Overview of Eating Disorders and Hair Loss: Many people think that genetics, age-related factors, or certain types of medications are the only possible causes of hair loss but that’s not entirely right. There is another example that can cause severe hair loss and that is eating disorders. Yes, you heard that right: malnutrition and excessive eating are considered the key players in hair thinning, shedding, and permanent hair loss as well if the root cause is not treated properly. In this blog, we’re going to discuss some of the eating disorders that can cause hair loss and how to treat these eating disorders. So, stick around!
The term “eating disorders” represents a complex group of mental health conditions that can seriously impact physical health, social functioning, relationships, and productivity levels. Certain psychological factors like powerful emotions, beliefs, and behaviors around food and weight often lead to serious health conditions including organ failure, kidney failure, and in severe cases even death. This mental disorder has the highest mortality rate among all mental disorders.
Anorexia nervosa: It is characterized by self-starvation and an intense fear of gaining weight. Symptoms of this disorder include:
Bulimia nervosa: It is characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (an attempt to make up for the calories consumed). These behaviors include vomiting, extreme fasting, excessive exercise, and the use of laxatives. Symptoms can include:
It is characterized by repeated cycles of overeating without purging afterward. Symptoms can be:
Our hair is made of a protein called keratin. When a person’s body is malnourished due to these psychological behaviors, the protein stores of the body get depleted. When this happens, the human body prioritizes the protein for other essential functions and away from hair growth which leads to stalled growth, and weak and brittle hair. This lack of keratin along with other nutrients like iron, vitamins, and minerals results in hair loss.
The medical term for eating disorder-related hair loss is telogen effluvium, marked by the excessive shedding of hair at the telogen phase after the body goes through a sudden trauma or change. The severe changes in eating patterns put your body under a lot of stress which pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase. This ultimately results in your hair falling out. Hair loss caused by eating disorders can range from mild shedding and hair thinning to losing clumps and leaving bald patches on the scalp.
Losing hair can harm your physical as well as mental health. Some of them are discussed below.
Numerous health problems can be caused by eating disorders. Some of them are mentioned below.
It’s crucial to seek help if you’re experiencing any of these problems because these effects can take a huge toll on not just your physical health but also your mental health.
Hair loss caused by eating disorders is reversible if you take proper consultation timely. A therapist can support you with mental health problems, a dietitian can make meal plans for you to overcome nutritional deficiencies, a psychiatrist can give you psychotropic medication if the condition is severe, and a medical doctor can provide any medical treatment by keeping the track of your vitals and blood levels. Hair should begin to grow back once the essential nutrients and minerals are incorporated back into your diet.
Lordhair offers a vast variety of hairpieces for men and women that can solve your hair fall problems. We know that hair fall is stressful, and that’s why we at Lordhair want to provide you with the best possible hairpieces for both men and women and hairpieces that cater to all types of hair loss. We use 100% real human hair to hide those lost tresses. So, don’t wait around any longer – head to our website and fill your cart with something from our exclusive range of wigs.
Recovery from an eating disorder can be difficult but it’s not impossible. If the illness is triggered by societal pressures and unrealistic beauty ideals, it’s better to first talk to your loved ones for emotional support and then speak with your doctor. Once the balance has been restored into your diet, hair begins to regrow. But if hair loss does continue to be a problem for whatever reason or it doesn’t grow back the way you wish then know that Lordhair hairpieces can give you that full head of hair again.
Cloudflare is a powerful tool designed to enhance your website's performance and security through its…
Signet rings, adorned with family crests or emblems, have a rich history that dates back…
Want to lose weight? Without dieting? Don’t worry it is possible. How? Follow this guide…
Designing a kitchen is a significant investment, both financially and emotionally. It’s about creating a…
Finding the perfect living space is paramount in a world where our homes have become…
When it comes to designing the perfect kitchen, the term "bespoke German kitchens" often stands…