Eating Disorders

 

Today, more and more women are being diagnosed with eating disorders stemmed from low self-esteem. It isn't any wonder since fashion magazines and other forms of media are constantly blasting images of super waif thin models as being the image of the average woman. The truth be told, besides from the fact that the image is untainable for the most part,  the real average woman is hardly ever dipicted in fashion magazines, local media, television, movies, etc. The real average woman based on statistics is a size 14 and in some studies indicate even a size or two above that!     Real Women Real Issues is a club allowing women to support one another and teaching how to love yourself, no matter if you're a size 0 or a size 60.

Anorexia Nervosa

A serious disorder in eating behavior primarily of young women in their teens and early twenties that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weightloss.  If a person does not seek help for this eating disorder, she can literally starve herself to death.

Complications:
Heart Disease : Anorexia can cause irregular heart rhythms and result in smaller heart muscles. Heart disease is a common cause of death for people with anorexia.

Hormonal Changes:  Changes in reproductive hormones and in thyroid hormones can cause absence of menstruation, infertility, bone loss and retarded growth.

Imbalance of Minerals and Electrolytes: Your body needs adequate levels of minerals, particularly calcium and potassium, in order to maintain the electric currents that keep your heart beating. Disruption of your body's levels of fluids and minerals creates an electrolyte imbalance. Unless restored, this imbalance can be life-threatening.

Nerve Damage:  Anorexia may cause brain and nerve damage, seizures and loss of feeling.

Blood Disorders: Lack of nutrition can reduce your body's levels of vitamin B-12, causing anemia and your body's inability to produce enough red blood cells.

Digestive Problems: Anorexia can cause constipation and bloating

Bulemia

A serious eating disorder that occurs mainly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diurectic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression.

Complications:
Teeth and Gum Problems: The presence of gastric acid in your mouth from regular vomiting may cause damage to your teeth and gums.

Bloating: Bulimic behavior can result in your body retaining more water.

Low Potassium Levels: The purging process tends to make your body dehydreated and to lower the level of potassium in your blood. This can cause weakness and irregular heart rhythms.

Digestive Problems: Purging may cause irritation of the walls of your esophagus and rectum.

Behavioral and Emotional Problems: Bulimia may lead to depression and a variety of implusive behaviors, such as sexual promiscuity, stealing, alcohol abuse and drug abuse.

Abuse of Medications: The variety of over-the-counter drugs you may use during purge cycles may cause a drug dependency. These include laxatives, diuretic, appetite suppressants and ipecac, a drug that induces vomiting.