Thursday, June 19, 2008

Possible Causes of Hair Loss Revealed

By Christopher Bell

Causes for the loss hair in an individual are the main reasons for the investigation by the health experts because the hair loss has been found at an increase rate day after day. Hair loss makes a great effect on the social life of an individual and is rising as the matter that needs to be considered seriously. Adding to it, almost any dangerous disease now involves with some hair loss and this phenomenon draws the attention of the professional to it. It is most common that women are more affiliated with the hair issues, but hair loss seems to occur in both women and men almost at the same rate. However, the difference can be observed in the patterns I which they occur in men and women. Alopecia is considered as the general term for the 'hair loss' and the various sub-types of alopecia are recorded based on the primary cause behind the kind of that particular hair loss.

Before going much deeper into the concept, it is very important to obtain a preliminary idea on hair loss. Normally the scalp is counted to have approximately 1,000,000 follicles of hair which slightly varies according to the ethnicity. Hairs tend to fall down at a rate of 50-100 per day and this is considered 'normal' in the loss of hair. The issue is considered 'problematic' only if the rate of hair loss has accounted to affect 50% of the hair. Androgenetic Alopecia is the general form of hair loss popularly termed as baldness. Hair loss of this particular pattern is known to be as the result of several genetic reasons.

In addition to the hereditary reasons, there are several physiological changes that attribute to the hair loss. Diseases such as Erythroderma, Vitiligo, Systemic Lupus erthematosus, Roselli-Gulienetti Syndrome, Addison's disease and Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL) affects the growth of hair and results in its loss. Imbalance in the hormones also causes hair loss in addition to the fluctuations of the hormones in the bosy like the menopause and child birth. Diseases like AIDS, SLE, autoimmune diseases and iron deficiency anemia also can result in the loss of hair. Loss of hair in response to any such external and internal stress factors are termed as telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium type of hair loss can also be resulted because of the intense mental stress and other psychological disorders. Anagen effluvium type of hair loss is caused because of the toxicity for the scalp tissues as after effect of the intake of certain medications or poisoning. The medications for the diseases such as arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, high blood pressure, and depression have shown hair loss effects. Cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy or intoxication can also result in hair loss. The fungal infections in scalp can also be a probable reason for hair loss. Alopecia areata, the hair losses in patches, can be mainly due to any such infection. Other skin diseases such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis can also be some causes of hair loss.

Few of the remarkable conditions of hair loss are trichotillomania and traction alopecia, in which the hair loss is resulted due to the voluntary action of an individual. Apart from these conditions, strain and chemical treatments to the hair can affect the hair adversely, resulting in the loss of hair. The modern diet pattern is the other vital reason for the loss of hair. Hair needs minerals and proteins such as zinc, selenium in order to grow healthily. Diet supplements can't supply minerals or food that is rich in protein and their insufficient proportions can lead to hair weakening and ultimately results in the loss of hair. At the same time, excess supply of vitamin A also causes 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.

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