What causes hair loss or thinning hair?

Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss or thinning hair is very common among men and women.
What is the cycle of hair loss and growth? Hair grows naturally in cycles of
2 to 6 years. As it grows old, the hair bulb breaks away from the papilla.
It is the natural way that hair loss can occur.

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First, I will list the causes of hair loss or thinning hair and then talk about how to prevent hair loss or thinning hair. Hair loss or thinning hair is due to many different causes. Listed below are some of these causes.

After the old hair has been shed, the new hair shaft may not appear immediately. A new hair will grow however, if the vital strand of cells is deposited by the former hair. The rate of replacement keeps pace with the rate of hair loss. When a hair leaves its follicle without depositing the vital strand of cells, a new hair cannot develop. This is one of the main reasons for thinning hair.

       * Child birth * Genetic hair loss                    * Inadequate diet

       * Severe stress    * Certain medications * Vitamin & mineral deficiency

   * Certain illness or surgery                * Thyroid problems    * Cancer treatments

       * Fungus infection                           * Improper hair care    * Bad habit of pulling hair

I will talk about each condition of hair loss or thinning hair a little more. Some conditions can correct themselves after a certain period of time, but some can only be corrected with proper treatments.

1) Child birth: After a woman delivers her baby and, while breast feeding, she might lose a larger amount of hair than usual, especially from the front hairline area and the top of head. She shouldn’tbe scared. It is perfectly normal because her body has gone through a lot of chemical changes. However, when her body gets back into its normal system, it usually takes up to six months for most of her hair to come back.

2) Genetic hair loss: Many researchers believe that the cause of hair loss or thinning hair especially for men is due to genetics. You inherited your hair loss or thinning hair from your ancestors. It can come from either side of the family, or both. Statistics show more than half of men over the age of 50 suffer from hair loss or baldness. However, there are effective treatments and supplements available. I will let you know about them when I talk about how to prevent hair loss or thinning hair. Of course, before you decide to take any supplement or treatment, it would be wise to consult your doctor.

3) Inadequate diet: Hair is composed mainly of a hard chemical substance called keratin, which is a protein. It is very important to have a healthy diet that includes foods with protein. Some people go on a strict diet or have bad eating habits that may result in protein deficiency. Your body also needs iron for your hair to grow. I will let you know what kind of food has more protein and minerals, especially iron.

4) Severe stress: If you are stressed out emotionally or physically, your hair becomes dull and lifeless. Some people, out of emotional stress, develop nervous habits, such as rubbing the scalp vigorously and pulling the hair out. These can cause hair breakage, hair follicle damage, and hair loss or thinning hair. Physical stress can be from an illness, pregnancy, child birth, menstruation, or menopause. This could cause your hormone levels to be erratic and affect the hairfollicles by damaging or shrinking them. Everyone has stress to one degree or another. It is very important to know how to mange your stress so that you can prevent hair loss or thinning hair.

5) Certain medications: Some medications can cause hair loss or thinning hair. These medications may be prescribed for depression, acne, birth control, diet, etc. There are many other medications or drugs that can cause hair loss or thinning hair because of some of the ingredients in the medicines. Which medications or drugs cause hair loss or thinning hair? Listed below are the ingredients of medicine that causes hair loss.

* acne medicines - isotretinoin, Lithium                                             * anti-inflammatories - prednisone

* anti-depressants - celexa, elavil, lithium, paxil, prozac, zoloft       * birth control pills - high progestins

* blood thinners - heparin, warfarin * diet pills - amphetamines

* gout medications - alopurinol, colchicine                                        * seizure medications - dilantin

* high blood pressure medicines - diuretics

6) Vitamin & mineral deficiency: Vitamin and mineral deficiency can cause hair loss and thinning hair. Deficiency of vitamins A, B and E can result in poor hair conditions such as dry and brittle hair, falling-out hair, etc. Vitamin A deficiency causes dryness of hair by hampering the sebum secretion in the scalp which keeps the hair moist. Your body needs Vitamin B complex and Vitamin E for your hair to grow. Deficiency of these vitamins causes poor blood circulation to the scalp and hair and results in dry hair or hair falling out. You body also needs iron for your hair to grow and the deficiency of iron can cause dry or falling-out hair.

7) Certain illness and surgery: When you suffer from any illness that includes a high fever or severe infection, it may cause hair loss or thinning hair. Within a couple of months, you may be surprised to see a large amount of hair falling out after a major surgery. People who have had a chronic illness may also experience gradual and indefinite hair loss or thinning hair.

8) Thyroid problems: Whether your thyroid gland is over-active (hyperthyroidism) or under-active (hypothyroidism), it can cause hair loss or thinning hair. However, hair loss or thinning hair related to thyroid problems can be reversed with proper treatment.

9) Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy treatments for cancer are the most severe medication to cause hair loss or thinning hair. When anti-cancer drugs are used to kill cancer cells and stop their growth, the drugs affect the normal cells in your body including hair follicles. Some people just experience their hair getting thinner and becoming dry and brittle. For others, the hair falls out rapidly and they almost become bald. This can occur within a month after starting treatment.

10) Fungus infection: Ringworm (tinea) is a fungus organism that can develop in the scalp. The outer part of the ring is scaly, but the skin within the circle appears normal. The fungus infection is passed on by flakes of skin or hair containing the fungus. As the fungus moves along in its course, the hair breaks off and causes gradual bald patches (Alopecia areata). This contagious disease is very common in children and pets.

11) Improper hair care: Improper hair care with chemical treatments, such as coloring, bleaching, straightening or a permanent wave can damage your hair and result in hair loss or thinning hair. Most chemical treatments include peroxide which makes hair very dry. If you use it frequently or excessively, it may cause swelling or inflammation of the hair follicles, which may cause hair loss or thinning hair. When shampooing hair, if you rub the scalp vigorously with your fingernails, it can damage the hair follicles and may also result in hair loss or thinning hair. Braiding hair tightly, using tight rollers, or wearing hair tightly pulled back can cause hair loss or thinning hair. If you wear a wig every day, it is also not good for your scalp or follicles and may result in hair loss or thinning hair.

12) Bad habit of pulling or twisting hair: Some people develop a bad habit of pulling or twisting hair when they get nervous, bored, or stressed out. This can cause hair breakage, hair follicle damage, and hair loss or thinning hair.