What is Hair Loss?
Are you facing the pain of excessive hair loss, that is slowing down your level of confidence? Are you seeing thinning patches on your head? If so, you may be suffering from hair loss. Hair loss is a common condition that can have a variety of causes, with genetics being one of the most common.
Genetic hair loss occurs when the genes you inherit from your parents carry traits that make it more likely for you to suffer from this condition. This type of hair loss usually follows a distinct pattern, such as receding hairlines at the temples (known as male-pattern baldness) or diffuse thinning all over the scalp (known as female-pattern baldness). These patterns are due to the gradual conversion of thicker and darker hairs into thinner hairs until they eventually shed.
It can also be caused by hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, stress, scalp infections, medications (as side effects), radiation therapy to the head/neck area and physical trauma (such as surgery/injury).
In addition to its physical effects, it can have an emotional impact on those who experience it. Many people feel embarrassed about their appearance and may feel less confident in social situations. Fortunately, there are treatments and products available that can help slow down or even regrow lost hairs. The best treatment option will depend on the cause and severity of your hair loss consulting with a medical professional is recommended if you’re looking for treatment options.
What Causes Hair Loss?
Hair Loss What are the Symptoms and Causes?
Understanding the potential sources behind the loss of hair loss can help you explore solutions to restore your mane.
Genetics
One of the most common sources is heredity, which causes male-pattern baldness in particular. If you have a family history of hair loss, you may experience this type of genetic shedding even before the age of 30. Male-pattern baldness typically begins with a receding hairline at the temples that gradually moves backward and thins out across the scalp. Females may experience some thinning on the top of their heads as their hormones balance out over time.
Hormones
Hormonal changes caused by pregnancies and menopause can also trigger significant amounts of shedding in both men and women. If you’ve noticed an increase in falling hairs after giving birth or transitioning through menopause, hormonal imbalance is likely to blame for your temporary shedding. After menopause ends, hormone levels generally return to normal and so does your amount of natural hair growth.
Health Conditions
Certain health conditions can also lead to increased amounts of shedding due to weakened follicles or scalp infections that cause inflammation. People living with autoimmune disorders such as alopecia areata may experience sudden patches of noticeable baldness due to unrelated issues driving excessive shedding from follicle damage or malnutrition resulting from an underlying illness or condition.
Types of Hair Loss Disorders
This can be a difficult condition to deal with, and understanding the cause of hair loss is important for finding the right treatment. There are many types of hair loss disorders that vary in severity and causes.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of hair loss disorders.
One type hair fall disorder is genetic hair loss, which is hereditary and is caused by genetics. This type of hair loss usually happens in men more so than women due to having hormones in their body that cause them to lose hair more quickly than women. Symptoms can include thinning or bald spots on the head as well as an increased rate of shedding daily.
Alopecia areata is another common type of hair fall disorder which affects both men and women. It’s an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy bald spots on the scalp, face, and other areas of the body. It can happen suddenly and sometimes come back after it has cleared up. The exact cause isn’t known but it may have something to do with the immune system attacking healthy follicles on the scalp or face which leads to thinning or baldness in those areas.
Telogen effluvium occurs when there’s a sudden shock to the body, such as childbirth, severe illness or stress, which affects your hormone levels and disrupts your normal cycle of growth and rest for your hair follicles. As a result, more hairs enter into their rest phase than usual leading to increased shedding when brushing or washing your hair typically seen within 6 weeks after the traumatic event has occurred.
Common Symptoms of Hair Loss
Hair fall can be an emotionally and physically distressing experience.
Common signs and symptoms of hair loss can help you identify potential causes and seek out treatment.
One of the earliest signs of hair fall is thinning or diffuse shedding
You may notice more hairs left on your brush or in the shower drain than normal, which indicates a decrease in overall hair density. Additionally, you might recognize a receding hairline or widening of the part line. These are both prominent indications of thinning hair or baldness at the temples and forehead.
Patches of baldness are also telltale signs of hereditary/genetic forms of hair loss
Patches of baldness are also telltale signs of hereditary/genetic forms of hair fall known as alopecia areata. The condition causes small circular patches of broken hairs to appear on various areas on your scalp, face, or other body parts. In some cases, the skin around the bald patches may become itchy, painful, swollen, redness, and tender to touch.
Women experiencing female pattern baldness
Women experiencing female pattern baldness often display thinning all over their head with no recognizable pattern to their hair loss. Also known as ‘Diffuse Thinning’ this type tends to gradually occur over time with most women noticing it in their late 20s to mid30s age range.
Hair strands sticking together or more strands coming out
Signs that you may be experiencing too much shedding include hair strands sticking together or more strands coming out when brushing your hair than usual and finding random clumps of fallen hairs around your home or workplace usually in places where you sit for long periods such as a desk chair or car seat.
Risk Factors of Hair Loss
Hair fall is a common issue that many people struggle with, and it can have a significant impact on self-esteem.
Risk factors of hair loss are so that you can reduce your chances of experiencing it.
One of the most common causes of hair loss is genetics
One of the most common causes of hair fall is genetics. Genetics can play a major role in determining whether someone will experience hair loss or not, and unfortunately there’s not much you can do about this risk factor. If your family has a history of hair loss, then you could be more likely to experience it as well.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors are also known to be associated with an increased risk of hair fall. Exposure to pollutants, such as smoke or chemical emissions from factories or vehicles, can damage your scalp and cause hair fall. Excessive use of chemicals on your hair (like dye or styling products) can also lead to dryness and breakage which makes you more susceptible to hair loss.
Stressful situations, either physical or psychological
Stressful situations, either physical or psychological, can also trigger episodes of telogen effluvium — a type of temporary diffuse hair shedding caused by shock-like events. Additionally, certain medical conditions like thyroid disease, diabetes or anaemia may contribute to both male and female pattern baldness if left untreated.
Complications That Can Result from Hair Loss
Hair loss is a common problem for both men and women across the globe. It can be attributed to many causes, but genetics are often one of the prime culprits.
The potential dangers associated with more severe cases of hair loss.
The most direct complication that can arise from hair loss is psychological
The most direct complication that can arise from hair loss is psychological. Hair has long been associated with youth and beauty, which makes significant hair loss an especially disheartening issue for those it affects. While most individuals cope well with minor thinning, when someone experiences a large amount of baldness, they can feel less attractive and lack confidence in their appearance. In severe cases, this can lead to depression or anxiety.
Physical complications can also occur due to a lack of care or treatments
Aside from the psychological issues associated with hair loss, physical complications can also occur due to a lack of care or treatments. Baldness caused by genetic factors cannot be 100% reversed without medical intervention; however, proper care is still essential to maintain overall health and prevent further damage or infection. For example, if an individual is missing hair on particularly sensitive areas like the scalp or around the face, taking precautions such as wearing sunblock or hats will help protect their skin from sunburns or other irritations that could lead to serious skin issues down the line.
How to Treat and Prevent Hair Loss
Hair loss can be a frightening condition, often leaving people feeling insecure and concerned about their overall appearance. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat and prevent hair loss. Stress is one of the major causes of hair loss and it is important to learn how to manage it in order to keep your hair healthy.
When it comes to understanding the symptoms and causes of hair loss, it’s important to know that stress has been linked as one of the main reasons why people lose their hair. Stress can cause a variety of problems, including hormonal imbalances that can contribute to pattern baldness or alopecia. Other potential triggers include diet, genetics, medical conditions such as thyroid issues or anaemia, and certain medications.
If you’re experiencing signs of significant hair loss or thinning, the first thing you should do is talk with your doctor. They will be able to advise you on any underlying conditions or potential causes of your problem. Once any underlying medical issues have been ruled out, they may suggest lifestyle changes or other treatments to help manage your stress levels and prevent further hair loss. For the Best Treatment for Hair loss, Contact Dr Kumar Gaurav who offers the best Homeopathy Treatment.Book an Appointment Today