Eating Disorders Cured By Homoeopathic Medicines

Author:
Dr B S Suvarna
B.A, D.I.Hom[Lond.], M.I.H, PhD, PGDPC (Psychotherapy & Counselling, USA)
HOMOEO PHYSICIAN
MAMTHA HOMOEO CLINIC
Jeevan Shanthi
Karnataka State, India

What is an eating disorder ?

People with an eating disorder experience extreme disturbances in their eating behavior and related thoughts and feelings

Eating disorders are characterised by an whelming consuming drive to be thin and a morbid fear of gaining weight and losing control over eating

Mostly females are treated for eating

Mostly females are treated for eating disorders , although they can be experienced by males , onset is usually during adolescence , but can also be during early adulthood

Eating disorders can be overcome and it is important for the person to seek advice and treatment as early as possible , as eating disorders can have serious physical and psychological consequences

What are the main types of eating disorders

The two most serious eating disorders are anorexia nervosa (anorexia ) and bulmia nervosa (bulimia)

ANOREXIA

Anorexia is characterized by an intense fear of being obese and a relentless pursuit of thinness , its symptoms include

1. A loss at least 15 % of body weight resulting from refusal to eat enough food , despite resulting from refusal to eat enough food , despite extreme hunger

2. An intense fear of becoming fat and losing control

3. A disturbance of perception of body image in that people may regard themselves as fat , overestimating body size the thinner they become

4. A tendency to eat exercise obsessively

5. A preoccupation with determining good and bad foods and with the preparation of food

6. Absence of menstrual periods

Often anorexia begins with a weight loss , resulting from either dieting or physical illness , positive comments about the weight loss seem to encourage the person to believe that if thin is good thinner is better

Starvation and erratic patterns can then become anorexia

A significant proportion of people with anorexia will also develop

Bulimia

Bulimia is characterised by binge eating and purging its symptoms include

1. eating binges that involve consumption of large amounts of calorie –rich foods during which the person feels a loss of personal control and self disgust

2. purging attempts to compensate for binges to avoid weight gain by self induced vomiting and /or misuse of laxatives and fluid tablets

3. A combination of restricted eating and compulsive exercise so that control of weight dominates the persons life

A person with bulimia is usually close to their normal body weight , so it less recognisable than a person with bulimia is usually close to their normal body weight , so is less recognizable than a person with anorexia

Bulimia often starts with rigid weight reduction dieting often starts with rigid weight reduction dieting in the pursuit of thinness , inadequate nutrition causes tiredness and power full urges to depression and guilt

Some people use laxative apparently unaware that that laxative , apparently

Some people use laxative , apparently unaware that laxative do not reduce kilojoules / fat content and serve to eliminate vital trace elements and dehydrate the body that bring about lethargy , depression and clouded thinking

The person can make strong efforts to break the pattern , but the vicious binge / purge / exercise cycle and the feelings associated with it become compulsive and uncontrollable

BINGE EATING DISORDER

This eating disorder has only recently recognized people with binge eating disorder have episodes of binge eating in which they consume of time , however they do not make attempts to purge their food after binging the binge eating can lead to serious health consequences such as obesity , diabetes , hypertension and cardiovascular  disease

CO-OCCURING MENTAL HEALTH

Eating disorder often co-occur wit anxiety disorders

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA 

The physical effects of anorexia and bulimia can be very serious but are generally reversible if the illness is treated early if left untreated

Severe anorexia and bulimia can be life threatening both illnesses

1 harm to kidneys
2 urinary tract infection and damage to the colon
3 dehydration , constipation and diarrhea
4 seizures muscles spasms or cramps
5 chronic indigestion
6 loss of menstruation or irregular periods
7 strain on most body organs many of the effects of are related to malnutrition including
8 absence of menstrual periods
9 growth of hair all over the body
10 inability to concentrate and think rationally

SEVERE BULIMIA LIKELY TO CAUSE
1 erosion of dental enamel from vomiting
2 swollen salivary glands
3 chronic sore throat and gullet
4 intestinal and psychological effects
5 difficult with activities that involve food and deceptive behaviors related to food
6 loneliness due to self imposed isolation and a reluctance to develop personal relationship
7 fear of the disapproval of others if the illness becomes known
8 mood swings , changes in personality emotional out bursts and depression

Responding to early warning signs and obtaining early treatment for anorexia and bulimia is there fore essential

WHAT CAUSES EATING DISORDERS ?

The causes of anorexia and bulimia remain unclear biological and social factors involved

The most strongly related risk factors fir the development of an eating disorder is dieting

GENETIC FACTORS

There is some evidence that women who have a mother or sister with anorexia nervosa are much more likely to develop the disorder themselves that are women who do not have a family member with the disorder

BIOCHEMICAL FACTORS

Chemical or hormonal imbalances , particularly those associated with the Onset of puberty , may be related to the development of an eating disorder

PERSONAL FACTORS

A range of individual factors have been liked with eating disorders including

1 changes in life circumstances such as the onset of adolescence , breakdown of relationships child birth or death of a loved one
2 perfectionism and a belief that love from family and friends depends on high achievement
3 fear of the responsibility of adult hood
4 poor communication between family members or parental reluctance to allow independence as children mature

SOCIAL DISORDERS INFLUENCES

Eating disorders are increasing in western sociates , and has been linked to our obsession with body image

A growth in websites encouraging young women is particularly alarming

The media presents being thin as the ideal body shape and is preoccupied wit peoples physical characteristics people who are over weight or obese tend to be negatively stereotyped

WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE  

Eating disorders can be effectively treated , early intervention improves the out come of recovery in all eating disorders

Recover can take months or years , but the majority of people recovery

Changes in eating behaviour may be caused by many different illnesses

TREATMENT IS LIKELY TO INCLUDE

1 dietary education to assist with straining

2 anti-depression medication may be used to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety

3 inter personal therapies help people to understand the effects of interpersonal relationships on their emotion and eating behavior

4 out patient treatment and attendance at special programs are the preferred treatment for people with anorexia , hospitalization may be required for those severely malnourished through lack of food

The family and friends of people with an eating disorder can often feel confused and distressed support and education are an important part of treatment

BULIMIA NERVOSA
(binge-eating)

In this condition the desire to eat is constant , large quantities of food are devoured , often with no regard of food are devoured , often with no regard for what it is and the whole process of eating becomes morbid eating or taking laxatives so that no weight gain is noticed unfortunately, the loss of body fluids that occurs may also upset the body chemistry

It is as serious a condition as anorexia nervosa and medical advice should be sought as the cause is frequently a deep rooted psychological problem

SYMPTOMS /MEDICINES:

Medicines –Ferrum metallicum

Despite a ravenous hunger and eating habits , there is a failure to gain weight

A yearing for indigestible things like calk dry foods and coffee grounds , but potatoes are often disagreeable

Dark , slimy but women who are usually cheerful but who may have a tendency to be anxious about their health

All bodily functions are sluggish

Medicines –Alumina

May be over sensitive , weak and pale and vomit immediately after eating midnight

An aversion to sour foods an intolerance of eggs

Slightest noise

Become and anxious if they don’t eat

Fear people and social events and want but feels

Medicines – Iodium

The more that is eaten , the more is wanted , but feels full after a few mouthfuls

Excessive flatulence

Intelectually keen but physically weak with the worst time being from 4 to 8pm

Peevish and irritable and easily angered

Medicines –Lycopodium

Craving for acidic things and lemonade with a tremendous thirst

Very irritable with a nervous temperament and may be thin and lack energy

Skin feels cold yet can not bear being covered

Medicines –Secale cornutum

Eats very quickly literally pushing food into mouth

Symptoms are worse around mid day ,when feels very weak and debilitated

Incessant movement of legs and feet

Generally feels worse after drinking wine

Medicines –Zincum metallicum