Sudden Hair Loss Is A Bad Sign
Sudden hair loss is when your hair comes out in clumps, not just a few strands more than usual. This usually is a sign that the body is having some problems and needs to shut off hair production in order to survive. You most likely notice your nails not growing and be a lot more brittle as well. With sudden hair loss, you really need to go to the doctor. Although some people regain growth of their hair without any medical assistance, in most cases sudden hair loss is the sign of a serious medical condition that will not get better on its own.
Medical Conditions
Your body considers your hair and nails (made of the same stuff as your hair) luxuries, not necessities. Fat, hair, nails all become energy reserves that the body can draw on in times of stress and illness. In order to conserve energy, the hair and nails are "turned off", so to speak. Sudden hair loss is the sign of anemia, thyroid conditions, pregnancy or a major hormonal imbalance in the body.
In women, one of the major causes of sudden hair loss is menopause. Hormones are rising and falling rapidly as the body adjusts to becoming non-fertile. These result in mood swings, hot flashes, insomnia and specific food cravings as well as hair loss. In this case, the best way of treating your hair loss is to treat your menopause. This also requires a doctor's visit.
You can also loose your hair when you are recovering from a major illness or surgery. This is usually temporary, but not always, depending on your illness. Loosing all of your hair is common for anyone undergoing chemotherapy, for example. The body is giving all it has to fight cancer, and hair is placed by the wayside. When the cancer is gone or in remission, the hair usually grows back.
Other Conditions
Sudden hair loss is also a sign of post traumatic stress disorder. The body has been thrown into shock due to accidents, natural disasters, war, fights or whatever and this shock throws the body's chemical balance off. Depending on your health after the traumatic event, your hair may or may not grow back. It is more important to treat the post traumatic stress disorder entirely and not just individual symptoms like hair loss. Please do not use this article as a substitute for a doctor's advice, and good luck with your hair loss.
