Causes and how to prevent thinning hair and hair loss
Hair not only defines your facial features but it surely also projects the inner environment of the body. This means they will appear dull and thin if you are nutrient deficient or having disease. Thinning of hair and loss of hair does break off or gets uprooted easily. If you are experiencing such problem, then you should know the causes of thinning of your hair so that you can deal with the problem effectively.
PHYSICAL STRESS
Any kind of physical trauma – surgery, a car accident, or a severe illness, even the flu – can cause temporary hair loss. Hair has a programmed life cycle: a growth phase, rest phase and shedding phase. “When you have a very stressful event, it can shock the hair cycle, (pushing) more hair to the shedding phase,” explains Marc Glashofer, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. Hair loss often becomes noticeable three-to-six months after the trauma.
What you can do: The good news is that hair will start growing back as your body recovers.
PREGNANCY
Pregnancy is one example of physical strength that can cause hair loss (that and hormones). Pregnancy-related hair loss is seen more commonly after your baby has been delivered rather than actually during pregnancy. “Giving birth is pretty traumatic”, says Dr Glashofer.
What you can do: If you do experience hair loss, rest assured that your hair will grow back in a couple of months. “it is a normal thing and it will work its way out,” Dr Gloshofer says.
LACK OF PROTEIN
If you don’t get enough protein in your diet, your body may ration protein by shutting down hair growth, according to American Academic of Dermatology. This can happen two to three months after a drop in protein intake, they say.
What you can do: You can overcome this by increasing your protein intake. There are many great sources of protein, including fish, meat and egg.
HEREDITARY HAIR LOSS
Hair loss that is genetic is known as Androgenetic Alopecia and, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, is the most common cause of hair loss. The gene can be inherited from either your mother’s or father’s side of the family, though you are more likely to have it if both of your parents had hair loss.
What you can do: Slow the hair loss by applying Minoxidil (Rogaine) to the scalp twice a day. The drug works on both women, although women should use a lower-strength fomula to prevent unnecessary side effect. Women should not use Minoxidil if they are pregnant or nursing. Men may be treated with Finasteride (Propecia), an oral medication.
STRESS DUE TO EMOTION
Emotional stress is less likely to cause hair loss than physical stress, but it can happen, for instance, in the case of divorce, after the dead of a loved one, or while caring for an aging parent. More often, though, emotional stress won’t actually precipitate the hair loss. It will exacerbate a problem that is already there, says Dr Glashofer.
What you can do: Take steps to combat stress and anxiety, like getting more exercise, trying Talk therapy, or getting more support if you need it.
ANAEMIA
Women who have heavy period or people who don’t eat enough iron-rich foods, may be prone to iron deficiency, in which the blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen to cells throughout your body, giving you the energy you need.
What you can do: Eat iron-rich foods such as beef, pork, fish, leafy greens, fortified cereals, and beans preferably, along with fruits rich in vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption.
Hypothyrodism is the medical term for having an underactive thyroid gland. This little gland located in your neck produces hormones that are critical to metabolism as well as growth and development and, when it is not pumping out enough hormones, can contribute to hair loss. Your doctor can test to determine the real cause.
What you can do: Your hair will become normal once your thyroid level returns to normal.
DEFFICIENCY OF VITAMIN B
Although relatively uncommon in the years, low amount of Vitamin B is another correctible cause of hair loss like Anaemia, simple supplementation, should help the problem.
What you can do: Find natural Vitamin B in fish, meat, starchy vegetables, and non-citrus fruits. Keep in mind, eating a balance diet, plentiful in fruits and vegetables as well as lean protein and ‘good’ fats such as avocado and nuts will be good for your hair and your overall health.
ALOPECIA AERATA
This is an autoimmuned disorder in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles. It effects about 4.7million people in the United States and occurs equally in men and women. The cause is unknown, but it may be triggered by stress or illness.
What you can do: Alopecia Aerata is usually treated with intralesional Corticosteroids, Dr Fusce says in some cases, Minoxidil (Rogaine) may also help. Its also important to reduce stress.
LUPUS
Lupus is a chronic autoimmuned disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks healthy tissues. The condition affects about 1.5 million people and tends to strike women during their child bearing years.
What you can do: See a Rheumatologist if your hair loss is accompanied by joint pain, fatigue, and other symptoms of glucose, which is treated with oral medical ions such as Prednisone. If you also have rash on the scalp, you need to see a dermatologist who is likely to prescribe a topical cream.
WEIGHT LOSS
Sudden weight loss is a loss of form of physical trauma that can result in thinning hair. This could happen even if the weight loss is ultimately good for you it is possible that weight loss itself is stressing your body not eating can result in vitamins or mineral deficiencies. Loss hair along with noticeable weight loss may also be a sign of an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.
What you can do: Sudden weight loss seems to shock the system and you will have a six month’s period of hair and then if you continue to eat healthy, it corrects itself.
CHEMOTHERAPY
Some of the drugs used to beat black cancer unfortunately can alaso cause your hair to fall out. “chemotherapy is like a nuclear bomb,” says Dr Glashofer. “It destroys rapidly dividing cells. That means cancer cells, but also rapidly dividing cells like hair.
What you can do: Once Chemotherapy is stopped, your hair will go back although often, it will come back with a different texture (perhaps curly when before, it was straight) or a different colour. Researchers are working on more targeted drugs to treat cancer, ones that would bypass this and id
POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME
As many as 5 million in the United States suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The condition, which can begin as early as age 11, is caused by a hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries produce too many male hormones. PCOS often causes infertility.
What you can do: Most cases of PCOS are treated with birth control pills such as Yasmin, which contains a potent anti-androgen that blocks testosterone. If you can’t use birth control pills, your doctor may prescribe spironolactone (Aldactone) which also blocks male hormones. Losing weight can also help by decreasing the effect of the male hormones.
DRUGS
Some which act as blood pressure medicines are known as beta blockers. A few examples are Methotrexate, used for rheumatic conditions and skin conditions; Lithium for bipolar disorder; nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory Drugs NSAIDS including ibuprofen.
What you can do: if you are having hair loss after taking these medications then you can talk to your doctor for changing the drugs.
STYLING
Too much shampooing styling and dyeing, can harm your tresses. Heat and chemical weaken the hair causing it to break and fall out. Often it is a combination of treatments keratin, coloring, and blow-drying for instance that does the damage.
What you can do: Avoid using appliances that overheat your hair. Set your hair dryer on cool and low settings, and immunize your use of flat irons. Don’t dye your hair more than one or two shades its normal color. The severe the color change, the more chemicals you require, which can make hair break. If you use hair gel or hair spray, don’t wait for it to dry before you comb through it, because the hair will harden and more likely to break.
TRICHOTILLOMANIA
Trichotillomania, classified as an “impulse control disorder,” causes people to compulsorily pull their hair out. “It’s sort of like a tic, the person is constantly playing and pulling the hair,” says Dr Glashofer. Actually, this constant playing and pulling can actually strip your head of its natural protection hair. Tricholitillomania often begins before the age of 17 and is four times as common in women as is with men.
What you can do: Some antidepressants may be effective, but behavioral modification therapy is another option.
Hairfear - 02-28-2016
