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Anorexia Diagnosis March 5, 2009

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Visit www.remudaranch.com today for more information about anorexia diagnosis or call 1-800-445-1900 now for immediate assistance.

A full ten million women and girls in the United States suffer from anorexia and bulimia. These food-related illnesses are devastating to a person’s body and are often accompanied by related behavioral health issues such as depression or anxiety. Because anorexia nervosa is psychiatric, not just physical, in nature, diagnosis is not as easy to make as with someone who has a disease like diabetes. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, certain criteria must be present, in order for the determination of anorexia to be made. These conditions include:

Low Body Weight

The key number to keep in mind is 85%. If the individual is at 85% or less of what would be considered a normal body weight for her height and age, a problem likely exists. This concern would be amplified if she also refused to gain additional weight, to bring her weight up to what would be considered medically normal.

Weight Phobia

This is characterized by an extreme fear of gaining weight. These individuals are terribly afraid of becoming fat, or even think they are fat, even though that is clearly not the case. It is often very difficult for people with this type of phobia to actually consume food, no less, gain weight.

Body Image Issues

Body image is how a person sees themselves; how they experience their own weight or shape. This view of themselves has an undue influence on self-evaluation, meaning an adolescent could be a good student, outgoing, great at sports, but all she can focus on, all she seems to care about, is the size of her “fat” thighs. This is usually accompanied by a denial of the seriousness of her low body weight.

Amenorrhea

This medical condition is loss of the menstrual period. Amenorrhea is present when a female, who has already achieved puberty, quits menstruating for at least three months. In this situation, the only way she can have a period is through the administration of hormones.

If you have a friend or family member who may have anorexia, the more information you can obtain, the better. Many articles with excellent content have been written on the topic and are available on the internet.

Because eating disorders are diseases, treatment is usually required. Outpatient services are available at centers throughout the country and are often quite effective. However, if progress isn’t made, inpatient treatment is recommended. Since 1990, Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders has treated nearly 8,000 women and girls. Remuda Ranch offers three distinct programs for children, adolescent girls and adults in Arizona and Virginia. These programs have an unparalleled recovery rate of 95% over one, five and ten years.

For additional information about Anorexia Diagnosis or the diverse programs offered by Remuda Ranch please visit www.remudarach.com.

Anorexia is Bad for the Brain November 20, 2008

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Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa

Click here for Anorexia Nervosa Information

The medical impact of anorexia is huge and includes:

Amenorrhea – Loss of Menstrual Cycle

This occurs in nearly all women with anorexia. The body simply shuts down its reproductive capacity because it is finding it difficult to sustain one life, let alone, two. Although a woman’s ability to bare children usually returns once sufficient weight is gained, that is not always the case. Anorexia, if engaged in long enough or at a critical time during adolescence, can contribute to infertility.

Anemia

Without sufficient nutrition, the blood is affected and anemia results. Fortunately, this condition is only temporary; blood health returns once food is reintroduced.

Dry Skin and Hair Loss

Dehydration causes the skin to drastically dry out and become flaky. The woman’s scalp, starved for protein and nutrients, often becomes bald or patchy. Paradoxically, extremely fine hair growth often occurs on other parts of the torso; this is an attempt by the body to keep itself warm.

Feeling Cold

Without protective fat stores to keep them warm, those with anorexia are usually cold. In fact, their body temperature is rarely at a healthy 98 degrees; it’s typically a couple of degrees less that normal.

Slowness of Thought/Brain Shrinkage

Although retardation of thought is temporary, due to lack of fuel to keep the brain functioning well, actual brain shrinkage, due to prolonged starvation, is not. Studies show a drop in actual IQ, which does not always return once the woman gets well.

Osteopenia/Osteoporosis

These degenerative bone conditions result from lack of calcium and other dietary deficiencies. Most bone loss is permanent, leaving even young women at severe risk of bone fractures and spinal curvature.

Heart Rhythm Abnormalities, Heart Attacks

Electrolyte abnormalities often trigger arrhythmias in the heart. This is a significant indication that the heart is undergoing stress. When a body is starving, it starts attacking its own muscle tissue in an effort to stay alive. The heart is a muscle and is not immune to this attack. In the case of extreme starvation, the heart simply stops.

If you, or someone you know, suffers from anorexia or bulimia then please seek treatment.

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I Needed Help for Eating Disorders November 20, 2008

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Treatment for Anorexia

Click here for Anorexia Treatment

In the United States, eating disorders are far more than prevalent – they’re epidemic. Today, 10 million women and girls have eating disorders and up to one million of them will die from the disorder. That’s right: DIE. These diseases are not confined to a certain segment of society or age group. Anorexia and bulimia cross all racial, ethnic, cultural and religious lines and are now being diagnosed in children as young as six.

Anorexia, perhaps the most devastating of these diseases, is characterized by self-starvation. People suffering from this disorder literally starve themselves to a state of severe emaciation, and even, death. This disease impacts every facet of a person’s life; indeed, a woman can become so ill that she is unable to work or care for her family.

Professional care is usually required to break the compulsive behaviors and addiction. Outpatient therapy is usually the first approach to treatment. A patient can often make substantial progress with the support of a good therapist, especially one who specializes in treating eating disorders.

For the best possible outcome, a medical doctor and nutritionist or registered dietician should also be part of the team. For approximately 70% of eating disorder patients, this treatment will prove effective. However, for the other 30%, inpatient treatment at a residential center is often recommended.

Lasting recovery is the goal for every single patient. Toward that end, Remuda Ranch utilizes every cutting-edge therapy and innovative treatment approach. In addition to individual and group therapy, patients engage in experiential therapies such as art, body image, equine and challenge course.

A key and critical component of treatment is family involvement. Remuda Ranch wants family members to experience healing through growth, understanding and change. This is accomplished not only through therapeutic phone calls, but during an intensive Family Week, which occurs half-way through treatment.

Remember, anorexia is an extremely serious disease. Therefore, if you have a friend or family member who may be struggling with anorexia, please get help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The First Signs were Anorexia November 20, 2008

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Anorexia Symptoms

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For most people, anorexia is extremely difficult to understand. It is not a diet gone too far or a game played by a young girl to get attention from friends or a member of the family. Anorexia is a psychiatric disorder, not unlike depression or anxiety.

Very simply defined, anorexia is self starvation. Those with this disorder literally starve themselves to a state of severe emaciation, or even death. And the thing is … once they start, it is very difficult to end the behaviors and go back to normal eating. This disease impacts everything: work, home, health, friendships … life.

Anorexia symptoms are physical, biological and behavioral. Because dieting is a key part of anorexia, many of the most common symptoms surround food and dieting. A female with anorexia diets obsessively, when she is not overweight. In fact, she may have experienced a recent rapid weight loss — 15% or more below her normal body weight. Yet, she will constantly complain that she feels “fat,” when this is clearly not a reality.

It is not unusual for a girl with anorexia to engage in strange food-related behaviors. These include cutting food into little tiny pieces, only eating one food at a time, or placing unusual condiments on food items. Episodes of binge eating can also occur, simply due to a loss of control. Remember, these individuals are hungry, so when they finally give in and eat, it is sometimes very difficult to stop.

Not eating is hard enough on the body, but the problem is, she may also exercise to an extreme degree. As a result of low nutrition and high levels of exercising, she will probably experience amenorrhea, which means loss of her menstrual period. Strangely, though the hair on her head may fall out, she may undergo unusual hair growth on her arms and legs; basically, this is an effort by the body to make itself warm.

Although she may try to convey that she is at the top of the world, depression is often a symptom of anorexia, as is slowness of thought and memory difficulties. Most people feel this way due to the brain’s inability to function without adequate nutrition.

If someone you know has anorexia, please encourage them to get help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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