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When one thinks about eating disorders, the first illnesses that come to mind are the more commonly occurring eating problems, such as anorexia and bulimia. Few realize that there are actually many other types of eating disorders, which can be equally serious for those who suffer from them. In this article, we’ll discuss a lesser-known eating disorder, known as pica. We will then help you to learn more about the disease and its treatment, so you can help someone in your circle if you encounter these pathologies.

Many of the better-known eating disorders involve a low-self image and a desire to become thinner. Pica differs completely from these classic models. This syndrome is defined as a disorder in which one constantly feels the need to eat things that are not commonly considered food.

The name ‘pica’ was given to the disorder because in Latin, Pica means “magpie,” which is a type of bird that often has an odd diet. Magpies are known to eat or steal many non-food items for their nests.

While the cravings to eat non-food objects (such as children eating dirt, for example) may occur for a short time in some individuals, the symptoms can persist for a much longer period of time. In these cases, Pica may be the accurate diagnosis.

Things that people with pica often desire to eat may include dirt, chips of paint, starch for use in laundry, feces of animals, soap, or glue. These are just a few of the things that one with Pica may desire to consume, and there are many other things to consider. While some of the things that those with pica desire to eat can be consumed with little to no negative effects on the body, others can have terribly bad effects.

There are several reasons why one may develop a case of Pica. In many cases, it is a natural response of the body to a deficiency of certain minerals, such as iron or zinc. Poor diets may also result in a desire to eat non-food items, and malnutrition can sometimes be pointed to as the cause. Mental retardation can also be responsible, as well as certain cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Women who are pregnant may also experience a case of Pica, as cravings during pregnancy can be intense and odd.

In order to treat Pica, one must understand the underlying conditions leading to the symptoms and results in each person. In many cases, the disorder can be cleared up by addressing the mineral deficiency that may be causing the urges. Psychotherapy may also be employed in order to help a person to cure themselves of their Pica urges.

It’s important to address Pica as soon as the diagnosis is made, as this disease can cause malnutrition and lead poisoning. Infections may occur, and if one is eating certain items, intestinal blockage can treat major and possibly deadly consequences.

If you know someone who you suspect is undergoing a problem with the eating disorder with these symptoms, you may want to ask him or her to visit a doctor in order to address the problem and determine the cause. It could be as simple as a mineral deficiency, or it could be something more intractable. While Pica is an odd eating disorder, it’s no laughing matter. Pica should be treated whenever it is diagnosed.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Eating Disorders.

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Tags: anorexia, Eating Disorders, malnutrition, pica

As commonly known to most of us, Anorexia and Bulimia are the most common forms of eating disorders. While this is true to a large extent, Compulsive over Eating is another type of an eating disorder which is slowly becoming very common too. The symptoms are the exact opposite to that of Anorexia and can cause serious damage to ones health. It too is basically a mental problem and has been found to be difficult to surmount. Let us try and understand this disorder more thoroughly.

Firstly, gender is not a bias for those affected by this disorder and therefore both males and females are affected. Recent studies have however shown females being more afflicted. Over eating can be described as going on a food eating binge and literally gorging on food. This binge in most cases is caused by accepting eating as a comfort from mental stress and is followed by a period of guilt and depression.

A person affected continues eating even after they are full and does this regularly every day, every meal. All of us tend to pig out on food at times, but when one overeats every single time, it is cause for worry and also for a check up to ensure you too are not becoming a compulsive over eater.

Some common pointers to one being a compulsive over eater are (a) Finishing your meal well before others and a desire to virtually attack the food on your plate. (b) Eating when not physically hungry that is eating without any hunger pangs or eating just for the heck of it. (c) Eating to a point when you feel distinctly uncomfortable. Every time you get up after a meal you realize you have over eaten but cannot help it. (d) Realizing that you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above regularly and are yet not able to stop your self.

Although compulsive over eating may not seem like a major problem or serious enough to cause worry, it has a very large number of negative affects on your good health. Heart disease, heightened cholesterol level, type II diabetes and obesity can result from this disorder.

The mental affect of having low self esteem is a major fall out and can have serious consequences. Proper counseling and guidance is required to relieve this mental strain. The best option in case some one you know is affected by this disorder is to make him/her open up to discuss the problem with you or an expert. While discussing such a problem be very serious and use a sympathetic and compassionate manner.

Understand the physical and mental stress the person is undergoing and make sure you do not ridicule him ever. If symptoms are left untreated it can have serious consequences and it is therefore highly advisable to consult a specialist for counseling.

Compulsive over eating is a disorder affecting a large number of people, especially in large towns and cities and we need to tackle such symptoms early.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Eating Disorders.

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Tags: anorexia, cholesterol, compulsive over eating, Eating Disorders, obesity, type-2-diabetes

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that many know but few talk about. It’s a disorder that can be very shameful, and difficult to conquer. Many anorexics are in denial about their condition. Few realize how tough it can be to determine the disease, and how seriously distorted an anorexic can feel about their body image. In this article, we’ll give you a basic idea of what anorexia is, and give you some diagnostic signposts to determine when you or someone close to you has a problem with the disorder.

Anorexia is, above all, a form of mental illness. That’s not to say that anorexics are crazy; it simply alludes to the fact that the brain functioning of someone with the disorder suffers from an unhealthy response to their environment. Anorexia can be especially ingrained in one’s behavior, and can be very difficult for anorexics to simply stop their behavior without professional help.

Here are some of the things that doctors look for when it comes to diagnosing anorexia. If you think that some of the criteria fit the situation that you are in, you may want to seek outside help for dealing with your nutrition:

Most doctors diagnose anorexia first and foremost by the weight that an individual is. If you are 85 percent or less of your recommended body weight and you refuse to take action against it to gain weight, you may have a problem with anorexia. This weight level can be extremely unhealthy, and it can result in serious damage to one’s body.

Another thing that doctors look for is a particular fear of gaining weight. The anorexic can have an inordinate fear of being fat, even if they are rail-thin. This fear of gaining weight and ignoring one’s actual body image can be a major detective sign of the illness.

If you tend to deny the fact that your body weight is insufficient, and you have low feelings of self worth, doctors may have to be involved in your treatment. Remember, anorexia is a problem that is rooted psychologically, and physically changing behavior patterns alone will not be a sufficient solution. If you feel that you or someone you love may have anorexia, you should at least give yourself the opportunity to speak with a doctor or another professional about your problem.

If you think that a friend may be anorexic, there are some warning signs that you may be able to note. Those with the disorder will often avoid questions about their weight as well as they can, and may get angry if you try to discuss the issue with them. Also, they may avoid eating in public as to disguise their diet. If you see some of these warning signs, do your best to get your friend to a physician. If you wait too long, the damage that the disorder does to the body can become so severe that it can be tough to recover from them, and the use of an IV may be employed to try to bring your loved one back to health. The danger that eating disorders present are many, so addressing the problem is paramount to keeping your friend in proper health.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Eating Disorders.

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Tags: anorexia, anorexia nervosa, Eating Disorders