Have you noticed lately how we have many bald-headed young men around us? I have always wondered if baldness was just hereditary or if there was something else to it. While I was searching for answers, I came across some articles on the causes of baldness and the cure, if there is any.
A certain amount of hair thinning is a natural part of the aging process for some people. But if you have sudden or patchy hair loss, a doctor appointment is in order. Sudden or patchy hair loss may be a sign of an underlying disease or condition. For example, skin conditions such as vitiligo, autoimmune disorders such as Addison’s disease or alopecia areata, and certain thyroid conditions all can cause sudden or uneven hair loss.
o Androgenetic alopecia: This is the most common form of hair loss and is also referred to as male-pattern or female-pattern baldness. Hormones and genetics seem to play the main role here. Male-pattern baldness is hereditary, from either side of the family, and can even skip generations. It tends to occur on the crown and at the temples and when these patches join together, the top of the hair is left completely bald. Statistics show that this type of hair loss affects 30 percent of men aged 30, 50 percent of men aged 50, and 70 percent of men aged 70. For women, the hair thins initially on the frontal area and the crown and moves down the sides of the head, while the back of the head remains dense with hair. This is hereditary and tends to affect women mostly after menopause.
o Toxic alopecia: This type of hair loss seems to occur following physical or emotional stress. Things such as illness, scalp infections, sudden loss of weight, surgery, drugs, and pregnancy/childbirth can cause this type of hair loss. Diseases such as lupus, diabetes, and thyroid disease can bring about such hair loss, as can chemotherapy, heart disease drugs, and radiation therapy. Hair loss that occurs as a result of a mental or physical stress can occur some 2 to 3 months after the event that sparked the stress.
o Alopecia areata: This is actually a skin disorder which causes hair on the affected skin areas to fall out. It is usually the scalp or beard and is thought to have autoimmune causes. This type of hair loss seems to be most common in young people. The hair usually grows back.
o Alopecia universalis or totalis: All body hair is lost, from everywhere, including eyebrows and eyelashes. Hair follicles are not destroyed; the inability to grow hair back is psychological and getting hair to grow back again is not easy.
o Trichotillomania: This is hair loss due to hair pulling, a habit or condition that can be corrected with treatment.
o Scarring alopecia: This is hair loss that occurs at the site of scars or damaged areas such as burns or skin cancer.
Hair loss has multiple causes, including diet, mineral deficiency, medications, stress, pollution, and your genetics. Wearing helmets and caps can also increase hair loss. Up to one third of the population suffers from hair loss, and of that third, thousands are women. Whatever the cause of hair loss that might be worrying you, it’s important to understand what hair loss is, how hair grows, and what you could be doing before hair loss even becomes an issue for you.
Like I said, your diet can be one of the causes of hair loss. If you are a vegetarian and/or you eat too few iron-rich foods, such as red meat, it could be. Dietary deficiencies have been known to cause hair loss in men and women around the world. If your thinning hair is accompanied by thin and fragile fingernails, ask your doctor about a blood test for iron-deficiency anemia.
Additionally, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and biotin may play a role in the condition of your hair. These nutrients aren’t a cure for baldness, but they may help preserve the shine, strength, and integrity of your hair. Cold-water fish, such as salmon and herring, are good sources of these nutrients.
Some studies have shown that green tea may have a positive effect on inherited hair loss. Although the evidence that green tea can prevent hair loss is not strong, drinking the antioxidant-rich tea is a valuable addition to any diet.
For men who suffer from excessively thinning hair or excessive hair loss for which there is no known underlying medical reason, it is probably due to genetics. In fact, most hair loss in men is inherited: It can come from mom, dad, or both parents. The culprit in male pattern hair loss seems to be the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase (5-AR), which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shrinks the hair follicles in men with a genetic predisposition, and in time, the smaller follicles produce shorter and thinner hair.
As you are working down your list of possible explanations, here are some items to cross off. Chemicals, such as those used to color, perm, or bleach hair or those used to chlorinate swimming pools, do not cause hair to fall out at the follicle or cause permanent hair loss. But harsh chemicals can cause hair to become very fragile and susceptible to breakage, so limiting your exposure to them may help protect the integrity of your hair.
Treating Hereditary Hair Loss
One of the most popular pharmacological hair loss treatments for men is minoxidil. This topical medication inhibits the enzyme 5-AR and has proved effective in treating hair loss in men. But there are some drawbacks to minoxidil. Consistent use is required to maintain hair growth, and results may take up to four months to begin showing. Also, it works best for hair growth on the crown of the head, not the frontal hairline or receding hairlines, and once treatment is stopped, hair loss returns. Local side effects may include dryness, itching, and redness of the scalp, so talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.
Another possible treatment for hereditary hair loss in men is the oral medication finasteride. Like minoxidil, this medication inhibits 5-AR. Speak with your doctor about the possible risks and benefits of this medication. A small number of men taking this medication reported sexual side effects, such as decreased libido.
The Future Is Bright
Hair loss research continues at a rapid pace. Researchers have been successful in regrowing hair on bald mice through the implantation of stem cells and one day may be able to implant such cells into humans to activate the hair follicles to grow more hair.
But until a permanent cure for baldness is available, your best bet for maintaining a full head of hair is to seek treatment at the first sign of thinning. This will increase your chances of minimizing hair loss. Alternatively, change your mindset and embrace a bald new look!
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