Hair loss doesn't discriminate between men and women; and, its effects are equally concerning. However, the sooner you determine the cause of hair loss, the sooner you can treat the issue.
Early Signs of Hair Loss
Some hair loss is very normal and is no cause for concern. Every day, it's normal for a person to shed upwards of 200 strands of hair. If the amount seems excessive, though, some early signs are:
- hair that's visibly thin (scalp is visible through hair)
- receding hairline
- thinning or missing hair on the top of the head
- notice more hair in the brush or on clothes than usual
If any of these signs sound familiar, it's important to seek help in determining the cause. Since several health conditions cause hair loss, finding out what's going on is imperative.
Common Health Related Causes of Hair Loss
While hair loss is affected by genetics, a wide range of health conditions cause it as well. Getting to the root of the issue will not only help stop the hair loss, it will address the health issues behind it.
Common health related causes of hair loss include:
- Stress - This is a great place to start when trying to determine the cause of hair loss. Life is chock full of stress, and it's a major culprit behind many challenges people face. Stress can cause hair to fall out or cause follicles to enter a resting phase.
- Thyroid disease - The hormonal imbalances that thyroid disease cause are another reason people experience hair loss. The loss is not specific to any area of the head; rather, the hair loss affects the entire scalp. Either form of the disease, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, cause hair loss.
- Vitamin deficiency - A lack of essential vitamins is another reason for hair loss. B vitamins, in particular, are crucial to healthy hair and hair growth.
- Alopecia areata - This autoimmune disease destroys hair follicles, resulting in noticeable hair loss. This disease affects both men and women, and is commonly diagnosed in childhood.
- Anemia - Low levels of iron in the body are another contributing factor to hair loss. Anemia causes the body to focus the oxygen it receives to major bodily functions as opposed to more minor ones, like hair. As a result, poor hair growth and thinning hair progress.
- Protein deficiency - A diet low in protein is another cause of hair loss. Without it, the body can't function properly and one of the effects is that hair growth goes into a resting phase. Again, hair growth is secondary when compared to more primary bodily functions.
Improve Your Health, Improve Your Hair
Once you've established the cause(s) of your hair loss with a medical professional, find out what treatments will work the best for you. Depending on what the issues are, some of the steps you can take towards improvement are:
- Eat a well-balanced diet (including an adequate amount of protein)
- Take supplements (such as biotin or iron, depending on the deficiency)
- Find ways to lower stress levels
As you can see, detecting the early sings of hair loss is actually critical in diagnosing other health conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment of any health issue is vital. That's why paying attention to your body and signs that something isn't right, like hair loss, is so important.
Early detection also increases your chance of stopping hair loss sooner and reversing it. In addition to finally having the hair you want, you'll also feel better after having gotten to the root of the problem.
If you know you could benefit from hair loss treatment or need help to determine if you're experiencing hair loss, the professionals at New Image Hair Clinic are here to help. Experienced and providing custom solutions for every individual, contact us now to set up a one-on-one consultation.