Hair loss or Alopecia, in medical term, is the thinning of hair on the scalp. It can either be ephemeral or eternal.
The most common form of hair loss is named “androgenetic alopecia” or also known as “alopecia androgenetica”. This condition occurs on both male and female humans although the pattern of hair loss differs on both genders and it is more evident in Caucasian men. Majority of male humans who have androgenetic alopecia condition may suffer from complete baldness while women subjects rarely do. Their hair may just become lighter all over the head but the hairline will not diminish.
My grandmother once told me that shampooing my hair everyday will make me lose my hair. This has been a popular belief, a belief proven not to be true along with other hair loss myths such as claims that hair loss does not occur in the late teens and smoking causes hair loss.
So what really causes hair loss? A number of factors may contribute in excessive hair loss. For example, four months after my uncle underwent major surgery after falling from a motorbike, he started to loose great amount of hair. This condition can be associated to the stress of anesthesia and surgery but is only considered ephemeral. Hormonal problems or imbalance is also a leading cause of hair loss. Some medicines can also bring about hair loss such as anticoagulants, birth control pills, antidepressants, chemotherapy medications, and even too much intake of Vitamin A.
Hair loss is indeed an emotionally dreadful experience. Most people troubled by this condition appear to have lower self-esteem. A number of products claiming to cure hair loss are now largely sold in the market, unfortunately, only few of them have been effective.
The growing interest in treating hair loss has prompted medical professionals to do massive research. There are currently 4 scientifically-backed treatment regimen for hair loss reported in cyberspace: One would be DHT inhibitors used to reduce levels of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) providing relief to hair follicles from the damaging effects DHT can bring. Second would be Growth Stimulants. Third is Antiandrogen which blocks DHT from reaching the hair follicles, and lastly, inflammatories or treatments used to reduce inflammation, itching, redness, and flaking in your scalp.
But why wait suffer when you can prevent it? As the famed cliche goes “prevention is better than cure”. A lot of people believe that if a person’s maternal grandfather is bald, he is very much likely to also get bald so he will most seemingly just wait for that day to arrive without doing anything to counter this genetic claim. Modern science has proven ways to go about this condition. It is advised not to dye hair more often than 6 weeks and to lessen the use of curling irons and hairdryers. Eating the right foods, getting enough rest, or simply living a healthy lifestyle had been declared to be the best way in preventing hair loss.
Hair loss is usually associated with men, but it also affects millions of women around the world. There are several reasons that people can be affected by hair loss: knowing what is causing your problem is the best way to identify an effective solution.
The normal cycle of hair growth is around five years. At any one time around 90 per cent of 90 days of being in the resting phase. It is normal to lose around 100 head hairs each day, but if you notice more than this falling out then it may be an indication of a health problem
One of the most common causes of hair loss among men is male pattern baldness. This is usually a matter of genetic inheritance. So if you have older family members that are thinning on top, chances are that it will affect you too. There are now various hair loss treatments available however, that can slow down the loss and improve the hair growth cycle.
It is estimated that around 50 per cent of men will be affected by male pattern baldness at some point in their lives. Scientists now think that it is caused by sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. This sensitivity affects the growth cycle of the hair resulting in the production of increasingly finer and fewer hairs.
Excessive hair loss can be a sign of illness. If you experience sudden hair loss, you should visit your doctor to discount illnesses such as alopecia, anemia, diabetes or lupus. Nutritional deficiency caused by extreme diets or eating disorders may also cause head hair to thin out and the quality of the hairs to be diminished. It has also been documented that a lack of protein in the diet or a problem with protein absorption can also cause hair loss.
Hair loss may also be associated with hormonal imbalances. Having an overactive or under active thyroid gland is well known for affecting the hair growth cycle. Having too much testosterone in the system can lead to loss of head hair and increased growth of facial and body hair and women with poly cystic ovary syndrome also tend to have problems with hair loss.
Unfortunately as wonderful and necessary as many medications are, there are some that have hair loss as potential side effects. Chemotherapy often results in extreme hair loss, but other medications such as Warfarin, Heparin, Xyloprim and Prozac can also cause hair loss. If you feel that your medication may be the cause of your hair loss you should talk to your prescribing doctor about your concerns.
Periods of great stress and anxiety are often the culprits for causing hair loss in otherwise fit and healthy adults. Often we do not even realize the amount of stress we are under and our bodies can retaliate under the pressure.
If you are concerned about hair loss you should consult your doctor. They will be able to determine the cause of your hair loss and offer possible treatment solutions. As with most things in life the earlier you seek a solution to your problem, the more likely you are to find an effective remedy. There are some hair loss products now that are proven excellent. Yet there are other more products that are very deceptive. So before taking any medication or engaging in a diet intended to prevent or cure hair loss, I strongly advise you to seek a medical professional’s assistance.
Further Reading:
- Hair Loss Prevention is Easier than People Think
- Causes of Hair Loss
- Causes Of Female Hair Loss
- Sudden Hair Loss Can Be a Sign to Step Back From Life
- What Are The Side Effects Of Rogaine?
