites on the subject.

To take the eating disorder survey or to get more information about eating disorders, please visit Caringonline.com.

Studies show that one percent of all teenage girls and young women in their 20s will develop anorexia nervosa, and that 10 to 15% of those girls will die due to complications from this condition. some men develop this condition as well, usually teenage boys.

Anorexia nervosa can be treated, and about three quarters of all anorexia patients will find that their conditions will improve through long-term treatment, although only about 40% of patients make a full recovery. With the proper psychological counseling and a healthy diet, patients can regain their weight and go on to live healthy lives. much like alcoholism and drug addiction, anorexia nervosa is a condition that will stay with patients for life, but they can learn how to control it.

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that causes the sufferer to believe that they are overweight, no matter how thin they are. Because of their perceived body image, they do a number of things to control their weight, including heavy dieting and exercising, to the point of often being grossly underweight. in fact, most Anorexia Nervosa patients are underweight by at least 15%.

There are various symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa, including excessive diet and exercise, heavy use of laxatives and binging and purging (also known as bulimia), and if not treated, these symptoms can often lead to a host of serious health conditions and eventually, death. many Anorexia Nervosa patients can be treated on an out-patient basis, but there are also patients who need in-patient care because their condition has gotten to the point where they need to be hospitalized.

Facts about Anorexia Nervosa

If you notice that a friend or family member seems to be losing an excessive amount of weight, exercises far too frequently and doesn’t seem to be eating much, there may be cause for concern, as these are all signs that this person may be an anorexic and needs to seek treatment. Here are some more facts about Anorexia Nervosa:

- low blood pressure and an abnormal heart rate are symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa, and some sufferers have been known to develop heart conditions and even have heart attacks.

- Anorexics tend to have more cavities and their tooth enamel erodes. this is especially visible in bulimics because of the stomach acid that is brought up during regurgitation.

- Anorexia Nervosa sufferers often experience kidney troubles and even kidney failure.

- Anorexia Nervosa can result in osteoarthritis and other health conditions.

- Female anorexics may experience irregular periods, or even no periods at all.

Protein Supplements as part of an Anorexia Nervosa Treatment Plan

One of the ways that a patient can get back on the right track to good health is through a healthy, well-balanced diet, which includes plenty of protein. in the beginning of the patient’s treatment, one of the most difficult hurdles to get past will be getting him or her to eat. this is where liquid protein supplements can come into play and are often recommended by physicians. yes, the patient still has to deal with the idea of putting calories into their bodies, but they are drinking those calories. it may seem like the same thing, but the act of drinking instead of eating has a psychological effect.

Protein supplements come in a number of forms, and can be purchased as ready-to-drink beverages or added to homemade shakes, smoothies and slushies. these are tasty drinks that patients can use to help gain weight, build, and repair muscles and improve their condition, thereby improving their health in general. there are also protein bars and snacks as well as protein capsules.

Liquid Protein Supplements for High Protein/Calorie/Carb/Fat Diets

Protein supplements are often used in the treatment of many illnesses and other health issues, and when patients have difficulties eating solid food or, like anorexics, do not want to eat solid food, liquid protein supplements are perfect meal replacements.

There are a number of ready-made liquid protein supplement beverages available on the market today, and you can find them in health food stores, along with many pharmacies, department stores, and supermarkets. these supplements come in a variety of delicious flavors, including chocolate and vanilla, and provide the protein that patients need, as well as a number of essential vitamins and nutrients.

Many liquid supplements are made from whey, which is a milk derivative and comes from the cheese-making process. Whey protein is considered to be a complete protein, because it contains all eight essential and all 14 non-essential amino-acids. People who are allergic to milk products or who are lactose intolerant should read the ingredients carefully to avoid liquid protein supplements that are made with whey. other options that they can use include soy, another complete protein, and rice, which is also hypoallergenic. both soy and rice proteins are also great options for vegetarians.

Using Powdered Protein Supplements for Weight Gain

Powdered protein supplements are another great choice for weight-gain diets. if the patient will eat some solid foods, unflavored protein powders can be added to a number of recipes for added protein and other nutrients. Or if the patient is not ready to begin eating solid foods, there are loads of delicious shakes, smoothies, and slushies that can be made at home, which incorporate protein powders and other delicious ingredients such as berries, yogurt, milk, and fruit juice that are packed with protein and loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Protein Capsules for Severe Cases

There are many cases where patients have extreme difficulties overcoming the effects of Anorexia Nervosa, especially the psychological ones. these patients, no matter how sick they are, still refuse to eat. Before drastic steps have to be taken and the patients are put on intravenous, there is one more option when it comes to protein supplements. Protein capsules have no fat or calories for the patient to be concerned with, and they can be taken with water, which also has no fat, calories or carbohydrates. this way, even if they are not getting food, they are at least getting protein.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey liquid protein for weight loss surgery patients. you can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

Tags: bariatric surgery, bodybuilding, cancer, diabetes, diet, exercise, fitness, liquid protein, nutrition, protein supplement, supplement, weight loss, weight loss surgery

this entry was posted on Sunday, December 26th, 2010 at 12:43 pm and is filed under cancer. you can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. you can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Based on their experience, over and over again, ovarian cancer survivors say that they are the experts of the deadly and low-profile disease.

• “My ovarian cancer wasn’t caught by my doctor for months even though I complained about many problems that I later learned were symptoms of ovarian cancer,” says one survivor.
• “I was misdiagnosed for many months,” complain several other survivors.
• “I was told I had kidney stones.”
• “I was told to drink cranberry juice for bladder problems.”
• “I was told I had an eating disorder.”
• “I was told I was lactose intolerant.”
• “No one took my complaints seriously,” others stated.
• “It took two years to diagnose my sister (who later died), and we have a strong family history of ovarian and breast cancer. But most doctors don’t even know the warning signs,” laments one grieving family member.

In fact, ovarian cancer used to be called the silent killer, but not anymore. the Gynecological Cancer Foundation – including Dr. Barbara Goff, a gynecological oncologist at the University of Wisconsin – conducted conclusive research that confirmed what women have long known: Ovarian cancer has symptoms. these are simply: bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary symptoms such as urgency or frequency. Unfortunately, these symptoms often don’t occur until a late stage of the cancer, but the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance contends symptoms are still relevant and awareness of these symptoms by women is crucial. Awareness is vital because most cases of ovarian cancer are not discovered in an early stage when the cancer is easier to fight and the chances of survival are greatest. In early June, however, reports of new breakthroughs for detection and treatment of ovarian cancer were released. Abbott Diagnostics, a worldwide research company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared a new diagnostic test, ARCHITECT HE4 (human epididymis protein 4), a simple blood test that aids in monitoring for the recurrence or progression of this disease. the current test most widely used to monitor ovarian cancer, CA-125, measures levels of a protein in the blood as an indication of a possible recurrence or disease progression in ovarian cancer patients. while 80 percent of ovarian cancers can be detected by CA-125, twenty percent of all ovarian cancers cannot be detected or monitored by CA-125. By using Abbott’s new HE4 test in conjunction with other clinical methods, including CA-125, physicians can get a more comprehensive clinical picture when monitoring ovarian cancer patients. on June 6, at a cancer conference in Chicago, Genentech inc. announced results from a Phase III study of Avastin. For initial treatment of ovarian cancer, women with previously untreated advanced cancer who received the drug in combination with chemotherapy, followed by the continuation of Avastin alone, had a 39 percent improvement in the likelihood of living longer without the disease worsening, compared to chemotherapy alone. the next step will be to get the drug – already used to combat other cancers – approved by the FDA for treatment of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal malignant cells that begins in the ovaries. Every year in the United States, more than 21,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and about 15,000 women die of the disease. Ovarian cancer accounts for only about 3 percent of cancers in women, but while it’s the ninth most common cancer, it is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women and the deadliest of gynecological cancers.

Anorexia support is difficult for friends and family to find. if you need eating disorder help or anorexia information, you’ve come to the right place!

The whole point about anorexia recovery is not just to make the patient well, but also to help the family and friends.

When I was first given an anorexia diagnosis, the initial reaction from friends and family was that they weren’t too surprised. Suddenly, certain behaviors that they had observed through the years made sense.

Once reality set in, then it hit them like a ton of bricks.

none of my friends or family knew anything about how to help with anorexia – other than the stereotypical information that’s often seen or heard in the media. (And that’s really not the best information to have).

Questions flooded their minds – “Is this our fault?” – “What did we do to cause this?” – “How do we help her?” – “How do we talk to her?” – “How can we get her to eat?” … I’m sure it was instant panic.

For the sake of the entire family (extended family as well), it’s imperative that you surround yourself with as much information as possible – including getting involved in some kind of eating disorder support group.

Have you been diagnosed with anorexia? do you think you may have an eating disorders? use this site you interact with other and get help with anorexia.

It’s understandable to want to provide anorexia support to your friend or loved one, but in doing so, it’s a good idea to know some basic anorexia facts.

Sometimes we say things with good intentions, but unless you have a solid understanding of the eating disorder mind (and most of us don’t), you could innocently make a comment that will do more harm than good.

If someone is on the road to recovery, it’s tempting to want to compliment or encourage them along the way. Be careful with this! Comments that include any reference to weight – no matter how complimentary – are likely going to set them back.

If your goal is to plan some kind of anorexia intervention, it’s probably because your loved one has denied that they have any kind of an eating problem. It’s also likely that their health is in immediate danger.

Often families undertake this task on their own without the help of an interventionist or other therapist.

There are a number of anorexia resources that could be helpful to friends, family and sufferers alike. Sharing anorexia stories with others can be encouraging, whether it’s done in person or online.

sometimes those who are doing well on their journey through recovery can have unique insights and advice for those who are just beginning, or thinking about entering treatment.

Anorexia movies or documentaries can be both a blessing and a curse. they usually provide lots of helpful information, but they might also be extremely triggering to your loved one.

some shows tend to glamorize eating disorders, but even those that are more medical in nature can have a profound effect if the disordered eater is watching.

Check out the different types of eating disorder books that are on the market. my personal favorites are the autobiographies, simply because the accounts are (obviously) very personal, but there are others that you may find just as helpful.

There are lots of different ways that you can provide anorexia support to your loved one, but probably the best thing you can do for them is learn.

Take this opportunity to gain all the knowledge you can about their inner world. The information you gather will prove invaluable in everyday conversations with your loved one.

Feel free to read more about treatments for anorexia.