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Eating Disorders: To Be Thin Or To Be Healthy

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Eating Disorders: To Be Thin Or To Be Healthy
Eating Disorders
To Be Thin or To Be Healthy
Denise Ahern
San Joaquin Delta College

Authors Note:
This paper was prepared for Psychology 7, T-TH 9:30, taught by Professor E. Maloney Ed.D
To Be Thin or To Be Healthy
Society glorifies an image that to be thin is to be beautiful. We emphasize obesity and its affects upon our nation, yet we steer clear of the issue of being too thin. Eating Disorders are a concern due to the consequences it has upon a person’s health, both physically as well as emotionally being destructive and harmful to those who suffer from this disorder. If this condition is not detected or treated at an early stage, it can become a debilitating and even life-threatening disorder. Success on recovery increases
…show more content…
I have coverage thanks to the Obama care through Medi-Cal. When I inquired what were the benefits limited by their coverage it read, “an emergency medical condition is one, which if not treated, would harm a person’s health or impair use of limbs, organs or bodily functions.” Clearly the dangers associated with and triggered or caused by eating disorder behaviors fell under those guidelines, yet they do not see it as so. Dangers associated with eating disorders include; malnutrition, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Hyponatremia, causes fluid in the lungs, swelling of the brain, nausea, vomiting, even death. Severe cases require hospitalization and may require tube feedings or intravenous feedings for nutritional support. Eating disorders cause major vitamin and mineral deficiencies resulting in Lanugo, edema, muscle atrophy, impaired neuromuscular function, even paralysis. Persistent binge eating followed by purging can result in the tearing of the esophagus, Mallory-Weiss tearing (a tear in the gastro-esophageal junction), gastric rupture, gastro-intestinal bleeding, esophageal reflux, and an inability to keep any form of food down at all. Cancer of the esophagus and larynx, insomnia, chronic fatigue, hyperactivity, facial swelling, and bruising of the fingers. Deficiencies can be detected in the hair, skin and nails, low blood pressure and hypotension as well hypertension.

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