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4 Things Your Hair Can Say About Your Health
March 13 2018
Most of us think of our hair as something that is “just there,” like our nails, but we never really think of it as part of our body that gives us a clue about our health.
When our hair goes through changes, like turning from thick, shiny hair to limp, dull looking hair, you may want to ask yourself what have you done recently to account for this dramatic change in your hair structure and texture.
Did you swim in chlorinated pool, or change the color of your hair? These are just some of the things that can affect your hair. Dry, limp hair can also be a sign of hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, that causes your metabolism to slow down. Other signs of hypothyroidism can be sudden weight gain, unexplained fatigue, and being cold all the time. If you suspect that hypothyroidism may be an issue you should see your doctor.
Dandruff is not uncommon and most people can treat it with dandruff shampoo. If your dandruff turns into thick scaly patches then this could be a sign of psoriasis, an autoimmune disease where the skin goes into overdrive, speeding up the process of skin cell turnover.
On average a person loses about 100 hairs a day. If you notice your hair looking thinner or coming out in clumps it might be a sign that something is going on. Sometime men’s and women’s hair loss happens because of extreme stress. It can also happen if you have a hormonal imbalance related to PCOS (polycyctic ovarian syndrome). Similarly, there are also medications that can cause hair loss, like birth control pills and antidepressants.
Hair loss can happen for many reasons and it is best to talk to your doctor or a dermatologist about your symptons. If you suspect your medications might be the reason for your thinning hair, see if your doctor can recommend alternatives.
One last sign of a serious problem could be dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. Your hair is made up of protein called keratin. If you are not getting enough protein in your diet then your hair can become weak. This can also be another sign of a thyroid issue.
