Shocking Cause Why You’re Losing Your Hair

It's typical to lose as much as 100 hairs each day, however if you're discovering gobs of hair in your shower drain and hairbrush, a journey to the medical professional might be in order. "Hair loss isn't a problem you can neglect because it might signify a serious illness," says William Wooden, M.D., a plastic surgeon at Indiana University Health. "And the quicker you get treatment, the better your opportunities of regrowing your hair." Here, he shares some typical perpetrators.

A stressful event

Specialists aren't sure why it happens, however a terrible event-- such as a job loss, major disease, a death in the family-- can trigger excessive shedding. Fortunately, this type of hair loss (called telogen effluvium) typically solves on its own as soon as your body recuperates from the event.

Genes

It's not just males who have to stress over baldness: some women experience female pattern baldness, says Dr. Wooden. "If you've noticed that other women in your family begin to struggle hair loss at a specific age, that might suggest it could be a problem for you as well," he states. Speak with your physician about methods you can lessen the loss; medications such as Rogaine and spironolactone may be handy.

Thyroid conditions

Loss of hair is a common indication of hypothyroidism, where your thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormonal agent to keep your body functioning typically. "A sluggish thyroid disrupts a lot of the body's systems, including the hair loss-growth cycle," states Dr. Wooden. Loss of hair is often seen in hyperthyroidism, in which the body makes too much thyroid hormone, but is more commonly associated with hypothyroidism. The good news is that your hair will likely grow back as soon as your thyroid is supported.

Dietary issues

In some cases, your consuming habits may expose the cause of loss of hair. Many vitamins and nutrients support hair development, so your doctor might wish to evaluate you for shortages. Common culprits include too little iron, protein, and vitamin D.

Autoimmune conditions

Conditions such as lupus and psoriasis can ruin your whole body, including your scalp. "These disorders may cause scarring and swelling of the scalp, which might result in hair loss and disrupt growth," says Dr. Wooden. One condition, alopecia location, occurs when the immune system attacks hair roots, triggering hair to fall out in clumps. It impacts about 2% of the population and influences males and females of all ages equally. Early medical diagnosis and intervention is vital given that the quantity of hair you regrow depends upon how much damage has been done to the scalp and roots, says Dr. Wooden.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Some females experiencing loss of hair may be suffering from PCOS, a hormonal condition that triggers menstrual irregularities, weight gain, and fertility issues. "With good intervention, hair can return, but some women do count on hair extensions and wigs to conceal the problem," says Dr. Wooden.

Medication negative effects.

Hair loss is connected with several types of drugs including some antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering medications, Accutane (for extreme acne), and the migraine headache drug Topamax. Your medical professional may have the ability to change you to another medication that's less most likely to cause loss of hair if your present drug is thinning your hair.

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