Hair loss due to diseases

There are many factors which need to be fulfilled to have healthy and strong growing hair. These requirements can be impaired due to diseases. In this article, you will find out which diseases can affect hair growth and lead to hair loss.

How is hair constructed?

Under the epidermis or outer layer of the skin, is the dermis. This is where the hair follicles are located. These are the only living parts of the hair that have the ability to divide. It is thanks to hair bulbs that hair grows. This is why their condition is so important.                                

The hair root is located in the follicle, which is connected to the blood vessels through capillaries in the papilla. These connections provide the hair with the nutrients it needs for proper cell division, growth and development.                                       

The hair follicle, on the other hand, is connected to the dermis by the paraspinal muscle. It is in the hair follicle that the most important hair stem cells are located. For their proper division, i.e. hair growth, a daily supply of good quality nutrients is necessary.  

Condition of skin, hair and nails

The condition of your skin, hair and nails reflects the overall health of your body. Our body works in such a way that it initially supplies nutrients to the key organs of the body, and then once these are nourished, the rest of the nutrients are transported to the skin, hair and nails. Therefore, it is easy to tell if there are any imbalances in the body. 

Falling out, dry hair; dull, grey skin or brittle nails are all clues that something disturbing is going on in our body. 

Hair development is very much influenced by hormonal balance, diet and also the immune system. Therefore, in order to stop hair from falling out, it is so important to keep an eye on it.

Hair loss and hair transplantation

Contrary to appearances, the percentage of people with hair loss due to diseases is quite high. 

Hair loss due to existing illnesses is a very big problem, which should not be underestimated. If you always make sure that health problems are dealt with in the first place, you will reduce the risk of hair loss and baldness. 

Hair falls out for different reasons depending on your gender. It is also important to remember that hair falls out every day and this is completely normal. The main causes of increased hair loss are genetics, seasonal hair loss and just occurring illnesses. Diseases can lead to weaker hair, in some cases it can even destroy it completely. It can also make your hair so thin that it appears patchy, especially on the top of your head. You should keep a close eye on your body and not ignore such important alarm signs. 

Diet for healthy hair

Your diet is very important. For healthy growth, hair needs good quality nutrients, mainly protein, vitamins and minerals, also oxygen. 

During illness, the cause of hair loss is the lack of sufficient nutrients. This is due to the lack of an adequate blood supply with oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. In addition, the immune system is weakened during the illness, which leads to inflammation and possible hair loss.                                                                  

Causes of male hair loss:

• Genetic conditions
• Stress
• Drugs
• Age
• Diseases 
• Environmental factors 

Causes of female hair loss:

• Hormonal disorders
• Pregnancy 
• Stress
• Lifestyle
• Emotional shock 
• Breastfeeding
• Medication
• Diseases
• Genetics   
• Environmental factors 

It should also be remembered that the use of strong hair dyes can also accelerate hair loss.  

Unfortunately, hair loss is very often caused by various diseases. Early detection of diseases in the body is very important both in terms of health and aesthetics. This is because early detection of a disease makes it possible to limit its negative impact on the development and health of hair.   

Thyroid disorders and hair loss

In the lower part of the neck is the thyroid gland. It produces triiodothyronine T3 and thyroxine T4. These hormones affect many processes in the human body. In addition, the work of the thyroid gland is coupled with the work of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland secretes the TSH gland, which stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete T3 and T4. Once these are secreted, a negative feedback loop begins which inhibits the excessive secretion of hormones. 

An increased level of TSH hormone in the blood is a sign of hypothyroidism, whereas a decreased level is a sign of hyperthyroidism. In addition, in hypothyroidism there is a deficiency of sebum, which makes the hair dull, dry and easily brittle. In hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, the amount of sebum secreted is too high. This has a negative effect on hair. The hair is greasy and heavy. 

Both hyper- and hypothyroidism cause hormonal imbalance. Thyroid problems are the most common cause of hair loss. 

The hormonal imbalance associated with this organ causes diffuse hair loss, and if left untreated can also lead to full hair loss. 

However, when thyroid problems are discovered early enough, hair loss can be avoided. In mild hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and in minor, temporary problems in thyroid function, hair loss should not occur. 

Hair loss due to thyroid disease occurs a few months after the onset of symptoms. Unfortunately, this leads many people to believe that it is thyroid medication that causes hair loss and they stop taking it. This unfortunately leads to even more severe hair loss.                                                                         

Scalp ringworm (Tinea capitis) and hair loss

Tinea capitis is a disease caused by fungi that are in constant contact with the surface of the human skin. Infection usually occurs through contact with the affected person or their personal belongings. However, the body has its own defence mechanisms, so you should not be afraid of a small contact with a person affected by this disease.

Symptoms of this disease are, apart from hair loss, also red skin, itching or pain. There are several types of ringworm. 

Ringworm of the scalp causes both diffuse and circular hair loss. During mycosis of the scalp, the hair root is damaged and therefore hair loss occurs. 

It is very important to react quickly to changes. As soon as any scalp changes appear, a dermatologist should be consulted immediately. Because early detection of ringworm will lead to a quicker response and less risk of hair loss. A longer delay in visiting the doctor causes complete damage to the hair follicles, and this leads to hair loss and problems with hair regrowth. 

Autoimmune diseases and hair loss

One of the most common causes of baldness in autoimmune diseases is alopecia areata. 

Autoimmune diseases are based on the fact that the body treats its own cells as foreign. In order to protect itself from the danger of “foreign” cells, it attacks them and tries to destroy them. A medical diagnosis is necessary to detect the presence of such a disease.

This disease usually appears before the age of thirty. Unfortunately, the earlier it appears, the more difficult it is to treat. 

In the beginning, there is one small area affected. Over time, the number of bald spots increases. This is quite a difficult situation because most of the hair is lost in a short period of time. And within a few weeks it can lead to complete baldness. 

There are many types of alopecia areata. Hair loss can affect the whole head or one part of the body. In some cases, there may be a problem with hair regrowth, as well as hair loss all over the body.

Indigestion and hair loss

The health of the digestive system plays a key role in maintaining hair health. One of its most important parts is the colon. 

Our wellbeing and important bodily functions are linked to the health of the colon. Unfortunately, hair loss due to intestinal disorders is a fairly common problem. Especially the risk of hair loss can be observed with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease. 

Additionally, hair loss can also be caused by intestinal parasites, irritable bowel syndrome and other chronic intestinal diseases. 

The intestine is the place where nutrients are absorbed into the blood. Therefore, problems related to the gut lead to problems with insufficient hair building blocks. For this reason, hair becomes weaker and weaker, and as a consequence, hair falls out. 

Diabetes and hair loss

Diabetes is a metabolic disease. Unfortunately, through its effect on insufficient nutrients, it leads to hair loss. 

Diabetes affects the body’s hormonal balance. This imbalance leads to disturbances in hair growth and regeneration. 

In diabetes, one of the problems preventing proper hair growth is a disturbance in the viscosity of the blood. As the amount of glucose in the blood is higher, the blood density increases. In this situation, it is more difficult for the small capillaries to supply the hair follicles with the necessary ingredients for growth and development. 

An additional consequence of diabetes is damage to the hair blood vessels, which leads to slower hair growth and hair loss.  

The increased amount of sugar in the blood leads to a weakening of the body’s immune system, which results in the appearance of infections that further weaken the hair. 

As in previous diseases, time is of the essence. The earlier diabetes is detected, the better the chances of reducing hair loss. 

Since hair reflects the general state of your body, it is advisable to visit your doctor as soon as you notice any worrying signs. Especially if you feel tired, weak and your hair is additionally falling out, you cannot do without medical consultation.                                                                                      

Note that during hair loss it is very important to take care of the hair regeneration. Aesthetic effects are very important, but it is the health of your hair that is most important.