Hair loss, in men and women, is a very stressful situation for the subject who suffers it. We often wonder about the causes and methods to prevent it. In some cases it is very simple to intervene, in others it could be almost impossible. There are several reasons why this happens and one of these is anorexia. What is anorexia
Contents
- What is anorexia
- Types of anorexia
- Symptoms
- Consequences
- Therapy
- Hair loss could be one of the long-term effects of anorexia
- How to regrow hair
Anorexia is an eating disorder that mainly affects young women between the ages of 12 and 20 and presents itself as a constant need to reach an ever lower weight than normal. It is sometimes confused with “loss of appetite” but this is totally incorrect. People suffering from anorexia want to eat but refuse to eat for fear of gaining weight.
This fear is caused by a visual distortion of their body perceived as fat even when in reality they are clearly underweight. Determining whether a person is anorexic or not is a matter for two specialists. A specialist determines it through the analysis of body weight and the Body Mass Index and the psychologist through a session.
We should therefore always avoid pointing out a person as anorexic just because they appear thin. Sometimes he is just dealing with a very debilitating disease such as: cancer, leukemia or thyroid problems. Types of anorexia
There are two types of anorexia:
- restrictive anorexia: you avoid eating all foods that have a lot of calories or that can make you fat. Achieving a lower than normal weight is determined by strict dietary control and exhausting training;
- anorexia with binges and / or elimination ducts: in these cases, the subject who suffers from it tends to binge eat compulsively, regretting it immediately afterwards and, therefore, intervening with elimination practices such as vomiting and / or taking laxatives and diuretics .
Symptoms
Among the main symptoms are:
- amenorrhea. Loss of menstruation for at least 3 consecutive months;
- hypothermia. Temperature below 35 ° C and intolerance to cold;
- dry skin. The skin is covered with a sort of very fine hair and becomes yellowish due to the increase in beta-carotene;
- abdominal pain and constipation;
- general skin itching;
- bradycardia. Frequency of less than 60 beats per minute;
- hypertension. Pressure below 70 mmHg
Consequences
There are numerous consequences due to anorexia. Anorexia is a disease that can be cured but, like all mental illnesses, it is difficult if the subject does not cooperate. The physical consequences are different:
- continuous fatigue;
- headache;
- general pain in the bones;
- disappearance and / or decrease of muscles;
- quick and unjustified fatigue;
- difficulty in performing simpler movements;
- weakening of the hair resulting in loss;
- weakening of the heart;
- and others.
Anorexia has a very important impact on the physical condition of a person who suffers from it. There are also psychological consequences. Therapy
Anorexia is a disease that can be solved with the sole will of the subject. Recognizing that you are anorexic is the first step that, unfortunately, many people fail to take. If you find yourself in this situation, or start to have the first doubts, you should not look in the mirror. The mirror cannot be the right way to understand whether or not you have this disease. The mind of an anorexia sufferer produces a distorted view of what one really is. The balance is a rather useful tool. If the weight corresponds to – 15% of the weight indicated as “normal” then you can consider you suffer from this disorder.
Therapy consists of three elements:
- cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy;
- pharmacotherapy;
- nutritional counseling
Being a mental illness, it is very important to consult a psychotherapist to start the treatment process. Thanks to this specialist, taking food supplements and nutritional counseling it is possible to win this battle that affects many people around the world.
It takes a long time to get out. In the USA it has been shown that after 10 years only two thirds of the sick people have continued the therapy and saved themselves. The other third, unfortunately, continued to feel bad until he died. Hair loss could be one of the long-term effects of anorexia
Yes, hair loss could be one of the long-term effects of anorexia. As mentioned, the body is very weak and hair loss is only one of the consequences of this disease. The good news is that it’s solvable.
Following the therapy with the psychotherapist comes to change the mentality of the sick person and thanks to a nutrition specialist, we return to a stable level of the nutrients our body needs. Over time, the first negative effects will disappear. Menstruation will return and when it does, it means that we have returned to an “acceptable” weight for our body. The skin regains its normal color and the body will appear healthier. You will also have greater strength and the muscles will return to being present. After some time, the hair loss will stop.
Hair loss is caused by a lack of nutrients. If you go back to eating properly, your hair will also be healthy again. Unfortunately, however, the longer the period of the disease, the longer the healing process will be. When a bad habit has established itself in your daily life, it is difficult to eradicate it. How to regrow hair
There is no quick and easy way to regrow hair after a long period of illness like anorexia can be, but it is not impossible.
Hair will grow naturally when the body has reached a level of hormonal and nutritional stability. Therefore, when there will be no more imbalances, there will be a stabilization.
If you are already following a course of therapy to try to recover from this disease, it is good to know that it is not possible to undergo any other treatment. The body is already stressed and cannot handle anything else.
However, there are some actions that, if implemented correctly and in a timely manner, can help regrow hair:
- wash your hair a few times a week. Subjecting your hair to the stress of constant washing won’t help it grow back.
- use hair dryers and plates as little as possible. Heat is a source of stress and will make your hair fall out.
- use 100% natural anti-hair loss and strengthening products.
- massage the scalp.
- avoid making hairstyles that tighten too much like: tail, bun and braid.
These are just some of the tips that you can follow to try to get back to a thick, beautiful and shiny hair. This can never happen if the body does not recover from the disease in progress. If you are in a state of anorexia, the important thing is to ask for help right away. There are tons of centers that can help people with this problem. Asking for help is the first step and striving to heal is the second. Anorexia is a debilitating disease that can sometimes lead to death. Don’t wait until you reach a point of no return. Acting promptly can truly save your life. Once you are healthy again, your body will be full of energy again and your hair will return to shine like everything else.