Anorexia Bulimia Treatment
Eating disorders have become commonplace in our times. A recent study claimed that 1 out of 2 American students suffer from an eating disorder. This might be an overestimation, but there is no doubt that the problem is widespread and serious. Eating disorders are more than just eating too much or too little. They are usually characterized by unhealthy harmful behavior like binging on food and then trying to forcefully vomit all the food consumed, or using laxatives excessively or exercising for prolonged periods to the point of complete collapse. A person suffering from these disorders has an unrealistic view of their body weight or size and feels that they are fat and unattractive. This often leads to depression and suicidal tendencies.
Anorexia and bulimia are very common disorders that affect young women in society today. Society’s portrayal of what a woman should look like influences many young women to equate being extremely skinny and thin with being desirable and attractive. This drives them to take extreme measures such as starving themselves and following unrealistic diets. This tends to form a vicious cycle – eventually, the person starts to slip up on these routines and feels guilty about eating “too much”. This leads to depression, which may be followed by binging on food and then trying to purge oneself by forcefully inducing vomiting. Some people will actually avoid social situations where it is necessary to eat, and will instead spend hours at the gym trying to burn off the calories they gained by eating something as simple an ice-cream.
Both these disorders are serious in nature and should almost always be treated by a health professional. The reason for this is that they are complex in nature and treatment usually includes psychotherapy, nutritional rehabilitation and hospitalization. In most cases patients need to be forcefully hospitalized and treated for severe depression and anxiety. A few home remedies can be used to treat these disorders but again it is recommended that you see a doctor.
It is essential that the patient regain his/her appetite. Cloves consumed twice a day are very helpful in stimulating appetite. The person will gradually experience an increase in appetite within a week. Apples and oranges are also excellent in building up an appetite. They are low in calories, and also are rich in anti-oxidants that help clean the system.
Garlic has been known for centuries to be an effective aid in the digestive process. Eat two pods raw, use it in a soup, or simply boil it in some water and drink the water twice a day. This stimulates hunger and can improve the appetite. Lime, ginger and rock salt should be mixed and kept out in direct sunlight for a few days. Make sure to cover the mixture to prevent dust from settling on it. Have one teaspoon full of this after every meal to stimulate digestion and appetite.
