Hair Loss Cause and Types of Hair Loss

Alopecia (the medical term meaning hair loss) affects men and women, young and old. It’s far more common than most people realize. It affects adults, teenagers and children and there are numerous causes.

There is no exact age at which alopecia occurs. Depending on the cause, it could be a very slow or extremely rapid process. A process that may only affect a specific area of the body such as the scalp or the entire head to as much as the entire body.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Generally, the most common type is androgenetic alopecia or androgenic alopecia. Androgenetic refers to the influence of androgens (male hormones), and a genetic predisposition to balding (or in other words balding is inherited). This type of hair loss usually starts to affect people from their mid teenage years and on, affecting more men than women. Although, it is more common in women than most people realize. In women generally this results in just a thinning of the hair over the entire scalp with the most extensive loss at the crown. Androgenetic alopecia is more commonly known as hereditary pattern baldness.

Telogen Effluvium

Any one or combination of a number of medical factors may result in a temporary loss of hair. For example, nutritional deficiency, hormone imbalance, stress, and disease. Even some medications and medical conditions, illnesses such as thyroid disease, diabetes, liver disease, kidney diseases or lupus.

Adult women and teenage girls can experience alopecia because of hormone imbalance from polycystic ovary syndrome. Acne medicines, amphetamines in diet pills, chemotherapy (treatment for cancer) can all cause balding. When loss is the result of a illness or medical condition or treatment hair will normally return once the cause is gone, as long as there is no damage to the follicles but it could take a few years.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is hair lost as a result of an autoimmune disease. This type affects all hair on the entire body. With Alopecia areata, hair usually falls out in small patches and can progress to total baldness.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder in which a person pulls his/her own hair that can also lead to hair loss. This particular type is usually most common in children.

Traction Alopecia

Styling and treatments that cause tension to the hair and scalp can lead to hair loss. For example tight braids as in corn rows can lead to the condition known as traction alopecia.

With so many reasons, it is wise to consult a physician who can help to positively identify the hair loss cause and ultimately recommend an appropriate treatment.

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