Are You Shocked By Your Hair Loss?

Do you look in the mirror and wonder, what is going on with my hair? Are you suffering from hair loss? Well you should know you are not alone. In the United States it is estimated that 21 million women and 35 million men suffer from hair loss. If you are suffering from hair loss then I’m sure you have asked yourself … why? Here are some of the main causes of baldness that affect both men and women outside of age and genetics. This is not a definitive list, as hair loss is a highly complex issue.

Stress

It was recently stated in the American Journal of Pathology, that neurotransmitters, cytokines, and neurohormones that are released during periods of stress can disrupt the hair cycle.

The normal growth phase of hair last between two and six years. When you become over-whelmed with stress, this process becomes hindered because of the increase of cortisol levels and this causes your hair to prematurely move out of the hair growth stage. Hairs go into the resting phase before falling out in large numbers. This can happen up to 10 times more than it normally would.

Anemia

For many people, iron is a common nutritional deficiency. It’s a critical mineral for the producing a protein that’s responsible for transporting oxygen through the blood. Severe anemia can result in hair loss as well as feel fatigue and a feeling of anxious. This condition affect women more than men, and those who are vegetarians are at more risk. Some of the best sources of iron include beans, grass-fed red meat, leafy greens and pistachios.

Autoimmune Conditions

There are several conditions that result in hair loss like, hypothyroidism and celiac disease. Alopecia areata is of particular interest as one study found a specific type of t-cell that is responsible for hair loss. It releases a chemical that causes the immune system to attack the hair follicles.

Pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant her body goes through changes. One of those changes and result in what is called telogen effluvium, also known as hair shedding. This can occur one to five months after pregnancy. This post-pregnancy hair loss is said to affect 40 to 50 percent of women. This is triggered because of hormonal factors and it is usually just temporary. Your hair should return to normal hair growth in six to 12 months.

If your hair is thinning then the first thing you should do is determine the root cause of your hair loss. In many cases seeing a hair loss specialist is best place to start as they can examine your scalp and hair to determine the exact cause of your hair loss.