Health Care Clinic Blog

For most of us eating is a pleasure. But this is not true with people suffering from binge-eating disorders. For them food is a perennial source of stress and anxiety. Though a recent recognition, binge eating is the most common form of eating disorder.
We all come across occasional overeating, but for people suffering from binge-eating disorder, overeating comes in a new incarnation.
When upset reach for a snack Binge-eating and emotional eating go together. Instead of acknowledging emotions, they prefer to swallow it down with food.
Emotions act as trigger factors to start the eating spree. Feeling of depression, loneliness, anxiety or stress can precipitate. Even eating a small serving of a forbidden food can trigger a binge. Common culprits are pastries, ice creams and high fat snacks.

Tomorrow never comes

It is said that tomorrow never comes. Binge-eaters wolf down large amounts of food in a hurry and fell a loss of control, to stop their devouring of food. They eat till point it hurts, more than twice a week, usually alone, to hide their emotions and do not speak of their overeating to family and friends.
For hours feeling of guilt and shame overpower them. Unlike bulimics they do not purge through throwing up, or overuse of laxatives.

Health hazards

Though, not necessarily obese, binge-eaters are predisposed to obesity and consequently to diseases as such health problems, including type2 diabetes, hypertension, degeneration joint disease, heart disease and even certain cancers. They may suffer from weight fluctuations, and lowered self-esteem.

When bingeing strikes

When bingeing strikes, follow these tips:-

• Acknowledge your emotions.
• Share with a friend. Take some precautions.
• Get enough rest.
• Learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing.
• Banish high calories snacks.
• keep low calories nutritious fares like fruits, puffed rice.
• Make meal times special and have your grub at the dining table.
• Leave binge environment when frustrated or upset.

Treatment

There are many treatment options, as example:-

• Counseling
• Therapy
• Diet and nutrition advice
• Access to support groups
• Anti depressant medications like Cymbalta seem to help.

Conculsion - We all come across occasional overeating, but for people suffering from binge-eating disorder, overeating come in a new incarnation.

Depression is more than feeling blue occasionally. It is a whole body illness that affects body, nervous system, mood, thought and behaviour. Worldwide 121 million people suffer from depression, making it common mental disorder, says WHO.

Facts women are twice more likely than men to undergo depression. But more men commit suicide because of depression. People suffering from prolonged illnesses are likely to suffer from depression. Divorced or separated men undergo depression.

Depression Symptoms

• Depressed mood.
• Disinterest in activities, you once enjoyed to do.
• Problems concentrating.
• Changes in eating habits.
• Weight gain or weight loss.
• Changes in sleeping pattern.
• Lack of energy that prevents from living your normal self.
• Feelings of guilt.
• Fuzzy thinking.
• Preoccupation with thoughts of death or suicide.

Depression Discriminates Biology

Marriage, career, family, children there is a lot on the minds of a woman. Her biological changes, PMS, pregnancy, menopause alter her moods that make her more vulnerable to depression. During and post pregnancy hormonal changes have a profound impact on her mental wellness.

Women on oral contraceptive pills are low on mood enhancing, serotonin chemicals in the brain. Depression sets in if the woman has hypo- thyroid less then regular secretion of thyroid hormones. For ladies undergoing menopause, osterogen depletion aggravates depression. Work overload Women face a work overload. Besides managing careers, they are caregivers, and manage home. Obviously, they work longer hours then men that add to their stress levels. Past History Women who have been molested or raped or more likely to feel depressed. Dealing with depression. Depression is usually treated successfully with professional counseling, anti-depressant medication, or a combination of two. Often a combination of the two is most effective. Diet and depression are interlinked. Complex carbohydrates, whole grains, whole pulses, fruits, leafy greens lift up your moods, drive blues away. Listening to music has helped people. Exercise offers an antidote to depression. The rainbow colours of life come away. It is easier done than said.

For more information on depression .

Some people, especially those who work around the house, are plagued by fungal infections around and under the nails. These infections can be hard to treat, and they may keep coming bac,k. Any disruption of the skin around the nail - e.g. a hangnail or skin that’s been broken by too much contact with solvents or detergents - can open the door to a whole family of yeast-like fungi. Use of tetracycline antibiotics such as Terramycin or Aureomycin can sometimes cause or aggravate one of these infections.

One method for dealing with these infections comes from the Soviet Union. Dr Eugene M. Farber of Stanford University, using an idea he says he borrowed from the Soviets, placed plasters of urea, a nitrogen-rich product of protein metabolism, on the toenails of 35 people suffering from painful or unsightly fungal infections. In seven to ten days, the urea loosened the nail from its bed, so that both the nail and the dressing could be removed together. Without the nail, the underlying infection could be treated more easily.

Dr Farber says the urea treatment is a cheap, safe and practically painless alternative to surgical removal of the nail. Its only drawback is that the dressings must be kept on the toes for a week or more (Cutis).