A head of thick, shiny and bouncy hair is not just an indicator of how well you take care of your tresses but also that your body is in fine fettle. Thin, dry, brittle hair and excessive shedding on the other hand reflects that you have certain underlying health issues that you need to get treated first. Here’s how your poor health affects your hair.
Not getting enough nutrients
Dull or thin hair means you're eating too much processed food and not getting enough protein, good fats and other nutrients in your diet. Eat plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables and at least two to three helpings of good sources of protein like chicken, eggs, fish, tofu, legumes, dairy and nuts. Don’t forget to add good fats like oily fish, avocados, dark chocolate, and olive oil since fats improve your hair health and help you absorb vitamin D, a lack of which can cause hair loss in women.
Dental issues
Research has shown a link with hair disorders and dental decay and gum disease. People who suffer from hair disorders like Anagen hair syndrome, where hair can be pulled out easily, are prone to dental cavities and a weaker enamel coating.
Stress-related hair loss
If you have been shedding a lot of hair it could be because of a lot of stress. Stressful episodes like illness, pregnancy, or depression have been shown to trigger hair loss. Called telogen effluvium—a period of hair thinning caused by stress—this condition is reversible once the source of stress is removed.
Side effects of birth control
Hormones in birth control pills can cause hair thinning, dryness and dullness. If you have been facing this problem, ask your doctor to recommend a non-hormonal form of birth control.
Thyroid issues
Suddenly thinning hair is a sign of hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is responsible for hair growth, an when it doesn’t produce enough hormones, it results in a lot of hair fall and thinning on the scalp.
Mental health issues
Are you in the habit of pulling out your hair? Well, it may indicate that you have a mental health condition called trichotillomania. This is more prevalent in people who tend to be perfectionists who tend to pull at their hair to allay their frustration at not getting something right. Do see your mental care provider for this is a compulsive disorder that needs treatment.
Too much testosterone
Hair loss from the crown area could be a result of producing too much testosterone. This may be accompanied by dark facial hair on the upper lip or thick hair on your arms and belly fat. Abdominal fat boosts production of testosterone so losing weight will help.
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