Hair Loss In Men And Women

by Jay Brachfeld

"I'm worried my hair is falling out! My hairdresser told me that my hair is much thinner than it used to be and I've noticed a change in thickness myself. I thought only men lost their hair when they got older."

As a dermatologist I frequently hear this complaint from women. Although men are more likely to lose their hair, women and children are also subject to excessive hair loss. Shedding some hair on a daily basis is normal but when it becomes excessive it could have an underlying cause. Most people assume that baldness is a result of age or genetics but there are many things that can cause hair loss.

*Major surgery or serious illness may cause a sudden loss of hair after 3 to 4 months but it is temporary and will grow back.

*Hormone imbalance, known as androgens and estrogens (male/female), is a very common cause of hair loss in both men and women. Many women notice hair loss after giving birth because high levels of certain hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. After the birth of a baby, that hair falls out and the normal cycle of hair growth resumes.

*Some medicines cause hair loss such as blood thinners, drugs for high blood pressure, gout, birth control pills and antidepressants.

*Fungal infections of the scalp or an underlying disease such as lupus or diabetes can result in hair loss.

What About Pattern Baldness?

Everyone loses hair but men lose it earlier, faster, and more extensively. This is due to what most people refer to as common baldness or male - pattern baldness, which is responsible for 95% of all hair loss. This type of hair loss is usually inherited and is marked by a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head.

About 15% of all women develop some degree of pattern baldness in which the hair becomes thin over the entire scalp. In some cases female pattern hair loss can produce bald patches along with thinning.

Hair follicles grow hairs within a normal cycle that lasts for 2 to 3 years. About 90 % of the hair on your head is growing and about 10% is in a resting phase. After 3 to 4 months, the resting hair falls out and new hair begins to grow. For people with a genetic tendency for baldness, the hair begins to grow in thinner, shorter, and lighter when they reach a certain age. Eventually, new hairs stop growing creating a thin spot or balding.

Genetic hair loss can begin as early as 17 years of age and by age 50 approximately 60% of all men will show signs of significant hair loss. Pattern baldness begins most often between the ages of 24-38 years of age.

Is There Any Hope For Hair Loss?

When patients come to me with concerns about hair loss, I ask questions about their diet, medicines they might be taking, and whether they have had a recent illness. Female patients are questioned about their menstrual cycle, pregnancies and menopause to better understand hormonal triggers. In some cases a physical exam, blood tests or a biopsy may be needed to get a better picture of the cause of hair loss. It is important to understand the possible causes in order to make an informed decision about how to treat the condition.

Once the cause of your hair loss has been determined, various treatments can be helpful in restoring hair growth or slowing down the development of common baldness. You may be asked to change your medication if that is what's causing you to lose your hair. If hormonal imbalance is to blame, there are medications to help prevent further hair loss.

There are medicines available without a prescription such as minoxidil that is applied to the scalp to help generate hair growth and can be used by both men and women. Keep in mind that medicines of this nature are composed of chemicals and as with many drugs, may produce side effects.

Vitamins and Diet Changes

Natural hair loss remedies have been used for years to reverse the loss of hair from disease of vitamin deficiencies. Sometimes changing to an organic, pesticide-free diet and taking vitamin supplements can help people recover from premature hair loss. Adding scalp massage, herbal remedies, and exercise to the mix has helped many people rejuvenate their hair growth.

A diet rich in whole food along with taking a multi-vitamin is recommended. Researchers have also found that increasing the amount of B vitamins (1/2/12) is helpful in reversing hair loss. As a word of caution; be sure to consult your doctor or nutritionist before making any drastic changes to your diet.

There are also herbal hair growth treatments that have been passed down from generation to generation as therapy for hair loss. These include:

*Rosemary - Made into tea and rinsed through the hair daily.
*Mallow roots - Boiled in wine and massaged into the scalp weekly.
*Nettles - Infused in water and combed through the hair daily.
*Artichoke leaves - Simmered in water for several hours and applied as a nightly massage.
*Catnip - Made into an infusion and rinsed through the hair daily.
*Parsley seeds - Crushed and applied in powder form to the scalp monthly. The powder is allowed to remain overnight, and brushed out of thoroughly in the morning.

If you find more hair than usual collecting in your shower drain or on your pillow each morning, check with your doctor. There could be a reason why you are losing more hair than normal. Don't assume your hair loss is a result of common baldness; consider trying some of the suggestions offered here to help restore your hair to its original fullness.

About the Author
*BS Chemistry Massachusetts Institute of Technology *MD State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine *Dermatology Residency: Baylor College of Medicine *Board Certified in Dermatology *Member American Academy of Dermatology

Hair Loss - One of the Causes of Hair Loss is Stress

by Roslyn Jones

One of the causes of hair loss is as a result of stress. Our body has a in-built system to help protect us from danger. At the slightest hint of danger to us our body reacts, our heart will start to pound and our breathing becomes more rapid. The muscles of our body tense and we become much more alert. If the threat is perceived by us to be real we will either stay and fight the danger, or run.

All of us have experienced this to some degree. Minor non-threatening to life events such as these examples, as a child running or ducking away from an annoyed or cross parent for fear of reprimand. Or fleeing from someone following us or by a threatening advance of a creature such as a dog, snake or spider. Cartoonists have often depicted a woman standing on a chair with a mouse sitting on the ground looking up at them. Jumping onto the chair is a physical reaction to the perceived danger, no matter how small it may be. This is known as the 'flight' response.

The response is triggered by a series of events happening in our body commencing at the base of our brain where our hypothalamus sits. At first sense of danger or threat the hypothalamus releases nerve impulses and chemicals which in turn stimulate many of our glands, one of them being the adrenal glands. The adrenaline is pumped from the adrenal glands into the bloodstream to prepare the body for the maximum effort to flee the danger.

The heart rate increases allowing more blood flow and oxygen to the brain and muscles. The rate of breathing increases to ensure our body has an adequate oxygen supply and the liver delivers sugars to fuel the muscles in preparedness.

In order for the muscles, lung and brain have sufficient blood flow the adrenal hormones flowing from the adrenal gland also restrict the flow of blood to areas of the body not vital to the flight response. These areas are the intestines, skin and scalp.

Our bodies cannot differentiate between different types of threat so will act the same way in a life or death situation or to non-life threatening events in our daily life. Receiving a Final Reminder for an unpaid account in the mailbox and knowing there is no funds to remedy the situation can be a trigger. The threat of losing employment, or the threat of a reprimand affecting your status at work can see the body react. A faltering relationship or troublesome family life, ongoing medical issues for a close family member, divorce, death, homelessness or the threat of this occurring, all cause the body to prepare to take 'flight'.

It is when the body continually undergoes the stresses of daily life and continually triggers the 'flight' responses, the areas which experience blood restriction begin to suffer and hair loss can occur. Our hair needs an effective supply of blood and nutrients in order for the hair follicles to be maintained.

It is important to try and relieve the stress in our lives to not only maintain our general health but to maintain a healthy head of hair. If you have had a shedding of hair or are experiencing noticeable thinning of your hair it is important to seek further advice or treatment. It really is hard enough trying to cope with the stresses of everyday living without the added burden of hair loss triggering further stress and further hair loss.

About the Author
Roslyn Jones enjoys researching and writing about Hair Loss. Roslyn welcomes you to visit her website at http://www.banish-baldness.com/ for further helpful information.

Hair loss and blood circulation

by John P. Floris

The function of blood
Blood carries oxygen to every cell in the body and besides the other vital components, it also contains glucose. Glucose combines with the oxygen in each cell, thus giving it energy.

Blood keeps the body young and healthy by providing energy to every cell. If the blood doesn't flow properly then expect illness or improper body situations to occur. Blood also removes waste products like carbon dioxide and solid wastes.

The build up of toxins can cause serious problems. Blood also brings minerals, vitamins and other nutrition to every cell of the body. The white blood cells fight infections. Keeping your blood vessels clean, and doing whatever you can to improve your blood circulation is one of the best things you can do to keep your body healthy.

As far as your hair is regarded, what is important in your scalp is the blood circulation and the quantity and quality of the blood that reaches the hair roots and follicles. If they do not get a good supply of blood, lymph, oxygen and nutrients, they will shrink and stop growing new healthy hair, and you will go bald.

The solution to this problem is simply to increase the quality and the quantity of blood to your scalp follicles and hair roots. The quality of blood is something that you can easily improve with a proper, and healthy diet and, when needed, a vitamin supplement. The quantity of blood necessary for your hair to be and stay healthy and thick is a factor that has been definitely resolved here at Endhairloss.eu. Order your book and videos and learn the most advanced and natural technique available today to stop hair loss safely and without harmful side effects.

About the Author
John P. Floris, is the writer of the ebook " End hair loss now!" and a expert in hair loss. http://www.endhairloss.eu He was born in Sardinia -Italy the 1st July 1972. John P. Floris is also a polyglott: in his you tube channel ( endhairloss ) he speaks 10 languages, and a musician: he composed and plays the background music for the you tube videos. http://www.endhairloss.eu

Treatments for hair loss in women

by Nurkholis Eka

Women are in a problematic position when it comes to acquiring drug treatments for androgenetic alopecia. While many medications may work to some extent for some women, doctors are reluctant to prescribe them, and pharmaceutical companies have little interest in testing new drugs specifically for their ability to prevent and treat female pattern baldness.

Doctors are reluctant to use systemic treatment (a pill or another form of internal treatment that affects the entire system) unless they know that hair loss is due to androgen excess in the system or excessive sensitivity to the normal amounts of androgens in the system. This is because these systemic treatments can reduce the body's levels of androgens. Therefore, physicians often choose topical treatments (those that apply directly to the scalp).

The best treatment results occur when treatment is started as soon as possible after beginning the long hair loss, androgenetic alopecia because it can destroy many hair follicles. The use of anti-androgens, after prolonged hair loss can at least help prevent further hair loss and stimulate regrowth of hair that have been dormant but are still viable. Stopping treatment will result in the loss of hair if the resumption of androgen production are not controlled in some way. Maintaining levels of vitamins and minerals help while with anti-androgens.

As always, treatments are more likely to be effective if they are directed to the cause of hair loss, and to trigger hair growth.

Currently there is only one FDA-approved treatment for female pattern hair loss.

Below is a list of treatments currently used to treat hair loss in women. Some of these drugs have not been approved by the FDA for this application, yet they all have been approved for other applications and are used "off label" to treat hair loss.

The effectiveness of these agents and methods vary from person to person, but many women have found that use of these treatments have made a positive difference in your hair and your self-esteem.

Minoxidil 2% Topical Treatment

Minoxidil was first used in tablet form as a medicine to treat high blood pressure (an antihypertensive). It was noted that patients treated with minoxidil experienced excessive hair growth (hypertrichosis) as a side effect. Further research showed that application of minoxidil solution directly on the scalp can stimulate hair growth. The amount of minoxidil absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream is usually too small to cause side effects.

Women with diffuse androgenetic alopecia can use minoxidil which seems to be more effective for women compared with men. Minoxidil manufacturers recommend that women use only a 2% concentration and not 5% minoxidil. Many dermatologists prescribe minoxidil 5% for women with androgenetic alopecia when used under their supervision.

About the Author
Some small clinical trials have been carried out for 5% minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia in women show that, indeed, the 5% solution is significantly more effective than the 2% solution. Central Health Information

What is the Cause of Female Hair Loss?

by Alan Wheeler

What is the main or most common cause of female hair loss? Believe it or not, there are many reasons for women to lose their hair in today's society.

Even though there have been countless studies conducted through the years, it is now considered that the main cause of female hair loss is not primarily due to genetic inheritance - if mum or dad, or even grandma suffered the indignity of losing their locks that doesn't mean that you will likely suffer the same fate.

Let's look at 14 of the many causative possibilities and what they really mean should you suddenly suspect or discover that your beautiful tresses are really thinning.

The most common causes:

Andronic Alopecia, hereditary thinning or female pattern hair loss.

Age. A woman's hair gradually thins as she ages.

Stress. One of the most common causes of hair loss in women is telogen effluvium, usually brought about by trauma to the body through extreme stress, an accident, childbirth or a serious surgical procedure.

Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease.

Reaction to the taking of certain medications or treatments for illness. For example, some cancer treatments, hormonal treatments or therapies and the introduction or discontinuation of oral contraceptives.

A hormonal imbalance of estrogen, androgen or even testosterone.

Iron deficiency.

Rapid weight change due to a crash dieting program or severe illness.

Puberty, pregnancy or menopause which all can affect usual hormone levels.

Traction alopecia - the result of too much styling, pulling or braiding. Tight ponytails and the use of clips that pull the hair backwards, the overuse of hot hairdryers and tongs can all present scalp problems.

Severe illness itself in the form of blood pressure problems, gynecological conditions like an ovarian tumor, thyroid and liver disease, hepatic or renal failure, a viral or fungal infection.

The application of tints, dyes, bleaches, straightening, perming and hot oil treatments all can contribute to scalp problems.

Poor nutrition, the lack of protein, essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins in a good balanced daily diet.

High doses of Vitamin A.

Can something be done to beat my problem?

Bear in mind that some conditions can become permanent if the situation goes undiagnosed and is left untreated.

However, most cases of scalp damage are temporary and can be reversed or improved once the real cause has been established and the right treatment put in place as quickly as possible. A successful regrowth program is usually possible irrespective of the culprit cause.

There are a number of proprietary products and herbal remedies that can effectively counteract the cause of female hair loss.

Unfortunately, some can produce nasty side effects in sensitive people and so I therefore recommend the natural approach. Put it into action as soon as you have checked out your condition with a recognized health practitioner.

Don't guess and therefore assume you have determined the real problem - seek a professional diagnosis first.

The best solution for your condition available today can be discovered here on my website. It is a new, highly effective, well-priced and totally natural remedy that will produce no side effects whatsoever.

About the Author
Alan Wheeler is a dedicated researcher of current hair loss issues affecting both men and women. To learn about this new, highly effective natural hair loss remedy that Alan recently discovered, check out his web site at http://hair-loss.achievebetterhealth.com/ and see how it stacks up against other common hair loss treatment options.

Discover an Effective Natural Remedy For Hair Loss

by Alan Wheeler

Is there really an effective natural remedy for hair loss available? There are many naturopathic solutions to hair loss problems in men and women that have proven helpful over many years.

But to be honest, if you've already lost most of your hair, with just a ring area left around the sides and back, then it's probably too late to expect a natural treatment to promote a successful re-growth.

So what is wrong with the popular proprietary treatments?

Popular proprietary treatments have certainly shown a measure of success with many people, but there is always the possibility of adverse side effects to provide a down side.

Some even contain harmful chemicals that may upset your body internally or externally producing stomach, kidney or liver ailments, sexual dysfunction, skin and blood disorders. They can also prove to be quite an expensive way to go for a result that may be less than acceptable.

Here are some important benefits to help you look for and choose an effective natural remedy for hair loss:

A major plus in using herbal or natural products is that there are little or no side effects to upset you. Most of these alternative remedies can also benefit the body in other ways; lower the effects of stress, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, boost your immune system and energy levels, support prostate health and help prevent colds and influenza to mention but a few. You may also discover that you are sleeping much better, too.

They generally offer a softer and gentler method of treating and nourishing your scalp.

These products are usually cheaper than conventional treatments, particularly when used over many months.

Often alternative treatments are used in conjunction with beneficial herbal supplements and nutrients and it is always recommended that a more balanced intake of plentiful fresh vegetables and fruit is quickly introduced into the daily diet.

Proven beneficial ingredients Saw Palmetto and Nettle, which promote a healthy re-growth and block the effects of the nasty DHT(Dihydrotestosterone) which retards follicle growth in older men, have been used traditionally over many years.

The inclusion of essential vitamins and minerals such as Magnesium, Zinc, Biotin and Vitamin B6 is helpful in providing not only support for normal hair follicle function, but also immune function, nail and skin health, digestion and the maintenance of healthy red blood cells.

Okay then, is there a natural approach that satisfies these criteria, and does it work?

Of the many proprietary and alternative products currently available, some of which I have tried myself with no real satisfaction, I have at last, discovered one that is proving to be quite excitingly effective.

Learn about the best natural remedy for hair loss available today -- I have been using this now for over 5 months and can see such an improvement.

About the Author
Alan Wheeler is a dedicated researcher of current hair loss issues affecting both men and women. To learn about this new, highly effective natural remedy for hair loss that Alan recently discovered and is now using daily, check out his web site at http://hair-loss.achievebetterhealth.com/ and see how it stacks up against other common hair loss treatment options.

Women with Hair Loss - A Few Myths That Need To Get Busted

by Darryl Delatorre

It seems that every time you turn your head someone comes up with another myth about something. This is especially true when it comes to women with hair loss and what causes it. Some myths are so far-fetched that they are easy to dispel, but there are some that you can't be too sure about. I think it is mainly because these myths have been around for so long and we grew up hearing them, so we accept it as being true. These are just a few that I remember as a child and came to realize were untrue.

The first myth busted: Your hair loss is inherited by your father. I'm sorry, men can be blamed for many things but this isn't one of them. It is usually the genes from both parents that are the main factor.

The second myth busted: Regular hair cuts will help your hair grow faster. This one was a surprise to me because I actually believed this one. I can remember my mom trimming a few inches from my sister's hair to help it grow faster. Although it doesn't help your hair grow faster, it does help keep the hair healthy because you remove the split ends.

The third myth busted: Washing your hair too much or using styling products can cause hair loss. Washing your hair is actually good for your hair because it keeps the scalp clean and healthy. A healthy scalp usually means healthy hair. The use of styling products can do damage to hair and it may fall out, but this is usually temporary and the hair will grow back.

The last myth busted: Hair loss cannot be treated. Many people believe this because of all of the hyped up products that are created all the time. You know the so called "miracle" products that will grow your hair back fast. Although hair growth is not a fast process, it can be treated with the right product. Of course some treatments don't work for everyone, because everyone is different. I suggest going with a natural remedy over surgery, no matter how minor it is. I also suggest a product that has Minoxidil, which is the only ingredient approved by the FDA for use by both men and women.

Now that you are armed with this information, maybe you can stop believing these myths that use your fears against you. Don't put the blame on your father or your mother. Please don't stop washing your hair or styling it in hopes that it will solve your problem. I also ask that you don't waste your money on products that promise you a miracle, and don't go shaving your head in hopes that it will grow faster or at all. All I ask is that you do your due diligence and do some research on ways you can help yourself. There are some solutions but they aren't for everyone. I prefer natural remedies over surgery because it is less invasive and many have been used through out our existence.

About the Author
Darryl Delatorre is an avid researcher of issues that both men and women face. He is also a dedicated researcher of natural remedies that could be a solution to those issues. If you found this article informative and helpful, please check out his website at http://www.balding-hair-repair.com/ for more information on this important issue. He also invites you to take a look at the natural remedy he has discovered for both men and women with hair loss.