HOW EATING DISORDERS CAN BE TREATED?

WHAT ARE THE EATING DISORDERS?

Eating disorders are the serious behavioral conditions which affect both physical and emotional health of an individual.  A person focuses too much on his or her body weight and body shape leading to dangerous eating habits. They can have a serious impact on the body’s ability to get proper nutrition. Eating disorders mostly develop in teenage and young adult years and they can affect people of both sexes. Some of the most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge-eating disorder. If they are not treated properly at time, then they can lead to serious health implications.

The treatment involves medications and cognitive therapy. The symptoms are completely reversible and a person can develop normal eating habits.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF EATING DISORDERS?

The exact cause of eating disorders is not known but it is believed to be due to a combination of factors. Following are the causes of eating disorders:

• Having a genetic predisposition to eating disorders
• Release of certain chemicals in brain
• Psychological problems
• Emotional stress
• Environmental factors

RISK FACTORS OF EATING DISORDERS

Some factors increase the risk of person developing eating disorders:

• Females are at more risk than males
• Dieting
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Excessive stress

DIFFERENT FORMS OF EATING DISORDERS

Following are the different types of eating disorders:

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

In anorexia nervosa, a person has an obsessive desire of reducing weight and thus limiting calories to a great extent. It can lead to starvation. It can occur at any body weight and shape and is a life-threatening disorder. A person develops a distorted perception of his or her weight. She doesn’t eat properly and this leads to deficiency of nutrients causing various health repercussions. It can start hampering the daily activities of a person.

BULLIMIA

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder which is characterized by large amounts of eating and purging afterwards. There occur episodes of binge eating and purging. People suffering from bulimia avoid eating during the day and this leads to binge eating. Then because of shame, guilt and intense fear of shame, they force either vomiting or use laxatives to get rid of calories. A person doesn’t have control over his eating.

BINGE-EATING DISORDER

People suffering from binge-eating disorder eat large amount of food at a single time and don’t purge afterwards. They then struggle with shame, guilt, regret or depression. They don’t burn off calories with exercise or vomit or eat laxatives for the compensation of their more eating. They eat until they become uncomfortably full. Due to embarrassment, they prefer to eat alone.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF EATING DISORDERS?

Following are the common signs and symptoms of eating disorders:

• Feeling tired
• Fainting
• Thinning of hair
• Hair loss
• Rapid changes in weight
• Dizziness
• Skipping of meals
• Sweating
• Hot flashes
• Dining alone
• Isolation from friends and family
• Chewing food for longer time
• Excessive focus on healthy eating
• Worrying or complaining about being fat
• Doing excessive exercise
• Frequently checking in mirror for seeing one’s own flaws
• Depression

COMPLICATIONS OF EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders are associated with several complications. For as long time as a disorder remains untreatable, more will be the complications:

• Heart problems
• Gastroesphageal reflux
• Osteoporosis
• Dehydration
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Infertility
• Stroke
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stunted growth
• Behavioral problems
• Problems in relationships
• Suicidal thoughts
• Death

HOW EATING DISORDERS CAN BE MANAGED WITH AYURVEDA?

In Ayurveda, eating disorders occur because of disturbance in one’s agni. A person having visham agni will either eat less or more than the required amount. Also, stress and food allergies can be responsible for eating disorders. Eating disorders can be treated with some lifestyle modifications, some oral medications and panchkarma therapies.

Some of the herbs which are used for treating eating disorders are:

• Maricha
• Jatiphala
• Draksha
• Chincha
• Pippali
• Sonth
• Amalaki

MANAGEMENT OF EATING DISORDERS WITH THE MEDICINES OF CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

Here are some of the medicines of Chandigarh ayurved center which are used for the treatment of eating disorders:

1. Active Plus Tablet

CAC active plus Tabletis a pure herbo-mineral formulation prepared from best quality of herbs. This tablet is best for person mental and physical health,also helps to boost up the immunity. The herbal ingredients present in these tablets are used to maintain person’s health and refreshes the mind and body.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 sachet twice a day with normal water.

2. Brain Relaxant Churna

This churna is pure Ayurvedic which helps to rejuvenate the brain cells, improves memory, give strength to the body, & increases the concentration by calming down the brain. It is prepared from herbs that show calming effect on brain and gives you relaxation. Brain relaxant churna shows antioxidant, Neuroprotective, carminative and anti-inflammatory properties. Ingredients present in this churna are Amla (Emblica officinalis), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Marich (Piper nigrum), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Suddha Gandhak, Lauha Bhasma. It helps to Maintain blood sugar level, Anti-depressant, Insomnia, Increase Haemoglobin levels, Cures indigestion, Helpful in Ulcerative colitis, and Nerve tonic. It helps in dealing with health conditions such as feeling delusion, hallucinations, disordered thinking, disabling, & impair daily functioning related to schizophrenia patients.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 tablespoon of this churna twice daily.

3. Trikatu Tablet

Trikatu Tablet is a hebo-mineral tablet of 650 MG and is purely Ayurvedic formulation. CAC Trikatu Tablet helps to eliminate excess Kapha or mucous from the body, supports respiratory system, manages weight, helps to take out impurities or ama from the body, supports healthy detoxification, reduces swelling. It shows anti-inflammatory, analgesic, expectorant, antioxidant properties. This tablet is made up of equal parts of three herbs such as Pippali (Piper longum), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), & Marich (Piper nigrum) that maintains the metabolism in the body. The regular use of this tablet balances the thyroxine hormone and treats hyperthyroidism naturally. It is an Appetizer and it improves digestion, supports normal gastric function, and normal circulation.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

4. Liver Care Tablet

Liver Care Tablet is a herbo-mineral tablet of size 650 MG and is a purely ayurvedic formulation. CAC Liver Care tablets help in balancing Pitta dosha. These tablets stimulate the growth of new liver cells, promote functions of liver, and improve blood flow from the liver. It helps in the treatment of fatty liver, Liver cirrhosis, Hepatitis, hepatomegaly, and obstructive Jaundice. CAC Liver Care Tablets contains Ingredients like Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Kutaki(Picrorhiza kurroa), Bhumi amla( phyllanthus niruri), Giloy(Tinopora Cordifolia), Yavakshar( Hordeum vulgare), Imli Kshar( Tamarindus indica), Mukta Shukta pisti etc.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

5. Liver care Syrup

Liver Care syrup helps in balancing Pitta dosha. This Syrup enhances regeneration of liver cells, promote functions of liver, and improve blood flow from the liver. It helps in the treatment of fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, Hepatitis, hepatomegaly, and obstructive Jaundice. CAC Liver Care syrup contains Ingredients like Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Kutaki(Picrorhiza kurroa), Bhumi amla( phyllanthus niruri), Giloy(Tinopora Cordifolia), Yavakshar( Hordeum vulgare), Imli Kshar( Tamarindus indica), Mukta Shukta pisti etc. These herbs show Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, Hepato-protective, properties. This syrup improves digestion, enhances appetite.

Recommended Dosage:Take 2 teaspoonfuls twice daily.