Hair loss is a sign that stress has pushed your body off balance. When you are under stress, you notice hair loss, as well as dull and lifeless hair with a waxy coat.

Hair loss experts call sudden and rapid hair loss telogen effluvim, a common condition experienced by people who have had a shock to their system.

What's the Problem?

If you have experienced stress, your hair follicles will prematurely stop growing and enter a resting phase.

Elogen effluvim, which affects more women than men, increases the percentage of hair in the resting phase from 10% to about 30%.

After a few months, you may notice that clumps of hair have fallen from the front of your head.

As soon as your body finds its equilibrium and you have recovered from stress, the hair loss should cease.

People who have suffered stress due to deaths in the family, abuse or accidents may experience hair loss.

Temporary hair loss can also be caused by a number of factors such as certain therapies, severe emotional stress, pregnancy, dieting, the termination of a pregnancy and change in birth control pills.

Hair loss after the stress associated with terminating a pregnancy also occurs due to sudden changes in hormone levels.

he hair enters a resting phase and is usually shed three months after the abortion.

Other reasons for hair loss could be childbirth, high fevers, crash diets and fasts, surgery and certain therapies such as chemo.

Illness, medication and imbalances in nutrition all show up in you hair and scalp.

Even an aspirin and over the counter allergy pills or cold tablets can have a negative effect on your hair, especially if it has been chemically treated with colour or a permanent rinse.

While stress hair loss is usually temporary due to sudden and severe stress, some hair loss continues until you resolve the root of the problem.

Eat Right

There are no magic pills we can take or miracle foods you can eat to have healthy hair, but you can feed your hair and scalp by eating the foods that promote physical health and well being.

 One must avoid foods that are high in oils and fats such as red meats, fried foods, most nuts and nut products - and limit your intake of shellfish and iodised salt because they contain too much iodine.

Iodine does help hair growth, but too much can cause acne.

Chocolate and cocoa products, cheese, sugar, coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, should be eliminated or at least restricted because they can trigger systematic problems that upset the delicate balance between your hair and its environment, the scalp.

Slow Down

The last thing you need right now is to worry. Instead, look at it as your body's way of telling you to slow down and take it easy.

If you are on any medication, check with your doctor if it has possible side effects like hairfall. You could also try taking a vacation or take up relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga to de-stress.

Author: Dr. Sonal Shah
(Dr. Sonal Shah is India's First Certified Woman Trichologist and a panel member at Richfeel Trichology Centre.)