How Does Bulimia Cause Hair Loss?

Bulimia Nervosa is a medical disorder that causes the patient to suffer from extreme self and body image problems. Because of their negative views, they engage in unsafe and unhealthy eating habits that can cause adverse reactions to their bodies. Hair loss is one of these reactions. If not treated properly, the hair loss can become a permanent side effect of bulimia.

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  Vitamin deficiencies

  
  

Certain vitamins like A, K and B complex are essential for strong hair and nails. Calcium too. The healthy body can produce natural levels of each of these nutrients but sometimes, you need an extra dose. The food you eat on a daily basis also contains certain vitamins to supplement nature. But, bulimics are unable to produce the required daily amounts of these vital nutrients because they do not allow their food to fully digest. This prevents the body from utilizing the vitamins full strength and as a result, you begin to break down. Your skin becomes dry, your nails brittle and your hair begins to break and split. If this continues, your body will continue to pull from every resource to keep organs functioning properly; this means your hair will remain damaged and intensify until balance is restored. Bulimia can cause permanent hair loss if the body is not supplied with the necessary vitamins in time to repair the damage.

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  Hydration

  
  

Your body is more liquid than solid. As a result, you require a certain amount of water each day to keep your heart, lungs and all other organs functioning properly. When these organs are threatened, as in the case with bulimics, your body must take precautions to protect itself. This means moisture will be removed from all non-essential body parts, including your hair. Once the natural moisture has been removed from your hair follicles, they die. This results in hair loss. If you do not replace the loss of moisture, your hair loss may be irreversible.