Your Hair Says A Lot
Your hair says a lot about you. The way you style it, how long or how short, its color, and more. But did you know that it may be giving you clues about your health? It’s true! The condition of your hair may be a good indicator of something troublesome that you may not even realize. The case is especially true for seniors.
You’re Eating Too Much Junk Food
That’s right, your hair may be telling you that. How? If it has become thinner, brittle, or slow to grow, you may be lacking essential nutrients. If you eat a lot of junk food, which is classified as food with little nutritional value, then your body will horde what nutrients it does get and use them for important things, like your organs. This may leave your hair lacking the nutrients it needs to be full of body. If it is slow to grow, then chances are you need more protein in your diet. Eating meat, be it chicken, beef, pork, etc. can provide you with the protein needed to grow it out. Thankfully, seniors at Bonaventure Senior Living communities, like independent living, assisted living, and memory care residents are offered an array of nutrient-rich and delicious meals, teeming with protein and vitamins.
You’re Stressed
It’s completely normal to lose about 100 hairs a day, but if you notice you’re losing lots of hair then there’s probably a good reason for it. One of the biggest causes of irregular loss is stress. Called telogen effluvium, this condition is a period of hair loss that’s cause by physical or psychological stressors. What’s a stressor? Things like depression and illness are common in seniors. The good thing about this type of hair loss is that it’s totally fixable. But, of course, you must first fix the cause of the depression or illness before the loss will subside.
Low Iron
Another reason why you might be losing hair could be because of an iron deficiency. Also called anemia, iron deficiency can be troublesome for many parts of the body. It’s categorized by the lack of red blood cells and leads to reduced oxygen flow throughout the body. One of the outside of the body side effects is hair loss. Speaking to a doctor about your sudden hair loss can result in a blood test to determine your iron levels. Sometimes doctors will perform this test if there is hair loss in vegetarians, as getting normal levels of iron is not as easy. Eating iron-rich foods, like red meat, beans, potatoes, and dark leafy greens can help replenish iron levels. Taking an iron supplement can also help. The best course of action if you suspect you’re losing your hair because of low iron is to speak with your doctor.
You’re Damaging it
Hair is strong and can typically take a lot of abuse, but it’s also relatively easy to damage via heat and chemicals. Using a lot of alcohol-based hair products can weaken hair and cause damage. Heating your hair with a hair dryer, straightener, curler, or other implements can cause severe damage that can only be fixed with time and/or expensive treatments. The best course of action is to reduce using products and devices to style your hair. Coloring your hair numerous times in a short amount of time can also do a lot of damage. If your hair is brittle and falling out, you could be causing damage to it and not even realizing it.
Conclusion
Taking good care of yourself is important to a healthy, long life. It can also benefit your hair in many ways, bringing body, shine, and strength to it. If you notice any sudden changes in the quality of your hair, seek a medical professional as they may be able to determine if there’s an underlying cause that should be addressed.
Bonaventure Senior Living
At Bonaventure Senior Living, we have Retirement Perfected, Living Perfected, Dining Perfected, and Fitness Perfected. The best way to see for yourself is to Book-A-Tour today and discover how you can live life on your own terms. We specialize in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, that way, no matter what your current situation is, we have all levels of care covered if your needs ever change.
Independent Living
With Independent Living, we want you to enjoy Simplified Living, allowing you to have the freedom to do what makes you happy. Our Independent Living is designed to accommodate the exceptional senior lifestyle that you’ve earned. What’s even better, is that with Independent Living we offer whatever supportive services that you may need at any time you may need them. Now that’s Retirement Perfected.
Assisted Living
Assisted Living at Bonaventure Senior Living is simple: all the lifestyle benefits of our Independent Living, but with any extra support that you may need. Our philosophy is based on three simple things: choice, independence, and dignity. Now that’s Assisted Living at its finest.
Memory Care
Every senior is a unique person, and our Memory Care approach is no different. We tailor our Memory Care by connecting with family members and taking time to understand each person’s specific circumstances. This includes mental, emotional, and physical health. Our Memory Care creates an honorable and professional plan to make sure that each person lives their life to the fullest. That’s the way Memory Care should be.
