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Eating Disorders

Anorexia and your Body

Last updated on September 15, 2016 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

Noticing other women’s weight is a common habit for many women, but sometimes this habit can become unhealthy. In extreme cases, people can obsess over their weight so much that they develop an eating disorder. Teenagers are the most at-risk group for developing anorexia. As they try to fit in with others and attract members of the opposite sex, many young people (both men and women, although more commonly women) starve themselves to improve their self esteem.

In reality, eating disorders are not a healthy method for improving self image. Anorexia is usually conjures images of an individual refusing to eat, moving food around their plate instead of eating it, constantly claiming they aren’t hungry, and doing everything in their power to avoid eating. However, anorexia can also refer to obsessive exercise, where an individual exercises excessively to lose weight.

Individuals with anorexia are sick more often than healthy individuals, and they become very skinny and pale. Emotional problems, such as moodiness and sadness, often develop in anorexic individuals. Many people with anorexia deny they have a problem. They will resist keeping a normal body weight and they will have an intense fear of gaining weight.

Below are a list of specific body parts that anorexia impacts negatively.

Brain and Nerves

Without proper nourishment, the brain is not able to regulate itself properly. Mood is often the first thing affected, and anorexic individuals often become sad, moody, and irritable. Other side effects on the brain include impaired memory, fainting, and changes in brain chemistry.

Hair

Individuals with anorexia often have thin, brittle, and lackluster hair. In extreme cases, anorexic individuals have been known to lose their hair.

Heart

Anorexia can cause low blood pressure, slow heart rate, heart palpitations, and even heart failure.

Blood

An individual with anorexia is prone in anemia and other serious blood disorders.

Muscles, Joints, and Bones

Individuals with anorexia often experience weak muscles and painfully swollen joints. They can also suffer from bone loss, easy fractures, and osteoporosis.

Kidneys

Anorexia has been known to cause kidney stones and kidney failure in affected individuals.

Body Fluids

Individuals suffering from anorexia often have low potassium, magnesium, and sodium levels, which can have a very negative impact on the body’s health in terms of energy levels, mood, etc.

Intestines

Anorexia can cause an individual to be constipated and bloated.

Hormones

For women suffering from anorexia, periods can stop. Many of these women have problems growing and getting pregnant. If pregnant and anorexic, women have a higher risk for a miscarriage, postpartum depression, requiring a C-section, and having a baby with a dangerously low birth weight.

Skin

Individuals suffering from anorexia can bruise easily and develop a growth of fine hair all over their body. They also tend to have dry skin, brittle nails, and yellow skin, and they get cold much more easily than healthy individuals.

Get Help

If you or someone you know is suffering from anorexia, the best thing you can do is get help. A doctor, nurse, or counselor can help you, your friend, or your son or daughter overcome this serious problem. If you suspect that your teen could have an eating disorder or could be engaging in other types of unhealthy or dangerous behavior, it could be time for you to seek help from an outside source. One great source of help for at-risk teens are Christian boarding schools. At these schools, students are rehabilitated through a time-tested and individualized program consisting of both discipline and reward. Students receive the love and guidance they need to transition from a troubled teen into an emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually healthy young adult.

Filed Under: Eating Disorders

K2 and Spice: Synthetic Marijuana Facts

Last updated on September 5, 2016 by TT Staff 1 Comment

“But Mom, it’s legal!” shouts your teen after you find a packet of synthetic marijuana in their room. Are you prepared to tell them the dangers of synthetic marijuana, spice, or K2? Do you even know anything about it? Here are the basic facts about this designer drug that could be available at gas stations and smoke shops in your neighborhood.

What is it?

Synthetic marijuana drugs, most often known as Spice or K2, are natural herbs that are sprayed with cannaboniods. Cannabonids are synthetic chemicals that act like marijuana that researchers have used to study the effects of marijuana. Natural herbs contained in Spice and K2 can include beach bean, blue Egyptian lily, dwarf skullcap, Indian warrior, Lion’s tail, Indian lotus, and honeyweed. While manufacturers claim that these herbs are the cause of the high induced when smoking, they are actually doing a much darker deed. Studies show that they cannabonoids that are sprayed onto the herbs are not included on the contents of the package. This means that you never know what you are truly putting into your body.

What does it look like?

K2 and Spice have a variety of looks. The drug can be green, brown, blonde, or red, and its scent can vary depending on the ingredients. These products can look very similar to marijuana or can even look like potpourri.

They are often found in small 2 to 3 inch silver packets with the name of the blend or phrases like “herbal incense” or “herbal smoking blend” appearing on the packaging.

How is it used, and what is it like?

Synthetic marijuana is always smoked. Some users report that the high is similar to marijuana but is much shorter, and it is very relaxing to the body.

Most users report that the smoke is more harsh than marijuana and often makes the lungs ache and the throat burn. Other users report strong adverse effects to synthetic marijuana, including (among other nasty side effects) extreme paranoia, anxiety, depression, disorientation, and nausea.

Is it illegal?

Yes and no. Five of the additive cannabonoids were made illegal in March of 2011. These chemicals are JWH-018, JWH-073, CP-47,497, JWH-200, and Cannabicyclohexanol. HU-210 is completely illegal as well. Other laws vary by state, but many are now making all synthetic marijuana products illegal.

Is it addictive or harmful?

It is unknown if synthetic marijuana causes addiction, but it has been noted that the withdrawal from it is similar to narcotics. The DEA said that it is a dangerous drug citing that it causes “adverse health effects associated with its use include seizures, hallucinations, paranoid behavior, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, racing heartbeat, and elevated blood pressure.” There have been no official studies on humans to conclude the exact harms that can be caused by the drug.

How do I know if my teen is using K2?

A 2011 study by the University of Michigan found that 11.4 percent of teens admitted to using synthetic marijuana products in the past year, with almost 35 percent of respondents admitting to smoking marijuana in the same time period. There is no drug test available for K2 or Spice, so it is important to talk to your teen about the potential adverse effects of K2 and to keep an open dialogue with them about drug use.

If you suspect that your teen could be using drugs of any kind, it is important to find them the help they need. Whether that help comes in the form of a counselor, drug rehab center, or specialized boarding school, it is crucial that you take action now.

Filed Under: Eating Disorders

Is My Teen an Emotional Eater?

Last updated on August 26, 2016 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

Teenagers are hard-wired to consume a high number of calories to support their quickly growing bodies, but even teens can overdo it when it comes to food. Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult to determine whether your teen is an emotional eater because it is impossible for you to know whether they are actually physically hungry or whether it is their emotions that are compelling them to eat. If you suspect that your teen could be an emotional eater, then there are a number of facts about the issue that you’ll want to understand: [Read more…] about Is My Teen an Emotional Eater?

Filed Under: Eating Disorders

Teens Who Overeat

Last updated on August 16, 2016 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

pizza loving teen girlOvereating in teens is something that all parents should be on the lookout for. Although nearly everyone overeats at least occasionally, it is important to make the distinction between occasional indulgence, say, on Thanksgiving or at a pizza party, and habitual, often uncontrollable overeating. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child leads a happy and healthy life, and controlling their eating habits is a huge part of that responsibility. Even if you yourself do not lead the healthiest lifestyle, it is crucial that you still attempt to better your child’s prospects. Below you will find some of the most important basic facts about overeating in teens:

It can be very destructive.

Overeating in teens can have tremendously negative impacts on your teen’s future. The eating and lifestyle habits instilled during childhood and the teenaged years will likely stick with your son or daughter throughout the remainder of their lifetime. If they are not given healthy alternatives to overeating, then they could continue this dangerous habit all through adulthood. Remember that overeating is one of the primary causes of obesity, which is itself one of the leading causes of death in America.

Obesity can lead to any number of health problems, including (but not limited to) heart disease, diabetes, joint pain, arthritis, organ strain, and even cancer. These are things that no parent wants for their child, so being overweight due to overeating is nothing to take lightly. Beyond the physical issues associated with being overweight, overeating can also have potentially devastating consequences in terms of your child’s self esteem, social life, and overall happiness and quality of life.

It could indicate a dangerous emotional disorder.

Rarely does overeating stem from a simple love of food. Rather, often times, overeating is a manifestation of an underlying emotional or mental disorder, and that disorder could be quite dangerous. For example, overeating is often cited as a symptom of depression, a serious emotional disorder which could lead to decreased quality of life and even suicide. Overeating could be indicative of a food addiction, which is grounds for seeking professional help, as it is a condition that could quickly spiral out of control.

Anxiety and low self esteem are also often characterized by overeating, and this forms a vicious cycle: Teens overeat because they feel anxious, depressed, or uncomfortable or because they have have low self esteem, but the overeating causes feelings of guilt and negative changes in their body (such as weight gain), which then increase their unhappy feelings and decrease their self esteem. As a parent, you are in the best possible position to step in and break this awful cycle.

It’s very easy to spot.

Overeating in teens is something that parents are bound to notice, so as long as they can overcome their own doubts and denial issues, then there is hope for helping their child. The signs and symptoms of overeating are quite obvious. Teens who have gained weight rapidly (beyond the weight gain typical in teens and preteens) and teens who sneak food, lie about how much they have eaten, or seem embarrassed about eating could have an eating disorder. Finally, teens who overeat as a result of certain negative emotions or moods (known simply as emotional eating) often have the type of overeating problem that is the most deeply rooted and therefore the hardest to address.

For parents who suspect that their teen could have a problem with overeating, it is important to address this issue as soon as possible. Despite the widespread acceptance of being overweight and indulging on a regular basis, the simple fact is that this lifestyle is not only unhealthy, but also could be deadly. As a parent, it is your responsibility to secure the happiness of your child’s future and the longevity of their life by teaching your teen healthy eating habits and ways of coping with emotional problems beyond turning to food. If you do not feel capable of addressing this serious problem on your own, professional help is a great alternative; in fact, in many cases, it is the only thing that produces lasting results.

Filed Under: Eating Disorders

High School Wrestling Woes

Last updated on August 10, 2016 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

student in high schoolThe high school wrestler will face many issues connected to their sport. The constant pressure to weigh in at a certain level can lead to deteriorated health. Maintaining a healthy weight while wrestling competitively is extremely important. Most teenage boys will not be able to achieve this on their own. Coach, parent and peer support should factor in to create a healthy balanced athlete.

Diet

Wrestlers are known for rapid weight change. Obsessing over weight seems relegated to the female spectrum of most high schools, which is why wrestlers are overlooked. Their eating disorders are not as obvious, but bulimia and anorexia appear among high school wrestlers as well. Crash-diets and starvation are all too common among teenage wrestlers.

Unfortunately, dietary abuse is perpetuated within the wrestling community. New wrestlers will go to peers before they go to their coach to learn about losing weight. An example of crash dieting for a wrestler involves little to no food and only water for weeks on end. That is coupled with extreme exercise and other extreme weight loss methods like sweat saunas.

A healthy diet for the high school wrestler should involve balanced meals of lean protein, complex carbs, low-fat foods and antioxidants. Lean protein can be found in lean meats like chicken breast and white meat turkey or nuts and beans. Complex carbs supply the right kind of sugar to help the body run smoothly. They digest slowly, thus fueling the body longer than simple carbs (sugar). Complex carbs come in whole grains, brown rice and lentils. Low-fat foods supply non-saturated fats to the body. Egg whites and tuna are both low in fat and help support healthy muscles. Antioxidants protect the body against infection. Many fruits, vegetables and spices are packed with these antioxidants, including healthy food options such as berries, oranges, plums, ginger and oregano.

Exercise

Maintaining a healthy exercise regime is extremely important for an athlete. Wrestlers will try to keep a goal weight or lose weight; exercise is a wonderful option for striving to achieve both goals. A balance between cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training helps wrestlers reach their goals in a healthy manner. Stretching before and after a workout will prevent hyperextension and soothe the body’s muscles while they heal.

Personal Hygiene

A six-minute match between wrestlers is a breeding ground for bacteria. Most teen wrestling floor mats are not cleaned properly, and, sometimes, neither are the wrestlers who use them. Showering and washing wrestling gear may sound like no brainers to an adult, but teenagers may not value cleanliness. Personal hygiene is the body’s best defense against illness in high school wrestlers.

The bottom line is that high school wrestlers need the support of parents, coaches and peers for top performance on the mat. If you are a parent of a wrestler, provide nutritious meals and snacks while keeping an eye on your son or daughter’s eating habits. Do not promote wrestling above health. Coaches should worry if teen boys or girls drop weight quickly or appear sick in any way. Teenage peers should also be on the lookout while adults are not around. Open caring communication can help a struggling wrestler realize the issues at hand. If it continues, alert an adult. A community of caring parents, alert coaches and supportive peers will foster healthy top performance wrestlers.

Filed Under: Eating Disorders, Sports & Health

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