Anorexia

Anorexia Nervosa is a chronic eating disorder that tends to affect adolescent females. Anorexia may also affect males. The patient is usually obsessed with self image and weight control. Extreme dieting to the point of emaciation is not uncommon. Sufferers of anorexia tend to be underweight for their age and height. Amenorrhea (the absence of 3 or more successive menstrual periods) may occur. Telogen Effluvium (excessive hair loss) will often accompany anorexia.

The anorexic's self-esteem is enhanced by weight losses, but reduced significantly following any weight gain. The later being perceived as failure of self control.

Causes of anorexia

Stress

Criticism from others

Bullying at school

Social pressures

Anorexia may only be of a short duration often resulting in full recovery. However, anorexia tends to be a chronic condition that get worse the longer the patient suffers. Hospital care may be required in severe cases. Anorexia may lead to death in some cases, caused by malnutrition over a period of time and loss of vital salts (potassium and sodium) from fluids within the body and tissue.

Professional advice should be sought in cases of anorexia. A qualified trichologist may be in a position to aid hair growth.

If you need advice on anorexia and hair loss or any other condition affecting the scalp or hair please contact our helpline (left of page) and you can speak with one of our on call trichologists. You can also book an appointment via the helpline.

Please be mindful that in cases of anorexia, the hair shedding is a side effect of the malnutrition where the body enters into a protective state. Although we are able to offer treatment for hair loss, it must be understood that the anorexia needs to be controlled primarily in order to achieve regrowth.

 

 

 

 

 

End of page