Hair diseases and hair loss are closely related. One cannot be thought of without the other.
common causes of hair loss
No single factor can be identified as the universal cause of hair diseases. There are many reasons that differ from person to person.
two types of hair loss
The causes of hair loss can be broadly divided into the following two groups –
Temporary effect and long acting, usually triggered by genetics.
a.) Temporary effects – Usually such cases can be cured with medicines and treatments.
b.) Long term hair loss disease – In such cases long term treatment may be required. Sometimes drug treatment may appear ineffective. In such a situation, surgery like hair transplantation can be the way out.
Causes of temporary hair loss include childbirth, using birth control pills, etc.
Another major factor could be hormonal imbalance. This can have serious effects by causing pattern baldness. The latter comes in the list of major hair diseases.
Relation between hair diseases and hair loss
Sometimes it is found that a particular cause of hair loss is usually related to a particular hair disease. In this context one can refer to acquired hair shaft defects. These blemishes usually result from excessive use of hair treatments and styling products.
Similarly, infectious diseases have their roots in an unhygienic scalp.
Common causes of hair loss diseases –
Common causes of hair loss diseases include the following –
o Hormonal imbalance
o disease
o Faulty hair styling
o inadequate diet
hormonal imbalance
In men – hormonal imbalance is a major cause http://www.hairdiseases.com/preventing-hair-loss/> Hair loss diseases in men. The male hormone testosterone plays an important role in triggering hair loss. In hair follicles, the enzyme 5 alpha reductase converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The latter is the most potent androgen promoting male pattern baldness, a common hair loss disorder.
In women – Imbalance in thyroid hormone is the main reason for sudden hair loss in women. Hair fall can be the reason for overactive and underactive thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones substantially affect the cellular metabolism of scalp proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and minerals. And hair matrix cells are highly affected by excess or deficiency of thyroid hormone.
Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy also causes hair loss. High levels of the hormone estrogen are seen in pregnancy. This causes the percentage of hair follicles in the anagen growth phase. But estrogen levels decline rapidly after childbirth. As a result, a large number of hair follicles shift into the catagen phase. And gradually the hair starts falling.
Women may also experience hair loss in the post-pregnancy period. It is generally temporary in nature. But if it continues for months then it could be a sign of hormonal imbalance in the body. And hormonal imbalance for an extended period requires proper treatment.
Disease
Some serious illnesses, such as a high fever, severe infection, or the flu, can cause hair follicles to enter a resting phase. This condition is called telogen effluvium which results in increased hair fall. But this is a temporary situation after which normalcy will come soon.
Some cancer treatments also block the growth of hair follicles. Hair becomes thin and starts breaking. And gradually the hair starts falling. The condition begins within one to three weeks after the start of chemotherapy treatment. This treatment can cause hair loss of up to 90 percent of patients’ heads.
faulty hair styling
This means using certain hair styling techniques that result in hair loss diseases such as traction alopecia. In this condition the hair fibers are pulled from the hair follicle by a hair style that pulls on the roots of the hair fibers. An example of such faulty hairstyling is braiding or cornrowing. Cosmetic treatments such as bleaching, coloring or hair straightening can also cause problems if the proper procedure is not followed.
poor diet
Crash diets for rapid weight loss can lead to hair loss. Such diets lack proteins, vitamins and minerals, leading to malnutrition.
Abnormal eating habits due to lack of important nutrients can also cause hair loss.
Source by Michel Waugh
