Male Pattern Hair Loss And Its Causes
Men suffer from baldness at all ages. More than one quarter of men in their 20′s and 2/3rd of all men who have crossed the age of 60 suffer from hair loss. Men are affected socially as well as psychologically by hair loss. Baldness is a result of damaged or shrunken hair follicles. On an average , one follicle lives for about 5 years, out of which 4 years are spent growing. Testosterone is a hormone which is present in males. An enzyme 5 alpha reductase converts it in to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The follicles are affected adversely and the growth is slowed down, which leads to hair loss. The hair follicles are damaged and they are not replaced with new ones. Male pattern baldness is slow but irreversible in the later stages.
The Most common causes of hair loss in man
There are many factors, which cause excessive hair loss. Hormonal problems cause hair loss. Hair loss occurs when the thyroid gland is under active or overactive.
Genetics – Male pattern hair loss is caused by genetics in most cases. The genetics can pass on to you from one or both of your parents.
Drugs – Some medications also cause hair loss. This kind of hair loss can stop, when you discontinue those medicines. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners and medicines used for treating gout, high blood pressure, or heart problems, are known to cause hair loss.
Disease – Hair loss can be caused by certain diseases, but this happens rarely. If you think that a medication which you are taking is causing hair loss, then contact your doctor and take expert advice.
Stress – Many men testify stress as a cause of hair loss. It is healthy to maintain a good work life balance and reduce stress levels. You may also see a difference in your overall health.
Infections – Infections may cause hair loss amongst children. Hair loss may occur because of some major chronic illness, such as lupus or diabetes. If you experience hair loss, it is best to visit a doctor and get your problem diagnosed as soon as possible.
Types of medication for hair loss
If the cause of hair loss is stress or some type of medication, it will stop when its cause ends. But in case of hair loss due to infection, you may need oral antibiotics or antifungals to treat it. You can treat
Alopecia areata with injections such as triamcinolone into the affected area. The earlier you are in treating hair loss, the more successful you will be. You can also rub Rogaine directly on your scalp or use Propecia, a prescription hair loss medicine for men. Propecia is an oral drug, used for Hair loss treatment in men. It is an FDA approved drug. It blocks the conversion of testosterone in to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Side effect of medication for hair loss
- Decrease in sexual desire
- Anxiety and depression
- Problems with erection
- Decrease in semen volume ejaculated
Primary Causes of Hair Loss
Hair loss is a common phenomenon. It is not limited to any particular race or culture; rather it is more of a universal problem. Mild hair loss is not that obnoxious, but excessive hair loss may require proper medical attention. There are various causes of hair loss and several factors may actually contribute to excessive hair loss. Let us explore some of them here in this article.
Heredity
Heredity factors can be a real cause of hair loss problem. The most common of all types of hair loss problems is Androgenetic alopecia, which refers to the predisposition of baldness. However, the role of heredity in hair loss is not simple. The genetic propensity along with the prevalence of androgen hormone and ageing plays the significant role in developing baldness.
Major Illness
Major illnesses such as typhoid, malaria can result in excessive hair loss. If someone undergoes through chemotherapy, it results in tremendous hair loss, and in most of the cases, it is incurable also. Apart from that, surgical intervention can be considered as one of the major causes of hair loss. A temporary condition for hair loss may be induced due to stressors experienced at the time of illness.
Hormonal Dysfunction
Dysfunctions associated with hormones may play major role in premature hair loss. Many of the important hormones are secreted from thyroid gland. Individuals having hyperactive or less active thyroid gland may experience hair loss problems. This type of hair loss problem can be solved with thyroid treatment. The imbalance occurred in sex hormones, androgens and estrogens, is believed to be one of the main causes of hair loss. Many women experience hair loss problems during pregnancy as well as prior and post delivery stages. It all occurs due to hormonal imbalance within the body system.
Medication
There are certain medicines that may promote hair loss. However, in most of the cases, this is temporary. When you stop taking particular medications promoting hair loss, the problem alleviates. Blood thinners or anticoagulants, gout medicines, chemotherapy, steroids, interferon, excessive amount of vitamin A, birth control pills and antidepressants are the medications which are considered as the causes of hair loss.
Psychological Factors
Stress is a significant factor that promotes hair loss. Studies reveal if someone is not experiencing any apparent factors that may contribute to hair loss, but is undergoing through stress, he or she may experience hair loss problems. Essentially, stress is related to two types of hair loss problems – Telogen effluvium and Alopecia areata. Apart from that, psychological dysfunction may contribute to hair loss such as trichotillomania.
Infection
Different types of fungal infections can be the causes of hair loss. Especially in children, it is quite common to see hair loss problems due to fungal infection on the scalp area. However, this type of fungal infection can be treated using antifungal medications.
Internal Health Hazards
The diseases like lupus or diabetes may cause hair loss problems. In these cases, hair loss is considered as one of the early warning signs of the diseases. So if you are loosing your hair without any apparent reason, it is always advisable that you must not neglect the situation and immediately ask for guidance from expert health practitioners.
Improper Hair Care
Last but not the least, improper hair care can contribute to major hair loss, hence it can be considered as one of the main causes of hair loss. If you tie your wet hair or pull your hair with tight hair rollers, you may experience traction alopecia, a type of hair loss. If you stop pulling your hair before it is too late and prior developing any scar on the scalp area, it has the possibility that your hair may grow back naturally. However, if you develop scar, it has a high chance that you loss your hair on the scarred area forever. Chemical treatment associated with permanents, also known as ‘perms’, may cause to severe hair loss for some people, leading to experience scarring and inflammation on the affected areas.
Dr John Anne is an herbal specialist with years of experience and extensive research on herbs and alternative health. If you are looking for more information, read about Hair Loss Causes, Man Hair Loss Causes and http://www.ayurvediccure.com/hair-loss/female-hair-loss-treatment.html Also participate in Health Q& A where you can get your answer and solutions from thousands of members in few minutes.
Author: Dr John Anne
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Hair Loss Remedy – Easy and Effective Herbal Treatments
A healthy body has healthy beautiful hair. Our hair is a reflection of our health.
At any given time, about 90 percent of the hair on the scalp is in its growing phase. This growing phase lasts for 2 to 6 years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimetre per month during this phase. The rest, 10 % are in their resting phase. After 2 to 3 months, the resting hair falls out and new hair starts to grow in its place. It is normal to shed some hair each day as part of this cycle. However, some people may experience excessive hair loss, if more hairs enter the resting phase.
Some facts you need to know about hair loss:
o It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs from the head each day.
o Frequent shampooing does not lead to hair loss.
o Hats and wigs do not cause hair loss.
o The famous 100 strokes of the hair brush daily does not lead to healthy hair, but it definitely does improve blood circulation to the hair follicles.
o Cosmetic products do not cause the hair to grow thicker and faster.
o Some hairstyles, like braiding, tight ponytails can cause hair loss.
o Blow-drying can worsen hair loss.
o Scalp hair grows at a rate of about 1 cm a month.
o Each hair on the head grows for about 3-6 years before being shed.
What are the causes of hair loss?
- Stress – hair loss is temporary, but can trigger off a genetic hair loss in many people.
- Extensive use of birth control pills by women.
- Hormonal problems – Hair loss may also occur if male hormones (androgens) and the female hormones (estrogens) are imbalanced.
- Post delivery hormonal changes: Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they’ve had a baby. This loss is also related to hormones.
- Nutritional deficiencies: A diet deficient in nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc deficiency is a main cause of falling hair. Excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol; and fried, oily, spicy, sour foods can reduce the nutrients reaching the hair follicles and may lead to hair loss.
- Drugs and medicines such as anticoagulants, chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer and antidepressants.
- Hereditary
- Infections of the scalp: Fungal infections of the scalp such as ringworm, or a sexually transmitted disease such as Treponema pallidum can cause hair loss.
- Any underlying disease: such as lupus, lichen planus or diabetes.
- Age: Hair loss is a common symptom of the ageing process. The age of onset varies from one individual to another.
- Physical and emotional stress
Is there any treatment for hair loss?
Depending on the type of hair loss, treatments are available. If the hair loss is drug related, the doctor might change the medication. Correct diagnosis along with treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance may also prevent further hair loss.
Treatment of hair loss -
- If loss of hair is due to a temporary situation such as drugs or deficiency of serum, iron, it will stop when the cause ends.
- Hair loss due to infection may require oral antibiotics or drug treatment.
- Finasteride is a prescription medication that is prescribed only for men.
- Well-chosen hairstyles often hide thinning hair and hair loss effectively. Wigs are recommended if hair loss is severe.
- Hair transplantation, hair weaving and hair bonding has improved dramatically over the last several years. If done meticulously, the result is extremely natural appearing.
Some tips for beautiful lustrous hair:
o The key to beautiful hair is a clean scalp. Gently rub lemon juice all over the scalp and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse off. This treatment ensures dandruff free and absolutely clean hair.
o Include a lot of calcium in diet, through dairy products, sesame seeds, figs.
o A mixture of an equal quantity of fresh amla juice and lime juice, used as a shampoo also stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss.
o Avoid strong shampoos and conditioners. Also avoid exposing hair to harsh weather such as wind or sunlight for long duration.
o Home made shampoo – Soak equal amounts of dried shikakai, amla and reetha powder in some water, preferably in an iron vessel. Next day, use it to wash hair. This promotes hair growth as well as cures dandruff.
o For dry hair, increase the intake of polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower oil, margarine and eat food rich in Vitamin B like pulses, brown rice, bananas etc.
o Regularly wash hair with Fuller’s earth (Multani Mitti). This will not only reduce the oil, but the hair will feel much cleaner.
o Amla is an excellent hair tonic and a hair nourisher. It also helps cure graying of hair.
o Boil dried amla pieces in coconut oil for a few minutes. Cool and sieve. Massage hair with this oil regularly to get black, thick and lustrous hair.
o Henna or mehendi is an excellent conditioner for hair.
o Boil some tea leaves in 2-3 cups of water. Strain the liquid, cool it and use it on hair as the last rinse after shampoo.
Author: Dr John Anne
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Cure For Female Hair Loss
Is There a Cure For Female Hair Loss?
The medical profession is always searching for a cure for something. The cure for female hair loss has been a controversial topic; everyone seems to know about a cure or is in the process of developing one. It’s safe to say that there is no cure for female hair loss. A women always losses hair, just like a man, but there are certain factors that contribute to excessive hair loss and that’s what physicians want to cure. The cure for female hair loss is found in curing the chemical imbalance that contributes to the excessive hair loss in females.
There are several factors that cause women to lose an extraordinary amount of hair. Certain diseases, stress, pregnancy, poor eating habits, emotional instability, as well as birth control and thyroid problems, can produce a dramatic reduction in hair growth. Certain genetic traits also play a role in hair loss and no one has found a way to cure female hair loss through genetic mapping. Hormonal changes actually affect how a hair follicle acts on a day to day basis. The hair grows in three stages and if the hormones in the body are not balanced, the stages of hair growth are altered.
A follicle may go into the inactive state before it should and some follicles may be destroyed by medications and the lack of protein in the system. So the cure for female hair loss can be found by identifying how the body reacts to different conditions in different situations, which is extremely hard to do, because everyone’s chemical structure is unique. One relatively new discovery is shedding light on a cure for female hair loss. The Human Growth Hormone is secreted naturally by the pituitary gland. It’s made up of 191 amino acids and is the hormone that is responsible for the aging process. If production of HGH is increased, signs of aging decrease including hair loss.
If a product like Sephren is used to add B6, Biotin and other vitamins to the system, the body is able to stimulate the hair follicles and they begin to respond in a normal way. When Sephren is combined with a healthy diet and exercise program it adds more antioxidants to the system, which helps the body’s immune system fight free radicals that create a hormonal imbalance. Sephren is not a cure for female hair loss, it helps the body heal itself, so the hair follicles can growth and act normally.
Is Sephren the Only Product That Helps Hair Growth?
There are several products on the market that claim to cure or regrow hair. Most of these products are over the counter remedies. These products come with side effects that can cause more harm than good, so it’s important to do some research before you purchase any of them. Sephren, on the other hand, contains all the natural vitamins and minerals you need to help the body stimulate hair growth. Biotin, B6, PABA, Horsetail silica and other proteins and antioxidants, as well as a conditioning and cleansing foam give Sephren the ingredients it needs to help the body balance itself again.
Hair Loss Problems And Treatments
Worldwide, the concept of beauty has included a common concept: lush beautiful healthy hair. For this very reason, hair loss is so dreaded. Hair loss can be a nightmare if unchecked and not treated. It can even lead to baldness. Fortunately, hair loss treatments are now available which not only prevent hair loss but also enable hair regrowth.
Internationally, greater than 50% of the male population goes through male pattern baldness. There is a social stigma connected with it. On the whole, it is an opinion amongst a lot of people that bald men are not as good-looking as men having a full head of hair. Excessive hair loss can reduce your self esteem. From time immemorial, it has been the outlook that abundant, thick hair is a sign of good health and beauty. If hair loss happens at a youthful age, it is even more complex to deal with. It can cause a lot of stress for the adolescent, leading to more hair loss. Yes, tension is one of the major causes of hair loss. Retaining great hair is considered equivalent to retaining youth, as baldness is regarded as an indication of getting old. It can lead to reduced confidence and self esteem, as they say that when you look good you feel good.
As a result, there is a vast demand for any and every kind of treatment which promises to treat hair loss and promote hair regrowth. Many hair loss treatments are available in the market; choices vary from drugs to herbs to surgery. Finasteride (Generic Propecia) is one of the two drugs officiated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for male baldness. Finasteride brings down the escalation of DHT, the most important substance responsible for causing hair loss in men. Within days of taking the medicine, the levels of DHT have been seen to be reduced considerably. Sustained dosage of 1mg every day is to be taken, for at least six months. Nonetheless, the remedy is meant only for men, and should not be consumed by women. Also, there are certain side effects associated with this hair loss treatment like reduced sex drive, but otherwise it is safe to be used by men.
At the moment, for the reason of the enormous popularity and demand of this hair loss treatment, it has become available online and you can buy Propecia from websites. Many a time, the medicine is pricier in the market than at the websites, and so a lot of people prefer to buy Propecia online. Furthermore, when you buy it online, you can first read all about the product on the website, and then make an educated decision. Some websites are purely dedicated to selling Propecia so you don’t have to hunt the market or pharmacy websites for Propecia. You can buy all your supplies at one place, ensuring that you save time and energy.
Hair Loss Causes Responsible for your Hair Fall
Hair loss is a problem that is common to all irrespective of race or culture. Mild hair loss is not that obnoxious, but hair loss in excessive may require proper medical attention. There are many causes of hair loss and several factors may contribute to excessive hair loss. In this article, we will explore some of the major causes of hair loss.
Heredity
Heredity factors are the first among them. The most common type of hair loss is Androgenetic alopecia that refers to the predisposition of baldness. However, the role of heredity in hair loss is not simple. The genetic propensity along with the prevalence of androgen hormone and ageing plays an important role in developing baldness.
Hormonal Dysfunction
Hormonal dysfunction may lead to premature hair loss. Many important hormones are secreted from thyroid gland. Individuals having hyperactive or less active thyroid gland may experience hair loss problems. Such type of hair loss problem can be solved with thyroid treatment. The imbalance occurred in sex hormones, androgens and estrogens, is also believed to be one of the major causes of hair loss. Many women experience hair loss problems during pregnancy as well as prior and post delivery stages. This all occurs due to hormonal imbalance within the body system.
Psychological Factors
Stress is an important factor responsible for hair loss. According to several studies, if someone is not experiencing any apparent factors that may contribute to hair loss, but is undergoing through stress, he or she may experience hair loss problems. Essentially, stress is related to two types of hair loss problems – Telogen effluvium and Alopecia areata. Apart from that, psychological dysfunction may contribute to hair loss such as trichotillomania.
Major Illness
Several times, some major illnesses such as typhoid, malaria also results in excessive hair loss. If someone undergoes through chemotherapy, it results in remarkable hair loss, and in most of the cases, it is incurable also. Apart from that, surgical intervention is also considered as one of the major causes of hair loss. A temporary condition for hair loss may be induced due to stressors experienced at the time of illness.
Medication
There are some particular medicines that promote hair loss. However, in most of the cases, this is temporary. When you stop taking that particular medicine promoting hair loss, the problem alleviates. Blood thinners or anticoagulants, gout medicines, chemotherapy, steroids, interferon, excessive amount of vitamin A, birth control pills and antidepressants are the medications that are considered as the causes of hair loss.
Fungal Infection
Different types of fungal infections may also be responsible for your hair loss. It is quite common in children to see hair loss problems due to fungal infection on the scalp area. However, such type of fungal infection can be treated using antifungal medications.
Improper Hair Care
Sometimes improper hair care can also contribute to hair loss, hence it can be considered as one of the main causes of hair loss. If you tie your wet hair or pull your hair with tight hair rollers, you may experience traction alopecia, a type of hair loss. Chemical treatment associated with permanents, also known as ‘perms’, may also cause hair loss to some people, leading to experience scarring and inflammation on the affected areas.
Internal Health Diseases
Certain diseases like lupus or diabetes may also cause hair loss problems. In these cases, hair loss is considered as one of the early warning signs of the diseases. So if you are loosing your hair without any apparent reason, it is always advisable that do not neglect the situation and immediately consult for guidance from expert health practitioners.
I hope I have covered all the major causes of hair loss. So, take care of your hair and live a stress free healthy life.
Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.
Nick Mutt is an active writer on alternative health and has published many ebooks on natural health. Get information on Hair Loss Remedy and know easy and effective Home Remedies for Hair Care to get strong, healthy and shiny hair at www.home-remedies-guide.com.
Natural Hair Loss Treatment – The Lost Art of Hair Repair
While there are certainly a number of medical treatments that offer great results, experts say that natural hair loss treatment can yield some of the best benefits for anyone concerned about the health of their hair. Most people choose to treat their hair loss with medications or surgery, such as Minoxidil or hair transplantation. However many people fail to realize that medication and surgery are costly and may carry some harmful side effects and risks. The safest and most cost efficient form of hair loss therapy is natural hair loss treatment, which includes healthy dieting, herbal remedies, exercise and proper hair care techniques. Natural hair loss treatment has become the “Lost Art” of hair repair and is often neglected as a form of treatment among the very pricey alternatives.
A fundamental principal in natural hair loss treatment is that the same foods that are good for your health, are good for your hair. Although hair loss can be caused by many other variables, lack of proper nutrition will cause hair loss in most people. Foods that are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and have reduced fat content can help in maintaining healthier hair and preventing hair loss. For example, essential fatty acids, found in spinach, walnuts, soy, tuna, sardines, sunflower seeds and canola oil, are important dietary essentials useful in keeping hair healthy. The omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory properties that are useful in maintaining healthy hair. Insufficient levels of these essential fatty acids could lead to quicker hair loss.
A deficiency in vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 can also lead to excessive hair loss. Foods containing B vitamins, like liver, chicken, fish and soybean are important to healthy hair growth and natural hair loss treatment. Both vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are found in protein rich foods, which are needed to maintain natural hair growth. B vitamins are very essential to one’s diet in order to prevent excessive hair loss. Certain vitamins and nutritional supplements are often necessary to restore protein levels which in turn, are useful in preventing hair loss. Increasing vitamin B intake in one’s diet is a successful way to prevent or treat your hair loss naturally.
Alongside the concept of healthy eating of vitamins, minerals and nutrients are also the use of herbal remedies that are effective in preventing hair loss as a natural hair loss treatment. Among the herbs making medical headlines is Saw Palmetto. Although most studies of Saw Palmetto have been for the treatment of prostatic disease, more recent studies have been conducted on its effectiveness in treating hair loss. The herb has been found to work in fighting benign prostatic disease by lowering levels of DHT, which is a known cause of androgenic alopecia, the medical term for male or female pattern hair loss. While there are no clinical trials supporting this herb’s usefulness as a natural hair loss treatment, there is some reliable research proving that it can slow down androgen activity within the hair follicle.
Nettles, usually taken in the form of Nettle Root Extract, has shown itself to be effective in preventing hair loss as well. Nettles are rich in vitamins A and C, that are beneficial in inhibiting DHT production and promoting hair growth as a natural hair loss treatment. Other traditional herbs that are useful as natural hair loss treatments are green tea, licorice extract, horsetail, ginger, psoralea seeds, apple cider vinegar, rosemary and sage tea.
Research is constantly discovering modern forms of natural hair loss treatments. The list of treatments summarized in this article are only a fraction of the available natural therapies for hair loss. Everyone has some hair loss from day to day. In fact, it is normal to lose up to 100 strands of hair a day. However, some people lose a lot more hair than expected, due to genetic reasons, disease, medications, stress, injury, or an unhealthy diet. Regardless of the cause of hair loss, natural hair loss treatment, involving changes in diet and lifestyle, is the safest form of preventive hair treatment around. Catching your hair loss in its early stages and treating it naturally is among the best lines of defense in preventing excessive hair loss and the safest method for treating it.
Author: Marvin Perry
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Social Stigma of Hair Loss in Women
Have you noticed a gradual and progressive increase in the number of hairs lost when combing or brushing? Perhaps after months or years of vain denial, you have realized that the mirror does not lie, visible thinning has occurred. You’re not alone if you’re experiencing breakage, increased hair shedding or significant hair loss.
Many women may cover it up with wigs, hair extensions, hats or scarves. Others choose one of the several approved medications or surgical procedures that are available to treat baldness.
Excessive hair loss or balding is mistakenly perceived as a strictly something that happens to men although women actually make up to forty percent of American hair loss sufferers. In America, one in four, or over 30 million women will seek solutions and treatment for hair loss annually.
First of all, don’t panic! Hair loss or hair shedding is consistent within the hair growth cycle and it is normal to lose some scalp hair each day. The average human scalp has roughly 100,000 to 150,000 individual hairs and the normal hair growth cycle results in the loosening or shedding of about 100 to 150 hairs on a daily basis. New hair growth then emerges from these same previous dormant hair follicles, growing at the average rate of about half an inch per month.
Hair is composed of two separate parts: the follicle and the hair shaft. The follicle lies below the scalp and produces the hair strands that we see growing out of our head. The follicle is alive, however the hair strand is simply composed of dead cells that have no regenerative ability.
For most people, 90% of our scalp hair is always in a to six year growth phase (anagen) while the remaining 10% is in a dormant period (telogen), which lasts about three months. When the dormant period ends the hair is shed; these are the worrisome hairs we obsess over in our comb, hairbrush, on our pillow or down the shower drain. Relax, some hair loss is perfectly normal.
Baldness or Alopecia happens when the normal pattern of hair growth is disrupted. The normal pattern of human hair growth is growing, resting, shedding and growing again. If the growth pattern is out of balance, hair does not grow back as readily as it falls out. A family history of androgenetic alopecia increases your risk of balding. Heredity also affects the age at which you begin to lose hair and the development, pattern and extent of your baldness.
What concerns us is not these normally shed hairs, but the noticeable thinning we confront in the mirror. For a woman, thick, vibrant hair is our crowning glory, our vanity visible. A luxuriant full mane epitomizes the beauty of a woman and is integrally woven into our self image. Our culture strongly identifies femininity with a thick, silky head of hair. Throughout recorded history, images of shining, full bodied hair are associated with female beauty, youth, desirability and good health. Society unfairly identifies dry, lack luster and thinning hair with old age, sickness and poverty.
A dramatic decrease in self esteem is evident in women when their hair begins to fall out. Hair shedding is not physically painful, however it often causes severe emotional distress. We obsess over our thin tresses as we battle depression and self loathing. Women frequently become introverted and withdraw from the world. We avoid intimate contact and make futile attempts to disguise the quality and quantity of our hair.
Hair loss is especially injurious to those who have professions or careers where physical appearance plays a significant role. A young woman is especially vulnerable to the stigma of balding. Not until we are confronted with the loss of our hair do we fully realize how essential hair is to our overall person.
A woman’s hair is at its thickest by age 20. Once we pass 20, however, our hair gradually begins to thin, shedding more than the normal 100-150 hairs a day. With aging, hair strands hold less pigment and become smaller so that what was once the luxuriant and thick hair of our youth becomes thin, fine and lighter in color. For even the elderly woman, significant hair loss can threaten self image. A woman’s sense of sexuality and femininity as well as her establish place in family and society are often undermined by hair loss.
It is hardly surprising when a man starts balding. By the age of thirty-five about 25 percent of American men will experience some degree of appreciable hair loss and about 75 percent are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60.
In men, hair loss is often perceived as a sign of virility, a demonstrable sign that his male hormones are functioning at maximum capacity. To project strength and masculinity, men often choose to shave their heads.
Although many men are quite dismayed by a receding hairline, research indicates that the psychological pain of hair loss does not affect men as adversely as it impacts women. What makes coping with hair loss so difficult is the frightening lack of control, the feeling of the inability to do anything to make our hair stop falling out.
Causes Of Hair Loss In Women
As we age, women face a multitude of changes and challenges: wrinkles, a widening waist, cellulite deposits and thickening ankles. It does not seem fair that for many of us hair loss is yet another blow to our self esteem.
Female pattern baldness or Androgenetic Alopecia is the most common type of hair loss in women and is genetic in nature. This type of female balding is caused by the chemical Dihydrotestosterone or DHT which builds up around the air follicle and over time destroys both the hair shaft and the hair follicle. Pregnancy or the onset of menopause may cause a fluctuation in the production of estrogen. Lacking sufficient estrogen to produce testosterone-blocking enzymes, testosterone is then converted to DHT on the scalp. The result is a shorter hair growth cycle, finer hair and excessive hair loss from shedding and breakage. Some women experience an increase in hair loss several months after delivering a baby.
Genetics aside, there are many other reasons why women lose hair. Surgery, extreme physical or emotional stress, hormonal imbalances, chemotherapy and scalp infections are but a few. Female hair loss can also be triggered by birth control medications, certain prescription drugs or result from the use of harsh chemicals or aggressive styling that can cause permanent damage to the fragile hair follicle. Excessive hair shedding may also be symptomatic of rapid weight loss from dangerous fad-dieting or an eating disorder such as anorexia. The use of street drugs such as cocaine will also exhibit sudden and severe hair shedding.
When To Contact A Medical Professional
Reacting intensely to the physical state of our thinning hair may seem like excessive vanity, but it is not. Baldness is not usually caused by disease, but is more commonly related to heredity, aging and hormone function. However, changes in hair appearance, texture and growth patterns may indicate serious health concerns. Hair is one of the first areas, along with skin and nails, to reflect nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalance and illness. It is wise to pay attention.
Women’s hair seems to be particularly sensitive to underlying medical conditions so it is important that women with undiagnosed hair loss be properly evaluated by a physician. If your thinning hair is a result of a medical condition, your doctor will treat these ailments and as a result you may experience significant growth of new hair.
Once you and your doctor have identified the cause of your hair loss you may be referred to a hair specialist or implant surgeon to learn about the treatment options available such as or hair transplant procedures to promote growth or hide loss. For some types of alopecia, hair may resume normal growth without any treatment.
A healthy balanced diet, regular exercise, hydration and rest can go a long way towards preventing hair loss and maximizing the potential of your hair growth cycle.
Although medical research is on going, the following have proved beneficial in growing and maintaining a healthy head of hair.
Nutrition
Poor nutrition is often an underlying cause of hair loss as the hair is a reliable indicator of nutritional well being. Discuss with your health care provider your diet, all medications and any supplements you may be taking. Dull hair color or dry and brittle hair may be indicators of a deficiency in essential fats in the diet, oily hair may be a sign of a B vitamin deficiency.
Recent medical studies have found that a high percentage of women with thinning hair are deficient in iron and the amino acid lysine. It is difficult to obtain sufficient lysine through diet alone. Lysine is important in the transport of iron and necessary to support hair growth. Lysine is found in eggs and red meat so vegetarians needs to be aware of this potential shortfall in their diets.
The amino acids L-Cysteine and L-Methionine are believed to improve hair texture, quality and growth.
Low-fat foods that rank high in protein, low in carbohydrates, can play a vital role in sustaining healthy hair growth and aid in preventing hair loss. Important essential fatty acids for maintaining hair health are found in walnuts, sunflower seeds, sardines, spinach, soy and canola oil. Omega 3 and Omega 6 Oils protect the heart as well as your hair so include salmon in your diet on a regular basis.
Herbal Remedies Offer Hope For Hair Loss
Discuss with your nutritional advisor or medical professional the benefits of herbs. The following natural plant derivatives have properties to encourage a healthy head of hair.
Aloe
Arnica
Birch
Burdock
Catmint
Chamomile
Horsetail
Licorice
Marigold
Nettles
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Hair Care
Always choose organic natural products to avoid the chemicals and toxins found in many hair care products. Harsh chemicals may strip the natural oils from your hair and lead to breakage and poor hair growth. Dye, hair straightening and permanent solutions are highly destructive to the hair shaft and follicle as well as the delicate sebum balance of the scalp.
Be gentle with your hair. Allow hair to dry naturally rather than using a hair dryer. A natural bristle brush is helpful in preventing damage. Do not style until completely dry. Wet hair is weak hair so handle with care. Avoid or break any bad habits you may have that pull or twist the hair. Try not to constantly run your fingers through your hair, tug at the hair and avoid hair clips or rubber bands that pull at and break off the hair. Minimize the usage of mousse, gels and hair sprays. These products dry and weigh down the hair shaft and dull the natural luster of your hair.
Avoid salt and chlorinated water when swimming. If exposed, always wash the hair with cool water and an organic gentle shampoo and apply a mild conditioner. Sun worshipers should make sure that hair care products have sunscreen properties to protect hair from the damaging affects of UV rays. Remember to wear a hat to prevent sunburn of the scalp.
Healthy Lifestyle
Hair loss is traumatic, however our hair is only part of who we are. I remind myself to keep my obsession with my hair loss in perspective and be happy with all the other areas of my life that are going right and in balance. Focus on the positive, eat well, rest well and be at peace with who you are. Remember, that for some, hair grows back as mysteriously as it disappeared.
Author: Marlene Affeld
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Smiling shark
Hair Loss Prevention is Better Than Cure
Hair loss can be defined as the lessening of hair on the scalp. The medical term of hair loss is alopecia, which can be temporary or permanent. Aside Androgenetic Alopecia, there are other forms of hair loss that includes Alopecia Areata (patches of baldness that usually grow back), Telogen Effluvium (fast shedding after childbirth, fever or abrupt weight loss) and Traction Alopecia (reduction from tight braids or ponytails). The problem of hair loss generally occurs with the age in both men and women, but it is normally more pronounced in men.
One of the best ways to reduce hair loss is stress reduction. Some of the drugs can also be the cause of hair loss on the scalp and other parts on the body. Apart from drugs and stress, there are other reasons for excessive hair loss. If your hair loss is due to certain medication, you need to consult a physician and ask him to recommend an alternative. These ways to remove hair loss can work for you, but the medical study has revealed the main reason for hair loss, at least 95 percent of the time, is either hormonal or genetic. Hair loss is not common in women, but seen some of the common types of hair loss in women that includes androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern alopecia or baldness.
Approximately 95 percent of all cases of hair loss in men are male pattern hair loss. It in necessary to know your specific needs then choose hair treatment which is suited for your hair. Due to hormonal changes linked with pregnancy or menopause can cause hair loss in female.
People who have hair loss problem are advised to take care of their hair. If one of the common hair loss problem, male pattern hair loss is treated at an early stage it would be very helpful. Apart from reducing hair fall, hair loss treatments involve aiding growth in hair. If internal parts of your body function well, then your hair would be silky and shiny. Illnesses also lead to hair fall, but vitamins and minerals help in hair growth.
There would be many factors for hair loss that includes aging, genetic, stress-related and environmental factors. Age related hair loss is one of the common factors of hair loss that takes place when the natural re-growth process slows or stops. Remember, everyone losses and average of 100 hair per day. Problem occurs when your hair growth slows and/or stops re-growing.
Aside these, perming, colouring and bleaching also can cause hair loss. Tight pony-tails or braids can cause hair loss as these can pull the hair from the roots. So, make an extensive search for getting hair loss treatments, solutions and products. Due to competition in the market, hair loss treatments, solutions and products can be availed at affordable rates.
Sainiherb.com provides Hair Loss Products, hair loss treatments and solutions to eliminate dandruff and re-grow hair. We offer a time tested and proven solution to Hair Loss in the use of our products.
Hair Loss Treatment Medication
Hair loss is one of the most common and bothersome conditions for people. Tension sets in as soon as one notices thinning of hair or excessive hair loss and everyone starts advising all types of treatment plans. But before you decide for any expensive treatment plan or hair loss treatment medication, it is advisable to understand what hair loss is and the types and benefits of medication available for hair loss treatment to ensure effective and desirable results.
Hair loss
Hair loss and male pattern baldness are embarrassing conditions for men. Before you go for any other hair loss treatment medication it is important to know about the process of hair loss.
The scalp hairs are divided into two phases, growth phase and resting phase. Almost 90% of our hairs are in growth phase, which lasts for approximately four to five years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimeter per month during this phase. Once the hairs are fully grown, the resting phase starts, which lasts for up to four months. After this period, the hairs fall out naturally and are replaced by new hair in its place. This is an ongoing process and as a result of which we can lose up to 100 hairs daily. However, this is a normal occurrence and is not deemed as hair loss.
Hair loss process starts if the rate of hair fall increases at an alarming rate. Moreover, if the new hairs that replace the old one come slowly or are thin, it may be onset of hair loss. Male pattern hair loss (male pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss but there could be some other reason behind your hair loss. Hence it is important to discuss your particular hair loss with your doctor before you buy Propecia or begin any other hair loss treatment.
Benefits of medication over other types of treatments
With hair loss becoming a common cause of concern amongst millions of people across the world, every year a large number of medications, herbs, spices, nutritional supplements, oils, shampoos etc comes up in the market each claiming itself to be the panacea for hair loss. Each year, men suffering from hair loss spend billions of dollars in an attempt to treat their hair loss. Unfortunately, 99% of all products being marketed in the less than ethical hair loss treatment industry are completely ineffective for the majority of those who use them.
If you are going bald you should seriously consider hair loss medication treatments to halt or even reverse your hair loss. While there is no “Hair Loss Cure”, hair loss drugs can often stop or even reverse alopecia aerate in most people. Medication for treating hair loss slows thinning of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs.
Types of Medications for Hair loss Treatment
Today there are two FDA approved medications for hair growth – minoxidil which is sold over the counter as Rogaine, for both men and women, and Finasteride, a prescription pill sold as Propecia, for men only. Two other drugs have been recently approved for hair growth and include a high-estrogen oral contraceptive and Aldactone (spironolactone). However, these two medications are only for women due to their feminizing side effects.
Both these medications slow thinning of the hair and increase coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs. However, the effectiveness of finasteride or minoxidil depends on your age and the location of hair loss. These medications do not work for everyone, and you should not expect to re-grow a full head of hair.
Propecia as Hair Loss Treatment Medicine
Propecia (Finasteride) is proven to be the most effective hair loss treatment medicine to treat male pattern baldness. Propecia is for men only, and is not approved by the FDA as a hair loss treatment for women or children.
Propecia works by blocking the enzyme, Type II 5 alpha-reductase from converting testosterone to its active form DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the body. DHT plays a major role in inherited male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). In this process, it reduces the level of the hormone in the scalp which shortens the hair growth cycle and allows hairs to revert to a normal growth cycle. This can result in stopping further hair loss and increasing new hair growth in men with male pattern baldness.
A single 1mg Propecia tablet is to be taken everyday continuously for 3-6 months before benefit is seen. When Propecia is discontinued, the hair loss process resumes so continuous use is recommended to sustain benefit.
Also remember that Propecia is a prescription only medicine with certain side effects and should be taken after consultation with the doctor.
Author related with hair loss medication site. Get many more information on hair loss medicines online. Know about hair loss and hair loss treatment medication.
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