Coping with Appetite Disturbances

• Coping with Appetite Disturbances
  
  Appetite Disturbances, either experiencing loss of appetite, or    
  having difficulty controlling it, can be helped with several
  alternative therapies. If you experience a notable change in
  appetite, you should first consult a physician, to rule out any
  illness or nutritional deficiencies. Whether you want to stimulate
  your appetite or control it, changing the way you eat may help.
  
  Appetite loss is the body's defense against ingesting anything that
  could slow the healing process. Almost any infection can cause a loss
  of appetite. A passing cold or flu virus could be responsible. Even
  the weather. So could more serious things like tuberculosis, low
  thyroid function, diseases of the heart or lungs or liver problems.
  
  Bulimia is an illness characterized by uncontrolled episodes of
  overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting. Eating binges
  may occur as often as several times a day. Induced vomiting known as
  purging allows the eating to continue until interrupted by sleep,
  abdominal pain, or the presence of another person. The person is
  usually aware that their eating pattern is abnormal and may
  experience fear or guilt associated with the binge-purge episodes.
  The behavior is usually secretive, although clues to this disorder
  include overactivity, peculiar eating habits, eating rituals, and
  frequent weighing. Body weight is usually normal or low, although the
  person may perceive themselves as overweight.
  
  The exact cause of bulimia is unknown, but factors thought to
  contribute to its development are family problems, maladaptive
  behavior, self-identity conflict, and cultural overemphasis on
  physical appearance. Bulimia may be associated with depression. The
  disorder is usually not associated with any underlying physical
  problem although the behavior may be associated with neurological or
  endocrine diseases. The disorder occurs most often in females of
  adolescent or young adult age. The incidence is 2 in 10,000 people.
  
  Bulimia is a bit different from anorexia because the person with
  bulimia doesn't avoid eating. Instead, he or she eats a large amount
  of food then gets rid of it quickly by vomiting or taking laxatives.
  This is commonly known as "binge and purge" behavior.
  
  Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder associated with a distorted
  body image that may be caused by a mental disorder. Inadequate
  calorie intake results in severe weight loss. The exact cause of this
  disorder is not known, but social attitudes towards body appearance
  and family factors play a role in its development. The condition
  affects females more frequently, usually in adolescence or young
  adulthood.
  
  Unique features of anorexia are not only the strong desire to be very
  thin, but also the altered body perception that goes with it. People
  with anorexia have an intense fear of being fat. When a person has
  anorexia, he or she hardly eats at all — and the small amount of food
  that is eaten becomes an obsession. A person with anorexia may weigh
  food before eating it or compulsively count the calories of
  everything. It is not unusual for a person with anorexia to also
  exercise excessively in an attempt to lose weight.
  
  Statistics show the risk factors are seen most often in Caucasians,
  having an upper or middle economic background, being female, and
  having a goal-oriented family or personality. The incidence is 4 out
  of 100,000 people.
  
  Other culprits of appetite loss include anti-histamines, over the
  counter drugs, pain killers and perscriptions.
  
  Aging itself can take its toll on the appetite. In older people the
  metabolism slows down, muscle mass decreases and physical ailments
  impede activity. On top of all this, taste sensations diminish and
  stomach secretions don't flow like they used to. All of these things
  contribute to appetite loss.
  
  Controlling your appetite, is another matter. We often eat out of
  habit, not hunger. People who do try to stop an addictive behavior,
  such as smoking, often find themselves overeating. One reason is
  habit: They're used to doing something with their hands and mouth, so
  they eat. Or they could be battling the misery of nicotine withdrawal
  with the nurturing pleasure of food. Regardless of the excuse, this
  lack of control often leads to many health problems. See related
  topics: weight loss , aging , depression , stress , sleep
  difficulties , pms , anxiety , thyroid problems , diabetes and
  smoking .
  
  According to the American Institute of Gastroenterology, the best
  strategy to promoting good overall health is to eat a balanced,
  predominantly plant-based and nutritionally dense diet. Most of your
  daily calories should come from vegetables, fruits, whole grains and
  beans.
  
  Best Balancing Tips
  
  1. Recognize the problem: People with an appetite disturbance often
  do not recognize or admit that they have a problem. A trusted family
  members or other individual you believe in can be helpful in making
  sure that needed care or rehabilitation are received.
  
  2. Determining your needs: Appetite disturbances, eating disorders,
  depression and anxiety all require a comprehensive diagnosis, in
  which, the clinician will determine whether the person is in
  immediate danger and/or requires hospitalization. Nutritional
  counseling, psychosocial interventions, monitoring, as well as
  medical care maybe appropriate.
  
  3. Talk Therapies: Individual psychotherapy (especially cognitive-
  behavioral or interpersonal psychotherapy) , group psychotherapy that
  uses a cognitive-behaviora l approach and family or marital therapy
  can be very effective. Overcome low self-esteem and addressing
  distorted thought patterns and behaviors are crucial. Families are
  sometimes included in the therapeutic process.
  
  4. Severe weight loss: requires an inpatient hospital stay, where
  proper nourishment is given and the person's medical needs are met.
  In some cases, intravenous feeding is appropriate.
  
  5. Moderate exercise is crucial: for both successful weight loss or
  for those suffering from anorexia and bulimia. Not only does it help
  burn excess calories, but by increasing your physical activity you
  can modify the way your brain regulates hunger, making you less
  susceptible to food cravings and can increase hormones in order to
  stabilize mood or anxiety disorders . If exercise is done
  excessively, in the case of anorexia and bulimia, encouragement of
  healthy but not excessive exercise is the specific goal in this
  strategy.
  
  6. The primary goal of treatment for bulimia: is to reduce or
  eliminate binge eating and purging behavior.
  
  7. The primary goal of treatment for anorexia: is restoring weight
  lost due to severe dieting and purging.
  
  8. Vitamin Therapy: is a good way to help your body regulate what you
  may not be getting through your diet or what you are losing through
  purging and abuse. A good daily multivitamin is the best start.
  
  9. Drink Plenty of Water: Not only will you loss water as you
  exercise, drinking water makes you feel full, therefore, not as much
  room for food.
  
  10. Control blood sugar levels: this is a good way to balance your
  system by eating 5 small high protein meals a day.
  
  11. Limit Animal-based Foods: such as meat and dairy products, which
  are loaded with saturated fat and cholesterol. Use olive oil or
  canola oil instead of butter or margarine to reduce your intake of
  saturated fat and hydrogenated fat (trans fat). Moderate your
  consumption of fried, salted and smoked foods.
  
  12. Portion Control: Eat portions to satisfy hunger, not to clean the
  plate. By dinner, if you have complex carbs (potatoes, yams, brown
  rice…) with your meal; it should be no more than a cup full. Half of
  your plate should be vegetable. The meat, fish, chicken portion
  should be the size of your fist. Portion control is the secret to a
  healthy weight! Avoid coffee, sugar, alcohol.
  
  13. Believe: Your belief system has everything to do with the mental
  and spiritual aspects of any eating disorder. Fight anxiety with
  relaxation exercises rather than food. Utilize meditation, yoga,
  stretching. By creating healthy eating habits and regular exercise,
  you are sure to lose weight without depriving yourself of nourishing
  food. And if you continue those good habits after you reach your
  goal, you will have an excellent chance of maintaining your desired
  weight and see it more as maintaining a lifestyle as opposed to a
  diet.
  
  11. Sleep Well: Good quality sleep is important, especially when you
  are trying to loss weight or recover from anorexia or bulimia. It is
  most important to go to sleep with a "Quiet Mind". Sleep rejuvenates,
  detoxes and regulates the body.
  
  12. Overcome Fear: Fear can be an underlining problem in many cases.
  There are many ways to quiet the mind. Doing 15 to 30 minutes of
  meditation or yoga can be very helpful. You must allow yourself to be
  distracted or get into your meditation or yoga and "let go" of the
  days thoughts...consider meditation. Address your fears or phobias by
  journaling.
  
  Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

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