The Causes For Hair Loss

If you start to lose your hair, you may ignore it for a while, but it will eventually become noticeable to other people.  If you decide to do something about it, don’t wait too long.  However, before you start looking for cures, it is better to learn about what the causes for hair loss are first.  There are a variety of causes for hair loss - some you can control and others you cannot. For instance, there is nothing you can do about your genetic history or growing older, but there are still a lot of factors that are under your control. Medications, beauty products, hair styles and diet all play a play a part in how healthy your hair will be and how fully it will grow.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic Alopecia is caused by heredity and occurs primarily in men, but some women have been known to get it as well.  If you are losing your hair due to this condition, look at photos from your family tree and you will probably find relatives who have passed this trait down to future generations. If you take a note of the age at which you start to lose hair as well as how fast and even the pattern of loss is, you will most likely find that it is somehow linked to heredity. 

Alopecia Areata

Among the causes for hair loss, Alopecia Areata is the most puzzling because doctors don’t know how much genetics are responsible for this condition. Graded as an autoimmune disease, Alopecia Areata can still be developed by people that are in good health.  As with mononucleosis and other illnesses, doctors are still trying to figure out what triggers it. This condition likely will occur on and off a number of times, which is very frustrating because there is seemingly no rhyme or reason and no real cure.

Miscellaneous Causes

Other causes for hair loss are various medical problems such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, and unexpected illnesses like the flu. Surgery and medical treatments like chemotherapy play a part in hair loss, but luckily some of that lost hair grows back eventually.  Certain medications like those for high blood pressure, arthritis, heart conditions and even birth control pills can cause hair loss. Menopause and childbirth can be causes for hair loss in women when they experience major hormonal changes.

A poor diet lacking in proteins and iron can be a problem and usually is the result of starvation diets or quick weight loss fads.  A diet that consists of fast food can result in hair loss because of the high fat, salt and sugar content.  Anorexia and bulimia, two eating disorders can also be counted among the causes for hair loss.

Other causes for hair loss may simply be cosmetic.  This includes the brand of hair care products and chemicals that you use in your hair. These causes for hair loss are totally treatable and the damage is often reversible. However, the best treatment in these cases is to stop using the product and wait for your hair grow out.