What is Hair Loss ?

Hair loss is a very common problem that affects both men and women, from all parts of the world. Men are more prone to hair loss, and with the onset of hair loss, some people tend to lose some self confidence. However if and when the causes of hair loss are understood, it is possible to handle the problem much more efficiently.

The most common type of hair loss is androgenic alopecia which is a gradual thinning of hair, which culminates in hair loss. Its extreme form is alopecia universalis where there is total hair loss over the body. Although it is normal to lose hair in old age, some men experience hair loss during puberty.

Baldness or hair loss is usually something only adults need to worry about. But in a few cases, teens lose their hair, too — and it may be a sign that something's going on.

Hair loss during adolescence can mean a person may be sick or just not eating right. Some medications or medical treatments, like chemotherapy treatment for cancer, also cause hair loss. People can even lose their hair if they wear a hairstyle that pulls on the hair for a long time, such as braids.

Main causes of hair loss:
Drugs-
1.    Blood thinners (anti-coagulants), such as warfarin and heparin
2. Seizure medication, most commonly dilantin
3. Medication for gout, colchicines and alopurinol (Xyloprim)
4. Blood pressure medication, particularly the b-blockers (such as Inderal) or diuretics
5. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone
6. Medications that lower cholesterol and other lipids
hormonal changes-
With the hormonal changes of aging comes a decrease in the number of active hair follicles. Though this is an essentially universal change in all of us, a number of hormonal, genetic, or disease states make some of us lose hair earlier in life.
Among other hair loss causes there are also the following-
·    emotional strains, stresses and nervous disorders,
·    aging,
·    infections,
·    hormonal imbalance,
·    polluted environment,
·    toxic substances,
·    injury and impairment,
·    radiation.

Growth Cycle Interruption-

Experts say our tresses usually grow at the rate of about one-half inch per month -- with each hair having a growth phase of two to six years. At that point the hair "rests" for a period of time, then falls out -- and the follicle from which it sprang soon starts growing a new strand. And so the cycle continues, usually well into our senior years.

Lifespan-

 The average lifespan of a single hair is 4.5 years; the hair then falls out and is replaced within 6 months by a new hair.

Styling-

Shampooing, blow drying, and brushing hair can all cause a few hairs to fall out; most of us do this regularly.

Aging-

After the age of 30 (and often before), men and women both start losing hair, though men tend to do so at a faster rate.

Infections-

Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines.