Anorexia/ Bulimia

Symptoms of Anorexia

There are several signs and symptoms that indicate that an individual may be suffering from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa and they may be characterized as physical and behavioral.

Physical symptoms: Unusual and dramatic weight loss or body weight that is approximately 15% below ideal weight Stunted growth Irregular or inconsistent menstrual periods in women Sunken eyes or dark circles around the eyes Pale complexion Excessively dry or chapped lips and skin Creaking joints and bones Anemia Anemia Headaches Fainting spells Constipation and diarrhea Oral hygiene problems such as discolored teeth, sensitive, swollen, and bleeding cheeks and gums (please note that these symptoms are observed in bulimic patients as a result of stomach acids that are expelled during purging)

Behavioral symptoms: Extreme exercising Social withdrawal Self-harm including substance abuse Refusal to eat in public Secretive behavior, especially when it comes to eating habits Hyper-sensitive, particularly when references are made to body weight Moodiness Obsessive behavior Extreme self-critiquing, including being too harsh on self, negative self-evaluation and low self esteem

Natural Cures

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are most successfully treated with psychological and behavioral therapies because of the underlying psychological factors. Additionally, anorexic and bulimic individuals typically refuse to eat or consume medication because they do not wish to be ‘treated’. However, there are some remedies that a caregiver can attempt to treat an anorexic or bulimic patient with, and they are:

Herbal Tea

Create herbal teas with calming herbs such as chamomile, comfrey, valerian root or mint. Sweeten the teas with honey if desired.

Zinc

A deficiency of Zinc is believed to inhibit the treatment of an individual suffering from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa but the consumption of zinc may aid in improving the appetite. The consumption of 50 milligrams of Zinc each day along with one to three milligrams of copper can aid in increasing the desire to consume food.

Suggestions to provide emotional and moral support to an anorexic or bulimic patient are:

	Join support groups so that patients can interact with people who are experiencing the same disease.
	Eat with the patient or in a group to monitor food intake.
	Do not allow the patient to be alone for a long duration so that purging behavior, self-harm or substance abuse may be prevented.
	Do not isolate the patient and be physically and emotionally available. Consider family or group therapy to provide further support.

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