Hair loss is a very sad occurrence that is experienced by people both young and old. It has been a cause of great distress for people, mostly men, not only because it greatly affects one’s look negatively but also simply because it might be an indication of some well becoming issue lying underneath.
Kinds of Hair Loss
The manifestations of hair loss encompass a wide range of expression from mild thinning of the hair to the total loss of hair. While people normally shed hair every day, there are cases when the head sheds more than the usual amount of hair, and this results into balding. People experience different kinds of hair loss:
- Telogen effluvium - this usually happens during episodes of great body stress such as after a major operation, a long bout of sickness, or a serious infection. This type of hair loss occurs usually about two to three months of the stressful period and becomes evident by unusual amounts of hair in shower sink, a pillow, or on a comb.
- As a sign of a disease - loss of hair may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition like syphilis, lupus, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, vitamin and mineral deficiency, hormonal imbalance, and other illnesses.
- As a drug side impact - some medication can trigger temporary or permanent hair loss. Amongst drugs that are recognized to have hair loss as a side impact are amphetamines, warfarin, beta-blockers, lithium, heparin, levodopa, amongst numerous other people. Drugs utilized for cancer chemotherapy are also extremely recognized for their hair thinning effects.
- Traumatic alopecia - this is the technical term used to refer to hair loss due to blunt forces such us when using abusive hair styling techniques that subject the hair and scalp to pulling, tight braiding, extreme heat, and harmful chemicals.
- Tinea capitis - this is a fungal infection that occurs on the scalp. With this condition, hair breaks off from the surface of the scalp forming patches that lack hair. Kids are susceptible to this type of hair loss.
- Alopecia areata - this kind of hair loss is because of unknown causes. What specialists know is that the immune system fights the body itself causing follicles to weaken and hair to fall out. This could result into total hair loss, technically referred to as alopecia totalis.
- Androgenetic alopecia or hereditary pattern baldness - this is a type of hair loss usually skilled by men, running in families. This is brought on primarily by hereditary factors in conjunction with male hormones (e.g. testosterone) and aging. Women may also experience this type of hair loss, but it occurs rather rarely.
Manifestations of Hair Loss
A normal head loses around 50 to 100 hairs a day. Going beyond this range is a sign of abnormal hair loss. Most people discover hair loss when they see unusual amounts of hair on their brushes and clothing or in drains of their bathrooms.
To diagnose hair loss, a doctor, usually a dermatologist would examine a person’s medical history, nutritional profile, and hair styling habits. One may also be tested or fungal infection or other diseases.
Preventing Hair Loss
Doctors usually suggest getting a wholesome diet, decreasing tension, and proper hair care to stop hair loss. Doctors also steer clear of prescribing medication that may trigger hair loss for people who have evident tendencies of obtaining bald.
Treatment for Hair Loss
Hair loss may be treated based on the trigger of the condition. Drugs that cause hair loss ought to be discontinued. A healthy diet strategy and a relaxed way of life are prescribed for stress-related hair loss. Underlying diseases that trigger hair loss are to be treated accordingly. Some drugs that promote the growth of hair may also be prescribed for extreme instances of hair loss.
Hair loss can be a devastating portion of a person’s life regardless of how people say that it hair is just an indispensable component of the body. Knowing about hair loss is really an important step in stopping it from happening or stopping it from occurring.