Is It Love For Food or An Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are generally associated with women. Well, just because they have their monthly periods and go through various biological events such as pregnancy and menopause that let their hormones go haywire doesn’t make eating disorder is a female thing. Men, too, experience disorders in eating. So, before you wave off your hand saying, “my hubby’s just picky about his food,” read this.

A study has found that one in four people with eating disorders are men. This disorder can happen to anybody, irrespective of their age, sex, occupation, socioeconomic class, race, and upbringing.

According to doctor medical clinic near Arlington, many patients enter the clinic with eating disorders. Some eat excessively; some hardly eat. Both affect the health and create associated symptoms and complications.

A week dedicated to eating disorders

The Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual event aimed towards educating the common mass about eating disorders and how to help an individual suffering from it.

EDAW 2023 is scheduled from February 27 to March 5.

When your friend or family member isn’t eating properly or has a voracious appetite you mustn’t dismiss it as just a habit. It could be a sign of an underlying mental problem, and a serious one.

Types of eating disorders

Commonest eating disorders include:

• Bulimia Nervosa – excessive intake of food, purging of food, and then eating again.
• Anorexia Nervosa – Starving oneself.
• Binge eating – It is different from Bulimia Nervosa in the sense that there is no purging, but the person eats compulsively and uncontrollably, even if they feel full.

If you or anybody you know is suffering from any of the above, please visit Arlington doctors office any day of the week and seek a medical consultation.

Other eating disorders

• Night Eating Syndrome – a person wakes up at night and binges on food.
• Pica – a person gets an urge to eat non-edible items such as chalk, paper, soap, ice, dirt, pebbles, cloth, and others.
• Rumination disorder – a person regurgitates food, re-chews it, and re-swallows or spits it out.
• Restrictive or Avoidant food intake disorder – a person has no interest in food, so hardly eats, leading to nutritional deficiencies in the body.

Doctor medical clinic near Arlington can help individuals with eating disorders through proper medical counseling and tests.

Understanding eating disorder

Eating disorder is not a standalone problem. It is a related problem. It is an indicator of mental illness, low self-esteem, behavioral problems, and others. People who have been bullied for their weight, or those with a traumatic childhood, or somebody who has undergone a mental trauma may develop eating disorder. This disorder, according to doctors, is associated more with mental health.

Treatment

Treating an eating disorder may sound overwhelming for the patient, as it requires a change in their eating habits and mindset. Please do not expect to get rid of the disorder within a few days. It takes time.

The first step is to address the root cause of the problem, which is generally a mental disorder or an emotional problem. Once this is addressed, the person finds it easier to resume normal eating habits.

Doctor medical clinic near Arlington can help individuals with such disorders. First, you must diagnose the type of disorder. Then, address the emotional issue associated with it. Then, the doctor may suggest a health checkup, as the disorder robes the patient of their health.

General weakness, anemia, digestive problems, food allergies, stomach pain, and nutritional deficiencies are a few of the common problems that arise due to eating disorders.

Do not ignore an eating disorder. This isn’t a way of life, or this isn’t how a person is. Before you label your loved one a “foodie” or a “picky eater,” ensure they aren’t actually having an eating disorder.