The Anchorage Chiropractor to see - Chiropractor Anchorage

About Anorexia

Karen Carpenter, Mary Kate Olsen, Tracy Gold, Kate Moss – the bond that these high-profile celebrities share? It’s anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder which is typically characterized by a severe reduction in the amount of food ingested, excessive exercise and drastic weight loss that affects one’s physical health and, ultimately, may result in death. It is estimated that approximately 1% of American women suffer from this disorder.

Anorexic Woman

But what causes anorexia? Who is more prone to it? Is it genetic in nature? Anorexia generally affects teenage girls and young adult women, however, men and older women also suffer from it. We live in a society where “thin is in” and many young women become obsessed with their body image. They control their food intake because everything else around them seems so out of control.

Women in the public eye, particularly actors, models, dancers, gymnasts, athletes and television personalities are particularly vulnerable to this disease because maintaining the image of “thin” is often required in their job description. Women from high-achieving families and those who strive for perfection in order to win parental approval are particularly vulnerable as well.

Treatment may consist of hospitalization or an inpatient rehabilitative stay, psychotherapy, and nutritional counseling. It is estimated that nearly half of all anorexic women never fully recover and 20% are continually ill. Anorexia has the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder after substance abuse. Approximately 20% die either by suicide or through complications caused by starvation.

To determine whether you, or a friend or loved one, may have an eating disorder such as anorexia, click here and take this excellent eating disorder test. Early detection and treatment is vital to saving lives.

Search:

Dr. Todd Asks some important questions of interest to Anchorage residents - Chiropractor Anchorage Dr. Todd Asks...

Can someone who has had back surgery receive chiropractic care?
Yes. Rest assured that we will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. However, what we find is that surgical interventions will often produce spinal instability above or below the involved level. This is will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
Why are frequent visits advised when starting chiropractic care?
Consistent visits at the beginning of your chiropractic care help create the momentum necessary to correct and retrain unhealthy spinal patterns. Later, Anchorage patients find that continued care on a less frequent visit schedule can help preserve their progress and avoid a relapse.