Stress effects
Hair loss was earlier considered as an aging problem, but it has now become one of the most common problems worldwide, affecting both men and women. That we all know currently up to one-third of the population is suffering from hair loss.
Hair loss or alopecia in medical term can be caused by the several reasons, including severe stress, diet, medications or illness, mineral deficiency, aging, pollution, or even heredity. According to the medical research, stress is the most common and current reason for hair loss.
The American Hair Loss Association says that Telogen Effluvium and stress-induced hair loss is likely the most common form of hair loss seen by dermatologists. Although research has been done to help physicians to understand why some patients see hair loss because of stress while others do not. Three types of hair loss that can be connected with high stress levels are:
Telogen Effluvium – Telogen effluvium is syndromes where hairs stop to grow at a normal rate and it could lead to 70% of scalp hair loss during this condition. It causes hairline to recede and affects the top of the scalp most often. It is also true that due to this issue someone might be a victim of hair loss.
Alopecia Areata – Alopecia Areata can lead to the total loss of hair on the scalp. It occurs when our immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells instead of harmful foreign invaders. Although scientists are not sure why these changes occur many believe this can be genetics or higher stress. This is very dangerous for scalp hair as it can result in total hair loss.
Trichotillomania – It as an impulse control disorder which involves pulling out one’s hair. This can be occurred due to uncomfortable feelings, such as stress, tension, loneliness, boredom or frustration. Due to these many loose hair from their scalp, eyebrow or other areas of the body.
Many short term hair loss cases are considered normal. Maximum women experience temporary hair loss issue after giving birth, which is called postpartum alopecia in Medical Science. A few months later most of the women again enjoy normal hair growth. Certain vaccines, antidepressants, extremely low-calorie diets and physical trauma are also the common environmental cause of hair loss. Chronic illness, particularly chronic stress, and nutritional deficiencies can also result of hair loss. Research has shown that there is a link between tension, hair follicle biochemistry changes and increased resting hair follicles.
On the other hand, several studies have found evidence to link stress with hair loss. Stress leads to an increase in cortisol – a hormone mainly released at times of stress and has many important functions in your body – levels. Your lifestyle changes can help to bring down the level of cortisol through meditation, yoga, physical activity, etc.
Stress and hair loss don’t have to be perpetual. When you start to control your stress, your hair might grow back.
