Hair is one of the most important parts of determining our look. To maintain good hair, we take care of all external factors like hair products, pollution, styling, etc.
But sometimes, the quality of hair depends on internal factors. For example, research shows that changes in your hair’s appearance, texture, or thickness may be signs of underlying health problems. They act as an indicator of nutrient deficiency, stress, genetics, and health problems. So the changes in hair quality are symptoms that there is something wrong with our body’s working.
Thin Hair
Thinning of hair indicates a low level of protein in your body. Protein strengthens our body that no other nutrient can do. When the body is deficient in protein, the condition of our nails, skin, and hair deteriorates. Including more fruits and food with omega-3 fatty acids can help in the thickening of hair.
People with hypothyroidism, a condition when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormones, may notice an increase in hair loss and changes in the appearance of hair. Hypothyroidism can lead to hair thinning and other symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, cold intolerance, muscle pain, weight gain, and a puffy face. In addition to hair thinning, certain thyroid disorders are at potential risk for autoimmune hair loss called alopecia areata.
Dandruff
If you notice white or yellow scales on your hair, shoulders, or eyebrows, then you have dandruff in your hair. Dandruff usually does not indicate a severe health problem and can generally be treated with special medicated shampoo. However, it seems uncomfortable and can cause excessive itching. Common reasons behind dandruff can be the usage of too many hair care products, a diet low in fats and carbohydrates, extreme stress, dry scalp, improper shampoo, etc.
Brittle Hair
Brittle hair indicates a low level of protein in your body. Sometimes, brittle hair can be a symptom of severe health problems like Cushing’s disease. This disease is caused by an increased level of the body’s primary stress hormone, cortisol. Along with brittle hair, Cushing’s disease has symptoms like high blood pressure, fatigue, unexplained back pain, and chronic insomnia. If you notice these symptoms, then contact your doctor as soon as possible. With proper medications and steroids, you can treat this.
Including more fruits and food with omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce brittle hair.
Greasy Hair
Greasy and oily hair generally indicates that your diet is not healthy and consuming too much animal fat. To solve this problem, try to eat less meat, fatty and fried foods. Avoid sweets, smoked foods, alcohol, and coffee. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo to properly work your sebaceous glands. Greasy hair can also indicate metabolic problems, hormonal imbalances, or liver problems. In this case, you should contact your doctor.
Premature Graying
Graying hair is a part of aging because of less production of color pigmentation by hair follicles or melanocytes. It also depends on the genetic makeup of a person. For example, women usually see gray hair by the age of 30-40. But with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, there are situations when teenagers have gray hair.
Premature graying of hair, which affects individual strands, is often due to excessive stress, chronic fatigue, or a poor diet (deficiency of protein in the diet). Chronic stress can contribute to hair graying by damaging DNA and reducing the supply of pigment-producing cells in hair follicles. Another type of stress known as oxidative stress also causes gray hair.
Dry Hair And Split Ends
Perming, frequent blow-drying, lack of protein, iron, copper, and lack of oxygen to the scalp can be reasons behind split ends and dry hair. It can be due to endocrine system problems also. Eat healthy foods, especially redfish and carrots, to add vitamins to your body. Drink orange juice to improve iron absorption and enough water to avoid dehydration.
Itchy Scalp
Itchy scalp can be very irritating but can also indicate some serious health problems. If it is accompanied by other symptoms like sores, pimples, peeling of head skin, and different kinds of skin irritation, then it can be something serious like psoriasis or eczema. Consult your doctor as soon as possible. If you do not experience other symptoms along with an itchy scalp, it can be due to a stress-related nervous system disorder or a tic disorder. Try consuming Vitamin B6 and B1 and soothing herbs. If the itchiness continues, then visit a neurologist for proper treatment.
Conclusion
Your hair is an excellent sign of how your health is doing, among other things. If you are experiencing any of the above signs, make sure to talk to your doctor and re-evaluate your diet.
