According to the Mayo Clinic, anorexia nervosa is marked by an obsession with food and body weight. Those who suffer from the eating disorder strive to maintain a weight that is below normal for their body mass index. Helen S. Craig, an Alaskan licensed clinical social worker with more than 30 years of experience in her field, describes anorexia nervosa as self-starvation.
People with anorexia tend to not only severely restrict calories, but to also eat in nutritionally unsound ways. The bodies of those suffering from anorexia are often denied the essential nutrients needed to function normally. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, the bodies of those suffering from anorexia will often go into "survival mode," slowing metabolic processes in order to conserve energy. This change in the body's basic functions can result in serious -- and in some cases life-threatening -- medical consequences. Among the various bodily functions that can be affected by anorexia nervosa is hair growth.
Poor Nutrition
According to the Mayo Clinic, poor nutrition can lead to hair loss. Consuming inadequate amounts of foods containing protein and iron can be the cause. Hair loss is common in those suffering from eating disorders such as anorexia.
Metabolism
The human body is a machine that operates on energy obtained from food. When a person's caloric intake becomes restricted, the body slows all of its processes to conserve energy, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Scarce calories are used for essential bodily functions first. Hair growth is often stunted or halted as a result.
Dehydration
Water is an essential component of a healthy diet. A healthy person often obtains much of the water in their diet from the liquid content of foods, such as fruits and vegetables. It is not uncommon for a person suffering from anorexia to experience dehydration. The National Eating Disorders Association lists dry hair and skin, along with hair loss, as a common health consequence of anorexia nervosa.
Adaptation to the Cold
Those suffering from anorexia often do not have the necessary calories needed to maintain a constant, normal body temperature. According to the Mayo Clinic, a person suffering from anorexia nervosa may begin to grow soft, downy hair on their body. This hair, called lanugo, is the body's effort to compensate and keep warm.
Only One of the Symptoms
Thinning hair, brittle hair and hair loss are common physical symptoms associated with anorexia, according to the Mayo Clinic. But anorexia does not just affect the hair. Related physical consequences of anorexia include brittle nails and dry skin.
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