Your hair is important for a few reasons. It’s not just a fashion symbol, it’s a sign of your health and can be an important indication of any underlying issues.
Here are health issues your hair could be indicating.
1. Thyroid Issues
Thyroid disorders are difficult to spot, the loss of hair can be an early indicator. The thyroid controls your body’s hormones, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight changes and the loss of hair.
A simple blood test will diagnose if you are having thyroid issues, so if you notice hair loss please see a specialist. Once diagnosed, medicine can significantly improve the function of the thyroid and your hair will grow back.
2. Hormone Imbalance
Your hormones are controlled by thyroids but having a hormone imbalance isn’t necessarily connected to having a thyroid disorder. You may notice less hair growing on your head and more growing on your body, this could be a sign of a hormone imbalance.
The earlier this imbalance is spotted the better and, with medical intervention, can be treated.
3. Stress
Extreme stress or trauma can lead to hair loss or premature greying. If you notice your hair is falling out in chunks, it is likely to be connected to telogen effluvium (the medical term for losing hair due to stress and/or trauma).
Certain life-changing events like accidents, having a baby or the death of a loved one can cause this. If you notice these symptoms it is worth thinking about making some changes to your life or taking some time out to destress.
4. UV Overexposure
If your hair is starting to look weak and dull, this may be due to sun exposure. UV rays can leave your hair with a pretty golden glow, but it will also dry your strands and make the hair look brittle. The darker the hair, the more naturally protected you are, the lighter the hair, the easier it will be damaged. It’s simple to prevent this; wear a sun hat when exposed to the sun
5. Anaemia
Your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, if you are not getting enough iron, your cells can’t function normally. You may notice your hair gradually falling out, it won’t fall out in chunks but it will thin over time.
A blood test can indicate if you’re low on iron, once you have been treated with iron supplements, your hair should start to slowly grow back.
6. Protein Deficiency
Protein is hugely important when it comes to having strong, healthy hair. If your hair is thinning, it could be due to a protein deficiency. Protein is vital for many functions in the body, but the easiest one to visually see is the thinning of hair.
If your body is not getting the required amount of protein in your diet (anywhere between 46 to 56 grams), your body starts using it elsewhere, which leaves the hair suffering. Your doctor can help you understand your diet and how to incorporate more protein.
7. Allergies
Medications are meant to help, but they can sometimes cause harm. Hair loss is a sign that your body is reacting negatively to a certain medication.
Check the side effects of your medication and speak to your doctor about it. This hair loss is normally temporary and can be fixed by switching to an alternative medication.
8. Too Much Vitamin A
Vitamins are vital for the body to function correctly, but sometimes too much of a good thing can be harmful. The right amount of Vitamin A can aid hair growth, but too many can do the exact opposite.
Vitamin A toxicity can lead to hair loss, dry skin and dry eyes. A blood test can soon identify your Vitamin A levels and your hair will grow back stronger.
About The Author:
Inga Lindstrom is a freelance writer who lives like a digital nomad. She loves yoga, veganism and a healthy lifestyle in general. She’s an author at HuffPost, StudentUniverse and many other blogs.