Hair loss can be devastating, causing an unwanted physical appearance and emotional
stress. It affects both men and women, and there are many causes including: hormonal and
nutritional factors, illnesses like thyroid disease or diabetes, drugs, stress, genetics and
aging.
The hair follicles go through cycles of growth and rest. During the growth phase (anagen), lasting for 2 – 3 years, hair grows approx.1/2 inch each month. Then there is a rest phase (telogen), lasting for 3 – 4 months. When the rest phase ends, the hair strand falls out and a new one grows in, starting the growth phase again.
Hormonal Factors:
Hormonal imbalances can cause thinning or temporary hair loss, but if the imbalance is
corrected, hair loss will stop. Men and women both experience hormonal changes with
aging, however women experience major hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth
and menopause.
Nutrition:
Diets lacking in protein can cause hair loss or huge amounts of shedding by shifting the
body into the resting phase of hair growth. Hair loss is also attributed to deficiencies in
certain trace minerals and vitamins, like zinc and biotin, that contribute to healthy hair
growth.
Thyroid Disease:
An overactive or underactive thyroid can cause hair loss. Thyroid disease requires
treatment, and hair loss associated with thyroid problems can be reversed with proper
medical treatment.
Diabetes:
Diseases like diabetes and lupus can cause hair loss by compromising the body’s
immune system. Both can both be diagnosed by blood tests, and treated with the proper
medical help.
Drugs and Medicines:
Prescription drugs used for conditions like depression, heart problems, gout, arthritis,
and birth control for women can cause hair loss. Prescription drugs can also deplete
vitamins and minerals in the body. Changing the prescription may help.
Stress:
Emotional or physical stress can cause two types of hair loss:
telogen effluvium – more common, less severe type causes hair to stop growing and lie
dormant, to fall out several months later. It grows back in 6 to 9 months.
alopecia areata – more severe type causes your white blood cells to attack the hair
follicles. The hair falls out in patches, often involving the entire scalp, even body hair.
Genetics and Aging:
Hair loss can be hereditary – normal hair loss occurs, but new hairs don’t grow back.
This contributes to “pattern baldness” in men and women. By age 30, 1 in 4 men is
balding; by age 60, it’s 2 in 3 men. Gradual thinning is normal with aging, but abnormal
hair loss may require hair loss treatment.
