What is lanugo?
a. downy, soft hair that develops on people with anorexia nervosa
b. a sudden drop in blood pressure from excessive dieting
c. a popular fad diet
d. a code word for an eating disorder
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is a. downy, soft hair that develops on people with anorexia nervosa.
Explanation:
Lanugo is a term used to describe a fine, soft, and downy hair that can grow on a person’s body, typically when they are malnourished or have experienced severe weight loss. This phenomenon is most commonly observed in individuals with anorexia nervosa, a serious eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image that leads to extreme food restriction and unhealthy weight loss. Lanugo usually appears on areas like the face, arms, back, or shoulders. The hair is thin, soft, and unpigmented, resembling the type of hair that covers a fetus in the womb.
The growth of lanugo in individuals with anorexia nervosa is believed to be the body’s way of trying to protect itself against the cold. When a person severely restricts their food intake and loses weight rapidly, their body begins to conserve energy in any way it can. The growth of lanugo helps to insulate the body, as the person’s normal body fat stores decrease, and they become more vulnerable to temperature fluctuations.
This response is a sign that the body is undergoing extreme stress, and it often signals that the person’s health is in danger. Lanugo typically develops when the individual’s body fat percentage drops significantly, and it can sometimes persist even if the person begins to recover from the eating disorder. However, it is usually a temporary condition that resolves once the individual starts to regain weight and proper nutrition.
Lanugo is not exclusive to anorexia nervosa; it can also appear in other conditions of malnutrition or starvation. It’s important to recognize the presence of lanugo as a potential warning sign and seek medical help to address the underlying eating disorder or health issue.