Stressed out

OK kinda seeking advice kinda ranting. I apologize that this will be a sorta long post ahead of time.

I do know that a lot of stress has a negitive effect on the mind and body, but however is it normal for my hair to be falling out somewhat? OK currently I am taking care of my grandpa who has terminal liver cancer that metzed from his esphogeal cancer. This is really the major stressor, but other than that I'm a senior in high school with a somewhat tough schedule of 2 ap classes and some difficult (for me) courses. I am aware that since I am a boy of fall taking my helmet on and off does break my hair, but normally i can run my hands through my hair and pick out oh id say 6 or 7 hairs that are shedding, but lately its normally about every 5 or 6 days ill do that and get 20 or 30. I am extremely stressed out as my grandpa is more or less a dad to me than anybody and always been really close. I constantly feel like I am going to lose my mind as nobody really asks how I am and I am actually having to leave school on an average of about once a month to go get grandpa for some reason or other, most reccently as of last tuesday he had fallen down. This has been going on for a year or so, he is a former diabetic, he was never out of shape really, he developed diabetes when he had a stroke 5 or 6 years ago. Yeah i got a couple of buddies and one close friend but they are just buddies and my friend and i are drifting apart slowly. Is it just me? Am I stressing myself out even more or what? If it makes any difference I am also pushing myself to get my short story finished and published before i graduate.

I have heard that hair loss is an inheritable trait. Usually hair loss is common during chemotherapy treatments,

I think stress whether emotional or physical or both can cause hair loss. I found a link that might be or not be helpful, but these quizzes often are not the most reliable guides. So.....it's just a FYI, not an expert opinion.

Hair Loss Medical Health Quiz on MedicineNet

See your doctor. Only he/she can tell you why, and help you deal with your stress.

I'm not the one with cancer or treatment, I'm just losing hair. And i dont think that it is a trait in my family from either side. One of my cousin's hair is almost completely gone and he is in his late 20s. That shouldnt have anything to do with me as his father who is unrelated to me or my family in any way. Thanks for the advice though. and as a side note, all of the people in my family from my great grandparents on both sides down to me all have died or still have a full head of hair late into their 80s the only exception is my dad's parents who have lost hair due to cancer treatment and his mother who's hair never grew back from the treatment of her breast cancer, and some doctor suggested that her heart problems which took her life about 3ish years ago also played a factor. Whether thats true or not i do not know, just throwing that out there.

Stress can definitely make your hair fall out. Remember to look after yourself too. Best to see a doctor for medical advice but it is possible it is from stress.