Medical conditions that cause hair loss

4 diseases that cause hair loss

Anne Wangechi

March 12, 2019 11:11 AM

It’s not your fault

Hair loss(self)

Whatever happens to your hair is in most cases an indicator of what is happening in your body. Healthy hair is a sign of good health. On the same note, brittle hair, dandruff, and hair breakage are signs that something is wrong.

Hair loss can be hereditary and it can also be caused by lifestyle habits. But did you also know that some diseases can also cause hair loss? So if you are doing everything you should be doing but still, your hair gets thinner each day, you may be sick.

Some medical conditions that result in hair loss include:

1. Anemia

Caused by iron deficiency, anemia cause hair loss among other symptoms such as fatigue, headache, dizziness, and pale skin. To prevent anemia, eat foods rich in iron such as spinach, liver, broccoli, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and eggs.

2. Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata(sciencedirect) Pulse Live Kenya

This is an autoimmune disorder whereby the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Its cause is unknown but the doctor can diagnose it by observing the hair loss patterns.

3. Lupus

Yet another autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system reacts against the healthy tissues of the body. Besides hair loss, other symptoms of lupus include swollen and painful joints, headache and extreme fatigue. You should see a doctor if your hair loss is accompanied by these symptoms.

4. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism

Thyroid glands(thyroid) Pulse Live Kenya

The thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating many functions including metabolism, digestion, brain function, moods and muscle control just to mention a few. Hypothyroidism is whereby the thyroid gland is underactive and hyperthyroidism is the opposite of it. When too much or too little hormones are produced, it could result in so many problems in the body including hair loss.