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Breaking Down Anorexia Nervosa
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Last week, the media was in a frenzy over a 37-year-old woman, Rachael Farrokh. At roughly 40-pounds and suffering from a severe form of anorexia for more than 10 years, Rachael’s physical appearance is alarming. After taking to YouTube to explain her condition and plea with her audience for assistance, Rachael received $120,000 in donations on a GoFundMe page to cover her medical costs.
Many people question why Rachael simply chose to dismiss the option of admitting herself to a hospital or “just start eating” – but her condition is much more serious than that. Rod Edmondson, Farrokh’s husband, explains on their GoFundMe page that hospitals have refused to treat his wife because she doesn’t meet the minimum weight requirement. For over ten years, Farrokh has undergone blood transfusions, had blood clots and suffered heart, liver and kidney failure.
Dr. Tim Walsh, an eating disorder specialist at New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University, stated that general refeeding is effective, but it would have to be done under experienced care at a facility – “In treatment, first the calorie intake must be increased. It must be done very gradually and carefully so a patient doesn’t experience complications that can occur during refeeding. One of the main complications is cardiac-related, including heart failure which can be fatal.”
What is anorexia nervosa?
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder characterized by abnormal eating behavior, severe self-induced weight loss, and psychiatric comorbidities. Furthermore, people with anorexia are extremely fearful to gain any amount of weight and will go to extreme measures to make sure that does not happen.
Breaking Down Anorexia Nervosa
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center
Possible Causes
Medical experts agree that several factors work together in a complex fashion to lead to the eating disorder. These may include:
- Severe trauma or emotional stress (such as the death of a loved one or sexual abuse) during puberty or pre-puberty
- Abnormalities in brain chemistry. Serotonin, a brain chemical that’s involved in depression, may play a role
- A cultural environment that puts a high value on thin or lean bodies
- A tendency toward perfectionism, fear of being ridiculed or humiliated, a desire to always be perceived as being “good”, and/or a belief that being perfect is necessary in order to be loved
- Family history of anorexia – about one fifth of people with anorexia have a relative with an eating disorder
Possible Signs of Anorexia Nervosa
- Excessive weight loss
- Absent menstrual periods
- Thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Brittle nails
- Cold or swollen hands and feet
- Bloated or upset stomach
- Fatigue
- Distorted self-perception
- Refusal to eat
- Obsessive-compulsive behavior
- Depression
Diagnosis (differs depending on the person)
“People with anorexia may think they are in control of their disease and don’t need help. But if you or a loved one is experiencing signs of anorexia, it’s important to seek help. If you are a parent who suspects your child has anorexia, take your child to see a doctor immediately. He/she will order several laboratory tests and perform a psychological evaluation.”
Possible Treatments (differs depending on the person)
“The most successful treatment is a combination of psychotherapy, family therapy, medication and even hypnotherapy. It is important for the person with anorexia to be actively involved in their treatment. Many times the person with anorexia doesn’t think they need treatment. Even if they know they need treatment, anorexia is a long-term mental illness with an impact that lasts a lifetime. Anorexic individuals remain vulnerable to relapse when going through stressful periods of their lives, or simply through certain triggers at any point that may cause them to return to unhealthy behavior.”
Rachael’s goal is not only to recover from anorexia. “I want to bring awareness to this disease because it’s going unnoticed and there’s a lot of shame around eating disorders right now,” she said. “It’s inspiring me to want to get better — I want my struggle to help other women know that they aren’t alone. This terrible disease should not be kept in the closet of shame.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, there is help – you are not alone. Call the confidential National Eating Disorders Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or the 24/7 National Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK, or Chat Confidentially Online.
Sources: http://www.cnn.com, University of Maryland Medical Center
Share your story below – Are you or someone you know suffering with Anorexia? What forms of treatment are you/they receiving? How did you/they know they had Anorexia?
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New MIND Diet May Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s
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As we all know, what you decide to eat directly affects your health. But there is now new evidence that shows the same is true for your brain health. In a new study conducted by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, a new diet plan they developed, called the MIND diet, may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 53%.
According to the nutritional epidemiologist, Martha Clare Morris, PhD, lead author of the MIND diet study, “This diet appears to be just one of the many factors that play into who gets the disease. Genetics and other factors like smoking, exercise and education also play a role. But the MIND diet helped slow the rate of cognitive decline and protect against Alzheimer’s regardless of other risk factors.” The study included more than 900 people between the ages of 58 and 98 and it found that those participants who followed this diet, had a level of cognitive function equivalent of a person about 7 years younger.
Click here for more studies on Alzheimer’s Disease!
Here are the nine brain healthy food groups the MIND diet recommends to consume to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease:
Vegetables: The MIND diet recommends frequent servings of all vegetables – especially green, leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli and collards. They are packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C and many other nutrients.
Nuts: According to the MIND diet study, nuts are a good snack for brain health because they contain healthy fats, fiber and antioxidant. The MIND diet recommends eating nuts at least five times a week.
Berries: Morris states, “Blueberries are one of the more potent foods in terms of protecting the brain.” The diet recommends eating berries at least twice a week.
Beans: Beans are high in fiber and protein and low in calories and fat. According to the MIND diet, they also keep your mind sharp, making them the perfect food for brain health.
Whole Grains: A key component of the MIND diet, it is recommended at least three servings per day.
Fish: The MIND diet recommends eating fish at least once per week to protect brain function.
Poultry: It is recommended to eat two or more servings a week on the MIND diet since poultry is a large part of the brain-healthy eating plan.
Olive Oil: Researchers have found that people who use olive oil as their primary oil saw greater protection against cognitive decline.
Wine: The MIND diet recommends a glass of wine every day.
Click here for more information on how to optimize your brain health!
And here are the six food groups to avoid to optimize your brain health:
Red Meat: Limit consumption to no more than four servings a week to help protect brain health.
Butter and Stick Margarine: These foods should be limited to less than a tablespoon per day on the MIND diet. Substitute for Olive oil.
Cheese: Limit consumption of cheese to no more than once a week.
Pastries and Sweets: According to the MIND diet, pastries and other sweets could actually have a negative effect on brain health. Limit consumption to no more than five treats a week.
Fast Food: Limit consumption to no more than one a week.
Fried Food: Limit consumption to no more than one a week.
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com