Q. What diseases/illnesses cause hair loss?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Hair loss can have many different causes, but the most common cause is an autoimmune disorder known as alopecia areata. This condition occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing them to shrink and eventually stop producing any new hair. Other potential causes of hair loss include scalp infection, hormonal imbalance, certain medications such as chemotherapy drugs, nutritional deficiencies caused by poor diet or excessive exercise, thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, systemic diseases like diabetes and lupus erythematosus (LE), and trichotillomania (compulsive pulling of one's own hair).
In addition to these medical conditions that cause hair loss directly at their source, there are also a variety of chronic illnesses that may contribute indirectly to the issue via various methods such as inflammation. These ailments include rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn's Disease; both of which involve prolonged periods of inflammation in areas around the entire body including on the scalp where they can damage local tissue and therefore affect normal functioning in regards to healthy growth patterns for new strands. Furthermore high levels of stress-induced cortisol have been linked with increased shedding; thus psychological states may also play a role in this problem depending on individual cases.
Whether it be medical reasons or otherwise it is important for individuals concerned about their diminishing locks to seek professional help right away so that proper diagnosis can be made and suitable treatments prescribed if needed!