Your hair loss may have a direct correlation to your overall health. There are physical ailments and medications that not only have an impact on your physical wellbeing; they can affect your hairline as well. Of course, there are other things that promote hair loss and it could be you simply need to take better care of your hair and scalp.
The most common and well known scalp condition is that of dandruff. Exactly what is it that causes dandruff? Believe it or not, doctors really aren't sure what can bring it on. Some think it is the result of a fungus growth that has gotten out of hand. There is also conditions known as eczema and psoriasis which contribute to having a lot of dandruff, along with oily skin, being overweight, having a huge amount of stress in your life, or living in a climate that is cold and dry. While most people are pretty self-conscious about their dandruff, medically speaking it isn't serious at all.
The only time dandruff can take on a bit more serious nature is when you notice the flakes being yellow and greasy. This is in all likelihood a condition called seborrheic dermatitis. This a skin ailment that presents itself where there is a large number of oil glands, which is typically on the scalp and face. This condition is connected to hormones, fungus, and at times neurological issues. But it is treated the same as regular dandruff by using over the counter anti-dandruff shampoos. In some extreme cases your physician may have to prescribe a steroid or antifungal medication.
Another factor in hair loss is shedding. No, your dog or cat are not the only critters around the house that shed. You do to! There are some experts who will tell you that humans may lose up to 100 hairs a day or more to shedding. This in and of itself doesn't mean that you are going bald because a certain amount of this type of hair loss is perfectly normal. You aren't aware of this but your hair follicles are busy at work manufacturing hair for the top of your head all the time. About 90% of your hair follicles are doing this and most of the hair that does fall out is usually replaced by new hair within a short period of time.
There can be physical and emotional events in your life that can contribute to hair loss. The best examples of these would be major surgeries and in some cases childbirth. If you are going through an event in your life that is causing you a great deal of stress, this too could be a culprit in the loss of hair. Loss of a job, loss of loved one, a marriage breaking are all major life changing stressors in which one of the side effects can be the loss of hair. Your thyroid can be a factor to with a condition referred to as telogen effluvium. In this situation you will notice the hair coming out in handfuls. My older brother went through a period of this and it caused him a great deal of concern at the time. However, it did stop and the hair grew back. He actually has a fuller head of hair today than I do.
The one factor that causes hair loss that you truly have no control or say over is your genetic makeup. Hair loss is a trait that is often passed down from one generation to the next and it will be the result of the genetics on your mother's side of the family more so than your father's. Looking at your grandpa and grandma might give you a little clue as to what the future holds for your own head of hair. Male pattern baldness is hereditary and it ends up leaving its trademark horseshoe-shaped bald spot on top of the head. Medicines such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) are over the counter hair loss products that can slow down male pattern baldness. The only problem with this treatment is that you have to keep using it in order for it to be effective.
In the end, there can be quite a number of factors that can result in hair loss. If you are losing your hair earlier or more quickly than you desire, you probably will want to consult with your physician and see what the best treatment, if any, you want to pursue. For men, having a bald spot or a head with little or no hair is not uncommon and it is often taken in stride. For women the issue can be more troublesome simply because it isn't as a pervasive condition in females and creates greater self-image problems.
Hair LossDean is a freelance writer and webmaster. He writes primarily on the topics of health/fitness, aging/senior living, mental health, and personal development.
Visit his site: http://www.LiveBetterReview.com