Hair loss can be a deeply distressing experience for many people and
the cause of a huge loss of self-esteem, even resulting in depression
and severely impacting a person’s social life.
Although primarily attributed to men, hair loss can happen to both
men and women. Many do not realise, but there are actually around 8
million women in the UK alone who are suffering with some degree as hair
loss.
Even celebrities are prone to suffering
with hair loss, with Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney forking
out thousands of pounds on multiple hair transplants in the last two
years in a rather costly and apparently futile bid to fight his thinning
hair.
Medical Specialists Pharmacy have previously looked at some of the best foods for healthy hair, but what a large number of our patients want to know is why they have lost hair in the first place.
Obviously there is a familial aspect when considering causes of hair
loss as baldness tends to be hereditary. Looking at parents,
grandparents, etc. can usually give you a good idea regarding your
chances of keeping hold of a strong and healthy head of hair. You only
have to look at Prince William, his father Prince Charles, and Prince
William’s grandfather Prince Philip to see how genetics plays its part
in hair loss.
In many cases, there are numerous ways to treat male hair loss and female hair loss such as Propecia (for men), Dianette (for women) and Regaine (for men and women), just to name a few.
However, here Medical Specialists list some of the common causes of hair loss:
. Male pattern baldness (MPB)
So common that many would barely bat an eyelid upon seeing a male who
is experiencing MPB. By the age of 60, two thirds of men will have
experienced hair loss which is typified by the hair receding at the
temples and leaving behind an ‘M’-shaped hairline. Fortunately, topical
treatments such as Minoxidil (Regaine) and oral medications such as
Finasteride (Propecia) can halt the process and even regrow hair in some
cases.
. Physical stress
Physical trauma such as surgery, a car accident or severe illness can
cause temporary hair loss. This type of hair loss is known as telogen
effluvium and usually involves widespread thinning of the hair on the
scalp rather than bald patches. The hair may feel thinner than before
but then begin to grow back properly within around six months.
. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a common condition affecting millions of women in the UK and
alters the way in which a woman’s ovaries function. The three main
features are having high levels of ‘androgens’ (male hormones), ovaries
that do not regularly ovulate (release eggs), and cysts that develop
within the ovaries. Just two of these lead to a diagnosis of PCOS.
Whilst PCOS can cause facial hair growth, it may also result in thinning
hair and hair loss. Many cases of PCOS are treated through birth
control pills such as Yasmin,
which blocks testosterone via its potent anti-androgen. Should you be
unable to take birth control pills, you may be prescribed Spironolactone by your doctor.
. Pregnancy
Hair loss related to pregnancy normally occurs after delivery
of the baby, instead of during pregnancy. Whilst a woman is pregnant,
many hairs enter into a resting phase – part of the normal hair cycle.
The average head can lose around 100 hairs a day, but not all at once,
so it is not noticeable. Pregnancy results in your hormones preventing
those hairs from falling out, resulting in thicker and fuller hair.
However, when the hormones return to normal, the extra hairs will start
shedding. You are not balding – your hair is just beginning the process
of getting back to how it was in your pre-pregnancy state. Hair loss during pregnancy
is much less common and should be discussed with your doctor as it
could be the result of a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
. Lack of protein
Although there is little scientific evidence to definitely state a
particular diet has a direct impact on hair growth, it is generally
believed that if you are not getting enough protein in your diet, this
can be bad for hair growth as hair itself is mostly made of protein.
Therefore, a protein deficiency could cause dry or brittle hair, or hair
loss in certain cases. Some foods rich in protein which are great for
healthy hair include: eggs, nuts, salmon, chicken, whole grains and
beans.
. Lack of iron
If you are losing hair, there is a chance you may have an iron
deficiency. Iron helps to create red blood cells and these work at
transporting oxygen around the body. If there is not enough oxygen, the
hair bulb may be unable to generate new hair cells, resulting in much
slower hair growth. Some foods rich in iron which could help against
hair loss include: dried fruit, beans, red meat, liver, egg yolks,
molluscs, spinach, nuts, dark chocolate, tofu and whole grains. If you
suspect you may be suffering from anaemia and this is causing your hair
loss, you should be first diagnosed by your own doctor, who can carry
out a simple blood test. It is not advised to start taking iron
supplements on your own accord and risk overloading on iron, which can
be very dangerous.
. Lupus
The autoimmune disease Lupus causes the body’s own immune system to
attack healthy tissue. The hair loss could be mild and happen whilst
shampooing or brushing your hair. If the hair loss is more severe, it
may fall out in patches and there is usually a rash that appears on the
scalp.
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