HAIR LOSS A COMMON ISSUE

Hair loss is the burning problem in society. Every one out of five is suffering from it. Baldness is common in men than women, but other hair problems are equal common in both genders, which at the end results in hair loss.
Baldness is defined as excessive hair loss from scalp. Most common cause of hair fall is hereditary hair loss. It is common to seen as parents who have baldness, their child have definitely hair issues. Here comes three types of persons in our society on the basis of how they treat this problem;


  • First come those who do not fear hair loss and they take it normal and then neither treat it nor hide it.
  • Second class is of those group of people who hide their baldness through hair style, makeup, hats or scarfs.
  • Third class is of people who take this problem very serious and try to overcome it through effective  treatment.

CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS

Research has shown that a person looses hair in ratio of 100 hair per day but it is not called as hair loss, because they are replaced by new hair that are grown readily. Hair loss occur when cycle of hair growth & hair shedding is disturbed.

Following are the causes of hair loss;

HEREDITARY HAIR LOSS 



Hereditary hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss called male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss. In predictable pattern and with aging it occurs, in male leading to bald spots and in female it causes thinning of hair.

HORMONAL CHANGES

Hormonal changes related hair loss is second most common type of hair loss. Hormonal changes occur due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and thyroid problems. It usually occurs with age and in some cases hormonal imbalance is genetic.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS



Medical conditions such as 'Alopecia araeta' which causes patched hair loss is a cause of baldness. Hair pulling disorder called as Trichotillomania and scalp infection such as ringworm are the medical conditions leading to hair loss.

MEDICATIONS



Some medications causes hair loss. Hair loss occur as a side effect of  medications use in following conditions; cancer, gout, arthritis, heart problem, depression and hypertension.

RADIATIONS THERAPY

Radiations causes hair loss. Due to radiation therapy of head, hair not grow as earlier growth.

EMOTIONAL OR PHYSICAL SHOCK



General thinning of hair for several months occur if a person went through physical or emotional stress. This type of hair loss is not permanent, after a period hair start to grown normal.

TRACTION ALOPECIA



This type of hair loss is caused by excessive hair styling that pull your hair tight. Application of harmful agents to scalp can lead to inflammation of hair follicles and if scars occur there than hair loss may become permanent.

RISK FACTORS

Following are the risk factors related to hair loss, these include
  • Family history of hair loss
  • Age
  • Diabetes 
  • Depression
  • Weight loss
  • Cancer patients(due to their therapy)

SYMPTOMS OF HAIR LOSS

There are different symptoms that are associated with hair loss, and thus hair loss occur differently. Hair loss may occur either gradually or suddenly. Hair loss occur either on scalp only or on whole body.
  • Gradual thinning on top of head. this is often the foremost common sort of hair loss, affecting both men and ladies as they age.
  • Circular or patchy bald spots. 
  • Sudden loosening of hair.
  • Full-body hair loss. 
  • Patches of scaling that cover the scalp.

PREVENTION FROM HAIR LOSS

Genetically caused hair loss i.e. male pattern baldness & female pattern baldness, are not preventable and remain permanent. While all other causes of hair loss can be prevented.
Following are the ways to prevent hair loss
  • Avoid hair styling that tightens the hair. Do not over twist hair.
  • Use wide toothed comb for combing hair.
  • Do not overuse electrical devices like hair straighteners, curlers etc to your hair.
  • Do not make your hair over dry or over damp.
  • Protect your hair  from sunlight or Ultraviolet radiations
  • Avoid medications that cause hair loss.
  • If a patient of cancer is treating with chemotherapy then ask doctor to use cool caps, these aoid the risk of hair loss.

TREATMENT OF HAIR LOSS

MEDICATION

Minoxidil is an oral anti-hypertensive agent and its side effect is hair development, so it is widely used for hair loss for its off label use. It is FDA approved agent use for hair loss. Its topical foam is available for use.

SHAMPOOS

Shampoos that moisturize scalp can create a healthy environment for hair growth. Apart from it those shampoos which contain zinc pyrithione are also effective because this agent removes dead skin cells and hence hair start to regrow. 
Dihydro testosterone(DHT) is a hormone which shrinks hair , so shampoos are available that block DHT and improve hair growth.

NUTRIENTS FOR HAIR GROWTH



Use of supplements improves hair growth. Use of fish proteins, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, biotin & niacin helps body to make strands so as a result hair growth occur.

MASSAGE OF SCALP



Massage of scalp with oil,cause the circulation of blood towards head, this then cause the formation of hair follicles and thus new hair forms.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Drink plenty of water causes the hair to grow more quickly, also water prevents the development of other hair problems.

CORTISONE SHOTS



Patients with inflammatory scalp disease get injected by cortisone directly into scalp, it is painful but it blocks hormonal activity that cause hair thickening.

HAIR TRANSPLANT



Hair transplant is the last option, when there is no other management. It can be painful or allergic reactions can be occur.

CONCLUSION

Hair loss is the common disorder now a days. By improving diet, massage and by using hair protective elements it can be managed. Instead of going towards surgical procedures i.e. hair transplant, its better to manage it through diet or medication.