The Leading Causes of Hair Loss

By Abby H Reeves

There are many reasons as to why men and women lose their hair and aside from it being rather embarrassing, it can also be very stressful for patients. Alopecia is a common side effect and symptom of various medical conditions and treatments but if you're at all worried, you should speak to your GP. The leading causes for hair loss in both men and women are as follows.

Firstly, chemical breakage is probably the leading cause for hair loss in women. It's usually caused by over processing with hair dye and bleach. It can cause serious damage to your hair but everyone's threshold is different. It can happen as early as the first time you dye your hair or as late as 20 years after having dyed your hair on a regular basis.

Hypothyroidism is a medical condition that causes hair loss in both men and women and this is because your thyroid gland regulates a set of hormones in your body. Any defecit will cause symptoms and hypothyroidism is one that can causes severe hair loss. However, it doesn't always present so make sure that you get tested if you have other symptoms such as weight gain, tiredness and fatigue and a cold body temperature or an intolerance to the cold.

One of the most widely known causes of hair loss is chemotherapy. This is the treatment that most cancer patients are put on and it can cause some pretty nasty side effects, one of which is hair loss. This is because it's such a hardcore treatment and it simply kills a lot of things in your body in order to kill the cancer - it's a pain in the neck but hair loss is better than having cancer!

Then of course, there's the genetic side of things which may or may not be treatable. It depends on the condition; Genodermatosis for example, is a skin condition which can cause hair loss and it is a hereditary disease - there are treatment options available for this condition but not for all.

If you are at all worried about hair loss then you should contact your GP and make an appointment to have a full blood count done. This will usually flag any conditions and infections which could be causing it but it can also be something as simple as a poor diet so make sure that you talk to your GP.

About the Author:

Author Abby H Reeves talks about finding hair loss information online. www.hairreplacemebtspecialists.co.uk has a big range of information available, you will easily get what you're looking for.

Do You Want To Know What Causes Hair Loss In Women, But You're Too Shy To Ask?

By John Farikani

We usually associate baldness with middle-aged men, but many people don't know that women also suffer with the same problem. What causes hair loss in women can be attributed to several factors that will be discussed in this article. When a woman loses her hair, it's usually unnoticeable because they tend to disguise the condition by using wigs or weaves.

At the first sign of hair loss, a woman should immediately consult a doctor because it is imperative to establish the cause. If the cause is detected early, the condition may have a chance of being reversed before permanent balding occurs. Unlike men, women have a better chance of reversal.

Alopecia is the correct term for hair loss. Women often get traction alopecia, caused by the continual use of tight weaves or tight hats. The hair follicles are subjected to prolonged stress and, as a result, the tension becomes too much, resulting in the loss of hair. Some hairstyles can also cause traction alopecia.

Tightly-fitting hats also put undue strain on the hair follicles, that's why men who frequently wear tight caps or hats are prone to alopecia. No woman wants to end up bald, so take the necessary precautions before it's too late. Avoid those weaves, wigs and fancy hairdos if you want to avoid losing your crowning glory!

Hormonal changes and menstruation can also cause women to lose hair temporarily. This is known as telogen effiuvium which, in layman's terms, simply means temporary hair loss. High stress levels (emotionally and physically) plus thyroid problems and side-effects caused by certain medications can also cause telogen effiuvium.

Another variety of alopecia in women is alopecia Areata. This is an uneven spread of hair loss that can be the result of mineral or nutrient deficiencies which weaken the immune system; hence the follicles are unable to offer any resistance. This can often be rectified with a balanced diet as well as vitamin and mineral supplements.

Again it must be stressed that a doctor is contacted at the first signs of a woman losing hair. Thinning hair is another condition that affects many women. This frequently occurs during a woman's menstrual cycle, or it can be a side-effect of contraceptive pills. Women also experience thinning hair when menopause commences.

Many women, like men, have a genetic disposition to alopecia caused by an over-supply of the hormone, testosterone. The surplus testosterone is then converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes hair follicles to die. Scientists are hoping to find a treatment in the near future.

About the Author:

Looking to find the best deal on what causes hair loss in women, then visit www.baldness-prevention.com to find the best advice on hair loss for you.