Although eating disorders are relatively uncommon, they are most common amongst teenagers. The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa; these conditions are much more common in girls than boys but the number of boys affected by eating disorders is increasingly steadily year on year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anorexia and bulimia are conditions that affect the way people eat and behave; they are characterised by an unhealthy relationship with food which affects a person\u2019s mental health. People with anorexia usually eat very little and are obsessed with losing weight and becoming thin; in many cases, people with anorexia feel that they look fat even when they are dangerously thin. People with bulimia go through a continuous cycle of binge eating and vomiting. Anorexia often causes more extreme weight loss and is commonly more dangerous than bulimia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Often people with an eating disorder become very secretive and withdrawn so it can be difficult to spot; however there are some common signs to look out for; these include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eating disorders can potentially be very harmful and may even result in death if left untreated. Common effects of eating disorders include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More severe eating disorders may also result in serious complications including organ failure, infertility and infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The treatment you will be given will depend on the nature and severity of your illness; in severe cases, patients may have to be hospitalised, usually in a special unit to control body weight and monitor the patient\u2019s heart rate and blood pressure. In milder cases, doctors often recommend a combination of therapy and counselling and nutritional advice; this helps patients to address the root cause of their negative relationship with food and learn about nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children Health Intro<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Acne<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Asthma<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Chickenpox<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Coughs and colds<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating disorders<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Eczema<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Glandular fever<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Immunisations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping your child healthy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Meningitis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sexually transmitted infections<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Teenage Health<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n