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Eating Disorders - Medical Negligence Claims
Also Called Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia
Thousands of clinical compensation claims are initiated every year in the United Kingdom by medical negligence solicitors on behalf of people from all walks of life. A multitude of operations and procedures are executed successfully however a small percentage do go wrong, laying the grounds for medical negligence solicitors to take legal action in order to claim compensation. Both legal aid and the no win no fee scheme are available to pursue medical negligence compensation claims.
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Eating disorders affect millions of Americans. It is estimated that eight million Americans have some type of eating disorder. One in 2oo women out of 100 has anorexia and 2-3 out of 100 have bulimia. In almost all eating disorders, there is an unnatural desire to be thin with women going through a great deal just to be thin and who feel overweight, even when logic would indicate they are not.
In anorexia nervosa, people tend to obsess about their weight and watch carefully the food they eat. They try to attain a weight that is far below the normal weight for their height. They may exercise obsessively and may starve themselves. While food is involved, anorexia is not about food. Instead it becomes an unhealthy coping mechanism in the quest to deal with emotional symptoms. Weight becomes associated with self worth. Most people with anorexia simply eat less and exercise excessively while a few suffer from binging and purging issues. They may misuse laxatives or water pills.
The signs and symptoms of anorexia include a thin appearance and excessive weight loss, low blood counts, insomnia, fatigue, fainting and dizziness, brittle nails, hair that falls out or breaks, soft hair covering the body, constipation, lack of menstrual periods, dry skin, cold intolerance, irregular heart rhythms and low blood pressure.
Emotionally, the women (or men) who suffer from this have a refusal to eat, excessive exercise, denial of hunger, social withdrawal, lack of emotion, preoccupation with food, irritability and depression. They may use herbal products to lose weight or use diet aids. Parents and loved ones should be on the lookout for things like skipping meals, eating a few kinds of foods, having food rituals, making excuses around not eating, cooking large meals for others but not eating it themselves and continually weighing themselves. The person often looks in the mirror often and complains about being fat. They often want to eat alone and won't eat in public.
The risk factors for developing anorexia nervosa include being female as the condition is much more common in females, being in your teens or early twenties, and having a genetic risk for the disease. Doctors have found a genetic defect on chromosome 1 that predisposes a person to developing anorexia nervosa. Certain transitions in school or home life can trigger the onset of the disease. People in certain sports activities or artistic activities such as being a ballerina or being an athlete can predispose a person to developing anorexia.
Bulimia is also not about food but is a condition that develops as a result of deep seated emotional issues. The person with bulimia often eats a normal or more than normal amount of food and then purges, throwing up the food or taking laxatives in order to keep the weight off. Excessive exercise is also a part of bulimia. It can be life threatening because it can cause body electrolyte abnormalities that can cause heart damage. Those with bulimia have a preoccupation with weight and body shape and are harsh to themselves about perceived flaws they see in themselves.
Doctors can diagnose bulimia by evaluating the person through a physical exam. They look for changes in the mouth and teeth that are indicative of severe and repetitive vomiting. Electrolytes may need to be evaluated and altered to become normal levels. A psychological evaluation can show depression or other signs of bulimia.
Therapy for bulimia involves intensive psychotherapy, focusing on underlying problems and on eating skills that are healthier. Antidepressants are commonly used to control bulimia. Prozac has been officially approved by the US FDA for the management of bulimia. Nutrition education takes place in the treatment program. Hospitalization may be required if the person is very ill from the disease or isn't getting better with outpatient therapy.