Rapunzel syndrome is a psychological illness that occurs in patients with trichotillomania and trichotillophagia, that is, an uncontrollable desire to pull and swallow their own hair, which accumulates in the stomach, causing severe abdominal pain and weight loss.
This syndrome usually occurs because the ingested hair accumulates in the stomach because it is not digested, forming a hairball, scientifically called gastroduodenal tricobezoar, which extends from the stomach to the intestine causing a blockage of the digestive system.
- Rapunzel syndrome can be cured by surgery to remove hair buildup in the stomach and intestine; however.
- The patient must undergo psychotherapy to treat the uncontrollable impulse to tear and ingest the hair.
- Preventing the syndrome from reproducing.
Rapunzel syndrome can be triggered by two psychological disorders, trichotillomania, which is the uncontrollable impulse to pull hair, and trichophagia, which is used to ingest hair waxed.Learn more about trichotillomania.
From a nutritional point of view, the desire to eating hair may be associated with iron deficiency, but usually this syndrome is more related to psychological problems, such as excessive stress or emotional problems, such as separation from parents or the end of a relationship.What.
Therefore, Rapunzel syndrome is more common in children or adolescents who have no other way to relieve daily pressure, who have an uncontrollable urge to pluck and swallow their own hair.
The main feeling associated with Rapunzel syndrome is shame, usually due to hair loss in certain areas of the head.Other symptoms of Rapunzel syndrome include:
When the person is used to pulling his or her hair and eating frequently and has any of these symptoms, he or she should go to the emergency room for diagnostic tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or x-ray, to diagnose the problem and begin treatment.Avoid possible complications, such as bowel perforation.
Treatment of Rapunzel syndrome should be guided by a gastroenterologist and is usually done by laparoscopic surgery to remove the hairball in the stomach.
After Rapunzel syndrome surgery, it is recommended to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist to start treatment in order to reduce the uncontrollable impulse to ingest hair, avoiding the appearance of a new gastroduodenal tricobezoar.
In addition, depending on the extent of the psychological disorder, your doctor may order the use of an antidepressant, which can help reduce the habit.