As we read about the introduction of an eating disorder and pica in my last article, so let’s discuss more eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa and Rumination Disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is often called as anorexia. The scientific term anorexia nervosa comes from the symptom which means “loss of appetite” and Latin word Nervosa which means nervous. It is an eating disorder determined by low weight, food restriction, the strong wish of being thin, fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia always feel that they are overweight even if they are underweight. They exercise way too much, self-starve themselves, make themselves vomit to produce weight loss. Women often stop having a menstrual period.

Causes 

The exact cause of anorexia nervosa is still unknown. But the studies tell’s that combination of personality traits, emotions, feelings, behaviour as well as the biological factor and environmental factor might be responsible.

The biological factor can be a cause for anorexia nervosa. Premature birth, diabetes mellitus, maternal anaemia, heart abnormalities can become a factor for the development of anorexia nervosa. People with the gastrointestinal disorder can be the biggest risk factor for anorexia nervosa. It is also more likely to occur in a person’s pubertal years.

Early theories of anorexia nervosa were connected with dysfunctional families or sexual abuse. Low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, loneliness can be the psychological cause of anorexia nervosa. Also, the professions where there is so much of social pressure like models or actors, people have a specific image for the people in these type of profession, so they work out, put themselves on heavy diets which is one big factor of anorexia nervosa.

Symptoms 

The symptoms of anorexia can be rapid weight loss in months or weeks, intense fear of gaining weight, continuing to do diet even when the person is underweight, strange eating habit or patterns, having food rituals like cutting food into tiny pieces, refusing to eat in front of others. Dosage of diet pills or water pills to flush out the food after eating or do self-vomiting, over-exercise which also includes micro exercise which means the continuous movements of fingers and toes.

Perceiving one own self as over-weight, can’t stand cold temperature or complain continuously of being cold, hypotension, depression, anxiety, insomnia, may avoid family and friends or be very secretive, dry hair and skin as well as hair thinning, rapid mood swings, having feet discolouration and having the orange appearance, having severe muscle pain, aches, tension, chronic fatigue, the habit of self-harming or delf-loathing, infertility, admiration of thinner people.

 

Assessment

Identifying anorexia is kind of difficult and challenging. This disorder can many a times go undetected.

The doctors start the assessment by researching about the medical history of the individual and also can take a physical exam. There are no specific lab tests on anorexia nervosa, but the doctor might conduct a blood test to find out the physical illness as the cause of weight loss, as well as to find out the effect of it on the body organs.

If the doctor cannot bring out any physical illness, a particular person can be referred to psychologists, psychiatrist, or professionals who are specifically trained to diagnose this kind of mental illness. This psychologist or psychiatrist may design a special interview or assessment to detect the cause the disorder

Psychological perspective

The diagnosis was Anorexia Nervosa was found in a wealthy Roman female who self-starved herself for religious and spiritual beliefs. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder controlled by the way the individual looks. It is believed that the sufferer of this disorder stive to look thin which results to self-acceptance and self-worth, this belief of looking a certain way is the portrayal of media and society of how one should look. It is also believed that to provide the patient of anorexia nervosa with a sense of control and get a focus by distracting their emotions, feelings.    

 

Rumination disorder

Rumination disorder is a chronic disorder determined by regurgitation of most meals, due to involuntary contraction of muscles around the abdomen. The term rumination comes from the Latin word ruminate, which means shew the cud. And this was first time described by Aristotle in his writings, and this rumination disorder was first time clinically documented in 1618 by an Italian anatomist Fabricius ab Aquapendente when he found out symptoms inpatient.

Regurgitation means the action of bringing back the swallowed food to the mouth. Regurgitation happens when recently ingested food into oesophagus, throat, mouth but isn’t forcefully or involuntarily expelled out from mouth as it is in vomiting. Historically this disorder is said to be affecting children, young people, and the people with cognitive disabilities. Rumination disorder is also called rumination syndrome.

The chewing of cud in animals like cows, goat, giraffe are considered to be very normal behavioural patterns, and these animals are called ruminants.

 

Causes 

The causes of rumination are also kind of unknown. The disorder has been commonly has been attributed to an illness, a period of stress in an individual’s recent past, and to changes in medication.

In adults and adolescents, causes generally fall into either category: habit-induced and trauma-indued. Habit-induced generally has a history of bulimia nervosa or of intentional regulation which though is self-induced, which forms a subconscious habit. Individuals that are trauma-induced describes as an emotional or physical injury such as recent surgery, concussion, deaths in the family, etc. which is preceded with rumination.

 

Symptoms 

The main symptoms of this disorder are the repetitive regurgitation of undigested food. Regurgitation occurs between every half an hour to two hours after eating. Some long-term patients will select a couple of food or drinks that do not trigger a response. Other symptoms can include bad breath, weight loss, stomach aches, indigestion, tooth decay, dry mouth or lips

The regurgitation is determined as effortless or unforced, unlike typical vomiting. There is frequent nausea, and the undigested food lacks the bitter taste and the odour of stomach acid and bile. The signs and symptoms begin to manifest at any point from ingestion of the meal from 120 minutes. The symptoms are not necessarily prevalent during the regurgitation but can happen at any time. Depression has been connected to rumination, but its effects have been unknown.

 

Assessment

There is no specific test for rumination disorder. The professionals may perform a physical exam or ask for the child symptoms or ask about the medical history. It is would easier and better for good treatment.

Certain tests are ruled to make out other medical conditions. For example, a blood test can detect gastrointestinal disorder, the doctor may also look out for dehydration or lack of nutritional deficiencies. Rumination disorder is many times misdiagnosed with many other disorders. People need more awareness of these types of disorder and symptoms.

 

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux is a common condition that is determined with burning pain, known as heart burn, which occurs in the lower heart. It happens when stomach acid flows back into the pipe.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GRED) is determined when the acid reflux happens more than twice a week.

 

Rumination disorder vs reflux

In acid reflux, an acid which is used to break down food in the stomach rises to the oesophagus which may cause a burning sensation in the chest which is called acidity and a sour taste in the throat or mouth.

In acid reflux, food is occasionally swallowed up, but it tastes sour and bitter. The case isn’t the same in rumination disorder.

Rumination disorder mostly occurs in the adults after meal consumption at night because lying down makes it easy for the food to reach the oesophagus due to indigestion.

Rumination disorder symptoms never respond to the treatment of acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux (GRED).

 

Other Important Articles

• Healthy Eating and Body Image
• HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT FAST?
• What is Forensic Psychology
• What Self-Love is? Are You Even Care About Yourself