Many people who suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating show no outward signs and might appear happy while battling anxiety or other troubling emotions.
Research suggests that about one out of every 100 women between 10 and 20 years of age are starving themselves, sometimes to death (Source 1). However, eating disorder is not just a phase of adolescence. Eating disorders do not discriminate among age and gender. Middle-aged women can also struggle with eating disorders even if they are happily married and has kids. And, as estimated by the U.S. Department of Mental Health, 10 – 15 percent of people with anorexia are male (Source 1).
Eating disorder goes way beyond the desire to look pretty – it is a sign of deep inner issues.
Symptoms of an Eating Disorder
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (Source 2), a man or woman suffering from an eating disorder may reveal several signs and symptoms, some which are:
- Extremely restricted eating
- Extreme thinness (emaciation)
- A relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Distorted body image, a self-esteem that is heavily influenced by perceptions of body weight and shape, or a denial of the seriousness of low body weight.
Causes Of Eating Disorder
There are numerous factors that contribute to the disordered eating behavior.
Biological: In some individuals with eating disorders, certain chemicals in the brain that control the feeling of hunger, appetite, and digestion can be unbalanced. Eating disorders often run in families, and the scientists from the University of Iowa have actually proven that genes significantly increase a person’s risk of developing anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
Psychological: Low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy or lack of control in life; depression, anxiety, stress or loneliness – all these psychological factors can contribute to the development of the eating disorder.
Social: Social attitudes heavily influence the importance of physical appearance. Many teens want to look like beautiful celebrities from movies and media. Furthermore, teens continuously base their opinion of themselves by comparing themselves to each other. Teens often become exposed to eating disorders through classmates who binge, purge or starve themselves. Group of friends tends to do things together, even such dangerous behavior like anorexia.
Interpersonal: psychological problems may come from troubled personal relationships; difficulty expressing emotions and feelings; history of being teased or ridiculed based on size or weight; history of physical or sexual abuse.
Dangerous Diet Pills
Weight loss pills are winning the market, especially now in the summer when many women are dreading to show their bodies on the beach. But any time you try weight loss drug, you take a risk.
The Compounding Pharmacy of America listed these weight loss pills that are notorious for deteriorating rather than improving health. FDA banned most of these drugs, but they remain popular and can be quickly found via internet search.
Meridia: has the potential to increase blood pressure and carries a host of dangerous side effects. Was removed from the market in 2010 after people who consumed these supplements complained about having headaches, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, upset stomach, confusion, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Clenbuterol: also known as clen. It is illegal for human consumption and is used to treat horses with respiratory issues. Side effects include arrhythmia, chest pain, diarrhea, nausea, nervousness, hyperthyroidism, muscle tremors, dangerous blood pressure and headaches.
Ephedrine: in 2005, FDA banned ephedrine as a weight loss supplement because its side effects include a heightened risk of heart attack or stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, nausea, tremors, dizziness, dry mouth, anxiety, and insomnia.
Dinitrophenol: as known as DNP, dinitrophenol cooks the users from the inside out. DNP was originally used as a chemical pesticide to manufacture explosive compounds. It speeds up the body’s metabolism and raises the body’s temperature, causing intense sweating, lesions, respiratory difficulty, bleeding lips, and the formation of cataracts. More than 60 people died consuming these pills.
Fen-phen: The FDA banned this drug in 1997 after linking it to heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, and increased pulmonary artery pressure.
Japan Rapid Weight Loss Diet Pill: Sold under the name Meridia. It was pulled from the market in 2010 for raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The Brazilian Diet Pill: Sold under the brand names Herbaslim and Emagrece Sim. Because these supplements contain Librium, Prozac, and Fenproporex they cause severe mood swings and extreme personality shifts.
Qnexa: Ashough this compound has gained FDA approval, it’s important to be wary of the dangerous side effects, including potential heart valve damage and alteration in user metabolism and mood.
If you are concerned about the medication you are consuming, you can consult with highly experienced pharmacists at The Compounding Pharmacy of America. The Compounding Pharmacy of America exists to provide you with that level of personal service that has been lacking in many compounding pharmacy customer and patient experiences. The Compounding Pharmacy of America offers a pharmacy compounding solutions that your typical compounding pharmacy may not offer and that’s Convenience, Personal Service, and Value.