What different eating disorders are there?

An eating disorder can affect almost anyone, regardless of whether they are underweight or overweight. Eating disorder is a term that covers a range of conditions involving abnormal or disrupted eating.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, an estimated 10 million men and 20 million women living in the United States will develop an eating disorder during their lifetime.

The exact cause of eating disorders remains unclear. However, experts believe that sociocultural, biological, and psychological factors all play a role in their development.

Many people may think of anorexia or bulimia when they think of eating disorders. Although these disorders are the most common, there are several other types. Read on to find out more.

Below, we provide information on some of the most common eating disorders, including their typical signs and symptoms.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa, which most people refer to as bulimia, is a condition that typically develops during adolescence or early adulthood. According to a2016 study, bulimia is more common among women than men.

Individuals with bulimia tend to eat large quantities of food very quickly, which people often call “binge eating” or a “binge.”

After binge eating, a person with bulimia typically takes steps to purge their body of the extra calories. Common purging methods include: self-induced vomiting, taking diuretics and taking laxatives

Not everyone with bulimia will use these methods of purging. Some people try to counter the high calorie intake by fasting or doing excessive amounts of exercise.

Signs and symptoms

The characteristics of bulimia include the following thoughts, feelings, and behaviors: an obsession with body weight and size, repeat binging episodes that accompany a sense of loss of control, purging episodes to prevent weight gain and a general fear of gaining weight

Some people with bulimia lose weight, but others maintain their body weight. In either case, a person may develop the following side effects: acid reflux, a sore or inflamed throat, tooth decay, severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances that can lead to stroke or heart attack

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa, or anorexia, is one of the more well-known eating disorders.

As with bulimia, anorexia tends to develop in adolescence or early adulthood, and it is more common among women than men.

There are two recognized subtypes of anorexia:

Binge eating and purging type: A person with this type of anorexia typically purges after eating. They may sometimes eat large amounts of food. Alternatively, the person might engage in excessive exercise to burn off the calories that they have consumed.

Restricting type: People with this type of anorexia do not binge eat. Instead, they turn to dieting, fasting, or over exercising in an effort to lose weight.

Signs and symptoms

Typical signs and symptoms of anorexia include: very restricted eating habits, being underweight compared with others of a similar height and age, a fear of gaining weight, even when already underweight, an obsession with being thinner, a distorted view of the body, basing self-esteem on body weight or shape, the avoidance of eating in public or with others and obsessive-compulsive tendencies, in some people

Rumination disorder

Rumination disorder is a condition in which a person regurgitates partially digested food and chews it again before either swallowing it or spitting it out. According to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, rumination occurs within 15–30 minutes of swallowing food.

Unlike self-induced purging, rumination is an involuntary reaction. The first episode typically begins in response to illness, physical injury, or psychological distress. Under these conditions, food regurgitation may provide the person with some relief. After the physical illness or injury has passed, the person’s body may continue to regurgitate food as a response to discomfort.

Rumination disorder can start as early as infancy. Infants who develop rumination often get better without treatment. However, persistent rumination can lead to potentially fatal malnourishment.

Rumination in older children and adults typically requires psychological treatment.

Signs and symptoms

A person with this disorder may experience the following symptoms shortly before regurgitating food: nausea, a need to burp and a feeling of pressure or discomfort

Other symptoms of rumination may include: bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, electrolyte imbalance, headaches, dizziness, sleeping difficulties, weight loss and malnourishment.

Other disorders

Some eating disorders that scientific literature reports on are less common or do not have formal recognition. Examples include:

Orthorexia: the primary characteristic of this eating disturbance is an obsession with eating healthful foods. Healthcare professionals do not recognize it as an official condition.

Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED): a person with OSFED has some of the signs and symptoms of bulimia or anorexia but does not meet the diagnostic criteria for either condition.

Unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED): a condition in which a person does not meet the criteria for any particular eating disorder but presents with similar symptoms and psychological distress.

Laxative abuse: though not technically an eating disorder, laxative abuse involves the excessive use of laxatives to lose weight and become thinner.

Excessive exercise: people may do an excessive amount of exercise to burn calories and achieve unhealthy weight loss.

Treatment options

People should seek treatment for eating disorders as soon as possible. Eating disorders increase the risk of both physical health complications and psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

The type of eating disorder that a person has will determine the treatment. In general, people usually receive one or more of the following treatments: psychotherapy, which may involve family counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers, nutritional counselling and medical care and monitoring

If a person suspects that a loved one has an eating disorder, they should encourage them to speak to their doctor. A doctor may refer the person for psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment. They may also make a referral for care at a specialist center for eating disorders.

Summary

Eating disorders are common among people living in the U.S. Familiarity with the symptoms can help people recognize the disorders in themselves and others.

Ideally, eating disorders require early treatment to prevent health complications and additional psychological issues.

People who suspect that they have an eating disorder should see their doctor, who will be able to direct them to the appropriate healthcare services. In many cases, the right treatment can help people make a full recovery.

 

Source:  Medical News Today