Introduction
Eating disorders are a common topic of discussion in both digital and print media. However, despite the availability of information about what a healthy diet is and which foods are potentially harmful, many people do not feel it necessary to adhere to the principles of safe nutrition. Moreover, eating disorders are often not perceived as severe, which is an oversight and is caused by insufficient knowledge of the issue. People with confirmed diagnoses of eating disorders need qualified help from specialists since neglecting a healthy diet is fraught with dangerous health outcomes. Further, the general information about eating disorders will be discussed, and particular attention will be given to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa as the most common nutrition problems. Nutritional problems affect health significantly, and the symptomatology of the aforementioned disorders proves the importance of addressing these problems when they occur.
General Information about Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are impairments caused by improperly formed nutrition principles. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are the most common types of such disorders. Their symptoms may differ depending on the specific type of impairment. In case a person consumes too few calories, the lack of weight, weakness, fatigue, and apathy are common symptoms. Excess food is reflected in increased fatigue, obesity, shortness of breath, and some other symptoms (Eating Disorders: Symptoms & Causes). In addition to physical problems, several psychological issues manifest themselves, including depression and anxiety (Eating Disorders: Symptoms & Causes). The principles of diagnosis and treatment are essential aspects to study to prevent hazardous health outcomes.
To diagnose specific disorders, clinical testing is necessary, as well as assessing eating habits and characteristic symptoms (Eating Disorders: Diagnosis & Treatment). Interventions can be based on both medical treatments with hospitalization and psychotherapy sessions with an appropriate nutritional education program (Eating Disorders: Diagnosis & Treatment). At the same time, family-based and cognitive-behavioral therapies differ in the degree of the involvement of family members and the focus on educational work and training problem-solving skills.
Background Information about Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that manifests itself due to emotional problems and low self-esteem a person experiences. From a clinical perspective, this healthcare issue is characterized by the symptoms of both the physical and emotional-behavioral spectrum, which makes the disorder a complex problem (Anorexia Nervosa). This classification is essential to consider since different manifestations require distinctive interventions and therapeutic recovery programs, which explains the need for specialist observation.
Insomnia, fatigue, fainting, and excessive thinness are physical manifestations, while the denial of hunger, irritability and social isolation reflects emotional-behavioral disturbances (Anorexia Nervosa). Genetic factors, starvation, and social transitions are the most common risk factors and contributing causes of anorexia nervosa (Anorexia Nervosa). However, one should remember that, in addition to anorexia nervosa, there is another acute disorder that also poses health risks and justifies the need for professional help.
Background Information about Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa develops when a person judges one’s appearance too harshly and biasedly. This disorder is expressed in excessive demand for obvious or hidden figure flaws and a passion for weight control (Bulimia Nervosa). At the same time, despite the similarity of this nutritional problem with anorexia nervosa, one should distinguish between each of these disorders since they are characterized by different symptoms and manifestations.
The symptoms of bulimia nervosa vary depending on the severity of the disorder. They are the fear of gaining weight, eating too much in one sitting, forcing oneself to vomit, using drugs to speed up digestion (diuretics and laxatives), as well as reducing calorie intake (Bulimia Nervosa). As risk factors and contributing causes, one can note genetic predisposition, psychological and emotional instability, as well as excessive cravings for diets.
Conclusion
Addressing nutritional problems is crucial because the evidence base collected, including symptomatology and health effects, provides justifications for interventions to prevent dangerous impairments. Eating disorders are severe diseases that require the professional help of competent specialists in case a person is unable to cope with such issues on one’s own. In addition to the harmful effects on the body from a physical perspective, for instance, damage to internal organs, nutrition impairments can be prerequisites for the development of dangerous psychological problems, including depression and anxiety. Therefore, people who are diagnosed with anorexia, bulimia, and other types of eating disorders need help due to the dangerous consequences of these impairments.
Post-Speech Reflection
The proposed topic is relevant and deserves discussion in the context of the speech preparation assignment. I worked on the written speech before recording it, and I changed some of the nuances to make my performance more informative due to relevant facts, in particular, the symptoms of the considered nutritional problems. At the same time, I had to record my speech several times because while listening, I realized that I was speeding up, which, in turn, prevented me from conveying important thoughts clearly. In general, I am satisfied with the quality of the final version of the record and believe that I had enough time to analyze all the mistakes and gaps that were made and correct them.
Works Cited
“Anorexia Nervosa.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, Web.
“Bulimia Nervosa.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, Web.
“Eating Disorders: Diagnosis & Treatment.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, Web.
“Eating Disorders: Symptoms & Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, Web.