7 Medical Conditions That Can Cause Hair Loss

Every day you lose a certain amount of hair. It's normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day, but when you lose more than that it can indicate certain health problems. Pattern baldness is the most common cause of both male and female hair loss. But there is a wide range of other reasons why you are losing your hair. 

Below are 7 medical problems that can lead to hair loss. 

1. Alopecia

Alopecia is a common cause of hair loss. There are two main types of alopecia called alopecia areata and androgenic alopecia. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system attacks healthy hair follicles and causes severe hair loss. Androgenic alopecia is a genetic condition that often runs in families. 

Because of his condition, you can start losing hair in your 20s or even earlier. Both these conditions cause hair thinning, balding, or patches of hair loss on the head and within the body. Both these conditions require medical treatment, otherwise, you risk losing all your hair. 

2. Thyroid problems

Thyroid problems are often associated with hair loss. Both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can result in severe hair shedding. This happens because thyroid problems contribute to major hormonal imbalances, disrupting nearly every function in your body. 

To stop hair loss associated with thyroid problems, it is important to get qualified medical help and manage the condition. Treatment helps balance the hormones and preserve the health of your hair. 

3. Nutrient deficiency

Your body needs a variety of nutrients and minerals to function properly. The deficiency of one of them can worsen your overall well-being and cause hair loss. To preserve the health of your hair you need to consume enough healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, healthy fats, and proteins. A nutrient-rich diet is the best way to ensure the health of all body organs and systems. 

You may also ask your doctor about nutrient-deficiency testing. This can help you understand which exact nutrient your body lacks and replenish its levels. 

4. Severe stress

Severe stress can cause a variety of health problems, including hair loss. Both physical and emotional stress can contribute to hair shedding. You may start losing your hair after a serious surgery or injury. A traumatic and stressful event like bankruptcy, divorce, or the death of a loved one can disrupt the normal cycle of hair loss. This results in the significant thinning of the hair and hair loss. The effect of stress can be temporary and permanent. 

If you start losing your hair because of severe stress, consult your healthcare provider. The specialist can recommend stress management strategies and hair restoration procedures to improve the appearance of your hair. 

5. Skin infections 

There are several skin infections that can lead to major hair loss. The most common include ringworm, folliculitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes patches of hair loss on the scalp. Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicle that looks like acne. Without treatment, the inflammation can aggravate and damage the follicle permanently. Seborrheic dermatitis is an infection that causes scaly inflamed patches of the skin and hair loss.

Any of these conditions need to be checked by your doctor. Only a specialist can make a diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate treatment. 

6. Medications

All medications have a wide variety of side effects. They can cause dizziness, headaches, muscle spasm, and vomiting. But some medications can contribute to hair loss. Some of the widespread medications that cause hair loss include oral contraceptives, antidepressants, blood-thinning medications, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Consuming too much vitamin-A (retinoids) can also contribute to excessive hair shedding. 

7. Autoimmune diseases

Diabetes and lupus are autoimmune conditions that can cause hair loss. Diabetes can alter the cycle of hair growth and stop new hair from forming. This results in the loss and poor growth of your hair. Lupus causes a widespread inflammation that can affect your scalp and hair follicles. Over time, lupus leads to thinning of the hair on your scalp and can contribute to baldness. Loss of eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, and body hair also is possible.