EBRUARY 1988 inness ontinued From Page 19 ia. Both disorders are on the rise with n estimated 0.5 percent of 12-18 year- d American females suffering from orexia nervosa, and 5 percent of dolescent and young adult females howing an incidence of bulimia; some gures are estimating the prevalence of ulimia at 20 percent of college-age omen! Males are not excluded from these isorders, as an estimated 5-10 percent f all anorexia nervosa and bulimia ases are found in men, with the possi- lity that up to 5 percent of college-age ales are bulimics. Anorexia nervosa is a syndrome of elf-induced starvation or dehydration hat is characterized by: an intense fear f becoming fat (which does not dimin- sh as weight loss occurs); disturbed ody image (no matter what anorexics ook like, their self-perception is too at); weight loss of more than 25 percent originalweight; avoluntaryrefusalto at or to maintain a normal body eight; in females, a loss of menstrual ycles; and lastly, no known illness leading to the weight loss. The "typical" norexic tends to be a perfectionist, obe- ient, overly compliant, highly moti- ated, successful academically and thletically, and well-liked, by peers. requently, parents have high expecta- ions and are overly protective; family nflicts are not resolved readily and it is hypothesized that anorexics restrict their food intake, pursuing "perfect thinness," as a way to exert some con- trol in their lives. Once they start dieting, they can't stop. In order to survive, an anorexic's body will literally break down its own muscles and vital organs (including the heart) for energy, drastically altering the metabolic and electrolyte balances. "he physical consequences are often fatal. Bulimia is recognized as recurrent episodes of binge eating (rapid food con- sumption in less than two hours) with at least three of the following characteris- tics: consumption of high-calorie, easi- ly-digested food during a binge; ter- mination of the binge by abdominal pain, sleep, social interruption, or self- 'nduced vomiting; repeated attempts to Nose weight by severely restricted diets, self-induced vomiting, or laxative or diuretic use; and frequent weight fluc- tuation greater than 10 pounds due to alternating binges and fasts. Bulimia includes an awareness of abnormal eat- ing patterns and the fear of not being able to stop voluntarily, depressed mood and self-deprecating thoughts fol- lowing binges. Bulimics begin to diet, they get hun- gry, binge-eat (the normal response to starvation and dieting), feel guilty, which leads to purging, more guilt sets in and the cycle continues. Secondary to the regurgitated stomach acids from persistent vomiting, the bulimic may have bad breath, chronic sore throat, swollen salivary glands and eroded teeth. Frequent vomiting, laxative abuse and diuretic use leads to altera- kion of fluid status, constipation, di- arrhea, and esophageal or stomach hemmorhage, which may prove fatal. WHERE TO GO FOR HELP American Anorexia/Bulimia Association, lnc.(AA/ BA), 133 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666. 201- 836-1800. Anorexia Nervosa & Related Eating Dis- orders, Inc.(ANRED), P.O. Box. 5102, Eugene, OR 97405. 503-344-1144. National Anorexia Aid Soci- ety, Inc.(NAAS), P.O. Box 29461, Columbus, OH 43229. 614-436-1112. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, in- c.(ANAD), P.O. Box 217, Highland Park, IL 60035. 312-831-3438. U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER 23 There is no single cause for eating disorders; a combination of psychologic- al, familial, sociocultural and biological factors contribute to them. There is in- creasing evidence that society's emph- asis on thinness is placing great press- ures on many adolescents to strive for a thinner body shape. There is also no one method of treat- ment. Each case represents an indi- vidual with specific needs; optimal treatment includes combining nutri- tional rehabilitation, psychotherapy, behavior modification, family therapy and possibly medication. Treatment spans months or years, and final prog- nosis is questionable. Preventing eating disorders is not yet possible, but the recognition that people come in many shapes and sizes, and a wide range of body types is acceptable in our society, may help. Appropriate education in nutrition and exercise management may lead to a decline in the incidence of eating disorders. HOW iUUSA KILLS HYPOKALEMIA: A loss of serum potassium, due to low food intake or vomiting, which can lead to heart or kidney failure. This is the mosf se- rious consequence. DEHYDRATION: Due to10low food intake or vomifing. INTERNAL BLEEDING: Including gastric ulcers, due to trauma from forceful vomiting. TOOTH AND GUM DECAY: Due to vomiting of stomach acids. ESOPHAGAL RUPTURES ENLARGED SALIVARY GLANDS ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE Nicole Blohm-Daily Trojan, U. of Southern California Doctors Continued From Page 19 nifer Botts, a health aide and one of two student coordinators for the program. Most health aides say their experi- ences as "dorm doctors" have been re- warding. "I like to feel that I make a difference in the residence hall, that I can help a person physically and emotionally," said Anita Spiess, the other student coordinator. Their responsibilities include "answering every knock on the door anytime of the night no matter what, because they're responsible for every re- sident in the dorm," Botts said. Last year's 50 health aides handled more than 5,000 cases, each averaging 40 cases per quarter, Lubin said. "What I think makes our program un- ique is that it is voluntary," she said. "Their pay is chocolate chip cookies." A I O H N H UG H E S F IL M