Anorexia Treatment

          Anorexia is an eating disorder in which the affected person is reluctant to eat for the fear of weight gain. Anorexic people are underweight and psychologically they believe that eating a little amount of food will result in overweight. In order to combat weight gain; they might indulge in excessive workouts, consume laxatives or even vomit. People are referred as anorexic when their Body Mass Index (BMI) is 17 or below. Anorexia generally affects people who need to constantly monitor their weight and body shape like models, dancers and athletes. Let us have a look at the symptoms of anorexia followed by anorexia treatment. 

Anorexia Symptoms:

• Unable to eat normally and maintain a balanced BMI.

• Taking small amount of food and taking tiny bites.

• Obsessive over weight gains. Taking every precaution to prevent weight gain and monitoring it frequently.

• Showing withdrawal symptoms and ignoring friends & family.

• Going through depression.

• Lack luster in skin and hair.

• Constant feeling and fear of gaining weight.

• Mood swings

Causes of Anorexia:

There are plenty of factors that can cause anorexia. It can be due to heredity, infection and gastrointestinal problems; which are some of the biological causes of this disorder. Research has found that people suffering from anorexia due to biological reason have high cortisol, which results in stress. Even serotonin and nor epinephrine, which are mood enhancing substances found in our body are present in lower amount in them.

Anorexia can even be psychological wherein the person suffers from anxiety & depression; thus refrains him from eating. Or it can be caused by the social factors wherein the pressure of maintaining weight is a must like in fashion industry.

Anorexia Treatment – Accepting eating disorder:

It is vital to understand and consent that you are suffering from a disorder. Losing weight and going through emotional problems will only affect you. Talk about it to your family and close friends for support and suggestions. It is important that you have people around you who can motivate and uplift your mood in difficult conditions. For further motivation you can also read about the stories of people who have overcome this disorder.

Family support:

As a family member you need to take utmost care of the person suffering from this disorder. Family interventions are necessary to make the person understand how eating disorder is affecting him and the entire family. Monitor their progress and constantly appreciate their efforts. Don’t force them to eat as they might be suffering from acute depression or stress. In Family Based Treatment, you must ensure that proper nutrients are being consumed by the person.

Avoid unwanted people:

As discussed earlier, anorexia can occur due to social factors. A lot of people in fashion industry or entertainment industry have to maintain specific body standards. You tend to maintain cordial relationship with those people and have friends who promote weight loss or talk about strict diets. It is important now to stay away from such people and stop attending social gatherings with them. Stick with people who lead a healthy lifestyle.

Anorexia Treatment – Consult a Dietitian:

It is impossible to start eating appropriately instantly. Gaining healthy weight will be a daunting task and requires an expert advice. Consulting a dietitian will help you in gaining weight in a healthier way. The person will be given smaller amount of food to start with and will gradually be increased to a normal diet. Acquiring all the necessary nutrients in the diet is vital which can only be mapped down by a dietitian. Stick as much as possible to the diet plan charted down by your dietitian.

Medical Treatment:

Lot of times your body might get adversely affected by not consuming proper meals. For that you might need to get your body checked. Anorexia might lead to heart ailments, osteoporosis, kidney and stomach related problems. Prescribed medicines like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and olanzapine are often taken by people to treat anxiety and depression, which are two reasons of anorexia.

Psychological treatment:

Anorexic people often go through psychological treatment as it is long lasting and this treatment assures full recovery. This treatment can last up to a year. We will have a look at some of the psychological treatments.

Anorexia Treatment

                                  

Anorexia is an eating disorder in which the affected person is reluctant to eat for the fear of weight gain. Anorexic people are underweight and psychologically they believe that eating a little amount of food will result in overweight. In order to combat weight gain; they might indulge in excessive workouts, consume laxatives or even vomit. People are referred as anorexic when their Body Mass Index (BMI) is 17 or below. Anorexia generally affects people who need to constantly monitor their weight and body shape like models, dancers and athletes. Let us have a look at the symptoms of anorexia followed by anorexia treatment. 

Anorexia Symptoms:

• Unable to eat normally and maintain a balanced BMI.

• Taking small amount of food and taking tiny bites.

• Obsessive over weight gains. Taking every precaution to prevent weight gain and monitoring it frequently.

• Showing withdrawal symptoms and ignoring friends & family.

• Going through depression.

• Lack luster in skin and hair.

• Constant feeling and fear of gaining weight.

• Mood swings

Causes of Anorexia:

There are plenty of factors that can cause anorexia. It can be due to heredity, infection and gastrointestinal problems; which are some of the biological causes of this disorder. Research has found that people suffering from anorexia due to biological reason have high cortisol, which results in stress. Even serotonin and nor epinephrine, which are mood enhancing substances found in our body are present in lower amount in them.

Anorexia can even be psychological wherein the person suffers from anxiety and depression; thus refrains him from eating. Or it can be caused by the social factors wherein the pressure of maintaining weight is a must like in fashion industry.

Anorexia Treatment – Accepting eating disorder:

It is vital to understand and consent that you are suffering from a disorder. Losing weight and going through emotional problems will only affect you. Talk about it to your family and close friends for support and suggestions. It is important that you have people around you who can motivate and uplift your mood in difficult conditions. For further motivation you can also read about the stories of people who have overcome this disorder.

Family support:

As a family member you need to take utmost care of the person suffering from this disorder. Family interventions are necessary to make the person understand how eating disorder is affecting him and the entire family. Monitor their progress and constantly appreciate their efforts. Don’t force them to eat as they might be suffering from acute depression or stress. In Family Based Treatment, you must ensure that proper nutrients are being consumed by the person.

Avoid unwanted people:

As discussed earlier, anorexia can occur due to social factors. A lot of people in fashion industry or entertainment industry have to maintain specific body standards. You tend to maintain cordial relationship with those people and have friends who promote weight loss or talk about strict diets. It is important now to stay away from such people and stop attending social gatherings with them. Stick with people who lead a healthy lifestyle.

Anorexia Treatment – Consult a Dietitian:

It is impossible to start eating appropriately instantly. Gaining healthy weight will be a daunting task and requires an expert advice. Consulting a dietitian will help you in gaining weight in a healthier way. The person will be given smaller amount of food to start with and will gradually be increased to a normal diet. Acquiring all the necessary nutrients in the diet is vital which can only be mapped down by a dietitian. Stick as much as possible to the diet plan charted down by your dietitian.

Medical Treatment:

Lot of times your body might get adversely affected by not consuming proper meals. For that you might need to get your body checked. Anorexia might lead to heart ailments, osteoporosis, kidney and stomach related problems. Prescribed medicines like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and olanzapine are often taken by people to treat anxiety and depression, which are two reasons of anorexia.

Psychological treatment:

Anorexic people often go through psychological treatment as it is long lasting and this treatment assures full recovery. This treatment can last up to a year. We will have a look at some of the psychological treatments.

Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)

Usually our behavioral and thinking patterns are developed in early ages and we even as an adult tend to follow them. In this therapy the therapist will analyze the root cause of the problem by understanding our thought processes, some memorable events in our lives and our emotions towards certain things.

This therapy takes place in 3 phases. The 1st phase is known as Reformation phase. In this, the therapist discusses the childhood problems and the present problems in the life of the patient. The therapist tends to relate them to understand the link it has on the patient. 1st phase can last from 2 months to 6 months.

The 2nd phase of CAT is Recognition phase. In this phase, the therapist underlines where the problem lies. It also makes the patient aware of the problem and the reasons of its occurrence. 3rd phase is Revision phase where alternative solutions of the existing problem are given to the person.

Focal Psychodynamic Psychotherapy:

This is again a psychological treatment which is useful to counter eating disorders. It has 2 objectives. 1st is to make the person realize the importance of food and how it will affect his body. 2nd is to find alternative solutions of letting go the stress and the symptoms of eating disorder faced by him.

Interpersonal Therapy:

Anorexia can be caused due to stress and depression which can be due to poor interpersonal relationships. This therapy helps in exploring if the person is having a poor social life which might be impacting his mental health.

Cognitive behavioral therapy:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another anorexia treatment technique. This is a form of psychotherapy where in the person having anorexia will go through changes in his thoughts, feelings and behavior. In this therapy, the behavior that is needed to be changed is identified and modified.

Usually our behavioral and thinking patterns are developed in early ages and we even as an adult tend to follow them. In this therapy the therapist will analyze the root cause of the problem by understanding our thought processes, some memorable events in our lives and our emotions towards certain things.

This therapy takes place in 3 phases. The 1st phase is known as Reformation phase. In this, the therapist discusses the childhood problems and the present problems in the life of the patient. The therapist tends to relate them to understand the link it has on the patient. 1st phase can last from 2 months to 6 months.

The 2nd phase of CAT is Recognition phase. In this phase, the therapist underlines where the problem lies. It also makes the patient aware of the problem and the reasons of its occurrence. 3rd phase is Revision phase where alternative solutions of the existing problem are given to the person.

Focal Psychodynamic Psychotherapy;

This is again a psychological treatment which is useful to counter eating disorders. It has 2 objectives. 1st is to make the person realize the importance of food and how it will affect his body. 2nd is to find alternative solutions of letting go the stress and the symptoms of eating disorder faced by him.

Interpersonal Therapy:

Anorexia can be caused due to stress and depression which can be due to poor interpersonal relationships. This therapy helps in exploring if the person is having a poor social life which might be impacting his mental health.

ANEMIA DIET

 Anemia Diet – About the disease:

Anemia is a disease where the normal red blood cell level decreases significantly. It leads to lower hemoglobin level and oxygen deficiency in the blood.  Anemia can cause fatigue, lack of concentration, shortness of breath and pale complexion. Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia. Below are the foods which increase the amount of iron in the body or aid in its absorption, thereby preventing anemia. A person suffering from this disease must make these foods a part of his anemia diet in order to recover fully.

Anemia Diet – Recommended Foods

       Spinach

       Chickpeas

       Red Meat

       Tomato

       Pomegranate

       Raisin

       Dates

       Whole Grains

       Egg

       Honey

ALZEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA

            Alzheimer’s and Dementia are life altering conditions which affect millions around the world. It is estimated that currently 50 million people are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and in 2010 more than 400000 dementia related deaths were registered. The worst part is that there is still no cure for these diseases and only precautions can delay its onset. 

Few symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are behavioral changes, mood swings, appetite loss, memory loss, inability to take care of himself and talk, isolation from the family and ultimately death. Memory loss and cognitive disability are some of the symptoms of dementia. Even though people above the age of 65 are more vulnerable to this disease but the present lifestyle of today’s world can drastically reduce this age. So, given below are few tips and diet that one needs to follow.

Remedies for Alzheimer’s and dementia:

Avoid trans-fat:

Junk foods are doing you no good. These are only increasing your cholesterol, decreasing the ability to fight free radicals and thus increasing the risk of brain cell damage. Switch to Mediterranean diet which comprises of fishes, vegetables and whole grains.

Exercise daily:

Exercise for 15-30 minutes is a must. It is found that daily workout can reduce the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia by 50%. Workouts help in increasing the blood flow to the brain cells thus keeping them active. Mental exercises are highly recommended to keep the mind active. Solving puzzles and playing Sudoku are some of the ways to keep your cognitive ability intact.

 Have a hobby:

It is really important for a person to have a hobby which they can pursue during leisure time. Indulging in a hobby has been found to reduce the stress level of a person and also enhances the mood.

Have a social life:

Meeting friends and talking can prove to be a stress buster. Now days a lot of us don’t find time to meet our friends and family. Monotonous life can make a person dull. Plan trips for few days with your family or go out for a movie or dinner every once in a while.

Foods to eat:

Omega 3 fatty acids rich food:

Omega 3 fatty acid helps in improving the cognitive abilities of a person. Consumption of this nutrient can enhance the blood flow in the brain thus keeping it efficient and active. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the key substances present in omega 3 fatty acids which are responsible for the functioning of neurons. These substances can prohibit the damages caused by oxidation to the brain and can prevent the occurrence of inflammation. Their deficiency causes depression and anxiety. It has been found that people with lower DHA have depleted cognitive ability and smaller brain volumes. Walnuts, tuna, salmon, sardines re some of the foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Vitamin-E and Vitamin-C foods:

Foods rich in Vitamin-E and Vitamin-C have shown signs that they can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. These nutrients help in protecting the brain from free radicals and restrict cognitive impairment. Almonds, broccoli, guava and olive oil are some of the foods that can delay this disease.

 Consume Foods rich in flavonoids:

Amyloid-beta production is the primary reason why a person suffers from Alzheimer’s. Amyloid-beta turns into amyloid plaque which sticks to the brain. Flavonoids help in preventing its production altogether. Kale, spinach, apples, blueberries and cranberries are some foods rich in flavonoids.

Consume Turmeric:

Curcumin is a key substance present in turmeric. This substance is anti-inflammatory and can also prevent the production of Amyloid-beta. Try to add turmeric powder in your meals to prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia.