Tiredness Symptoms & Hair Loss

Feeling tired can be debilitating, yet when it is accompanied by hair loss, the combined symptoms are distressing. Generally, men and women lose up to 100 hairs each day as a natural process. To determine if hair loss is extreme, gently grasp the hair and comb lightly. If more than three hairs fall free, the hair loss is excessive. The causes of tiredness and hair loss could be due to nutritional deficiencies, stress or adrenal fatigue.

Some key minerals are associated with well-being. There is a correlation between lack of nutrients and minerals and feeling tired while at the same time experiencing excessive hair loss. The medical term for hair loss is telogen effluvium. The cells of the hair follicle rely on vitamins and minerals to create keratin. A deficiency in the vitamin and mineral supply leads to nonproducing hair follicles and hair loss. Research as published on the website Keratin.com also affirms that tiredness is an additional accompanying symptom of hair loss. Chronic iron deficiency also leads to symptoms of anemia, spoon-shaped nails, depression and general lethargy, according to Keratin.com.

Although it is difficult to avoid, stress wreaks havoc on a body, and symptoms such as tiredness and hair loss might be the indicator that a person's stress level is too high. According to Health Services at Columbia University, telogen effluvium, one type of hair loss that may begin after experiencing some type of emotional or physical shock, occurs when hair roots prematurely begin the resting phase. Although hair grows back after telogen effluvium, it may take months. Stress might also responsible for tiredness symptoms. Even occasional and mild sadness, not to mention stress, can cause prolonged fatigue, notes Columbia.

Adrenal fatigue refers to a collection of nonspecific symptoms, yet people often report tiredness and hair loss. The condition can occur when the adrenal glands are not functioning at their optimum level. As a result, extreme physical fatigue and tiredness follow, and the symptoms usually do not get better after rest. Adrenal fatigue also can occur after the body has had an infection, such as the flu.

Dr. Todd Nippoldt, an endocrinologist with the Mayo Clinic. explains that adrenal fatigue is also known as "adrenal insufficiency," or "Addison's disease." He goes on to state that the condition may be caused by inadequate production of one or more hormones as a result of an underlying disease. Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include fatigue, body aches, unexplained weight loss, low blood pressure, lightheadedness and loss of body hair.