Occasionally, night vision will be impaired, because of poor nutrition and decreased amounts of vitamin A in the body. Transient blurred vision, or blurred vision that comes and goes may also be a form of vision impairment with disordered eating. According to The Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders by Marcia Herrin, EdD, MPH, RD and …
Thyroid problems are common in people with eating disorders – especially in those with anorexia nervosa. People with eating disorders are at risk for hypothyroidism. In these cases, however, reduced thyroid function may be an adaptation to malnutrition and, therefore, some experts think that only the eating disorder should be treated, not hypothyroidism. It may …
By Angie Best-Boss, Contributing Writer “Before you take another spoonful of ipecac, before the eating disorder takes over your life, please stop. Before you can’t focus on anything but the need to become smaller and smaller, before your skin turns grey and prone to infection, your hair starts to fall out and there is no …
The increased risk of seizures in people with anorexia and bulimia may be caused by dehydration. Seizures are sometimes described as surges of electricity within the brain) Seizures can also be caused by hyperglycemia or ketoacidosis. Even people without eating disorders can have problems regulating blood sugar when faced with starvation. The blood sugar will …
In people with bulimia, repeated vomiting may sometimes causes the salivary glands to swell. Also known as sialadenosis, when the salivary glands swell, it causes the jaw to widen and appear squarish. Specialists report that salivary glands do not swell unless a patient is vomiting several times a day. No one is exactly sure why …
Renal problems, or kidney damage, is a potentially serious, even life-threatening concern for people with eating disorders. Renal problems are usually due to dehydration and may be worsened by the use of diuretics. Ketoacidosis is an example of potential renal problems in people with eating disorders. It is a state which involves high levels of …
By Angie Best-Boss, Contributing Writer Medication abuse is common in those struggling with eating disorders. Laxatives, syrup of Ipecac, diuretics and diet aids are all over the counter medications frequently used and abused in people living with anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa. Medication abuse can take many forms. Diuretics may be used as a weight-loss …
By Angie Best-Boss, Contributing Writer People with eating disorders abuse laxatives because they incorrectly believe they can remove food from their bodies before the calories are absorbed. Often people with eating disorders are constipated because the small amount of food they eat does not provide enough bulk to stimulate regular bowel movements. Since bloating often …
By Angie Best-Boss, Contributing Writer Diuretics are tablets designed to reduce fluid in people who suffer from fluid retention. Anorexics and bulimics abuse them in order to achieve temporary weight loss. Diuretic abuse, as well as causing dehydration, can lead to fluid retention and weight gain. In an attempt to adjust to the diuretic effects, …
By Stefanie Lein “Even magazines whose sole purpose is to show us how to treat our bodies better, stuff their pages with diet pills and ads, giving us the option of either listening to their latest exercise regime, or finding the quick fix in a supplement pill. Everywhere I look, I keep getting the message …
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