Eating Disorders are widely recognised and thought of as conditions solely affecting the female population. However, particularly in recent years there has been a rise in boys and men suffering from physical and psychological complications directly related to eating disorders, coming forward for support and treatment.
- How common are Eating Disorders in Men?
- How do Eating Disorders Effect Men?
- What is Reverse Anorexia?
- Treatment Implications
How Common are Eating Disorders in Men?
It is widely accepted that there is a significantly lower prevalence rate of eating disorders seen among males than females. Recent research indicates that around 10-15% of cases diagnosed are male. Also, it is important to highlight that his is certainly not a new phenomena as the first recorded male suffering from anorexia nervosa dates as far back as the 1690s. The number of reported cases is evidenced to be rising, specifically in terms of adolescents. Many health professionals also believe that the condition in males is likely to be both under-reported and under-diagnosed.
How Do Eating Disorders Effect Men?
Apart from the obvious differences, such as menstruation, between men and women the effects are recognised as being rather similar. However, there are some key differences relating to the age of the condition beginning (later onset) substance abuse, sport, body image and dieting. Treasure et al. (2003) highlight that while both are believed to exhibit some concern about sex role identity the psychopathology is usually less severe in males compare to females. Athletes such as gymnasts, jockeys and runners are also deemed to be more at risk. Research indicates that men are more likely to uses less harmful methods of control such as excessive exercise as opposed to women who more frequently use serious purging methods such as laxative abuse, diuretics, diet pills and emetics.
What is Reverse Anorexia?
Reverse anorexia is recognised as more common among bodybuilders. It is so called due to the accompanying reverse of associated self-perception symptoms. Apart from this, the condition closely resembles anorexia nervosa although it may also involve the abuse of anabolic steroids.
Treatment ImplicationsThere are several main treatment issues in relation to male sufferers including: the overwhelming majority of treatment is specifically aimed at girls/young women, some residential centres only accept women and there is an increased risk of isolation in treatment approaches such as group therapy where the sufferer may likely be the sole male patient.
According to the Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, anorexia is increasingly prevalent among boys and men, as well as girls and women also suffer from eating disorders.
Some leading symptoms of anorexia are as follows:
• Refusal to acknowledge the minimal body weight
• Dominating fear in spite of being under weight
• Social withdrawal and depression
• Disrupted sleep and fatigue
• Decrease in concentration and attention
• Problems in interaction with people
• Obsession with thoughts of food and weight control
• Lack of self perception
• Frequent disorders in mood, personality and behavior
• Overpowering importance to physical perfection and outlook
Regular treatment of anorexia combines both hospitalization and outpatient setting. At times, severe case of anorexia leads to organ dysfunction, which needs immediate hospitalization. The emergent goal of regular treatment of anorexia is to prevent malnutrition and at times, intravenous feeding is required for this case. Weight management can also be achieved through adopting the nutritional treatment. The treatment aids in gaining at least 3-4 pounds per week. But, the treatment should be based on the overall development of the patient rather than considering only the aspect of weight gain. Some of the potential therapies included in regular treatment are as follows:
• Group therapy
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
Anorexia is a common problem arising out of persistent digestion disorder. Anorexia patient, as a result to this, suffers from loss of appetite, unable to eat a proper diet. Also, there is general weakness and problems of sleeplessness. Anorexia affects the overall health. Anorexia is caused due to bad eating habits. Usually women tempted to reduce weight extremely, especially the size zero types suffer from anorexia.
Home remedies, along with psychological medication, helps in treating anorexia and the symptoms related to it. Home remedies for anorexia include apple, ginger, orange juice, lemon, garlic, grapes, warm water, mint, etc. Though extreme cases need medical consultation, yet anorexia can generally be kept at bay with healthy and convenient home remedies.
Some of the remedies of vital importance are as follows:
• Apple: Eating an apple a day stimulates surge of a protein digesting enzymes known as pepsin. This is useful in helping digestion.
• Ginger: Ginger is especially recommended for anorexia because it helps to enhance hunger. Ginger taken with rock salt every day, works miraculously on upset stomach.
• Orange Juice Therapy: Orange juice is not only a thirst quencher but is also a good therapy for anorexia. All you need to do is to have a glass of orange juice after every two hours throughout the day. Follow this for 2-3 days and you will see the worst of digestive system getting into right form. Remember not to take anything else in between. Basically, this methodology will cleanse the system thoroughly.
• Lemon: Lemon works greatly as a system cleanser. One lemon squeezed in a glass of lukewarm water with a pinch of salt, drunk in the morning, cleanses the system thoroughly. Add some ginger juice to make it more effective. Lemon tones up the system.
• Garlic: Take three to four cloves of garlic a day in what ever form like raw garlic, crushed garlic in soup and garlic boiled in water. Garlic helps in anorexia as it cleanses system and increases hunger. It helps in secretion of juices that cleanses digestive system.
• Sour Grapes: Have juice of sour grapes for dual purpose, improving appetite and digestive system. Remember to take this continuously every day for at least three weeks to get effective results.
• Warm Water: Water is the basic remedy to anorexia. Unless your digestive system is not cleansed, you will not feel hungry and your anorexia will not be cured. Water does the first step. Intake of warm water cleanses the digestive system.
• Mint: It is natural appetizer. Only 2 spoons of mint juice in the morning helps to increase your hunger. Within a few days of taking mint juice, you will see a marked change in your eating habit. You will feel more craving for food.
• Asafetida: This is a grandma’s treatment. Since ages, it has been believed that if you take a pinch of asafetida in a spoon of pure ghee, it will solve the problem of anorexia.
• Pineapple: Take a few pieces of pineapple regularly for breakfast and you will feel craving for food throughout the day.
Anorexia home remedies aim at improving digestion, increasing appetite and enhancing overall body health. The best part with home remedies is that they don’t have any side effects and are effective too. It is a must to take them regularly over period of time to reap good results.
Anorexia is a curable problem coupled with the right therapy and diet. You need to take proper diet and cleanse the digestive system. Taking one can easily do this or some of the above mentioned home remedies.
Tags: anorexia, anorexia recovery, asafetida, eating disorder, food remedy