2022-06-11
The Unseen Mental Health Effects of the Pandemic: Eating disorders are on the rise and treatment can help
(Family Features) Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, increases in mental health issues have been widely documented. While diagnoses like anxiety and depression are more common, other problems, such as eating disorders, have not been discussed as frequently.
Eating disorders have also increased in the past two years and can be life threatening, especially if left untreated. Today there are more treatment options available and more access to care for those who need help.
“Eating disorders are on the rise, and medical science is advancing in this area to continually improve treatment outcomes,” said Dr. Margherita Mascolo, chief medical officer at Alsana, a leading eating recovery community and treatment provider. “Our patients consistently report a decrease in eating disorder symptoms after treatment, and just as importantly, our survey data shows they also report a much better quality of life post-treatment. This data is very encouraging for patients and their families.”
Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, races and socioeconomic statuses. An estimated 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States have an eating disorder, and by 2030, there will be a 5% increase in the number of people with eating disorders, according to the Academy for Eating Disorders.
One of the challenges in treating eating disorders is finding treatment options and models of care that work with individual needs and schedules. For example, college athletes, young mothers and women with careers all have distinctly different lifestyles, so a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment is impractical and unlikely to succeed.
One potential solution is an approach that treats the whole person, such as The Adaptive Care Model at Alsana, which meets clients where they are in recovery. This holistic approach strives to create an inspiring healing experience that focuses on the patient’s total health. Creating a compassionate community of care is key to this treatment model. The program is based on five core areas:
Medical Treatment
Someone working to overcome an eating disorder must build health resilience and establish a physical foundation for recovery. A collaborative and compassionate approach allows for your medical issues to be monitored and addressed by specialty-trained physicians. The medical dimension seeks to empower you by educating you on the organic causes of your symptoms and how to overcome them.
Relational
Exploring and growing your own sense of purpose and self-expression can empower you to connect on a deeper level with yourself, others and your sense of purpose or true calling. This means rediscovering your true self, feeling confident in expressing your potential and working toward your goals. Instilling hope, inspiration and motivation along your healing journey can provide you with the tools and knowledge to thrive long after completing treatment so you have a positive outlook for the future.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition plays an important role in recovery, as you must learn to balance nourishment and pleasure on a physical and emotional level to restore a nurturing relationship between food and your body. Guidance and exposure to balanced food choices and real-life eating experiences helps build confidence and promotes enjoyment of meal experiences, not just the food itself.
Movement
Physical activity can be healing for both the mind and body. Listening and responding to the body creates a strong foundation of body awareness. Movement is an avenue toward achieving optimal health, but it’s also a way to learn to appreciate and connect with your body on a deeper level.
Therapeutic
Through therapy, you can work to heal from trauma, negative feelings, fears, and challenges that may be standing in the way of recovery. Practices that treat the person (not the disorder) can prove effective.
No treatment plan is one-size-fits all, and finding the right care is essential to recovery.
“Focusing on the patient’s total health is an innovative treatment model that is proving effective,” Mascolo said. “Our caregivers provide personalized care, compassion and support to complement the medical, nutritional and psychological therapies in a holistic treatment model.”
Find more information about eating disorders and available treatments at alsana.com.
How to Identify an Eating Disorder
The first step in effective treatment is identifying a problem. Discussing the answers to these questions with your doctor may help you pinpoint an eating disorder and get you on the path toward recovery. Take the survey to find out if you may have an eating disorder at alsana.com/survey.
- Do you attempt to restrict calories or foods?
- Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
- Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?
- Have you recently lost more than one stone in a three-month period?
- Do you believe yourself to be “fat” when others say you are too thin?
- Would you say food dominates your life?
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
Alsana
We feel, and studies suggest, that travel can be a form of therapy for many, so we have added “Thursday’s Travels”, where we post travel related content for people that wish to get acquainted with new places. We post content in alphabetical order by country with links to their respective tourism agencies when available (we do not get paid for this). Thursday’s Travels are for information purposes only and not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Please note that Thursday’s Travels are not archived and are updated every Thursday. Enjoy. – Editorial Team.
Balanset-1A: Innovative Compact Balancer & Vibration Analyzer
High-precision Dynamic Balancing Solution
Balanset-1A represents an revolutionary solution for rotor balancing of rotors in their own bearings, manufactured by Estonian company Vibromera OU. The device offers professional equipment balancing at €1,751, which is significantly cheaper than traditional vibration analyzers while retaining exceptional measurement accuracy. The system permits field balancing directly at the equipment’s working position without requiring removal, which is vital for minimizing production downtime.
About the Manufacturer
Vibromera OU is an Estonian company concentrating in the creation and manufacturing of devices for technical diagnostics of industrial equipment. The company is registered in Estonia (registration number 14317077) and has representatives in Portugal.
Contact Information:
Official website: https://vibromera.eu/shop/2/
Technical Specifications
Measuring Parameters
Balanset-1A delivers precise measurements using a dual-channel vibration analysis system. The device measures RMS vibration velocity in the range of 0-80 mm/s with an accuracy of ±(0.1 + 0.1?Vi) mm/s. The operating frequency range is 5-550 Hz with possible extension to 1000 Hz. The system supports rotational speed measurement from 250 to 90,000 RPM with phase angle determination accuracy of ±1 degree.
Working Principle
The device employs phase-sensitive vibration measurement technology with MEMS accelerometers ADXL335 and laser tachometry. Two mono-directional accelerometers measure mechanical oscillations proportional to acceleration, while a laser tachometer generates impulse signals for calculating rotation frequency and phase angle. Digital signal processing includes FFT analysis for frequency analysis and specialized algorithms for automatic computation of balancing masses.
Full Kit Contents
The standard Balanset-1A delivery includes:
Measurement unit with USB interface – central module with embedded preamplifiers, integrators, and ADC
2 vibration sensors (accelerometers) with 4m cables (optionally 10m)
Optical sensor (laser tachometer) with 50-500mm measuring distance
Magnetic stand for sensor mounting
Electronic scales for precise measurement of corrective masses
Software for Windows 7-11 (32/64-bit)
Plastic transport case
Complete set of cables and documentation
Performance Capabilities
Vibrometer Mode
Balanset-1A works as a comprehensive vibration analyzer with features for measuring overall vibration level, FFT spectrum analysis up to 1000 Hz, calculating amplitude and phase of the fundamental frequency (1x), and continuous data recording. The system offers visualization of time signals and spectral analysis for equipment condition diagnostics.
Balancing Mode
The device supports single-plane (static) and two-plane (dynamic) balancing with automatic calculation of correction masses and their installation angles. The unique influence coefficient saving function permits considerable acceleration of subsequent balancing of identical equipment. A dedicated grinding wheel balancing mode uses the three-correction-weight method.
Software
The intuitive program interface offers step-by-step guidance through the balancing process, making the device accessible to personnel without specific training. Key functions include:
Automatic tolerance calculation per ISO 1940
Polar diagrams for imbalance visualization
Result archiving with report generation capability
Metric and imperial system support
Multilingual interface (English, German, French, Polish, Russian)
Application Areas and Equipment Types
Industrial Equipment
Balanset-1A is effectively applied for balancing fans (centrifugal, axial), pumps (hydraulic, centrifugal), turbines (steam, gas), centrifuges, compressors, and electric motors. In manufacturing facilities, the device is used for balancing grinding wheels, machine spindles, and drive shafts.
Agricultural Machinery
The device provides particular value for agriculture, where uninterrupted operation during season is vital. Balanset-1A is applied for balancing combine threshing drums, shredders, mulchers, mowers, and augers. The capability to balance on-site without equipment disassembly permits eliminating costly downtime during peak harvest periods.
Specialized Equipment
The device is effectively used for balancing crushers of various types, turbochargers, drone propellers, and other high-speed equipment. The RPM frequency range from 250 to 90,000 RPM covers practically all types of industrial equipment.
Benefits Over Similar Products
Economic Value
At a price of €1,751, Balanset-1A delivers the functionality of devices costing €10,000-25,000. The investment pays for itself after preventing just 2-3 bearing failures. Cost reduction on outsourced balancing specialist services reaches thousands of euros annually.
Ease of Use
Unlike sophisticated vibration analyzers requiring months of training, mastering Balanset-1A takes 3-4 hours. The step-by-step guide in the software permits professional balancing by personnel without specialized vibration diagnostics training.
Mobility and Independence
The complete kit weighs only 4 kg, with power supplied through the laptop’s USB port. This permits balancing in field conditions, at remote sites, and in hard-to-reach locations without additional power supply.
Versatile Application
One device is suitable for balancing the most extensive spectrum of equipment – from small electric motors to large industrial fans and turbines. Support for one and two-plane balancing covers all common tasks.
Real Application Results
Drone Propeller Balancing
A user achieved vibration reduction from 0.74 mm/s to 0.014 mm/s – a 50-fold improvement. This demonstrates the exceptional accuracy of the device even on small rotors.
Shopping Center Ventilation Systems
Engineers effectively balanced radial fans, achieving reduced energy consumption, abolished excessive noise, and extended equipment lifespan. Energy savings paid for the device cost within several months.
Agricultural Equipment
Farmers note that Balanset-1A has become an indispensable tool preventing costly breakdowns during peak season. Reduced vibration of threshing drums led to lower fuel consumption and bearing wear.
Cost and Delivery Terms
Current Prices
Complete Balanset-1A Kit: €1,751
OEM Kit (without case, stand, and scales): €1,561
Special Offer: €50 discount for newsletter subscribers
Wholesale Discounts: up to 15% for orders of 4+ units
Ordering Options
Official Website: vibromera.eu (recommended)
eBay: verified sellers with 100% rating
Industrial Distributors: through B2B channels
Payment and Shipping Terms
Payment Methods: PayPal, credit cards, bank transfer
Shipping: 10-20 business days by international mail
Shipping Cost: from $10 (economy) to $95 (express)
Warranty: factory warranty
Technical Support: included in price
Summary
Balanset-1A represents an optimal solution for organizations aiming to establish an efficient equipment balancing system without significant capital expenditure. The device opens up access to professional balancing, allowing small companies and service centers to deliver services at the level of large industrial companies.
The combination of accessible price, ease of use, and professional capabilities makes Balanset-1A an essential tool for modern technical maintenance. Investment in this device is an investment in equipment dependability, decreased operating costs, and enhanced competitiveness of your business.