CAUSES OF HAIRFALL & BALDING

By Marlyn Kragh

 

 

 

1. Hereditary/Genetics
       Androgenetic alopecia is caused by genetic and environmental factors. If anyone in your family has suffered

       alopecia, there are high chances that you will lose hair too. In women androgenetic alopecia doesn’t cause total

       baldness but there is visible hair thinning.

 

       DID YOU KNOW THAT MEN's HAIRLOSS? comes from the mother’s side of the family.

       The truth is that baldness can be inherited from either parent. However, factors on the x-chromosome

       have been shown to influence hair loss, making the inheritance from the maternal side of the family slightly

       more important than the paternal one. And things that interfere during the Hair growth cycle like medication,

       illness (autoimmune disease or Thyroid problem), infection, or chemicals have the potential to stop hair from

       being formed properly.

 

       "It’s a very dynamic place and anything that can get the cycle off can cause hair loss,”

                                 Wendy Roberts, MD, (WebMD-FEATURE says.

 

       Although hair loss may seem like a more prominent problem in men, women are nearly as likely to lose,

       or have thinning, hair. Most women notice it in their 50s or 60s, but it can happen at any age and for a

       variety of reasons.

 

2. Aging
       The hair needs 22 amino acids to grow. Due to lack of amino acids from the diet the hair appears thin.

       As we age hair starts thinning, this because the body’s capacity to absorb nutrients decrease. 
       However you can prevent the hair fall due to aging. You need to have soy beans, lean meat, dairy products,

       fish, eggs and nuts. You can also have fish oil tablets or supplements which is rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

 

3. Hormonal Changes
       Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone are the active hormones in a woman’s body. Hormones regulate

       all the organs in the body. Hair fall or alopecia happens due to the fluctuation of hormone levels.

       Female baldness occurs when the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels increase in the scalp.
       The dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a byproduct of testosterone and it is produced in the follicles where

       enzymes convert testosterone into DHT. Sometimes genes are responsible in converting testosterone into

       DHT readily leading to baldness. Also when levels of female hormones decrease the male hormones become

       active leading to hair fall. Also progesterone that is secreted in the body during ovulation decreases during

       menopause. The body produces adrenal cortical steroid called androstenedione. This steroid has male

       hormonal qualities that cause hair fall.

 

4. Stress

       Hair fall is caused due to stress.

       There are three types of hair fall that are associated with stress. They are:

        • Telogen Effluvium- Stress pushes the hair follicles into arresting phase. After a few days you will noticehair fall.
        • Trichotillomania- This is an irrestible urge to pull out hair from the head and eyebrows.

           Hair pulling can be triggered by emotions like stress, tension, loneliness, boredom and frustration.

        • Alopecia Areata- This type of hair loss is triggered by severe stress.

           Stress weakens body’s immune system and causes hair fall.

 

       However, hair fall caused due to stress is not permanent and it can be controlled. Just practice

       meditation or yoga to de-stress. Taking deep breaths and drinking water helps.

5. Pregnancy
       Giving birth is quite scary for most women, in addition if you are losing bunches of hair it adds to the

       depression. It happens after the baby is delivered and hormonal changes are the main reason.

 

6. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
       Excess of androgens cause ovarian cysts and affects your menstrual cycle which is another case of hormonal

       imbalance that leads to hair fall.

 

7.Chronic &  Prolonged Illness
       Chronic and deadly diseases like cancer, typhoid and jaundice can trigger hair loss.Cancer medicines and

       chemotherapy cause severe hair loss. Beautiful hair is a reflection of good health, so if there is any problem

       with your general health it reflects on your skin and hair.

 

8. Lack of Proper Nutrition

       For the hair to grow you need to have proteins and iron along with essential vitamins. Hair is made up of a

       protein called Keratin Ninety Percent of the hair is always in a growing phase, it takes two to three years for

       the hair to grow and then it enters a resting phase of three months. After that hair sheds and new hair takes

       its place. So to allow the hair growth you need the right blend of protein and iron. A balanced diet will surely

       give you healthy hair.

 

9. Medications
       Hair fall happens if you take drugs on a regular basis, but this kind of hair fall is usually temporary.

       If you have to take medicines for a chronic disease the hair fall becomes a long term problem. Medicines for

       glaucoma or beta-blocker drugs, asthma, heart disease, anti-coagulants, anti-depressants, acne medicine like

       Isotretinoin, anti convulsants, cholesterol lowering drugs, diet and weight loss drugs like Amphetamines,

       anti-fungal medicine cause hair fall. Also drugs or steroids given to reduce muscle cramps, high blood pressure,

       gout and inflammation trigger hair fall. If you are having any hormonal pill like birth control pills it can cause

       hair fall.

10. Thyroid Disorders
       Men or Women with Hypothyroid and Hyperthyroidism lose hair. However, it can be treated by doing a proper

       evaluation and try to analyze the type of hair loss one is having Endocrinologist. You need to give the hormones

       some time to stabilize. 

11. Fungal Disease or Infections

       Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes alopecia. The condition is called ‘tinea capitis,’ ringworm is same as

       athlete’s foot. The ringworm starts as a pimple like lesion and it slowly spreads causing a bald patch.

       The affected area is itchy, red, inflamed and it may ooze. At times some fungal infections disappear on its own.

       Stubborn fungus can be treated by: Microsporum Audouinii, Trychophyton Tonsorans and Microsporum

       Gypseum you need strong anti-fungal medicines. Most common anti-fungal drug is Griseofulvin.

       Other anti-fungal drugs like Terbinafine, Itraconazole and Fluconazole can be prescribed. You can get fungal

       infection if you’re a regular at swimming clubs, common showers is the place you can probably get these fungal

       infections. Never share towels, combs and clothes.

 

12. Chemical used in Hairstyling 

       Chemical treatments like straightening, coloring, perming and rebonding can destroy the hair texture.

       Also using straightening rods and curlers cause strain to the hair and leads to hair breakage and split ends.

       Also using tight rubber bands and hair accessories can cause hair fall. Never tie a high ponytail, keep it loose

       and simple, you will still look pretty.

13. Excessive Vitamin A Intake

       One should have only 5,000 International Units of Vitamin A.

       According to American Academy of Dermatology hair fall is caused due to overdosing on Vitamin A.

       However this hair fall is temporary and can be corrected by reducing the Vitamin A intake.

 

14. Vitamin B Deficiency

       You just need to correct your diet: by having fish, meat, starchy vegetables, nuts and avocado

       can solve your hair woes. You can snack on nuts to get good hair. This problem of hair fall can be corrected.

       You can take a good brand of B-complex vitamin -supplement.

 

15. Autoimmune Disease, Lupus Cause Hair Fall

       Lupus cause ‘scarring’, this means the hair will not grow back. One might nee to change one’s hair style to

       camouflage the bald patches. Short is better for camouflaging the baldness.

16. Unnatural Weight Loss
       Eating disorders that induced physical trauma like Bulimia and Anorexia cause hair fall. So eating right to

       reduce chances of deficiencies is very important if you want your hair to shine with a healthy glow.

       If hair fall is persistent, it is always best to contact a dermatologist and get his advice. He will probably give

       medicines like Minoxidil, Finasteride and Dutasteride to stimulate hair growth. Hair fall might start from a

       section creating a bald patch; this is commonly called alopecia areata.

 

 

 

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Would be happy to be of help if you have the signs of unhealthy and start losing your precious hair!