Hair Loss: Find the Root of the Problem | Balkan Health Writers

Posted on Mar 14, 2013 in Mens Health

Hair loss is a perfectly natural process and affects up to 50% of men above the age of 40 and even a significant proportion of women. However, hair loss can still cause distress for many men, affecting confidence and body image. Hair loss can start as early as the latter stages of a man?s teenage years, but for most it occurs around their late twenties and early thirties.

We naturally lose around 50-100 hairs every day, but that is no cause for concern. However, if you noticed an increased rate of hair loss it can be down to a number of factors. Here are the main types of hair loss and the causes.

Rapid Hair Loss

Sudden or rapid hair loss is most commonly a result of Telogen Effluvium, a scalp disorder. A significant event can trigger this hair loss, as it causes a shock to your body. Rapid hair loss often occurs around three months after the event due to acceleration in your hair?s lifespan.

Normally your hairs have a three month resting phase after three years of growth, in which hair roots naturally shrivel and fall out. A traumatic event can cause a 30-40% acceleration of your hairs to enter this resting phase, thus resulting in rapid hair loss.

Have you been experiencing hair loss? Well fear no more, as this simple guide will help you to get to the bottom of the problem.
CC image courtesy of malehmann

Events that can trigger Telogen Effluvium typically include: stress, childbirth, surgery, weight loss, or a fever. You should not have to worry though has hair should grow back within 6-12 months. However, hair re-growth can sometimes take years and if you have any concerns you should consult a doctor, especially if the hair loss is unexplained.

Gradual Hair Loss

Thinning

Gradual thinning of the hair or a receding hair line may be a case of male/female pattern baldness. It is a genetic condition that can be passed down from either one of your parents. The pattern baldness is caused by hair follicles that are exposed to too much of the hormone dihydrotestosterone. This results in the shrinking and thinning of hair.

Nowadays you can choose from a variety of hair loss treatments, with medication and tablets that help prevent hair loss and aid re-growth by decreasing the levels of dihydrotestosterone in the blood and stimulate circulation to the scalp.

Bald Patches

Commonly affecting teenagers and young adults, small completely bald patches are usually cases of alopecia. Alopecia is a case of the immune system failing to recognise hair follicles as part of the body and instead attacking them, which results in hair loss. The damage is not permanent and they should grow back within a year.

Various creams and steroid injections can be used to treat alopecia.

Traction Hair Loss

Localised hair loss is a form of traction alopecia. Tight pony tails or braids can put too much pressure on hairs and result in them falling out. This is easily treatable as changing hair style will avoid any permanent damage.

Scaly Patches

Commonly affecting those of African descent and children; a scaly patch on the scalp is often the result of a fungal infection named Tinea Capitis.

The infection can be treated by oral antifungal tablets that clear the infection to let hair re-grow. The cause can come from sharing hats and hair brushes.

Still Can?t Find the Root of Your Problem?

If you find trouble finding any explanation for the cause of your hair loss you should consult a doctor. Or if you have exhausted all of your options there are still other treatments available to you such as surgical hair restoration or transplants and scalp reduction. You can also use hairpieces and artificial hair that can be woven into your skull.

Had any troubles with hair loss? Which hair loss treatments did you find effective?

About Gavin Harvey

Gavin Harvey is a personal trainer with a passion for all things related to health and fitness. When he's not in the gym he's busy planning his next trip around the world.

Source: http://balkanwriters.com/hair-loss-find-the-root-of-the-problem/

nfl mock draft project m colts colts big ten tournament 2012 dennis quaid bruce weber fired