It's normal to lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. But if you're noticing a sudden, excessive amount of hair loss, it could be a sign of a more serious health condition. Sudden hair loss can happen for many reasons, including:
- Hormonal changes
- Autoimmune disorders
- Thyroid problems
- Medications and supplements
- Acute stress
- Crash dieting
If you're concerned about your hair loss, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine the cause and recommend treatment options.
It could be due to stress. Physical or psychological stress can cause the body to go into rest mode,â which means that non-essential functions like hair growth are halted in order to conserve energy.
It could be a side effect of medication. Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs list hair loss as a potential side effect. common offenders include blood thinners, antidepressants, birth control pills, and high-blood pressure medications.
It could be due to an underlying health condition. Hair loss can be a symptom of certain diseases and disorders, such as lupus, diabetes, iron deficiency anemia, and thyroid problems.
If you're suddenly losing a lot of hair, it's important to see your doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to minimize hair loss and promote new growth.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes can cause hair loss. This can be especially true for women during menopause or pregnancy. Hair loss due to hormonal changes is often temporary and will improve once your hormones return to normal.
Stress
If you're under a lot of stress, it can lead to hair loss. Stress can cause a condition called telogen effluvium, which leads to hair shedding. In most cases, the hair will grow back once the stressor is removed.
Autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata and lupus can cause hair loss. With these conditions, the body's immune system attacks healthy cells, including those in the hair follicles. In most cases, the hair will grow back once the autoimmune disorder is treated.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition where there isn't enough iron in the blood. This can lead to hair loss because the hair follicles aren't getting the nutrients they need to grow. Anemia can be treated with iron supplements or by eating foods that are high in iron.
Thyroid problems
Thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss. This is because the thyroid regulates hormone production, and when it's not functioning properly, it can lead to hair loss. In most cases, the hair will grow back once the thyroid disorder is treated.