Failure to properly manage stress may inhibit the long-term ability of the adrenal glands to produce a natural balance of hormones. This adrenal gland dysfunction may trigger a variety of serious side effects, including fatigue, weight loss, dizziness, nausea, and hair loss.
The researchers began by testing the role of the adrenal glands, which produce key stress hormones—corticosterone in rodents and cortisol in humans. Removing the adrenal glands from mice led to rapid cycles of hair regrowth. Hair follicle regeneration didn't slow as these mice grew older, like it did in control mice.
People who accidentally take adrenal or steroid hormone may experience symptoms like weight gain, hair loss, depression, acne, and stretch marks as well as a potentially life-threating shutdown of the adrenal glands, Akturk said.
Both short-term and chronic stress, which trigger increased cortisol secretion, can promote hair loss. High cortisol levels reduce the synthesis and accelerate the breakdown of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans in the scalp by about 40%. This deters the normal activity of hair follicles and can lead to hair loss.
Mildly stressful situations are often dragged out over days, weeks or months. This results in a higher demand for cortisol production, and possibly the gradual depletion of our ability to produce this hormone adequately. Some studies claim that both high and low cortisol levels can impact hair loss.
Extended stress leads to longer periods of high cortisol levels. While the adrenal glands are busy making extra cortisol, they make less of the hormones which support healthy hair growth.
Androgens, such as testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and their prohormones dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (A) are the key factors in the growth of terminal hair.
Texture Changes: While not as common, stress may also impact the texture of your tresses. “High levels of [cortisol] can, in some cases, cause changes in texture and appearance because it does affect follicle function,” Friese notes.
“Fortunately, if the hair loss is strictly due to the stress, complete recovery often occurs after several months to a year,” Haber says.
As with male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness comes from hormone imbalances, specifically dihydrotestosterone imbalances, or DHT. This hormone is similar in structure to testosterone, but it is significantly more potent [3]. DHT can attach to receptors on the hair follicles, causing the follicles to shrink.
B vitamins, such as B5 can help balance hormones, and reverse symptoms of adrenal fatigue in the body. Lack of sleep is another stressor on the body. By not getting enough sleep, your cortisol levels will rise and your adrenal glands will work overtime.
Hormones like DHEA (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands) and testosterone play the largest role in hair growth in general. When levels of these hormones are too high, people can experience excessive hair growth, particularly on the body and face.
Symptoms of AI include fatigue, muscle weakness, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Some people experience lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Other symptoms include: Pain in the muscles and joints.
Hirsutism is linked to hormones called androgens. It can happen if the level of these hormones increases or if your body becomes more sensitive to them. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Chemical treatments and heat styling alike can cause changes in hair texture. Coloring, relaxing, perming, blow drying on high heat, and flat ironing can all damage hair, leaving it dry and wiry.
As we get older, our hair texture changes dramatically. Hair will slowly become drier, coarser, and thinner over the years. The truth is that as we grow older, the oils that our scalp relies on for nourishment decrease, resulting in drier, frizzier hair.
using heat-based drying and styling tools too frequently. shampooing too often. using a shampoo with harsh ingredients, such as sulfates, that are drying for your type of hair. not using a conditioner often enough or one that's designed for your type of hair.
Estrogen and progesterone levels fall, meaning that the effects of the androgens, male hormones, are increased. During and after menopause, hair might become finer (thinner) because hair follicles shrink. Hair grows more slowly and falls out more easily in these cases.
There are a wide range of conditions that can bring on hair loss, with some of the most common being pregnancy, thyroid disorders, and anemia. Others include autoimmune diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, Rogers says.
Lifestyle changes, such as a healthier diet, exercise, and stress reduction will also help you get your hormone levels back on track. Once equilibrium is restored to your hormones, hair loss associated with your hormone issue should slow or cease, and in many cases, hair that was loss may be replaced by new growth.
Symptoms said to be due to adrenal fatigue include tiredness, trouble falling asleep at night or waking up in the morning, salt and sugar craving, and needing stimulants like caffeine to get through the day. These symptoms are common and non-specific, meaning they can be found in many diseases.
Recovery from adrenal fatigue can take anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. Each individual has a unique set of symptoms and an individual response to treatment. The recovery process depends upon the stage and severity of the adrenal exhaustion.
Dry or Wet Eyes
Studies show that stress, a major factor in the development of adrenal fatigue, could cause dry eyes. This may result from poor sleep quality. But this very issue could also cause an increase in tear secretion.