Could You Be a Victim of Stress Related Hair Loss?
Stress related hair loss is a common occurrence and can become particularly problematic for your hair when combined with conditions that permanently disrupt the hair replacement cycle.
Stress itself is all around us whether you are a working mom, stay at home dad, or high powered business executive.
Job pressures, family demands, financial setbacks are just a few of the stressors most of use face daily.
And then there are the silent stressors such as temperature changes, environmental toxins, and microorganisms in the air that can trigger the pituitary gland to give the body that that extra boost we recognize as stress.
But stress related hair loss has its basis in the biological aspect of the reaction.
When the pituitary gland swings into action it secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone, which causes the adrenals to secrete adrenaline and other stress related hormones.
The result is a massive reorganization of blood supply.
Blood is taken away from the scalp, skin, and internal organs and diverted to the muscles and brain.
The real cause of stress related hair loss may not necessarily be in the short term redirection of blood flow rather the resistance reaction which allows the body to continue fighting the stressor long after the initial effects have worn off.
Other hormones, such as cotisol and other corticosteroids secreted by the adrenal cortex, are largely responsible for the prolonged reaction.
The bottom line is that stress related hair loss is caused by lack of blood flow to the scalp thus reducing the amount of oxygen and essential nutrients to sustain healthy hair growth.
Without these hair will simply fall out over time.
While stress related hair loss itself may seem problematic it normally reverses itself over time once the stress trigger has been eliminated but if a genetic predisposition to male or female pattern baldness exists the lost hair may not spring back as planned due to the disruption of the hair replacement cycle instigated by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Male or female pattern baldness more commonly known as androgenetic alopecia plays some role in eight out of every ten cases of balding or thinning hair and occurs when testosterone is converted to DHT which then binds in the hair cell leading to follicle shrinkage which renders many hair follicles incapable of producing new growth.
Still worse many other follicles die leading to permanent balding in these areas.
So as you can see the combination of stress combined with male or female pattern baldness can paint a bleak picture in ones attempt to achieve a vibrant full head of hair.
If stress has become a big part of your life you are traveling down a dangerous road that is sure to lead to a myriad of health concerns rather than just loss of hair.
But make no mistake your hair will fall out in greater amounts is stress is present.
Your goal should be to embark on a stress reduction plan.
This plan could include such helpful relaxation aids such as breathing exercises, diet modification, yoga, or a well thought out exercise program.
There is plenty of information out there on stress reduction so take advantage of it.
But chances are there may be the aforementioned androgenetic alopecia lurking in the wings.
The good news is that there are a handful of hair re-growth products specially formulated to address this condition.
These products are specially formulated to block DHT and reinvigorate damaged hair follicles thus stimulating hair re-growth.
The important thing is that whether you are dealing with stress related hair loss or something more it is important to take swift action always remembering that it is easier to retain existing hair than it is to re-grow new quality hair.
Stress itself is all around us whether you are a working mom, stay at home dad, or high powered business executive.
Job pressures, family demands, financial setbacks are just a few of the stressors most of use face daily.
And then there are the silent stressors such as temperature changes, environmental toxins, and microorganisms in the air that can trigger the pituitary gland to give the body that that extra boost we recognize as stress.
But stress related hair loss has its basis in the biological aspect of the reaction.
When the pituitary gland swings into action it secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone, which causes the adrenals to secrete adrenaline and other stress related hormones.
The result is a massive reorganization of blood supply.
Blood is taken away from the scalp, skin, and internal organs and diverted to the muscles and brain.
The real cause of stress related hair loss may not necessarily be in the short term redirection of blood flow rather the resistance reaction which allows the body to continue fighting the stressor long after the initial effects have worn off.
Other hormones, such as cotisol and other corticosteroids secreted by the adrenal cortex, are largely responsible for the prolonged reaction.
The bottom line is that stress related hair loss is caused by lack of blood flow to the scalp thus reducing the amount of oxygen and essential nutrients to sustain healthy hair growth.
Without these hair will simply fall out over time.
While stress related hair loss itself may seem problematic it normally reverses itself over time once the stress trigger has been eliminated but if a genetic predisposition to male or female pattern baldness exists the lost hair may not spring back as planned due to the disruption of the hair replacement cycle instigated by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Male or female pattern baldness more commonly known as androgenetic alopecia plays some role in eight out of every ten cases of balding or thinning hair and occurs when testosterone is converted to DHT which then binds in the hair cell leading to follicle shrinkage which renders many hair follicles incapable of producing new growth.
Still worse many other follicles die leading to permanent balding in these areas.
So as you can see the combination of stress combined with male or female pattern baldness can paint a bleak picture in ones attempt to achieve a vibrant full head of hair.
If stress has become a big part of your life you are traveling down a dangerous road that is sure to lead to a myriad of health concerns rather than just loss of hair.
But make no mistake your hair will fall out in greater amounts is stress is present.
Your goal should be to embark on a stress reduction plan.
This plan could include such helpful relaxation aids such as breathing exercises, diet modification, yoga, or a well thought out exercise program.
There is plenty of information out there on stress reduction so take advantage of it.
But chances are there may be the aforementioned androgenetic alopecia lurking in the wings.
The good news is that there are a handful of hair re-growth products specially formulated to address this condition.
These products are specially formulated to block DHT and reinvigorate damaged hair follicles thus stimulating hair re-growth.
The important thing is that whether you are dealing with stress related hair loss or something more it is important to take swift action always remembering that it is easier to retain existing hair than it is to re-grow new quality hair.
