STRESS AND HAIR LOSS

Stress is very common in today’s fast paced lifestyle and it is very bad for health. Stress impacts many organs of the body such as digestive systems disturbances, sleep disturbance, lethargy, and low mood. Stress is also associated with premature hair greying and hair loss.¹

A significant amount of stress for a long period of time may change some physiological function in body leading to hair loss. This stress could be physiological (change in diet, lifestyle, disease). The hair loss due to this is usually temporary. After the stress is removed or gone, hair grows back.

Hair loss can affect both the scalp and/or the entire body. It can be caused due to heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. Anyone – men, women and children – can experience hair loss.¹ Most people normally shed 50 to 100 hairs a day. Since new hair is growing in at the same time it doesn’t cause noticeable thinning of scalp hair. Hair loss occurs when this cycle of hair growth and shedding is disrupted or when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.²

Hair loss is known as Khalitya in Ayurveda. Hair is a byproduct of bone formation; the tissue which is responsible for bone formation is also responsible for the hair growth. Early hair loss is related to the imbalance of the doshas and body type. People with excess Pitta in the sebaceous gland or at the root of the hair, are likely to lose their hair early in life   According to Ayurveda, pacification of Pitta through a customized diet and lifestyle regime will be helpful in controlling hair loss.⁴ Excessive stress is also one of causes for hair loss, Ayurveda has various effective ways to manage or reduce stress which can help in improving hair health.

Stresses that cause hair loss are as follows
• Low calorie diet
• Severe or chronic disease
• High fever
• Major surgery
• Severe infections
• Emotional stress (going through divorces, trauma, death of a loved one)

Hair loss can occur gradually or all of a sudden. It may affect just the scalp or whole body.

Ayurveda has various diet and lifestyle changes that can reduce stress along with some herbs to strengthen the hair health and immune.
Internal medicine
Medhya rasayan chikitsa
Manovah strotas chikitsa
Manas chikitsa
Satvajaya chikitsa
Asthimajjavah strotas chikitsa
Samupdeshan chikitsa
Panchkarma
Shirodhara
Shiropichu
Shirolepam
Basti
Nasya
Yoga and Pranayama
Meditation
Mental diet plan
Counselling & psychotherapy guidence

• Have healthy, nutritious balanced diet. Protein rich foods will help prevent hair fall and baldness. Include foods such as eggs, beans fish, low fat cheese, yeast, soybean, and yoghurt which will help in proper hair growth.
• Increased intake of iron as it is essential for hemoglobin and blood formation. Increase the quantity of raisins, dates, green vegetables, etc.
• Foods responsible for thinning of hair should be avoided like are excessive oily, spicy, sugary, junk food , caffeine, carbonated drinks, etc
• A lettuce and spinach juice helps in encouraging hair growth

• Reduces stress/anxiety through pranayama and yoga exercises
• Deep relaxation using shavasana is beneficial, yoganidra is also beneficial in reducing stress
• Hair washing should be done with Amla and Shikakai
• Hair loss can be prevented by oiling and massaging the scalp. Coconut oil should be used on the scalp at least three times in a week.
• Regular bowel movement is necessary. For constipation, a mild natural laxative can be used.
• Aggravated doshas can be managed by regular exercise.
• Increase in blood circulation and activation of sebaceous glands can be obtained by rubbing scalp after a hair wash.
• Juice of green coriander leaves applied on the head is beneficial.
• Paste of cooked green gram and fenugreek should be applied on the hair for two to three times a week.