Why am I Losing My Hair? Hair Loss Series

Hair loss has become such a common issue that we all deal with. If we hear that there is a solution, we race to find out if it really works for us, but in order to get to the solution we need to understand what causes hair loss!

WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS?

• Nutrient Deficiency – especially iron, zinc, vitamin D and B vitamins

Whenever we think of health, we always think and know that diet is the building block to positive change. However, some of us can think we are being healthy, yet we are missing essential nutrients that may be the reason our hair was so shiny. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your cells. This makes it an important mineral for many bodily functions, including hair growth. Zinc is important for hair tissue growth and repair. It helps keep the oil glands around the follicles working properly. Various vitamins have antioxidants that help with growth.

Check your nutrition with a general doctor now!

• Hormonal Imbalances

There are multiple hormones that can cause you to lose your beautiful locks. When progesterone levels are too low, it can lead to the condition of hyper-estrogen or estrogen dominance which can trigger excessive hair shedding and ultimately hair loss. At the same time the hair is thinning, there could be an increase in unwanted facial or body hair.

Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is a potent form of testosterone that normally leads to hair loss. Getting a blood test to check your hormone levels can be the best way to understand why you might be suffering from hair loss.

Understand your hormones with a urologist OR a gynaecologist now!

• Thyroid Issues

An overactive thyroid and lack of sufficient parathyroid hormone can also result to thinning of hair. Getting a blood test to check thyroid levels is a great starting point to identify any issues.

Book an appointment with an E.N.T doctor to see if you suffer from this!

• Genetic / Inherited Hair Loss

According to Harvard Medical, up to 40% of men and women will experience a more obvious form of hair loss. It typically begins in the 20s and 30s, although in women the changes are most noticeable after menopause. The condition is also called androgenetic alopecia and, in men, male-pattern baldness. Contrary to the folk wisdom that baldness is inherited from one’s mother’s family, the condition seems to depend on genes contributed by both parents.

Book an appointment with a family medicine doctor to check.

• Mental and Emotional Pressures

When exposed to an excessive stressful condition, adrenal glands in the body become non-active as a result of the increased need of the stress hormone, cortisol. This makes the body secrete more adrenaline leading to increased levels of testosterone and DHT.

Many studies have shown that hair loss is directly linked to prolonged depression and can even lead to permanent damage in hair follicles. Maintaining regular hair care can be make it a little more bearable.

As menopause is a very tough condition to all women, it can cause a lot of distress. During menopause, a woman’s estrogen levels fall and is no longer in balance with DHT levels. This low estrogen level and high DHT lead to hair loss.

Book an appointment with a psychiatrist to see if you suffer from prolonged stress.

• Skin Conditions like Lupus, Psoriasis or Fungus

Many people forget that our scalp has sensitive skin as well. Many dermatologists deal with skin conditions affecting the scalp. Lupus, psoriasis, fungus, and eczema can cause irritation to the scalp’s skin. Keeping your scalp moisturized is very essential.

Book an appointment with a dermatologist to get to the bottom of your hair loss problems.

• Certain Medications

Certain medications can lead to hair loss because they disrupt hormonal levels. A medication that is commonly linked to hair loss in women is birth control pill. American Hair Loss Association (AHLA) advises that women should consider making use of a low-androgen birth control pill to avert the effects of DHT, particularly women who are inclined to hair loss.

Book an appointment with the top gynaecologists to get the right medication.

• Pregnancy and Childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth alter a woman’s hormonal balance and can result to hair loss. Therefore, it is normal for postpartum mothers to experience thinning of the hair and even bald patches. Such hair loss is temporary and typically heals itself within several months. The hair is expected to start re-growing naturally after about 90 days of giving birth and if the hair doesn’t grow after about a year, there could be another underlying cause.

Book an appointment with a psychiatrist to discuss postpartum issues and stress. Also check out the top paediatric doctors for your child.

• Excessive Use of Chemicals on the Hair, like Harsh Shampoos and Dyes