
With more disruptors in our food, air, personal care items, household items, and stressful lifestyles it's no wonder autoimmune diseases are being reported more now than ever before. Unfortunately they can wreak havoc on any part of your body. If you suffer from any type of autoimmunity there is a significant chance that your hair may be negatively affected. Your body can attack healthy hair cells thinking they are a threat and cause hair loss and other conditions.
Common Autoimmune Diseases That Affect Hair
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Hair loss directly from rheumatoid arthritis is rare, however, it can be a side effect of the medications used to treat RA. The constant stress that RA causes both physically and mentally can also cause thinning.
Lupus
During flare-ups is typically the time when those with Lupus will lose hair. Because of the affiliated chronic inflammation, Lupus can also slow down regrowth. Most of the time this hair loss is temporary and can grow back. However, if the inflammation is severe and lasts for long periods of time, it does have the ability to cause permanent loss.
Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid disorders cause a disruption in the hormone cycle which also impacts your hair cycle. Often, those with thyroid disorders will experience excessive shedding, slow regrowth, breakage, or a combination of them all.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a case where the body's immune system is mistakenly attacking healthy skin cells. This causes the inflamed, irritated, and scaley patches with are the hallmark of this condition. These patches can also occur on the scalp which can lead to thinning, slow growth, and excessive shedding.
Holistic Approaches to Combat Autoimmunity-related Hair Loss
Although some medications may be necessary, it may be worth trying the following to reduce inflammation and the severity of flare-ups.
1. Nutritional Support
There are many ways you can minimize inflammation through your diet: the anti-inflammatory diet or the autoimmune protocol diet, minimize/eliminate processed sugars & foods, and minimize caffeine & alcohol intake. Making sure you get enough Omegas, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Zinc will help your immune system. Also, making sure your gut is healthy is extremely important.
2. Stress Management
Most autoimmune disorders get worse or flare-up with stress since it increases inflammation. There are 2 methods to managing stress: activities & medications/supplements. Activities such as: exercise, gratitude, meditation, deep breathing, and spending time in nature are all proven to reduce stress in your body. Stress adaptogens are supplements that can reduce cortisol (stress hormone), increase resistance to stress, and promote relaxation. There are many different stress adaptogens and each one does something a little different, so it's important to look at each one's effects.
3. Herbal Remedies
Using probiotics to support gut health is known to be very useful, as is the use of dome supplements. Many medications (and long-term inflammation) can cause nutrient deficiencies as a side-effect. Utilizing supplements will not only help your body, but also support healthy hair and scalp.
4. Professional Support
Having the right team around you is crucial when dealing with a disorder that can affect so many systems. For autoimmune disorders it's helpful to not only have doctors that you are comfortable with, but also alternative and holistic professionals. Acupuncturists, nutritionists, chiropractic, and massage therapists are just some of the alternative providers that can support you through your journey to wellness.
Autoimmune disorders can be life changing and cause many comorbidities. Understanding your disorder, making lifestyle changes, and having the right support can minimize the effects that it can have not just on your hair, but on your whole body.
**The nutritional information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of nutritional advice. THE USE OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
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