Hair Loss in Women-causes and Fixes

Hair loss in women-causes and fixes1) What is Androgenetic alopecia? what is the underlying cause? How it can be fixed?Androgenetic alopecia is a genetically determined disorder characterized by the gradual conversion of terminal hairs into indeterminate, and finally into vellus, hairs. It is an extremely common disease that affects men and women

Androgenetic alopecia is caused due to prolonged effect of androgen on the hair follicles. In some cases it might also be due to other factors like seasonal changes, malnutrition, anemia, etc.In men, this condition is called male-pattern baldness. Baldness in men is more well-defined in comparison to women. While in women, it causes thinning of the hairs, and rarely leads to complete baldness. Approximately 50% of men by the age of 50 years and 15% of women before the time they reach menopause have some degree of androgenic alopecia.

Causes

There are many different potential causes of alopecia. Hair loss - temporary or permanent - can be triggered by any number of factors. These can include allergies, irritants, toxins, burns, injuries, and infections. We also know that certain medications (especially anabolic steroids), chronic kidney failure, radiation, and chemotherapy can cause hair to fall out. Sometimes, hair loss may be due to a vitamin A overdose, iron deficiency anemia, a malfunctioning thyroid gland, fever, hormonal imbalances, or pregnancy.In order to reduce the symptoms of AGA, you must target the causes. You can’t target your genetic makeup, but you can target androgens and inflammation while stimulating new hair growth. The most prescribed medical treatment for permanent hair loss is Minoxidil, which is commonly known on the market as Rogaine.Rogaine treats AGA by preventing the androgens from attacking the hair follicles, thus reducing noticeable hair loss. Minoxidil is not a permanent solution and will stop working shortly after you stop taking it. Although it allows for hair growth, the hair will still likely not grow to its full potential, but will be enough to cover some baldness.In men, finasteride, also known as Propecia on the market, is used to treat male-pattern baldness by reducing DHT, or androgens. It is not safe for use in women of childbearing age, who are pregnant, or for children who suffer from hair loss. Ketoconazole shampoo is another medical treatment option that targets inflammation-caused AGA.2)

What is Telogen effluvium? what is the underlying cause? How it can be fixed?At any given time, about 85% to 90% of the hairs on the average person’s head are actively growing (the anagen phase) and the others are resting (the telogen phase). Typically, a hair is in the anagen phase for two to four years, then enters the telogen phase, rests for about two to four months, and then falls out and is replaced by a new, growing hair. The average person naturally loses about 100 hairs a day.

In a person with telogen effluvium, some body change or shock pushes more hairs into the telogen phase. Typically in this condition, about 30% of the hairs stop growing and go into the resting phase before falling out. So if you have telogen effluvium, you may lose an average of 300 hairs a day instead of 100. And the cause is :

• Surgery
• Major physical trauma
• Major psychological stress
• High fever, severe infection or other illness
• Extreme weight loss
• Extreme change in diet
• Abrupt hormonal changes, including those associated with childbirth and menopause
• Iron deficiency
• Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
• Some medications

Some causes of the disorder can be corrected. For example, if you have a poor diet, consult a dietitian to help you balance it. If the hair loss began after you started a new medication, talk to your doctor to see if the medication should be discontinued. Many times, however, the cause is a specific event in the past, and you can expect that the hair will grow back. In cases where hair growth has not returned to a satisfactory level.we can use minoxidil (Rogaine), a lotion applied to the scalp that may stimulate hair growth in some people.

What Alopecia areata? what is the underlying cause? How it can be fixed?Alopecia means loss of hair or baldness. There are several different causes and patterns of alopecia. Alopecia areata is one type of hair loss. Alopecia areata can occur at any age but most cases first develop in teenagers and children. At least half of the people with alopecia areata develop their first patch of hair loss before they are 21. Males and females are equally affected. The condition tends to be milder when it first develops at an older age.Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune disease. This occurs when your own immune system damages healthy cells in your own body. The immune system makes white blood cells (lymphocytes) and antibodies to protect against foreign objects such as bacteria, viruses, and other germs. In autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes part or parts of the body as foreign. In people with alopecia areata, many white blood cells gather around the affected hair roots (hair follicles) which are mistaken as foreign. This causes some mild inflammation which leads in some way to hairs becoming weak and falling out to cause the bald patches.

It is not known why it is common for only certain areas of the scalp to be affected. Also, the affected hair follicles are not destroyed. Affected hair follicles are capable of making normal hair again if the immune reaction goes and the situation returns to normal.It is not known why alopecia areata or other autoimmune diseases occur. It is thought that something triggers the immune system to react against one or more of the body’s own tissues. Possible triggers include viruses, infection, medicines or other environmental factors. There is also an inherited factor which makes some people more prone to autoimmune diseases.

About 1 in 5 people with alopecia areata have a close relative who is also affected.If you have alopecia areata you also have a slightly higher than average chance of developing other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorders, pernicious anaemiaand vitiligo. (However, it is important to stress that most people with alopecia areata do not develop any of these other conditions.) There is currently no cure for alopecia areata, although there are some forms of treatment that can be suggested by doctors to help hair re-grow more quickly.The most common form of alopecia areata treatment is the use of corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress the immune system. These are mostly commonly administered through local injections, topical ointment application, or orally.Other medications that can be prescribed that either promote hair growth or affect the immune system include Minoxidil, Anthralin, SADBE, and DPCP. Although some of these may help with the re-growth of hair, they cannot prevent the formation of new bald patches.

How nutritional deficiency can lead to hair loss? How it can be fixed?The body requires many different vitamins and minerals that are crucial for both body development and preventing disease. These vitamins and minerals are often referred to as micronutrients. They aren’t produced naturally in the body, so you have to get them from your diet.If your diet lacks certain nutrients, especially over an extended period of time, it can cause cells like hair follicles to stop working properly.

When this occurs, it can interrupt the normal hair growth cycle, preventing follicles from growing new hair and even cause hair loss. Identify the most common signs of vitamin deficiency, and get remedies for vitamin deficiency and hair loss.

To fix it needs to eat lots of

Spinach: Spinach is a great vegetarian food for hair regrowth. Spinach is a great source of iron, vitamin A and C and protein.

Eggs and Dairy Products: Eggs and dairy products are great foods for hair growth and thickness. Milk, yogurt and eggs are loaded with essential nutrients such as proteins, Vitamin B12, iron, zinc and Omega 6 fatty acids.

Walnuts: Add some walnuts to your diet to stop hair fall. It is the only known nut that contains biotin, B vitamins (B1, B6 and B9), Vitamin E, plenty of protein and magnesium, all of which strengthen hair cuticles and nourish the scalp.

Lentils are loaded with protein, iron, zinc, and biotin which are all essential nutrients for your hair

Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that easily reach the hair shaft and cell membranes of your scalp and nourish the follicles

How vitamin deficiency can also lead to hair loss? How it can be fixed? When it comes to hair loss, vitamin deficiency is the most common cause. Malnutrition often paves the way for partial or complete hair loss. Malnutrition can result from poor dietary habits, disturbed metabolism, massive urinary excretion or stress. Other causes include hormonal changes, genetic disorder, health ailments or medications.

Certain vitamins and minerals are essential for regulating regeneration and growth of hair follicles. If the human body is deficient in the required nutrients, the follicle won’t be able to perform the normal hair growth cycle, resulting in split ends, hair breakage and slow re-growth.

Principal nutrients responsible for hair loss include Vitamin A, E, C and B. Vitamin A secretes sebum in scalp that keeps the hair moist. If an adequate amount of Vitamin A is not consumed, sebum secretion is hampered, resulting in dryness of hair. This dryness is the major cause of hair fall. Deficiency of Vitamin A can also build up cellular debris in the hair follicles resulting in dandruff and hair loss.Vitamin E is responsible for performing the vital function of enhancing the level of blood circulation towards scalp. It also plays a major role in hair regeneration and growth by helping follicles to take enough oxygen. The deficiency of this vitamin can be a great obstacle to hair regeneration and growth.

Vitamin C can be harmful to hair only in case of prolonged deficiency. This vitamin helps in the formation of collagen. Collagen is a connective tissue that holds other tissues of the body to provide structure, such as the tissue in hair. Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to splitting and breaking.

Vitamin B6, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 also play significant roles in performing the normal hair growth cycle. These vitamins are responsible for the formation of hemoglobin that carries oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body, including the hair. If the hair follicle does not receive a constant supply of blood and oxygen, it leads to hair falling, damaged hair and slow re-growth. Deficiency of these vitamins can be curbed by consuming more of milk and egg yolk.

Vitamin deficiency and hair can never go hand in hand. One needs to combat the deficiency to have strong, healthy and beautiful hair. To do so, you should consume variety of food items to ensure adequate intake of vitamins.