Causes of Hair Loss - Could This Be You?
Causes for the loss of hair appear to be the major driving force of investigation to the health professionals because of the increase in the hair loss rate every day. The effect that the hair loss in the social life of a person poses as a serious matter that needs to be attended as soon as possible. In addition to that many experts consider hair loss poses as a symptom to any dreadful disease. Though the hair issues are associated more with the women, the hair loss in both men and women occur approximately in the same rate. But it is the pattern in which the hair loss occurs in them that differs. The general term used for hair loss is Alopecia and various sub-kinds of Alopecia are noticed depending mainly on the basic cause of that hair loss.
Before entering to the depth of hair loss, a preliminary idea about hair loss is essential. Normally the scalp has 1,000,000 hair follicles, which slightly differ according to the races. The loss of 50-100 hairs daily is reviewed as normal, and hair loss has to be considered as a disorder only if it affects 50% of the hair. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss, which is popularly referred as baldness. The particular pattern of hair loss is mainly reviewed as a result of genetic reasons.
Apart from hereditary reasons, many physiological changes can also attribute the loss of hair. Many diseases such as Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), Addison’s disease, Rosselli-Gulienetti syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, vitiligo and erythroderma will affect the hair growth and result hair loss. The hormone imbalance also causes hair loss and endocrine disorders such as thyroid disorder and pituitary disorder will badly affect the hair. Also, the ladies will experience hair loss along with the situations of hormone fluctuations in the body such as child birth and menopause. The other diseases such as iron deficiency anemia, autoimmune diseases, SLE, and AIDS, also may result the hair loss. The hair loss due to any of such internal and external stress factors are generalized and called as telogen effluvium.
Telogen effluvium is a kind of hair loss that can also occur due to the immense mental stress and various psychological disorders. The Anagen effluvium kind of hair loss can appears due to the toxicity of tissues in the scalp after the intake of poison or some specific medication. Medications for diseases such as depression, high blood pressure, gout, heart problems and arthritis have shown their effect on hair loss. Treatment of cancer, particularly intoxication or chemotherapy also can cause hair loss. Fungal infection in the hair loss can also result in the hair loss. Probably the loss of hair in patches, generally termed as Alopecia areata, might be the reason to such infection. Several other skin infections such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema can even be the reasons for the loss of hair.
Some of the remarkable hair loss conditions are traction alopecia and richotillomania, in which the voluntary action of the person will result hair loss. In addition to these conditions, the chemical treatments, and strain to the hair will also adversely affect the hair and result hair loss. The modern diet modification is another important reason for the hair loss. Hair requires protein and minerals such as iron, selenium and zinc for the proper growth of the hair. The diet supplements may not supply a high protein food or minerals for growth and its deficiency will lead to the weakening of the hair and ultimately hair loss. But, the over supply of certain nutrients such as Vitamin A will also cause hair loss.
The other life style factors such as work in strenuous conditions such as in intense sunlight and dust can also affect the health of the hair. The busy life schedule may contribute to hair loss, as time will not be sufficient for proper maintenance of hair. To add on, some of the prevailing myths about hair care such as brushing 100 times a hair can only cause hair loss. Hair loss can be caused by many reasons; however, a disease free condition, healthy diet and proper maintenance can help to prevent much of the causes. But, expert advice must be asked to determine whether hair loss is caused because of the presence of dihydrotestosterone, a biochemical that initiate hair loss.
