If there were one word most people would choose to associate with your hair falling out, it would be “distressing.” Not only does it impact your physical appearance, but it also impacts your emotional well-being. We’re not talking about the occasional hair shedding— but rather full-fledged excessive hair loss and thinning. 

This can be a big concern for people who’ve never experienced this problem before. The good news is that even though it’s new to you, it’s something many people have gone through before, and many will continue to go through after. By understanding the potential reasons, you can look for a solution, and hopefully restore a healthy head of hair once again

To help you get to the root of the problem (pun intended) here are some of the potential reasons why you may be losing your hair.

Age

There are some people that have had a healthy head of hair their entire lives, yet as they get older, they may start experiencing a receding hairline or thinning at the crown. While in some cases this may be an inevitable part of getting older, other people may not be so ready to accept this stage of life and may turn to treatments like Rogaine, or Propecia which can promote new hair growth, and slow down hair loss.

Genetics

In some cases, your hair loss may be a simple matter of genetics. If you had a parent or even grandparent with male pattern or female pattern baldness, then you may be experiencing something hereditary. While there may be some treatments or solutions available to you, usually reversing genetic hair loss is a complicated process and a battle you may not be able to win.

Stress

Believe it or not, stress may be the culprit for why you’re losing hair. If you’ve recently been going through a stressful time, then the stress can start to manifest itself physically, often through hair loss. The reason for this is that stress triggers a hormone called cortisol, and this hormone can disrupt the hair cycle, resulting in excessive shedding. 

If you’ve noticed that your hair loss and stress seem to line up, then you might want to consider some stress management techniques. From deep breathing to meditation, consider finding ways to reduce or even eliminate the amount of stress in your life so that your hair can get back on track.

Remember, less stress in your life is not only a good thing for your hair. Your heart, your skin, and your digestion will all thank you for a calmer lifestyle.

Nutrition

If you eat a diet that lacks certain vitamins or nutrients, then this could be contributing to your hair loss. Nutrient deficiencies, iron deficiencies, in particular, are often associated with hair loss and shedding. 

If you suspect this may be the issue, then it’s time to revamp your diet. Start incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, and lean proteins. These hair-friendly foods will ensure an adequate amount of nutrients to promote growth.