What is Stress and hair loss

STRESS AND HAIR LOSS Meaning

Stress is very common in today’s fast paced lifestyle and it is very bad for health. Stress impacts many organs of the body such as digestive systems disturbances, sleep disturbance, lethargy, and low mood. Stress is also associated with premature hair greying and hair loss.¹

A significant amount of stress for a long period of time may change some physiological function in body leading to hair loss. This stress could be physiological (change in diet, lifestyle, disease). The hair loss due to this is usually temporary. After the stress is removed or gone, hair grows back.

Hair loss can affect both the scalp and/or the entire body. It can be caused due to heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. Anyone - men, women and children - can experience hair loss.¹ Most people normally shed 50 to 100 hairs a day. Since new hair is growing in at the same time it doesn't cause noticeable thinning of scalp hair. Hair loss occurs when this cycle of hair growth and shedding is disrupted or when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.²

Hair loss is known as Khalitya in Ayurveda. Hair is a byproduct of bone formation; the tissue which is responsible for bone formation is also responsible for the hair growth. Early hair loss is related to the imbalance of the doshas and body type. People with excess Pitta in the sebaceous gland or at the root of the hair, are likely to lose their hair early in life   According to Ayurveda, pacification of Pitta through a customized diet and lifestyle regime will be helpful in controlling hair loss.⁴ Excessive stress is also one of causes for hair loss, Ayurveda has various effective ways to manage or reduce stress which can help in improving hair health.