Did you notice the strands tangled in your brush have doubled in number lately? Or maybe the shower drain is becoming a regular trap for clumps that once flowed effortlessly from your scalp. The shine that once reflected your hair’s health is starting to fade. Each touch now feels fragile, like the strands could snap at any moment.
Hair loss is not always just a cosmetic issue; it can be a sign of deeper health problems. Studies suggest that several systemic diseases can lead to hair loss, and understanding the underlying cause is vital for effective treatment.
Here are six common systemic diseases that can lead to hair loss:
Thyroid disorders: Both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) cause hormonal imbalances that disrupt the hair growth cycle. In hypothyroidism, the lack of thyroid hormone slows down metabolism, which can lead to thinning hair, making it dry and brittle. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, can accelerate hair shedding. For example, people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (a type of hypothyroidism) often experience significant hair loss as a result of the condition’s impact on metabolism.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Women with PCOS often have elevated levels of androgens (male hormones), which can lead to hair thinning, particularly along the scalp. This condition, known as androgenic alopecia, results in hair loss primarily in areas where male-pattern baldness typically occurs. For instance, many women with PCOS notice hair thinning on the crown of the head while experiencing excess hair growth on other parts of the body.
Lupus: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause widespread inflammation, including on the scalp, which may lead to hair thinning or bald patches. Hair loss in lupus patients is often accompanied by a red, scaly rash on the scalp, and over time, this inflammation can damage the hair follicles. An example is discoid lupus erythematosus, where severe scalp inflammation can cause permanent scarring and hair loss.
Anemia: Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when the body doesn’t have enough iron to produce adequate haemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues, including hair follicles. When hair follicles don’t receive enough oxygen, hair growth can slow or stop, leading to thinning hair. Women who experience heavy menstrual periods, a common cause of anemia, are particularly at risk for this type of hair loss.
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage blood vessels over time, restricting blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles. This lack of nourishment weakens hair follicles, resulting in thinning hair or hair loss. Additionally, diabetes can cause hormone imbalances and increase stress on the body, both of which contribute to hair shedding. People with uncontrolled diabetes may notice their hair falls out more quickly than it regrows.
Alopecia areata: This autoimmune disorder causes the immune system to attack hair follicles, leading to sudden hair loss in small, round patches. In some cases, it can progress to alopecia totalis (total scalp hair loss) or alopecia universalis (loss of all body hair). While the exact cause is unknown, alopecia areata often appears in people who have other autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Type 1 diabetes.
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