Stress hair loss is a common complaint today. As stress levels have increased in our lifestyle, several health issues have risen alongside. Stress can be secondary or primary depending upon its cause. Things directly related to us cause primary stress like financial or marital difficulties. Stress due to bad news of a third party, witnessing something unpleasant etc can be termed as secondary stress.
Stress, simply put is our body’s reaction when we demand too much of it. It occurs when trying to cope with physical or mental trauma like the loss of a dear one, pregnancy, accident, illness or sometimes just too much work load. There is good stress of course. The kind that makes us work harder, do better, achieve targets and meet deadlines. Trouble is that the subtle change from good to bad stress often goes unnoticed till apparent signs like hair loss stare back at us in the face.
Now hair loss is only a byproduct of stress and results from our neglecting our bodies when other things start to take priority. Stress results in dietary imbalance, insomnia and other such disorders that take a toll on the immune system. The body ceases to have the necessary nutrition needed for hair to flourish.
The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. Two kinds of alopecia can occur as a result of stress.
• The less severe of the two is telogen effluvium. This is the condition wherein hair stops growing and then starts falling off after two - three months. The repair period varies between 6 months to a year.
• Alopecia areata is a more serious condition. Hair fall starts within a couple of weeks. It may be lost in tufts from not only the head but other parts of the body, as well. Treatment is usually required to re-grow hair lost in this way.
There are two methods of cure for stress hair loss. Either treat the symptom or control the cause.
Hair Loss Control
• Load up on vitamins A, B, C and E. Have a balanced diet which supplies necessary minerals like iodine, sulphur, potassium, zinc and iron.
• There are good hair loss creams, shampoos and conditioners on the market. Regular use of these can lessen hair fall considerably.
• Medication such as minoxidil solution also helps control hair fall. Finasteride and dutasteride are also prescribed to treat hair loss.
• Avoid harsh, chemical based shampoos and conditioners.
However stress hair loss is best combated by trying to control and manage stress. Some tips:
• Meditate: Take a few minutes everyday to empty your mind of all thoughts and let positive energy flow through your system.
• Compartmentalize: Think of and tackle one thing at a time. Try forgetting things that cause stress till it’s absolutely necessary to focus on them. Let yourself successfully deal with other things. This generates positivity.
• Eat a balanced diet: If your reserves are already energy deficient even small things will cause stress. Eat foods rich in iron. Also eat on time. The healthier your body, the better it’ll resist stress.
• Have fun: Find time to do things you enjoy doing. Joy and laughter boost the immune system.
• Get a massage: Professional masseurs can do much to relieve tension and promote a sense of well being.
• Exercise: The importance of physical activity cannot be emphasized enough. It busts stress and depletes the body of negative energy. The immune system gets strengthened, thereby reducing the chances of stress hair loss.