EATING AND SLEEPING DISORDER
Eating and Sleeping Disorders
Name
Institution
EATING AND SLEEPING DISORDERS
- Anorexia
This is a condition in which an individual does not maintain his/her normal body weight because of the fear of becoming fat. However, its treatment entails a person being admitted to a hospital when they are in critical danger and psychotherapy that will focus on individual counseling aiming to change the thinking perspective of a person with this disorder. Advanced medical care, which entails the use of antipsychotic olanzapine, may be needed to help individuals gain weight. In terms of nursing intervention, patients need Supervision during mealtime and sometime after mealtime (Allison, Spaeth, & Hopkins, 2016). Also, they should be given more liquid than solid foods. Additionally, there should be a regular weighing of the patient.
- Bulimia
This is a disorder associated with binge eating, followed by inappropriate weight gain prevention methods. Its treatment entails mental health professionals conducting psychotherapy on patients (Allison, Spaeth, & Hopkins, 2016). Also, antidepressants should be given to reduce its symptoms. Nevertheless, nursing interventions undertaken include Supervision of patients during and after meals to ensure they are following the right eating schedule. Also, nurses should identify when a patient vomits to know their patterns, which may reduce the patient’s effects as nurses will be there to oversee their progress.
- Theory of eating disorders
a). Psychological theory
Eating disorders are attempts to reduce discomfort with body shapes, which creates more anxiety, having low body esteems because of body size; hence some will prefer thin body size.
b). Sociocultural theory
People who practice occupations like modeling need to have a slim body size. These lead to body dissatisfaction, which has many adverse effects that increase the chances of getting eating disorders.
c). Physical theory
Complex relationships between body neurotransmitters cause eating disorders. Many people are depressed about their body. Some may want to reduce fat in the body by fasting to be thin, like in anorexia patients.
- Symptoms and nursing intervention
a). Insomnia
Its symptoms are associated with increased physical and mental alertness at night and sleepiness during the day. Also, patients suffer from irritability, depression, and anxiety (Allison, Spaeth, & Hopkins, 2016). Nursing interventions include educating patients on proper foods and fluids intake, encouraging daytime physical activity, and avoiding strenuous exercise before bedtime. Also, the patient should take milk and avoid day time naps.
b). Primary Hypersomnia
Its symptoms include excessive sleep of more than 10 hours having daytime naps and also having difficulties with waking up from sleep despite being awakened by people or alarm. Nursing interventions include patients being advised to avoid stimulant substances before bedtime. Also, patients need to establish a bedtime routine that a person finds relaxing and helps to tune their body. Changing sleeping environments is another significant intervention.
c). Narcolepsy
Its symptoms are characterized by excessive sleep during the day from anywhere. Also, patients experience sleep paralysis as they are unable to move or speak as they are sleeping. Nursing intervention entails eating a healthy balanced diet to increase the level of alertness (Pavlova, 2018). Besides, patients should take frequent naps during the day.
d). Sleep terror disorder
Its symptoms are characterized by a person partially or fully waking from sleep instantly. Also, a patient will have a high pulse rate and will be sweating more often. Nursing interventions include a person getting adequate sleep to remove fatigue. Also, a patient should establish a regular, relaxing schedule before sleeping.
References
Allison, K. C., Spaeth, A., & Hopkins, C. M. (2016). Sleep and Eating Disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep. doi: 10.1007/s11920-016-0728-8
Pavlova, M. K. (2018, October 4). Sleep Disorders. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, 132(3), 292-299.