Reasons for Hair Loss

Reasons for hair loss

There are a number of different reasons why an individual may begin to lose their hair. Many of these reasons result in temporary hair loss while others cause permanent hair loss. It is important to understand the reason for hair loss in order to determine appropriate methods to treat the problem.

Types of Hair Loss and Baldness

Anagen Efluvium – This is permanent hair loss which is caused by permanent damage to the very structure of the hair. It can be caused by a number of factors, not including but not limited to:

Stress-This may refer to either physical or emotional stress that may result from internal tensions, surgery, illness, death of a family member or loved one as well as rapid weight loss or gain.

Medical Conditions-There are a number of medical conditions which can lead to permanent hair loss. Some of the more common ones are:

Thyroid disorders-Thyroid disorders result in the loss of hair due to the fact that the thyroid gland regulates hormonal functions. Sudden shifts and changes in hormonal levels is perhaps the number one contributing factor to hair loss.

Autoimmune disorders-This broad category can refer to a number of illness and diseases and covers anything that prevents the body from being able to defend itself against illness.

Diabetes-Diabetes is one of the most common known diseases to result in hair loss; in fact it may be one of the first symptoms a diabetic patient notices before diagnosis

Fevers – The onset of extremely high fevers, such as scarlet fever or fevers resulting from typhoid, are also known to result in hair loss.

Certain Medications

Some medications can have an adverse side effect, resulting in the loss of hair. The most common types of medications that cause hair loss are blood thinners, also known a anti-coagulants; commonly prescribed for individuals with heart and blood pressure problems.

Birth control pills and some antidepressants have also been known to cause hair loss.

Hormonal Changes-Hormonal changes can occur as a result of either problems with the glands within the body that are meant to regulate hormones, such as the thyroid or as a result of menopause or pregnancy. In some cases hair loss due to pregnancy is permanent; in others it is only temporary.

Lack of Proper Hygiene-Individuals who do not take care to use proper hygiene, resulting in a build-up of excess oily and dirt on the scalp, may also develop problems with hair loss. This is though to be due to the fact that the hair follicle becomes clogged, preventing the sebaceous gland from working properly. Infection in the scalp due to lack of proper hygiene can also result in hair loss.

Androgenetic Alopecia- This is the term that is used to refer to permanent hair loss that results from the effects of genetic conditions. This condition is most commonly referred to as male or female pattern baldness. The difference male and female pattern baldness is that men generally tend to begin the balding process with a receding hairline. This condition normally begins to make its appearance in men when they are in their 20’s or 30’s. Only about 30% of all males begin to experience some hair loss or thinning by their 30’s. Approximately half of all men will experience some hair loss by age 50, however. At first, it may appear as just a very gradual receding of the hairline. In other cases, male pattern baldness appears later in life and may make a rather sudden appearance.

However, in women hair typically becomes thin all over the top of the scalp and normally does not present until later in life.

It is widely believed that a type of androgen naturally produced within the body is at the root of hair loss. Androgens are hormones produced in both males and females and are responsible for many functions including the stimulation of adrenaline. The body most commonly signals the production of adrenaline during very stressful situations. The link between the production of adrenaline and androgens is also believed to be why stress causes hair loss. As the body produces more adrenaline, excess amounts of androgens, specifically DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, are produced. DHT has been associated with hair loss in both males and females for a number of years. While it is quite normal for the body to produce quantities of this hormone because it is also responsible for several other functions in men, including sex drive, it is the overproduction of DHT that leads to hair loss. DHT is believed to be overproduced within the body when an enzyme known as 5 alpha reductase changes testosterone to DHT.

As levels of DHT rise within the body, they basically begin to shrink and damage existing hair follicles. As the follicles become reduced in size, the duration of the growth phase also shrinks. The reduced anagen phase leads to lighter colored, finer and less dense hair strands. This means that as old hair falls out, new hair is unable to grow rapidly enough to replace the lost hairs due to the disabled anagen phase. Under normal hair growth circumstances, the number of hairs in the anagen phase significantly outnumbers the number of hairs in the telogen phase. When the anagen phase is reduced, however; the number of hairs in each phase become more comparable and as a result; the hair begins to thin.

The reason so many people, men especially, see a significant loss of hair on the front, top and crown of the head is because these are the areas of the scalp where people spend most of their time and energy combing, shampooing and styling their hair. There is no scientific evidence to indicate that shampooing, brushing or combing one’s hair will lead to hair loss. However, when the anagen phase has been reduced and the number of hairs within the telogen phase begins to increase as a result, it is much easier for these hairs to become loosened during the process of shampooing and combing. Hairs on the back and sides of the head do not seem to be as affected by the reduced anagen phase because they are generally not being as manipulated as often. Since the anagen phase has been reduced, the growth cycle can’t catch up fast enough to compensate for the lost hairs.

Next: Additional Causes of Hair Loss