HAIR LOSS: 8 POSSIBLE REASONS WHY YOUR HAIR IS FALLING OUT
Are you losing hair at an alarming pace? If you notice that most of your locks are going down the drain than those that are actually growing on your head, then you should act now. That is, if you want to stop the problem before it worsens. But, to know the cure is to trace the root cause of it all. Here are 8 possible reasons behind your follicular dilemma, before you simply boil it down to sheer bad luck.
Physical Stress
Stress triggers hormonal changes where one of the physical symptoms include hair loss. Physical trauma like injuries or operation is a prime example which can overwhelm the body enough that you start shedding off your locks. Physical stressors shock the hair cycle pushing several strands into the shedding phase. Even hormonal changes brought by a certain illness or pregnancy wreak havoc on your follicles, and this often becomes noticeable within 3-6 months. The good news is that this type of hair loss disappears after a period of two months to two years.
Any hair loss brought by hormonal changes will improve when you learn how to deal with the stress. Practice effective stress management techniques to improve the severity of symptoms.
Emotional Stress
Stress at work, in your relationships, or financial worries are all part of emotional stress that also has a major impact on your body. Severe emotional trauma can result in hormonal changes that cause a significant number of hair strands to enter their resting phase. This means that several shed off as a response. This may be quite a challenge to reverse, given that some stressors are everyday struggles. However, similar to how you manage physical stress, it helps that you adapt healthy coping mechanisms and get a better grip on what's troubling you.
Excessive Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for cell and tissue development - this includes the hair. However, as much as it is beneficial for your hair, too much in your system is also can also lead to its undoing. Other symptoms include dry skin, blurred vision, and irritability. If you continue introducing high levels of vitamin A in your system, you can encounter more serious issues such as osteoporosis, internal organ damage, and birth defects in babies for those who are pregnant. In order to reach unhealthy levels of vitamin A, you need to consume twice the amount of the recommended daily intake.
To get a maintain healthy levels of vitamin A, it is best that you get it through food instead of supplements. Dark green and leafy vegetables, fortified milk, and eggs are just some of the few whole food sources. Strive to maintain a healthy and balanced diet to get the necessary levels.
Heredity
Our genetic makeup also determines our potential for hair loss in a condition called male or female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. If some of your family members experienced the same problem, and you notice your hairs are starting to thin out too, it could be that you are wired to experience pattern baldness. Pharmacologic treatments are good options for this case, but they also come with side effects that are either permanent or temporary. Hair transplant surgery provides dramatic effect that are long lasting, but it also requires a certain amount of preparation to ensure success. To know which steps to take under the circumstances, consult with a professional and halt hair loss before it worsens.
Hypothyroidism
Low levels of your thyroid hormones can also be the cause behind your hair loss. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology presented evidence that human hair follicles are direct targets of thyroid hormones, so should anything go awry, they are the first to get the brunt of it. Hair distribution may appear uniformly sparse, which can be a devastating symptom particularly for women.
In mainstream medicine, the gold standard for treating the problem are Levothyroxine drugs, while other options include thyroid hormone replacement therapy. If you notice that your hair is starting to thin out, this can be a red flag to consult your doctor for essential thyroid tests.
Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that is caused by low levels of red blood cells. (hemoglobin). This occurs if your diet doesn't have enough iron content, and your body isn't absorbing it correctly. This can result in hair loss.. In a study by the Journal of Korean Medical Science, it said that iron may not only have a hand in hair loss, but it may even cause hair to fall in a similar fashion to that of genetic male or female-pattern baldness. Generally, the hair may thin out, but in more advanced cases bald spots may already be noticeable.
Fortunately, most hair loss that is related to iron deficiency is not permanent. The best way to address this is to treat the underlying cause of the problem. You may consult a doctor and they can prescribe tests for your iron/ferritin levels. Low amounts can be corrected with supplements, although it may affect bowel movements as a side effect.
Autoimmune-related Hair Loss
What is commonly known as alopecia areata, this condition is like the kiss of Judas where your body attacks itself. It is basically a result of an overactive immune system and it sees the body as a foreign object and destroys it by mistake. It results in round bald patches on the head.
Steroid injections are among the first line of treatment, while medications like Rogaine is also another options. This condition is quite unpredictable with hair growing back and falling out again. This can be quite frustrating, but close professional guidance can help you overcome this condition.
Dramatic Weight Loss
Technically, sudden weight loss is a form of physical trauma that can lead to thinning hair. It is possible that the weight loss has been significantly stressful to your body, or you are not eating right which could result in vitamin and mineral deficiency. Experts share that this phenomenon will shock the system and you will have a six-month period of hair loss before it corrects itself.
Make a pre-emptive strike against hair loss today and trace the root cause of the problem before it goes out of hand. For professional advice, choose reputable professionals who has been at it for years and rich portfolio of clients to speak for it. Book an appointment at the Sydney Hair Transplant clinic today and learn what your options are.