Hair Loss and Stress

Hair loss and stress can come from everydays work and home related pressures that cause us to be stressed.

Stress can be caused by approaching deadlines, past due bills, an ailing family member, or from not able to spend quality time with our spouse. Sometimes when we can no longer take the pressure and feel like pulling our hair out, Mother Nature steps in and does it for us causing hair loss and stress or hair thinning due to stress.

The condition known as Telogen Effluvium is temporary hair loss triggered by a shock to the system.

Common hair loss and stress causes

* Major surgery- under or over active thyroid gland- chronic illness

* childbirth - crash diets- severe infection * change in birth control - side effects of prescription medicine

* psychological stress - sudden illness accompanied with high fever- accident

Healthy hair growth takes place in cycles of growing and rest. The resting stage of normal hair growth is named the telogen cycle. Telogen effluvium is caused by stress pushing the hair roots into a state of rest too soon. Telogen effluvium can become a chronic condition.

If there is a shock to the body’s system, as much as seventy percent of the rooted hair is shed usually in large quantities. The hair loss is typically noticed within a couple of months after the stress cause that triggers the hair loss. Significant shedding occurs when combing, shampooing, or brushing the hair. The degree of hair loss may be severe in the early stages with the hair coming out in clumps.

A doctor can determine if any underlying causes are a factor for the hair loss. Blood tests can be preformed to check for an iron deficiency. If telogen effluvium is a side effect from prescribed medication, an alternative drug needs to be used.

Chronic telogen effluvium is common and easily recognizable. It commonly occurs in women, 30 to-60 years old that possessed naturally thick hair as a teenager into their twenties. These women still possess a full head of hair to the casual observer.

Cure and prevention

At times, we become so pre-occupied with caring for our families, we neglect to care for ourselves. The first step towards successful treatment is to recognize we have a problem.

* Adjust your diet to include more healthy food. Hair loss can be seen as the body’s way of getting your attention, and letting you know it is not receiving the proper nutrition. Try to cut back on as much fast food and snack foods as possible.

* Begin taking a multi-vitamin to ensure your body receives the minimum daily requirement of necessary nutrients. Even a slight change in lifestyle can make a huge impact in restoring your hair to its former luster.

* Eliminate harmful toxins from your body. Everybody deals with stress in his or her own way. Many choose to cope with stressful situations by drinking alcoholic beverages or smoking cigarettes. These responses may be quick, temporary fixes to relax your mind, but they carry long-term health risks.

* Try healthier alternatives in dealing with stress. Red wine in moderation, deep breathing exercises, and other relaxing techniques such as meditation are good ways of maintaining a healthy balance.

It is a natural process to lose hair, but if you are losing hair by the handfuls, this may indicate hair loss and stress. It is recommended that you seek a physician’s advice to accurately diagnose and suggest treatment before it leads to a permanent hair loss condition.

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