Dangers of Using Laxatives For Weight Loss by Philip McDonald
One popular weight loss supplements available in the market today take the form of tea. Stores all over sell slimming tea, dieter's tea and others but all of them are actually the same. They may appear to be effective, but what is not seen may actually harm you.
One of the effects of drinking dieter's tea is frequent bowel movement. This gives people the feeling of body cleansing. These people may get toxins out of their body but it isn't exactly the only thing that slimming tea actually does to the body. Slimming tea contains herbs which are natural laxatives. These include aloe, senna, rhubarb root, cascara, buckthorn and castor oil. These are products which are derived from plants and are used since the ancient times because of their potency in treating constipation and to inducing bowel movement.
Cascara, castor oil and senna are substances which are recognized as laxatives available over the counter and are also regulated as drugs. Scientific studies show that diarrhea induced by laxatives does not absorb significant amounts of calories taken in the body.
The reason for this is that laxatives do not act on the small intesines where most of the calories are absorbed. Instead, they work on the large intestines. If taken in large amounts for prolonged periods, it can affect fat absorption of the body. This may lead to greasy diarrhea and loss of weight. Abuse of laxatives is common practice among people who suffer from bulimia and anorexia nervosa.
While weight loss can be guaranteed by overdosing on laxatives, it may also cause permanent damage to the gastrointesitinal tract and the weakening and softening of the bones, a condition known as osteomalacia. Drinkers of slimming teas may actually patronize the product because they are less expensive and taste better than other laxatives sold in the market. Other people, such as those with eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa drink dieter's tea because they work fast and produce watery stool and having loose consistency.
Women may even be more susceptible to the effects of slimming teas. Although they are not known to interfer directly with the woman's menstrual cycle and fertility, they should watch out if drinking them causes them to rapidly shed off weight. It is also not safe for pregnant women to be taking in laxatives of any kind. Wise and reponsible herbalists also discourage the use of senna and other herbal products with laxative properties for pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive.
One should be wary about these findings because the labeling of slimming teas in the market today can be absolutely misleading. For instance, they commonly refer to the laxative qualities as "natural bowel cleansing properties" and not specifically use the word "laxative".Some even use the term "low-calorie" on their labelling. These products in fact, contain essentially no calories nor nutrients whatsoever; unless of course, if they are sweetened.
Adverse effects of misusing laxatives in the form of slimming tea generally occur when taken in more than or longer than recommended. These include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, rectal bleeding, electrolyte disorder and dehydration as well as injury and worse, death. It was also reported that excess use of stimulant laxatives cause severe constipation and pain for long periods (as much as for decades) due to the colon losing its function. It eventually led to surgery removing the colon altogether.
About the Author
Philip McDonald has launched several websites in the travel, marketing and health related fields. The most recent in the weight loss field is at : http://www.Fat-BurnerInfo.com/ExtractChaser.html
samedi 23 juin 2007
Compulsive Eating Disorder - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Compulsive Eating Disorder - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment by Juliet Cohen
Bulimia also called bulimia nervosa. Bulimia is a very dangerous weight loss strategy. Anorexia nervosa is one type of eating disorder. It is also a psychological disorder. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of secretive excessive eating (bingeing) followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self-induced vomiting (purging), abuse of laxatives and diuretics, or excessive exercise. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. A person with anorexia initially begins dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight loss becomes a sign of mastery and control. Bulimia is estimated to affect between 3% of all women in the U.S. at some point in their lifetime. About 6% of teen girls and 5% of college-aged females are believed to suffer from bulimia.
Most bulimics know that their eating patterns are not normal, but they feel unable to change their behavior. Approximately 10% of identified bulimic patients are men. Bulimics are also susceptible to other compulsions, affective disorders, or addictions. Some people use food as a way to cope with emotional ups and downs or low self esteem. People with bulimia can look perfectly normal. Most of them are of normal weight, and some may be overweight. Women with bulimia tend to be high achievers. Many experts consider people for whom thinness is especially desirable, or a professional requirement (such as athletes, models, dancers, and actors) to be at risk for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Vomiting is a common source of problems. When a person vomits, he or she brings up partially digested food and stomach acid.
People with anorexia nervosa see themselves as overweight even though they are dangerously thin. Bingers eat when they are not hungry. They eat quickly. Binge eaters eat when they feel anxious, lonely and/or depressed. Anorexia eating disorders symptoms include thinning hair, dry, flaky skin and cracked or broken nails. Woman with anorexia eating disorders symptoms often stop menstruating. Another sign of anorexia eating disorder symptoms is the tendency to exercise obsessively - well beyond what is needed to maintain good health. Individuals with anorexia eating disorder also weigh themselves frequently. They often restrict not only food, also relationships, social activities and pleasure.
Causes of Compulsive Eating Disorder
1.Neurological or medical conditions.
2.Rigors of dieting.
3.Biological and genetic factors.( neurotransmitter serotonin ).
4.Poor body image.
5.Psychological factors (depression and anxiety ).
Symptoms of Compulsive Eating Disorder
1.Weakness
2.Vomiting blood
3.Fatigue.
4.Exhaustion
5.Heart burn.
Treatment of Compulsive Eating Disorder
Different kinds of psychological therapy have been employed to treat people with anorexia. Cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy, and family therapy have all been successful in treatment of anorexia. Bulimia can sometimes be treated with a self-help manual with occasional guidance from a therapist. Antidepressant medications (citalopram,escitalopram oxalate ,fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox) ,paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax), fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline )have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of bulimia. Marital therapy, or couples therapy, helps to strengthen the relationship between life partners and helps to resolve communication problems. Support groups are led by trained volunteers or health professionals. To decide if a self-help support group will be effective in your binge eating treatment plan.
About the Author
Juliet Cohen writes articles for medical diseases. She also writes articles for depression treatment and cancer treatment.
Bulimia also called bulimia nervosa. Bulimia is a very dangerous weight loss strategy. Anorexia nervosa is one type of eating disorder. It is also a psychological disorder. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of secretive excessive eating (bingeing) followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self-induced vomiting (purging), abuse of laxatives and diuretics, or excessive exercise. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. A person with anorexia initially begins dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight loss becomes a sign of mastery and control. Bulimia is estimated to affect between 3% of all women in the U.S. at some point in their lifetime. About 6% of teen girls and 5% of college-aged females are believed to suffer from bulimia.
Most bulimics know that their eating patterns are not normal, but they feel unable to change their behavior. Approximately 10% of identified bulimic patients are men. Bulimics are also susceptible to other compulsions, affective disorders, or addictions. Some people use food as a way to cope with emotional ups and downs or low self esteem. People with bulimia can look perfectly normal. Most of them are of normal weight, and some may be overweight. Women with bulimia tend to be high achievers. Many experts consider people for whom thinness is especially desirable, or a professional requirement (such as athletes, models, dancers, and actors) to be at risk for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Vomiting is a common source of problems. When a person vomits, he or she brings up partially digested food and stomach acid.
People with anorexia nervosa see themselves as overweight even though they are dangerously thin. Bingers eat when they are not hungry. They eat quickly. Binge eaters eat when they feel anxious, lonely and/or depressed. Anorexia eating disorders symptoms include thinning hair, dry, flaky skin and cracked or broken nails. Woman with anorexia eating disorders symptoms often stop menstruating. Another sign of anorexia eating disorder symptoms is the tendency to exercise obsessively - well beyond what is needed to maintain good health. Individuals with anorexia eating disorder also weigh themselves frequently. They often restrict not only food, also relationships, social activities and pleasure.
Causes of Compulsive Eating Disorder
1.Neurological or medical conditions.
2.Rigors of dieting.
3.Biological and genetic factors.( neurotransmitter serotonin ).
4.Poor body image.
5.Psychological factors (depression and anxiety ).
Symptoms of Compulsive Eating Disorder
1.Weakness
2.Vomiting blood
3.Fatigue.
4.Exhaustion
5.Heart burn.
Treatment of Compulsive Eating Disorder
Different kinds of psychological therapy have been employed to treat people with anorexia. Cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy, and family therapy have all been successful in treatment of anorexia. Bulimia can sometimes be treated with a self-help manual with occasional guidance from a therapist. Antidepressant medications (citalopram,escitalopram oxalate ,fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox) ,paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax), fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline )have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of bulimia. Marital therapy, or couples therapy, helps to strengthen the relationship between life partners and helps to resolve communication problems. Support groups are led by trained volunteers or health professionals. To decide if a self-help support group will be effective in your binge eating treatment plan.
About the Author
Juliet Cohen writes articles for medical diseases. She also writes articles for depression treatment and cancer treatment.
Overeating and Binge Eating - Other Eating Disorders Overlooked
Overeating and Binge Eating - Other Eating Disorders Overlooked by Bryan Miller
Overeating : The Opposite Spectrum of Eating Disorders
When you hear the words "Eating Disorder" it's no doubt that you probably think of a frail, boney young woman who's hunched over a toilet, vomiting up her last meal. Or maybe you think of the girl who isn't eating anything, and her ribs are showing.
But very few think of the young man who sits at home, drowning his life in fast food, 10 hot dogs, video games, and binge dieting. No, this eating disorder is given vew little thought, as over eating is such a popular activity in American lifestyles.
Over eating, and binge eating is as devastating to a person's health as anorexia, and bulimia. Not only does overeating develop obesity, but it also creates a dependancy on food.
Binge Eating
Binge eating is usually when someone gets uncomfortable, stressed, or upset and they begin to eat in large quantities. They rarely stop when their body is full, but instead continue eating until they are so miserable that they can't eat anymore.
Binge eating can usually be followed up by purging through vomiting. Vomiting does damage to the esophagus, and can have adverse effects of the lining of the mouth, the gums, and teeth. Vomiting also can eat away at the voice box, making it difficult to talk or sing.
Controlling The Urge To Eat
Ways to keep yourself from over eating are simple. Maintain a constant state of productivity. Being productive will keep your mind occupied on something that isn't food related.
Eat several meals throughout the day. This makes your body less susceptible to binge eating because of hunger, as your body will be filled with nutrients.
Know your caloric intake. If you set a goal to eat a certain amount of food a day, and keep it in front of you, you know your limits and your goals.
Following these steps and keeping in mind that you need help will aid you in your fight against over eating and binge eating.
About the Author
For more eating disorder information, go to http://eating-disorder-information.blogspot.com.
Overeating : The Opposite Spectrum of Eating Disorders
When you hear the words "Eating Disorder" it's no doubt that you probably think of a frail, boney young woman who's hunched over a toilet, vomiting up her last meal. Or maybe you think of the girl who isn't eating anything, and her ribs are showing.
But very few think of the young man who sits at home, drowning his life in fast food, 10 hot dogs, video games, and binge dieting. No, this eating disorder is given vew little thought, as over eating is such a popular activity in American lifestyles.
Over eating, and binge eating is as devastating to a person's health as anorexia, and bulimia. Not only does overeating develop obesity, but it also creates a dependancy on food.
Binge Eating
Binge eating is usually when someone gets uncomfortable, stressed, or upset and they begin to eat in large quantities. They rarely stop when their body is full, but instead continue eating until they are so miserable that they can't eat anymore.
Binge eating can usually be followed up by purging through vomiting. Vomiting does damage to the esophagus, and can have adverse effects of the lining of the mouth, the gums, and teeth. Vomiting also can eat away at the voice box, making it difficult to talk or sing.
Controlling The Urge To Eat
Ways to keep yourself from over eating are simple. Maintain a constant state of productivity. Being productive will keep your mind occupied on something that isn't food related.
Eat several meals throughout the day. This makes your body less susceptible to binge eating because of hunger, as your body will be filled with nutrients.
Know your caloric intake. If you set a goal to eat a certain amount of food a day, and keep it in front of you, you know your limits and your goals.
Following these steps and keeping in mind that you need help will aid you in your fight against over eating and binge eating.
About the Author
For more eating disorder information, go to http://eating-disorder-information.blogspot.com.
Know The Health Risks For Eating Disorder Prevention
Know The Health Risks For Eating Disorder Prevention by Sandra Kim Leong
An awareness that there can be health risks makes eating disorder prevention more possible. At the start, you may not realize that when you become pro Ana, you would be creating harm to your body. With binge eating, you do not realize that it is not just a matter of becoming fat.
There are serious health consequences to having an eating disorder. An eating disorder is a condition that you should not simply dismiss as something that is not serious. If you do not seek early treatment, it can affect your entire self-image but also cause a deteoriation to the functioning of your organs. In the worst case scenario, eating disorders can cause complications that are life threatening.
You need to consult your doctor right away if you suspect that you are suffering from an eating disorder. Know the facts so that you can work towards eating disorder prevention. Here are some of the most common health consequences that you expose to with an eating disorder:
1. Anorexia. In your quest to being thin, you deny your body of important food and nutrients. When you stop eating, your body grows weak and its natural processes slow down as it tries to conserve energy. You will grow weak and lose muscle and bone density. If you allow this to continue over an extended period of time, you may end up with several serious health complications.
Your heart rate also starts to slow down and you suffer from low blood pressure. You may also get kidney failure if your body is dehydrated long enough.
Physically, you would see dry hair, dull skin, and hair loss. You may also start to grow fine hair over your entire body because your body is trying to maintain a steady temperature. You also become easily fatigued, prone to fainting and feel generally weak all over.
2. Bulimia. If you are bulimic, then you are engaging in a cycle of binging and purging. This cycle is unhealthy. Your binging and purging sessions will lead to chemical and electrolyte imbalances. This can have vast consequences on the health of your heart and other vital organs.
You can get irregular heartbeats and heart failure because of imbalances. Since you are suffering from dehydration and the loss of potassium and sodium, you can end up with gastric rupture and other serious digestive problems.
You may also rupture your esophagus because of your repeated vomiting. You will also have dental problems including serious tooth decay because of the stomach acids that you are frequently vomiting.
With poor digestion, you can also suffer from irregular bowel movements and constipation. Bowel difficulty can affect other aspects of your health when you are unable to clear waste material from your body properly.
3. Binge Eating. If you are a binge eater, then you would find it difficult to control your portion size and the type of food you eat. You have no awareness that you should stop eating when it is time to do so and often eat beyond your requirements. Although you often feel sick from over eating afterwards, you simply find it hard to stop your habits.
The problem also lies when you eat large amounts of unhealthy foods such as fast foods. Such foods are toxic to your body. They put you at risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, clinical obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and gallbladder disease. You also end up feeling depressed. Overall, the state of your health and well being drops drastically.
About the Author
Appalled by the rising incidences of eating disorders, Sandra Kim Leong publishes a blog to create awareness about the dangers of having one. For tips on eating disorder prevention and a free download report, please visit her site at http://www.Eating-Disorder-Research.com.
An awareness that there can be health risks makes eating disorder prevention more possible. At the start, you may not realize that when you become pro Ana, you would be creating harm to your body. With binge eating, you do not realize that it is not just a matter of becoming fat.
There are serious health consequences to having an eating disorder. An eating disorder is a condition that you should not simply dismiss as something that is not serious. If you do not seek early treatment, it can affect your entire self-image but also cause a deteoriation to the functioning of your organs. In the worst case scenario, eating disorders can cause complications that are life threatening.
You need to consult your doctor right away if you suspect that you are suffering from an eating disorder. Know the facts so that you can work towards eating disorder prevention. Here are some of the most common health consequences that you expose to with an eating disorder:
1. Anorexia. In your quest to being thin, you deny your body of important food and nutrients. When you stop eating, your body grows weak and its natural processes slow down as it tries to conserve energy. You will grow weak and lose muscle and bone density. If you allow this to continue over an extended period of time, you may end up with several serious health complications.
Your heart rate also starts to slow down and you suffer from low blood pressure. You may also get kidney failure if your body is dehydrated long enough.
Physically, you would see dry hair, dull skin, and hair loss. You may also start to grow fine hair over your entire body because your body is trying to maintain a steady temperature. You also become easily fatigued, prone to fainting and feel generally weak all over.
2. Bulimia. If you are bulimic, then you are engaging in a cycle of binging and purging. This cycle is unhealthy. Your binging and purging sessions will lead to chemical and electrolyte imbalances. This can have vast consequences on the health of your heart and other vital organs.
You can get irregular heartbeats and heart failure because of imbalances. Since you are suffering from dehydration and the loss of potassium and sodium, you can end up with gastric rupture and other serious digestive problems.
You may also rupture your esophagus because of your repeated vomiting. You will also have dental problems including serious tooth decay because of the stomach acids that you are frequently vomiting.
With poor digestion, you can also suffer from irregular bowel movements and constipation. Bowel difficulty can affect other aspects of your health when you are unable to clear waste material from your body properly.
3. Binge Eating. If you are a binge eater, then you would find it difficult to control your portion size and the type of food you eat. You have no awareness that you should stop eating when it is time to do so and often eat beyond your requirements. Although you often feel sick from over eating afterwards, you simply find it hard to stop your habits.
The problem also lies when you eat large amounts of unhealthy foods such as fast foods. Such foods are toxic to your body. They put you at risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, clinical obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and gallbladder disease. You also end up feeling depressed. Overall, the state of your health and well being drops drastically.
About the Author
Appalled by the rising incidences of eating disorders, Sandra Kim Leong publishes a blog to create awareness about the dangers of having one. For tips on eating disorder prevention and a free download report, please visit her site at http://www.Eating-Disorder-Research.com.
Do You Have an Eating Disorder ?
Do You Have an Eating Disorder ? by Scott Mogul
It is estimated that eight million Americans have an eating disorder. There are three basic types of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. These types of eating disorders can be very serious; untreated, they can be life-threatening.
Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder in which one does not eat enough food. This is one of the more common types of eating disorders. In addition to not eating enough food, anorexics may exercise too much. They burn far more calories than they take in. A normal person requires about 1200 calories a day just for their body to perform basic functions, for the kidneys and heart and lungs to work, and so on. People with anorexia don't take in enough calories to support normal body functioning. About ten percent of the people diagnosed with anorexia actually die from the condition.
People with anorexia tend to have a distorted body image. They view themselves as fat even though they are truly very much underweight. That is not always the case, however. There are other reasons people may become anorexic. Studies suggest many people with an eating disorder have a history of child abuse and that this is a contributing factor to their illness. They may have a history of other self-destructive behaviors as well, such as self-mutilation or suicide attempts.
Anorexia damages the bones and causes osteoporosis. It causes damage to the heart, muscles, and kidneys. It weakens the immune system. There are changes in brain function and even in brain structure. They may suffer dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in their blood. They lose the ability to recognize when they are hungry. People with anorexia often withdraw from social situations due to weakness, fatigue, and self-consciousness about their appearance and eating habits.
Bulimia
Bulimia is another of the common types of eating disorders. It is an eating disorder in which one eats but then purges by vomiting up the food. People with bulimia may also abuse laxatives so that food moves through their digestive systems faster, therefore not being absorbed fully by their system. They may or may not binge by eating an excessive amount of food before purging.
Bulimics may maintain normal weight by vomiting only after binging, or they may restrict food intake at times or vomit more frequently, and therefore be underweight. Sometimes instead of vomiting, they may exercise excessively or fast for a period of time to counteract the amount of food they eat.
Bulimics suffer many of the same health risks of anorexics. They also suffer damage to their teeth and their esophagus due to the acidic content of vomit, and may also develop ulcers. They may have constipation or diarrhea. Like people with other eating disorders, they may withdraw from social situations and isolate themselves from others.
Compulsive overeating
Compulsive overeating is an eating disorder at the other end of the spectrum. It is one the lesser understood types of eating disorders. Compulsive overeaters have an overwhelming compulsion to eat, even when they are not hungry or after they are full. They often overeat for emotional reasons. They may eat when they are sad, anxious, lonely, or experiencing other uncomfortable emotions.
Compulsive overeating is a serious eating disorder. The risks of obesity are well known. Compulsive overeaters may suffer from heart problems, breathing problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, and diabetes. They also experience feelings of embarrassment and shame in social situations.
All eating disorders carry serious health risks and require medical treatment. Psychological treatment is usually required as well. If you think you or someone you know has an eating disorder, you should see a doctor for an assessment and treatment as soon as possible. Eating disorders can be fatal if not treated.
For more information about eating disorders and treatment, please visit for http://www.mirror-mirror.org/eatdis.htm This website is dedicated to raising awareness and providing information on Eating Disorders.
About the Author
This article was written by Scott Mogul, editor for the website
It is estimated that eight million Americans have an eating disorder. There are three basic types of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. These types of eating disorders can be very serious; untreated, they can be life-threatening.
Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder in which one does not eat enough food. This is one of the more common types of eating disorders. In addition to not eating enough food, anorexics may exercise too much. They burn far more calories than they take in. A normal person requires about 1200 calories a day just for their body to perform basic functions, for the kidneys and heart and lungs to work, and so on. People with anorexia don't take in enough calories to support normal body functioning. About ten percent of the people diagnosed with anorexia actually die from the condition.
People with anorexia tend to have a distorted body image. They view themselves as fat even though they are truly very much underweight. That is not always the case, however. There are other reasons people may become anorexic. Studies suggest many people with an eating disorder have a history of child abuse and that this is a contributing factor to their illness. They may have a history of other self-destructive behaviors as well, such as self-mutilation or suicide attempts.
Anorexia damages the bones and causes osteoporosis. It causes damage to the heart, muscles, and kidneys. It weakens the immune system. There are changes in brain function and even in brain structure. They may suffer dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in their blood. They lose the ability to recognize when they are hungry. People with anorexia often withdraw from social situations due to weakness, fatigue, and self-consciousness about their appearance and eating habits.
Bulimia
Bulimia is another of the common types of eating disorders. It is an eating disorder in which one eats but then purges by vomiting up the food. People with bulimia may also abuse laxatives so that food moves through their digestive systems faster, therefore not being absorbed fully by their system. They may or may not binge by eating an excessive amount of food before purging.
Bulimics may maintain normal weight by vomiting only after binging, or they may restrict food intake at times or vomit more frequently, and therefore be underweight. Sometimes instead of vomiting, they may exercise excessively or fast for a period of time to counteract the amount of food they eat.
Bulimics suffer many of the same health risks of anorexics. They also suffer damage to their teeth and their esophagus due to the acidic content of vomit, and may also develop ulcers. They may have constipation or diarrhea. Like people with other eating disorders, they may withdraw from social situations and isolate themselves from others.
Compulsive overeating
Compulsive overeating is an eating disorder at the other end of the spectrum. It is one the lesser understood types of eating disorders. Compulsive overeaters have an overwhelming compulsion to eat, even when they are not hungry or after they are full. They often overeat for emotional reasons. They may eat when they are sad, anxious, lonely, or experiencing other uncomfortable emotions.
Compulsive overeating is a serious eating disorder. The risks of obesity are well known. Compulsive overeaters may suffer from heart problems, breathing problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, and diabetes. They also experience feelings of embarrassment and shame in social situations.
All eating disorders carry serious health risks and require medical treatment. Psychological treatment is usually required as well. If you think you or someone you know has an eating disorder, you should see a doctor for an assessment and treatment as soon as possible. Eating disorders can be fatal if not treated.
For more information about eating disorders and treatment, please visit for http://www.mirror-mirror.org/eatdis.htm This website is dedicated to raising awareness and providing information on Eating Disorders.
About the Author
This article was written by Scott Mogul, editor for the website
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