Hair shape, texture, and thickness can be indicative of various health problems, including genetics, stress, nutritional deficiencies or thyroid disease. Stress can lead to premature graying or hair loss, which are natural parts of the aging process but can also be caused by chronic stress that damages DNA and reduces pigment-producing cells in hair follicles. Oxidative stress from free radicals can also contribute to gray hair by inhibiting the body’s repair process and affecting pigment-producing cells.
Thyroid disease is another common cause of hair loss and changes in hair appearance. Hypothyroidism leads to increased hair loss and alterations in hair growth due to a decrease in hormone production. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, cold intolerance, joint and muscle pain, facial swelling, and weight gain. A TSH test can help diagnose the disease and determine appropriate treatment options like hormone replacement therapy or medication. Some thyroid disorders can also increase the risk of alopecia areata, a condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles leading to sudden hair loss.
Cushing’s syndrome is another condition that may affect hair growth by causing it to become brittle and break easily due to excess cortisol production in the body. Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include high blood pressure, fatigue, back pain, weight gain around the midsection (a “beer belly”), thinning skin with purple or red stains (known as striae), acne-like rashes on the face or upper arms (known as protruding veins), dizziness upon standing up quickly or walking downstairs rapidly due to low blood pressure that results from high cortisol levels which cause fluid retention leading to edema (swelling). Treatment for this condition involves medication such as spironolactone or metformin along with lifestyle changes like dietary restrictions on carbohydrates and sugars that stimulate cortisol production by the adrenal glands.
Nutritional deficiencies such as low iron stores or anemia may also lead to thinning or balding spots on your scalp. These conditions can be addressed by consuming iron-rich foods like seafood, spinach, red meat, nuts or taking iron supplements under medical supervision. Protein deficiency is another factor that may cause thinning and falling out of hair; thus incorporating sources of protein into your diet such as yogurt