Anorexia and bulimia are diseases whose effects are sometimes so dramatic that they can hide more secondary complications such as oral diseases. Nutritional deficiencies and excesses of some other acid attacks and facilitate the formation of cavities. This observation should encourage these people to be followed regularly by their dentist.

Anorexia and bulimia are both eating disorders. They are most often related to emotional conflicts with family or professional. Such excessive behavior in one way or the other, which are related to moral distress, are not without consequence on the teeth.

Indeed, among bulimic consumption of large quantities of foods, constant snacking throughout the day, or excess sugar induce premature wear of the teeth and promote tooth decay.

Anorexics on the contrary, food insufficiency can cause deficiencies. An inadequate intake of calcium for example, can cause demineralization of teeth and facilitate all the acid attacks the bacteria and thus decay. Taken to the extreme, a lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy. There has been resurgence of cases of this disease while it had long since disappeared from our Western countries. It causes, among other things, impaired bone formation (and hence the teeth) and alteration of the gums.

Moreover, frequent vomiting experienced by anorexics or bulimics are suffering, let acidity in the mouth, which again facilitates bacterial attacks. In alternating between bulimia and overeating diet is also detrimental to good oral hygiene.

Ultimately, as the anorexic bulimics are subjects in whom the risk is higher oral. These people, which must benefit from coaching by psychologists and nutritionists, also benefit from being monitored regularly by their dentist.

People with anorexia or bulimia are frequently suffering from OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. These disorders characterized by the repetition of an unchanging number of observances particularly affect purging anorexic, that is to say those who are likely to cause vomiting. Previous usually eating disorders, they can be a warning signal for the entourage.

The eating disorders often find their origins in problems of a psychological or emotional. Some go without food, they are anorexic. But others eat exaggerated, it is bulimic. The former as the latter are obsessed with their image and this often means that they people with special care, even refined sophisticated. Their taste for perfection turns into an obsession even leading them to constantly reproduce countless rituals. These rituals, which can be discontinued or modified at the cost of great anxiety, are known as OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for).

The observation of a sample of individuals showed that the OCD had a significant impact in the population of anorexics and bulimics. Nineteen percent of them are indeed suffering from OCD, against only 1% in the general population. People with anorexia purgative (those are causing vomiting) are the most frequently affected (43%). But these disorders also exist in 16% of those with restrictive anorexia (reduced amount of food ingested) and in 13% of those with bulimia is laxative.

Whatever the case, the obsessive always precede eating disorders. They may therefore be a warning sign to those around the patient who may then encourage them to consult a psychologist and / or doctor.

Based on five questions, a tool for detecting eating disorders, including bulimia and anorexia, has been validated in general practice. In short, simple and easy to remember, it should facilitate the detection and therefore treatment of these patients.

The questionnaire, called Scoff is a simple and effective tool for detecting eating disorders and facilitate their care. Validated in a clinical population and among students, it has recently taken root in general medicine.

1. 5 questions to detect eating disorders

• Have you ever been sick because you do not feel good “full stomach”?
• Are you afraid of losing control of how much you eat?
• Have you recently lost more than 6 pounds in less than three months?
• Do you think you’re too big (is) while others consider you too thin?
• Would you say that food is something that occupies a prominent place in your life?

Two or more positive answers to any of these five questions reveal a disorder and therefore the need to develop an appropriate treatment.

Tested on a female population, this questionnaire has proven very effective in detecting 85% of eating disorders, both in the field of bulimia than anorexia.

2. Disturbances should be taken very seriously and to deal quickly

Adolescence is a very special stage of life. That’s when the young leave the childhood into the adult world. During this period, problems may occur and disrupt the feeding behavior including anorexia (refusal to eat), or conversely, bulimia. These two opposing attitudes reflect a discomfort, they reflect the psychological problems that must be taken very seriously and treated quickly.

While anorexia and bulimia affect primarily girls, but not exclusively. These disorders usually appear during adolescence, when the girl discovers her sexual body and takes its emotional and social autonomy. They express psychological problems more or less strong effort to distinguish what can a teenager to lose weight.

The eating disorders are often underestimated by those around him. However, medical and psychological support is essential. In adolescents, it may be difficult to communicate with her parents to assert her personality or to set up his adult sexuality. Medical treatment is always undertaken on a case by case basis and adjusted according to changing conditions. It may possibly give rise to individual or family therapy.

3. Anorexia: Signs of Appeal

• Dramatic weight loss, unlike the effects of a single scheme.

• Weight loss accompanied by vomiting, sometimes access bulimia and an absence of rules.

• The pursuit of intellectual and physical activity remains normal, which may hide these disruptions.

Adolescence is a transitional period during which certain psychological fragility and / or certain disorders may occur. So is he, eating disorders, bulimia and anorexia.

Bulimia and anorexia are eating disorders very accurate, which should be well defined. They tend to be used in everyday language to describe certain eating behaviors that may have affinities with anorexia or bulimia, without being real equivalent of these two diseases.

1. Anorexia nervosa is ten times more common in girls

Anorexia nervosa affects about 1% of adolescent girls. The disease involves constant association with a triad of anorexia, which is not an absence of hunger, but an active struggle against hunger, rapid weight loss and regular point the girl reached quickly Weighing less than 20% or 25% of its original weight, amenorrhea, and finally, that is to say, a cessation of menstruation. It also often develops measures of weight control by abusing laxatives or self-induced vomiting (in secret) after meals.

2. Anorexia often occurs without the knowledge of all, denial

Paradoxically, while these symptoms are obvious and easy to recognize, long, they may go unnoticed in the family, medical or school. It must be said that denial of thinness is a constant feature of the anorexic who strives to conceal both his weight loss, limited his food intake and vomiting or taken any laxatives. In addition, frequently, the anorexic is hyperactive and his disease does not affect his grades, which are actually quite brilliant. Therefore, in his entourage, nobody is alarmed.

3. As for addicts, they dream of becoming anorexic …

In contrast, bulimics have such dreams of thinness, they idealize the body image of anorexics that they would like.
Bulimia often begins around 18, 19 at the time of entry into higher education. It is manifested by an uncontrollable urge, uncontrollable eating. The young woman eats compulsively, at any time of day, significant amounts of all kinds of food. These “crises” are sometimes followed by vomiting. The frequency of attacks is variable, but sometimes they can be repeated up to 10 or 20 times a day.

4. Bulimia is also developing the knowledge of all, shame

Between these periods, the bulimic tries to limit his food intake to control weight. As with anorexia, bulimic behavior is lived in secret, without the knowledge of relatives. Bulimia is often live in shame and self-loathing. That is why the young woman dares not speak about it and for years, she lives in misery, unable to ask for help.

While some are struggling to lose weight, others are struggling to grow. how to differentiate anorexia nervosa and constitutional leanness? what are the respective characteristics of these two states? how to act and / or reassurance?

1. What is the difference between anorexia and thinness Constitution?

Anorexia affects mostly young girls 15-25 years, without being exclusive.
The diagnosis of anorexia is considered when the person:

• refuses to maintain weight at or above a minimum weight appropriate to age and size. The calculation of body mass index (BMI) is indicated, simply divide the weight by the size, twice. A BMI between 18 and 25 is considered normal, above 25 it speaks of overweight and below 17.5 thinness;
• suffers from an intense fear of gaining weight;
• This altered perception of body image;
• no rules (secondary amenorrhea).

Anorexia is finally a multidisciplinary approach.
The constitutional thinness is raised against a person who:

• a BMI below 17.5;
• wishes to grow;
• present rules;
• has a normal body fat.

In case of constitutional thinness, there are none so hormonal abnormalities that are present in people with anorexia (thyroid and sex hormones). Similarly, the energy balance is stable.Dietary intakes were normal and in line with the expenditure of energy, although often they multiply snacks during the day as they arrive quickly to satiety.

2. The common link between anorexia and Constitutional thinness: a very low bone mass

If the constitutional thinness is not accompanied by mental disorders or health problems, however the bone is reduced by about 40% and rises close to that observed in cases of anorexia (50%). It is not about waiting, but a genetic trait: thin people develop small bones, which contributes to their low weight. The result is nevertheless the same: a high risk of fracture especially after menopause.

3. What advice to people with a constitutional thinness?

Needless to submit to a binding regime. Indeed, for genetic reasons, it is also difficult to lose weight a person who has a very overweight as a person to grow very thin. Needless also to prescribe all kinds of supplements of vitamins and minerals, since it is no nutritional deficiency.The smartest move is to advise on a normal diet, healthy and varied, focusing on foods that stimulate appetite. The practice of regular physical activity is also recommended. Finally, smoking is not acceptable as it enhances bone loss …

In general, whether excess weight and excessive thinness, it is important not to stigmatize these people, the weight component having a genetically programmed.

Anorexia is an eating disorder need to know potentially serious testing for support as soon as possible. In case of suspicion, do not hesitate to consult, seek information and ask for help.

1. What is anorexia?

Anorexia is an eating disorder. This disease is manifested by dietary restriction. Sometimes pure, but sometimes in the form of alternating crises restriction and bulimia with vomiting or taking laxatives. The body is seen as too big, despite extreme thinness. Yet this emaciation due to malnutrition is not without consequence, and sometimes death (in 10% after ten years of disease progression).

2. Who is affected by anorexia?

In nine out of ten cases of anorexia affects a young girl. Young anorexics are often good students, they appreciate good food and sports are.

3. At what periods of life?

There are two periods at particular risk. The first one around 12/13 years and the second around 17-18 years at the end of high school.

4. What are the explanatory factors and predisposing?

Biological factors are mentioned, but also factors related to child development, and interactions with family members and the construction of identity and sense of personal security. A painful experience (loss, separation, sexual abuse) and the impossibility of making a choice are among the factors triggering the disease.

5. What are the first signs?

A radical change in eating habits, with intensification of restrictive behavior over time.

The girl was small and forged very rigid rules. It avoids all foods and caloric it deems likely to make it grow.

A rapid weight loss and significant (15% weight), with general weakness.

6. Consequences?

If the excessive thinness is dangerous to health, with alternating phases bulimic vomiting (aggression of the mucosa of the esophagus and tooth enamel) is also. The fatigue that results also reflects the consequences for the organism, let alone attacks of anxiety that triggers the idea of having to go to dinner. The girl gradually isolated his family, his friends and folds on itself, abandoning its social activities. Gradually, the hardships extend to anything that gives pleasure. To compensate, she is involved in school work and sport, winning programs sometimes draconian, bordering on hyperactivity.

7. What to do?

The anorexic is often in denial, claiming to be doing well and have no problem. This does not facilitate the process to help a teenager suffering from anorexia.

Parents can express their concerns generally focus on avoiding food intake. The confrontation at the table when the meal is not a good strategy.

It is important not to isolate itself. The first thing to do is talk to your doctor. It may also meet with teachers and school nurse to see if the girl in particular is prone to ailments. The associations of parents of children with anorexia are then good support and a good source of information. As specialists in eating behavior, it is their responsibility to establish the diagnosis, assess the seriousness of the situation and propose an appropriate treatment. It is multidisciplinary (hospitalization, therapy groups, workshops, groups of words …).

Do not hesitate to consult as an early treatment facilitates cure.

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