Hair fall is a common problem that affects both men and women. There are numerous causes for hair fall, such as stress, physical weakness and a poor diet.
Nutritional deficiencies in the body, hormonal imbalances, and exposure to dirt and dust weaken the hair roots, leading to hair loss.
How many types of hair loss?
- Androgenetic alopecia is caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors. In men, it manifests as hair loss at the front of the scalp, while in women, it leads to thinning of the hair. These are common forms of hair loss.
- Telogen effluvium is characterized by sudden, excessive hair shedding, which occurs due to factors such as stress, illness, childbirth, or nutritional deficiencies.
- Alopecia areata is a type of autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair to fall out in circular patches in severe cases, the entire scalp may also be affected.
- Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss primarily caused by tying or styling the hair very tightly over a prolonged period. this weakens the hair roots, leading to gradual hair shedding.
- Anagen effluvium is also a type of hair loss in which hair falls out rapidly due to chemotherapy, radiation or medications. Its primary cause is that it disrupts the hair’s growth phase.
How common is the problem of hair loss?
Hair loss is a common problem observed nowadays among people of almost every age group whether children, adults or the elderly, everyone is experiencing hair shedding.
In men, baldness can begin after the age of approximately 30, as it has been observed that the issue of hair loss is more prevalent among them. However, hair loss is now increasing rapidly among women as well, largely due to excessive stress and hormonal changes.
According to research, it has been found that approximately 50% of people experience hair loss at some point in their lives, this includes members of the younger generation as well.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of hair loss?
- If you lose 50 to 100 hairs per day, these are symptoms of hair loss.
- Gradual thinning of the hair is also a symptom of hair loss.
- If hair loss occurs on the scalp in circular patches, this indicates that the hair loss is due to Alopecia Areata.
- If your hair breaks easily, gets caught in your comb or hands or shows signs of falling out due to weakened roots, these are symptoms of hair loss.
- Itching or redness of the scalp, accompanied by hair shedding is also a symptom of hair loss.
- An easy way to identify hair loss is to observe whether you have patches of unusually thick hair in some areas of your scalp, while having very sparse hair in others this, too, is a symptom of hair loss.
What are the causes of hair loss?
- Hair also weakens and falls out due to mental or physical stress.
- Hair loss is caused by deficiency in protein, iron, Vitamin D, and zinc, as a lack of these various nutrients leads to hair shedding.
- Hair loss can also occur during hormonal changes, such as those associated with thyroid issues, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or menopause.
- Genetics is also a major cause of hair loss.
Diagnosis and Testing
How is hair loss diagnosed?
- First, consult a doctor or a trichologist.
- Get a blood test done that includes iron, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D. Additionally, get a thyroid test done, as hair loss can also be caused by thyroid issues.
- Examine the hair roots, which may involve a hair pull test or dermatoscopy.
- After a correct diagnosis, start medication or treatment as advised by the doctor.
Prevention- hair fall
How can you prevent hair loss?
- Consume a diet rich in protein, iron, zinc and vitamins, as these are essential for your hair.
- To keep the hair and scalp healthy, drink plenty of water to prevent hair loss.
- In addition to reducing stress, ensuring adequate sleep specifically 7 to 8 hours daily is beneficial for both the hair and the entire body.
- Reduce your consumption of alcohol and smoking, as they weaken the hair.
- Herbal oils, such as coconut or castor oil, are beneficial for the hair.
- In addition to keeping the skin on your forehead clean, also avoid work that involves excessive stress and anxiety.
- Do not ignore the early signs of hair fall.
- Exercising daily will keep both the body and hair strong and healthy.
Conclusion – Hair fall
Hair loss is a common problem. however, by maintaining a balanced diet, reducing stress and providing timely hair care, you can prevent hair loss to a significant extent.
Aslo Read: The secret to shiny,(Easy hair care) Tips.