Journey to understanding hair loss
It feels great to be back! My friends don’t care to listen to me babble about hair as much as I do, so it’s pleasant to trap others. I’m joking of course, or am I? So sorry today’s topic seems so serious as this is something no woman ever wants to talk about, but quite a few seem to be experiencing currently – hair loss. Even typing the words make me cringe.
Recently, I experienced some hair loss as I undid my hair from its protective style. It is a perfectly normal but disconcerting reaction to receive from something intended to help your hair grow. In some cases, the hair loss may come from the follicles being pulled beyond their limits during the braiding process, but this is not always the case. The following is a compiled list of causes for excessive hair loss. Why? Because hair loss is a reality and no matter how icky it makes you feel inside, it happens.
Trauma
Physical trauma falls under a variety of categories, such as severe illnesses, surgeries, car accidents and even the flu. Hair experiences three phases in its lifecycle: growth, rest and shedding. Trauma causes a disruption in this process and can be noticeable three to six months after trauma. Pregnancy, depending on who you ask, is a joyous occasion for those involved, but there is an incredibly stressful toll it takes on the human body, which can also cause temporary hair loss. Sudden weight loss can be great, but it can also lead to the loss of hair, which can be regained after some time.
Emotional stress is also a factor in traumas. While it is less likely to cause the body to lose hair, depending on how severe the emotional issue, the results can be hair loss. The stress of divorce, caring for an older patient or death can have an incredibly horrible toll on one’s hair. Chemotherapy is another form of trauma.
Hormones
Remember when you switched birth control and your body started doing weird things? No? You’re one of the lucky ones. What about menopause? The havoc wrought on your hormones during menopause goes beyond simply having hot flashes and mood swings. The loss of oestrogen can activate the androgen (male hormone) receptors on the scalp leading to hair loss.
Antidepressants, blood thinners and other medications alter the chemical makeup of your body and contribute to those falling strands. Depending on the side effects, the hair loss may lessen as your body becomes readjusted or heals from the process of getting better. Other times you may have to consult your doctor for alternate options or doses.
Vitamin and mineral imbalances
There is an increase in the usage of multivitamin supplements. However, supplements can contain harmful amounts of Vitamin A. The body can only consume 5,000 International Units (IU) of Vitamin A. If you consume supplements, it’s possible to consume anywhere between half and twice that amount. Similarly, if you do not consume enough protein or Vitamin B, your body can compensate why halting hair growth.
Heredity
Sometimes it really is your parents’ fault.
Diseases
Anaemia, Hypothyroidism, Alopecia, Lupus, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Trichotillomania are some of the more common hair loss diseases. If you have been diagnosed with one these diseases, there is a great chance you are currently losing your hair.
Excessive styling
When hair is beautiful and healthy, we get carried away styling it, so avoid over-styling to avoid hair loss.
Aging
As we get older, hair falls out.
There is a distinct pattern for the causes of hair loss, which is along the lines of hormonal changes, physical stresses, or any drastic changes to the body’s chemical makeup. I genuinely dislike sharing this kind of information, because we’ve all been convinced we have deadly diseases – thanks to Googling the symptoms. See a physician; it may simpler than you think.
Disclaimer: This article is meant to inform and is in no way a form of diagnosis. If you are experiencing extreme or disconcerting hair loss, please see a licensed physician for a proper finding
