Hair Loss Due To Crohn’s Disease

When Crohn’s Disease was originally discovered in the early 1930s, the doctors studying its effects were under the impression that it was a form of intestinal tuberculosis. Later, however, they found that the condition that they’re patients were suffering from had more in common with an increasingly commonplace form of the ailment known today as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Today in the UK, every 1 in 650 people suffers from Crohn’s Disease, and although the availability and range of treatments have improved since it’s discover, there is still no cure for the condition and sadly, Crohn’s Disease can exhibit itself with numerous symptoms that are not directly related to digestion.

How do I know if I have Crohn’s Disease?

Whether or not you suffer from Crohn’s Disease is a matter for a medical professional to diagnose. However, there are a number of symptoms that you can watch out for if you are worried about your health including consistent fatigue, blood in your stool, stomach cramps, severe weight loss and diarrhoea.

How does hair loss due to Crohn’s Disease occur?

Similar to ulcerative colitis, simply having the condition does not necessarily mean that you will suffer from hair loss, as the condition can affect different people in different ways. It is, however, relatively frequent although not always severe.

According to the most recent research, there are several reasons why hair loss due to Crohn’s Disease can transpire:

• One of the key issues with Crohn’s Disease is the inability to absorb certain nutrients and minerals as effectively as a healthy individual. As many of these nutrients (including iron, riboflavin, vitamin C, and vitamin D) are essential for hair growth within the follicle, a shortfall can easily lead to hair loss.
• Due to the nature of Crohn’s Disease and the vicious cycle of stomach cramps from ingestion, the pain can often lead to feelings of extreme stress and anxiety, both of which are known to cause hair loss in patients.
• While there are drugs that can help with Crohn’s Disease such as immunosuppressants, the side effects of these treatments is that they can slow down the function of hair follicles, ultimately causing thinning.

How can I treat my hair loss due to Crohn’s Disease?

Luckily, there has been a huge amount of research into the condition since 1960s, thanks in no small part to the formation of the National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis. While there is no definitive cure, diet managements and pharmaceutical treatments can help keep the disease at bay. There are even medications that you can take before a meal that allow you to occasionally eat foods that would normally cause severe pain. In regard to hair loss due to Crohn’s Disease, it is important to realise that the symptoms can come in waves and is likely to increase in severity during a bad spell of health.

By discussing your health with a doctor and monitoring your diet closely, you can limit your hair loss and allow it to recover in due course.

If you are worried that you are suffering from hair loss due to Crohn’s Disease, we always advise you to contact your GP to help you find the treatment that is right for you. However, at the Hair Growth Studio we will always be available to provide you with support as well as numerous effective hair systems to help you recover. So, please book a consultation with the Hair Growth Studio if you’d like personally-tailored advice from an expert.