Stress may be causing you to lose it... your hair, that is. Prolonged emotional or physical stress (including surgery or illness) may cause hair to stop growing and fall out within a few months, a condition called telogen effluvium. Usually the hair will grow back within 6 to 9 months. Intense stress in some people may trigger alopecia areata, a condition in which the hair falls out within weeks (usually in patches) and will usually grow back in six months to a year.

Try this: Restore hair health by reducing chemical treatments and following a healthy diet, including plenty of water. If you notice sudden hair loss that is more than usual when washing or brushing your hair, talk to your doctor to make sure there is no serious medical problem.

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—Alice Lesch Kelly

Reviewed by Timothy Yarboro, MD