Understanding Hair Loss and Its Remedies

It is estimated that most of us (assuming we have a full head of hair) lose about 100 scalp hairs every day.  Under normal circumstances, when we are young, we shed hair and regrow hair in close to equal amounts.  When this balance is upset, for any of a number of reasons, and more hairs are shed than are regrown, we experience hair loss, also known as alopecia.

There are three phases of hair growth:  growing, resting, and shedding.  In human hair, each follicle cycles at its own individual rate as opposed to most animals (whose cycles change with the season and all hairs are in the same part of the cycle at the same time).

Hair loss and thinning hair can be caused by a variety of different conditions.  Some of the "fallout" (please excuse the pun) is temporary and is triggered by specific trauma or changes to the body. 

Common Causes Of Short-Term Hair Loss

1. Medications - Some prescription drugs may cause temporary hair shedding including those prescribed for depression, gout, high blood pressure, arthritis and, heart problems.
2. Thyroid Disease - Both an over-active thyroid and an under-active thyroid can cause hair loss. 
3. High Fever, Severe Infection & Severe Flu - Illnesses may cause hairs to enter a resting phase. Four weeks to three months after a high fever, severe illness or infection, a person may be shocked to see a lot of hair falling out.
4. Cancer Treatments - Some cancer treatments will cause hair cells to stop dividing. Hairs become thin and break off as they exit the scalp. This occurs one to three weeks after the treatment.
5. Childbirth - When a women is pregnant, her hairs will continue to grow. However, after a woman delivers her baby, many hairs enter the resting phase of the hair cycle. Within two to three months, some women will notice large amounts of hair coming out in their brushes and combs.
6. Protein Deficiency - Some people who go on crash diets that are low in protein, or have severely abnormal eating habits, may develop protein malnutrition. The body will save protein by shifting growing hairs into the resting phase.
7. Major Surgery/Chronic Illness - Anyone who has a major operation may notice increased hair shedding within one to three months afterwards.
8. Birth Control Pills - When a women stops using oral contraceptives, she may notice that her hair begins shedding two or three months later. 
9. Iron Deficiency - Some people don't have enough iron in their diets or may not fully absorb iron. Women who have heavy menstrual periods may develop iron deficiency.

In most of these cases, hair grows back within a six month period. 

When alopecia does not reverse itself, most of the blame has traditionally been pinned on genetics.   Known as "pattern hair loss," it is the most common type of hair loss and can affect both males and females once they reach puberty.  According to The Belgravia Centre, the UK's leading hair loss clinic, 50% of women and 80% of men are afflicted with pattern hair loss by the age of 80.

The most widely accepted explanation for male pattern hair loss is the DHT theory. DHT stands for dihydrotestosterone, a by-product of the hormone testosterone. During puberty, high levels of DHT in the body are normal and aid in the development of secondary sexual characteristics.  As we age, however, high levels of DHT can have negative effects on hair health:  It is believed that DHT attaches itself to hair follicles depriving them of nutrition.  The follicles then shrink and, eventually, fall out.

But what if the DHT theory is flawed?  There is evidence to suggest that hair loss is not wholly genetic and  the hair follicle may have inadequate nourishment for reasons other than DHT.  Alternative natural treatments for hair restoration are based on re-supplying the follicle with the nutrients it once had, and needs again, to flourish.

So what are the remedies for hair loss?   Hair transplants that require surgery are one option.

Also available are several synthetic hair growth products, such as propecia, that attempt to block DHT production  to varying degrees. As with any drug, side effects must be considered.

A natural, holistic approach to hair restoration based on the undernourished follicle assertion has gained increasing popularity and acceptance.  While less well-known, this type of treatment, which does not rely on drugs and chemicals, and even surgery, has been found to be more desirable by many hair loss sufferers.  Natural remedies are typically much less expensive and have been found to be effective in hair restoration.

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