Eating Disorders Anorexia nervosa - starvation, person believes they are fat Bulimia – binging and purging to stay at a certain weight. Weight fluctuations Cause: Psychological, nervous system disorder

Men’s bodies are also shown as abnormally thin, but often also show unrealistic muscle definition Symptoms: very low body fat, weight fluctuations, dental erosion, malnutrition, lack of menstruation Treatment: counselling, supplementation, hospitalization

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Heartburn/ Acid Reflux) Gastric Juice backs up causing a burning sensation in the esophagus. Cause: Eating before bedtime, coffee, spicy foods, greasy foods, over eating and sometimes other individual specific foods can bring on heartburn Symptoms: Described as a burning chest pain, under the breast bone - Treatment: Antacids, sitting up after eating, lemon water, and elimination diet, medications to reduce acid production

Peptic and abdominal ulcer: Lesions on the inside of the alimentary canal, stomach, intestine Cause: H. pylori bacteria infection breaks down inside mucous layer. Worsened by excess acids. Symptoms: Burning pain in abdomen. Vomiting, cramping and blood in stool. Treatment: Antibiotics, antacids, surgery in extreme cases.

Celiac Disease Cause: The absence of an enzyme that digests gluten, causes gluten to build up in small intestine and this damages villi and restricts absorption. Symptoms: Gas, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, migraines, weight loss, failure to thrive. Treatment: Strict dietary change to zero gluten consumption, if severe may need supplementation

Gallstones: Cause: Liquid in the Gall Bladder (usually bile when its high in cholesterol) hardens to form solid chunks (sometimes as large as a golf ball) Symptoms: Severe pain in the upper abdominal area for 30 minutes to a few hours. Treament: Lower fat in diet, surgery to remove the damaged gallbladder

Lactose Intolerance Cause: Inability to breakdown lactose, due to a deficiency in lactase. Lactase production decreases after age 3-5, but this decrease varies. In some people too little is produced. Symptoms: Results in cramping, bloating, gas, indigestion and diarrhea Treatment: Less lactose in diet, Lactase enzyme pills or drops

Cancer: There are numerous places along the digestive tract where a cancerous growth can occur Symptoms: lumps , change in bowel habits, bloody stool, mucus in stool. (change in bowel habits, bloody stool, mucus in stool) Cause: may include smoking, diet, contact with other carcinogens, genetics, unknown Treatment: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation Therapy

Cirrhosis (of Liver) Severe liver damage that causes scar tissue, and the liver also becomes fatty Symptoms: Jaundice (yellowing of skin), fatigue, itchy skin, bleeding/bruising easily, swollen legs, Causes: alcoholism, hepatitis C, or hepatitis B, fat accumulating in the liver Treatment: Quit drinking, medication, weight loss

Swollen veins at the bottom of the rectum or anus Hemorrhoids Swollen veins at the bottom of the rectum or anus Symptoms: If on rectum, usually not painful, but may cause bleeding. If on anus, can be very painful. Visually see or feel the hemorrhoid when trying to pass stool. Causes: Straining while sitting. This includes constipation, chronic diarrhea, sitting too long while during movements (ie reading while pooping), excessive sitting, postponing bowel movements, and pregnancy Treatment: Ointment, time, diet high in fiber, drink water

Appendicitis: Cause: An infection of the appendix, usually due to a blockage or material getting stuck Symptoms : fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, pain in the lower right abdomen Treatment: Prompt medical attention, antibiotics, surgery to remove appendix

Intestinal Worms: - Roundworms (Nematodes): Hookworms: Whipworms: Ascarids: Pinworms:

Flatworms: Flukes: Tapeworms:

Pinworms Causes: Infectious disease transferred by hands and mouth, clothing, toys Symptoms: itchy rectal area, worse at night, little white worms present in the anal area Treatment: anti-parasitic oral formulas

Inflammation of the Bowels – Crohn’s, Colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cause: Unknown, genetics, auto immune disorder Symptoms: abdominal cramping and pain, bleeding, fever Treatments: specialized diet, steroids, surgery to remove ulcered section

Obesity Excess body fat accumulates to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. Usually determined by BMI Cause: Poor diet, lack of exercise, lifestyle, hormonal changes, thyroid issues Treatment: change lifestyle. Better eating habits. More exercise. In extreme cases, surgery.

Malnutrition Malnutrition is when certain dietary nutrients are lacking or in excess. Cause: Lack of proper nutrition. This can be related to poverty, food prices, dietary practices, and other factors Symptoms: Malnutrition is often thought of as a “third world disorder”, but can be seen in Canadian lifestyles. Some people can be too busy to remember to eat properly. This can create symptoms such as over-tiredness, excessive hair loss, and many others (depending on what is missing from the diet) Treatment: Change diet (other factors may have to be addressed before this can be done)