Hair loss and thinning of the hair is a common problem, which not only occurs in men, but also in women. As you age it is natural for hair to become thinner and even fall out, however, sometimes age is not the only factor that causes a person to lose their hair, as children can too experience hair loss.
There are many causes of hair loss and they affect different people in different ways.
Women’s hair tends to thin, due to the fact that the hair follicles at the root begin to shutdown and stop functioning entirely. This causes the hair to stop growing and results in thinning. In men, their hair tends to bald entirely rather than thinning. Baldness in men begins and occurs most primarily in the crown area of the hair. In children, thinning of the hair and baldness can occur.
Although the end result is the same, the causes of hair loss often differ greatly between those who are experiencing it. Hair loss can be caused by many different factors, most of which are out of the person’s control. However, once you have discovered the cause behind your hair loss, you can begin to figure out how to treat it or how to deal with it.
#1: Androgenic Alopecia
Androgenic Alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, is the most common type of hair loss. Androgenic Alopecia causes male pattern baldness, and it is a predisposed condition that is caused by genetics. Generally speaking, men are susceptible to this condition from as early as when they are in their 20s, or even late teens.
Androgenic Alopecia occurs when hair follicles develop sensitivity to a particular type of hormone in the body called androgen. Androgen hormones are a natural part of the body’s functions, but some for some people their hair follicles are particularly sensitive to these androgens, and this causes baldness and thinning of the hair. In men, the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone is the main cause of balding. Dihydrotestosterone is present in both men and women. In women it is found in the ovaries and glands, whereas with men it is found in the testicles and glands. Dihydrotestosterone only causes men to lose their hair.
#2 Stress
Stress is another relatively common cause of hair loss. Stress is a problem that many people deal with on a day-to-day basis. Over time this build up of stress can lead to health problems, such as hair loss. Many doctors, including Dr. Hall-Flavin from the Mayo Clinic states that stress can indeed cause hair loss. It is important to note that hair loss is not directly caused by the stress itself, but rather the hormonal imbalances brought on by stress. These hormonal imbalances cause changes in the body, which can result in hair loss. There are two main types of hair loss that can be attributed to stress;
* Telogen effluvium: This is a condition that affects the scalp, causing the hair to shed. Telogen effluvium is when the amount of hair follicles producing new hair reduces significantly over a relatively short period of time, and it is a result of hormonal stress. The hair eventually grows back in around six months.
* Alopecia areata: This is a more severe type of hair loss that results from stress. Alopecia areata occurs when a person is under stress and its own immune system attacks healthy cells. This causes the hair to fall out in patches, and often it does not just cause the hair on the head to fall out, but rather the hair all over the body.
#3 Trichotillomania
Many physical aspects, such as illness, cause hair loss but, as is the case with stress, hair loss can also be caused by psychological factors. Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder, which causes a person to impulsively remove his or her own hair. People who have Trichotillomania will feel an overriding impulse to pull out the hair on their scalp, eyelashes and eyebrows. They will derive satisfaction from the act of removing the hair, but they will feel anxious if they don’t remove the hair.
People with Trichotillomania will often be seen playing with their hair, chewing on their hair, twisting their hair, examining the roots of their hair and they will have noticeable bald patches from where the hair has been pulled out. Trichotillomania is characterized as an impulse control disorder, meaning that it is a psychological problem at its core. This means that a doctor will likely refer a person who has Trichotillomania to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further evaluation and treatment.
#4 Medical Conditions
Aside from genetic conditions, stress and psychological disorders, many other medical conditions can also cause hair loss. Conditions that aren’t associated with hair loss can actually contribute to it. Firstly, diabetes can cause hair to thin in some cases. As diabetes is a hormonal illness, it can have an effect on hair, however, once a good diabetes treatment plan is in place it should settle down.
Secondly, low testosterone levels can also cause hair loss, as again it is hormonal. Hormonal changes have a large affect on hair loss. Thirdly, autoimmune illnesses, such as lupus and androgenic alopecia, can also cause hair to thin or fall out. This is due to the fact that autoimmune problems cause the body to attack its own good cells, including the ones on the scalp.
Additionally, illness such as polycystic ovary syndrome, which is often found in teenage girls, can cause hair loss. This occurs because of the hormonal imbalance brought on by the illness. Problems such as kidney disease and liver disease can also contribute to hair loss. Hair can also thin or fall out as the result of medical treatment for diseases, the most severe of which is chemotherapy treatment. Other less severe treatments can also contribute to hair loss, such as acne treatment and treatment for depression.
#5 Nutrient Deficiency
People who do not eat a good balanced diet containing the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fats will experience nutrient deficiencies. Many people eat diets high in bad fats, such as trans fats and saturated fats, sugar, and bad LDL cholesterol. This means that they are not getting sufficient nutritional benefits from their food, which causes lack of blood flow to the scalp and damage to the hair follicles.
Hair Loss Treatment
Although some people are genetically predisposed to hair loss, many hair loss problems can be reversed with the right treatment.
Currently, there are only two FDA approved remedy for hair loss: Minoxidil (Rogaine) and Finasteride (Propecia). Even these do not work for everyone: less than 36% of the men felt that the treatment worked after 2 years of continued use based on a study done in the 1980s.
Furthermore, the plethora of side effects and complications involved discouraged these men from recommending them. Side effects include: Impotence, low libido, erectile dysfunction and more serious and rare kidney/liver complications.
A safer alternative is to exercise daily and to have a healthy diet full of raw greens and fruits. Avoid processed foods. Combine this with a natural shampoo without sulfates, harsh chemicals and preservatives.
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