Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Patients with bulimia present a variety of medical and psychological
complications which are usually considered to be reversible through a
multidisciplinary treatment approach. Treatment can be managed by either a
physician, psychiatrist, or in
some cases, a clinical psychologist. The extent of the medical complications
generally dictates the primary treatment manager. A
psychiatrist, with both medical and psychological training, is perhaps the
optimum treatment manager.
A number of antidepressant
medications have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of bulimia.
Several studies have demonstrated that fluoxetine (Prozac), a member of the
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants, has been effective in the
treatment of bulimia. And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved
fluoxetine for the treatment of bulimia.
Other types of antidepressants, including the monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and buspirone (Buspar)
have all been shown to decrease bingeing and vomiting in people suffering from
bulimia. However, the SSRIs remain the first choice for treatment due to their
relative safety and low incidence of side effects.
Other
drugs are currently under investigation as possible treatments for bulimia.
Examples are the antiepileptic drug topiramate and the serotonin antagonistondansetron.
Some patients may require hospitalization due to the
extent of the medical or psychological complications. Others may seek outpatient
programs. Still others may require only weekly counseling and monitoring by a
practitioner. Stabilization of the patient's physical condition will be the
immediate goal if the individual is in a life-threatening state. The primary
goals of treatment should address both physical and psychological needs of the
patient in order to restore physical health and normal eating patterns. The
patient needs to identify internal feelings and distorted beliefs that led to
the disorder initially. An appropriate treatment approach addresses underlying
issues of control, self-perception, and family dynamics. Nutritional education
and behavior management provides the patient with healthy alternatives to weight
management. Group counseling or support groups can assist the patient in the
recovery process as well.
The ultimate goal should be for the patient to accept
herself/himself and lead a physically and emotionally healthy life. Restoration of
physical and mental health will probably take time, and results will be gradual.
Patience is a vital part of the recovery process. A positive attitude coupled
with much effort on the part of the affected individual is another integral
component to a successful recovery.
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder and is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. With anorexia, the drive to become thinner is actually secondary to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one's body. There are psychological and behavioral symptoms as well as physical symptoms of anorexia including: depression, social withdrawal, fatigue, food obsession, heart and gastrointestinal complications, kidney function, flaky skin, brittle nails, and tooth loss (this list is not exhaustive).
Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year, and 10 million to 20 million attempt suicide annually.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to suffer repeated obsessions and compulsions. Symptoms include irresistible impulses despite a person's realization that the thoughts are irrational, excessive hand washing, skin picking, lock checking, or repeatedly rearranging items. People with OCD are more likely to develop trichotillomania, muscle or vocal tics, or an eating disorder. Treatment for OCD includes psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication.
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that may be caused by many conditions. Antiemetics are drugs that treat nausea and vomiting. Though some antiemetics for motion sickness and mild nausea are available over the counter (OTC), most require a medical evaluation and prescription.
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases for example, anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, drug abuse, and more. Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue.
Mental illness is any disease or condition affecting the brain that influence the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others. Mental illness is caused by heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stressors.
Characteristics of binge eating disorder include eating more quickly than usual, eating until uncomfortably full, eating a lot of food despite not being hungry, eating alone due to embarrassment, and feeling disgusted by overeating. Depression may be a cause of binge eating disorder. Risks of binge eating include weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and some cancers.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health and community health.
Fast food consumption and lack of exercise are just a couple of causes of childhood obesity. Health effects of childhood obesity include type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, asthma, sleep apnea, gallstones, fatty liver disease, GERD, depression, and eating disorders.
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