Hair loss is a common concern in our society today. A full and healthy head of hair is closely associated with youth, vitality, and virility. Usually, baldness is an embarrassing and humiliating condition that most of us wish to avoid.
It is normal to lose between 50 to 150 hairs per day. Our hair goes through a natural cycle of growth that lasts from 2-6 years depending on individual body chemistry. At the end of the hair’s life cycle, it falls out and the follicle grows a new one.
However, sometimes hair loss exceeds regrowth. This can have many causes, some of which are easily reversed.
Disease
Certain diseases, especially endocrine diseases can cause hair loss.
- Some common examples are uncontrolled diabetes, lupus, polycystic ovary disease, and kidney, liver or thyroid diseases. Usually, if these diseases are controlled or cured, hair growth will return to normal.
- Colds, the flu, and surgery can stress the body to the point where hair loss occurs, but usually this problem will go away with time.
- Bacterial or fungal scalp infections can also cause hair loss, but these can be cured and normal hair growth will return.
Poor Nutrition
The body requires certain essential nutrients to properly function. This applies to hair as well. Hair is made of keratin, the same thing that your fingernails are made of. The body requires a certain amount of iron and protein to produce healthy amounts of keratin. If your diet is deficient in these vital nutrients, you may experience hair loss. In order to nutritionally support healthy hair growth, you should:
- Eat a balanced diet with enough protein and iron
- Avoid dangerous crash or fad diets
- If you have an eating disorder, seek treatment
- Take a multivitamin (Vita-Male or Vita-Female are high quality natural supplements)
Medications
Certain medications can cause hair loss. For example, some medications that are prescribed to treat the following diseases may cause hair loss:
- Depression
- Gout
- Arthritis
- Heart problems
- Hypertension/high blood pressure
- Birth control pills may cause hair loss in some women
If you are experiencing hair loss, talk to your health practitioner. It might be possible to change your medication in order to reduce hair loss.
Cosmetic Hair Treatments
Certain cosmetic procedures can damage hair or the scalp and cause hair loss, for example:
- Bleaching
- Permanents
- Straightening
- Dyeing
- Tinting
- Hairstyles that are too tight
Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Some women experience a change in hair thickness during pregnancy. This is due to hormones. Often during pregnancy, fewer hairs are shed, making hair seem thicker. A few months after childbirth, this excess hair is lost. Although it might seem like you are losing more hair than normal, your hair is just returning to its pre-pregnancy state.
- It is not necessary to use any hair treatments during or after pregnancy to correct hair loss as this condition usually normalizes on its own.
Medical Treatments
Some medical treatments can cause hair loss. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancers often cause hair loss, but hair usually regrows after the treatment is finished.
Common Baldness
Some hair loss is simply genetic. Men and women can both experience baldness due to genetics, which is called androgenetic alopecia.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/men/general/081.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278/DSECTION=3
