Hair loss due to stress

We live in an age where stress and anxiety issues are at an all-time high and consequently, a large number of men and women face skin and hair problems. Research has shown that there is indeed a link between stress and hair loss. Any number of stressful situations can trigger hair loss, including pregnancy, chronic illness, injury, relationship issues, financial concerns, poor nutrition, surgery, medications such as antidepressants, and even jet lag. Stress is the root cause of many of your diseases. It can result in heart diseases, diabetes, and even stroke. If your hair ends up everywhere around you except on your head, then this article is for you! Read on to know more about the different types of hair loss, factors leading to your hair loss and how you can manage your stress to prevent hair fall.

Symptoms of stress

Headache
High blood pressure
Emotional eating
Sleep problems
Memory loss

Normal hair loss

You see hair on your pillow, at the drain of your shower, etc. Does this mean you are going bald? NO, it doesn’t mean that at all. In fact, everyone loses roughly between 50-100 hair strands every single day. The average life span of a single hair is 4.5 years; the hair then falls out and is replaced by a new hair within 6 months. Brushing, shampooing, blow-drying, which most of us do often, also results in hair fall. After a certain age, like 30, both men and women start losing hair.

Genetic hair loss

This is a natural condition caused by some combination of genetics, the aging process, and the hormones. It is not really a disease. Hereditary or genetic hair loss is more common in men than in women.

Stress and hair loss

Stress is a problem in our life and can cause serious health issues. Stress is the no. 1 cause of hair loss. Stress and anxiety are linked to the following three conditions that trigger you to lose hair:

1. Telogen effluvium

Stress pushes hair follicles into a resting phase so they don’t produce new hair strands. Over time, hair falls out more easily, even when you just wash, comb or just touch it. Telogen effluvium can also be caused by hormonal change and poor nutrition.

2. Trichotillomania

It is a psychological condition in which people pull out their hair when stressed or tensed. Its most commonly seen in teenage girls.

3. Alopecia areata

It is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles causing hair loss. The hair falls out within a week and can involve entire scalp and body hair.