The very thought of going bald or losing hair tend to cause anxiety in men and women. Hair loss, also known as alopecia refers to the condition of losing hair from part of the body and typically the head. This is a guide on how to prevent hair loss and reduce the chances of it happening.
What Causes Hair Loss Exactly?
Before trying to prevent alopecia, it's necessary to know
what causes the condition.
The main reason alopecia occurs is not completely understood
and it may have many causes and some of them include:
Infection - Alopecia may be due to infections
such as Folliculitis, Tinea Captiis (a fungal infection),
secondary syphilis and a microscopic mite known as Demodex folliculorum which
feeds on essential hair nutrients and thereby causing thinning.
Drugs - Medical researchers have linked
temporary or permanent hair loss to several medications. Medications for heart
disease, diabetes and high blood pressure have been linked to causing hair loss.
Also, medications that affect the hormonal balance of the body tend to cause
pronounced alopecia. Medications that affect the body's hormonal balance
include steroids, hormone replacement therapy, and acne medications.
Pregnancy - During pregnancy, there is an
increase in circulating estrogen. This increase in estrogen causes the hair to
thicken. After delivery, the circulating estrogen returns to their normal
levels and this cause a corresponding hair loss. Hair typically grows back
normally and treatment is not indicated
Genetics - Male pattern alopecia has been linked
to genetics.
Trauma - Any kind of trauma can cause alopecia.
Traumatic events such as childbirth, major surgery, poisoning
and severe stress may lead to hair loss. This condition is known as telogen
effluvium. Another form of trauma is the compulsive pulling and bending of
the hairs which results in a kind of hair loss known as Trichotillomania.
Radiotherapy is applied to the head to treat some forms of
cancers. This radiation can cause baldness and permanent hair loss.
Aging - As the body losses its natural
replenishment ability with aging, it's not uncommon to see alopecia or thinning
as one ages.
How is Hair Loss Prevented?
Alopecia can be prevented by a number of ways. As stated
earlier it is important to study the aforementioned causes of alopecia and use
it as a guide to prevent alopecia.
Concerning the infections that may cause alopecia, it is
pertinent to visit your doctor as soon as signs and symptoms of such infections
arise. Treatment of the infections as early as possible will reduce your chance
of going bald due to the infections.
It is also important to be mindful of the medications used
for treatment of diabetes, hypertension and others. Stick with drugs that have
been green-lighted by the FDA.
Although it is impossible to reverse natural balding, you
can protect hair from trauma that may eventually lead to loss of it. Avoid
styles that tend to stress the hair line thereby leading to alopecia.
Also, in order to prevent alopecia, it is important to be
mindful of the shampoos, relaxers, bleachers and other hair products used. Use
hair products that are targeted to restore hair growth.
Not only that, deficiency of vitamins can lead to alopecia,
it is therefore essential to eat well-balanced diets.
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