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Diagram of stomach acid eroding tooth enamel
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Bulimia & Dental Health

The long-term effects of bulimia on teeth primarily involve severe enamel erosion, known as perimolysis, caused by frequent exposure to stomach acid. This leads to increased tooth sensitivity, discoloration, structural weakness, cavities, changes in bite alignment, and potentially tooth loss, often requiring complex restorative dental work to correct. Bulimia nervosa is a serious mental health […]

Diagram illustrating the eating disorder spectrum including OSFED
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OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder)

OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) is a clinical diagnosis for severe eating disorders that do not meet the strict criteria for Anorexia, Bulimia, or Binge Eating Disorder. Despite the “other” label, OSFED is the most common eating disorder, carrying serious physical and psychological risks that require professional medical and therapeutic intervention. For many

Diagram of the upper gastrointestinal tract highlighting the diaphragm and esophagus
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Rumination Disorder

Rumination disorder treatment for adults primarily focuses on Diaphragmatic Breathing techniques, also known as behavioral retraining. Unlike acid reflux treatments, this specialized breathing method relaxes the diaphragm and tightens the lower esophageal sphincter after eating. This prevents the increase in intra-abdominal pressure that triggers regurgitation, effectively retraining the body’s automatic digestive response. Table of Contents

Doctor performing cardiac assessment for eating disorder patient
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Physical Complications & Monitoring

Medical monitoring for eating disorders in NZ involves a structured protocol where General Practitioners and specialists regularly assess vital signs, cardiac function, and blood chemistry to prevent life-threatening complications. This process includes tracking weight restoration, monitoring for refeeding syndrome, and managing electrolyte imbalances caused by malnutrition or purging behaviors. Table of Contents Cardiac Risks: Bradycardia

Journaling to identify eating disorder relapse warning signs
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Relapse Prevention

Eating disorder relapse warning signs are subtle shifts in thoughts, behaviors, or physical sensations indicating a potential return to disordered eating patterns. Common indicators include increased body checking, social withdrawal, obsessive counting of calories, heightened anxiety around mealtimes, and justifying skipped meals. Early recognition allows for timely intervention and sustained recovery. Recovery from an eating

Genetic link between autism and eating disorders
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Autism & Eating Disorders

The autism and eating disorders overlap is characterized by a significant comorbidity where restricted eating is driven by sensory processing differences, cognitive rigidity, and a need for routine rather than body image issues alone. Studies indicate that approximately 20-35% of individuals in eating disorder treatment display high autistic traits, requiring specialized, neuro-affirming recovery approaches. For

ADHD brain dopamine reward pathways diagram
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ADHD & Binge Eating

The ADHD and binge eating connection is primarily driven by the brain’s deficiency in dopamine and deficits in executive function. Individuals with ADHD often engage in binge eating as a form of self-medication to stimulate the brain’s reward center, coupled with impulsivity that overrides satiety signals and a lack of interoceptive awareness regarding hunger and

Child experiencing sensory overwhelm from mixed food textures
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

What is the connection between Sensory Processing Disorder and food textures? Sensory processing disorder food textures issues arise when the brain misinterprets tactile signals from the mouth, causing extreme aversion to specific consistencies like slime, crunch, or mixed lumps. This hypersensitivity, often called oral defensiveness, triggers a gag reflex or fight-or-flight response, leading to restrictive

First-person view of kitchen ingredients highlighting the difficulty of starting to cook with ADHD
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Executive Dysfunction & Meals

Meal planning for ADHD adults involves simplifying the culinary process to bypass executive dysfunction barriers. It focuses on reducing decision fatigue, utilizing “low-spoon” preparation methods, and establishing visual cues to ensure consistent nourishment without the overwhelming cognitive load often associated with traditional cooking and grocery shopping. Table of Contents Why Cooking is Hard with Executive

Person experiencing diabetes distress symptoms while checking blood sugar levels
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Diabetes Distress

Diabetes distress is an emotional state where people feel overwhelmed, defeated, and frustrated by the relentless daily demands of managing diabetes. Unlike clinical depression, it is directly linked to the burden of diabetes care, manifesting as burnout, anxiety about complications, and a desire to stop monitoring blood glucose levels. Living with diabetes in New Zealand

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