The Causes of Hair Loss

Very few people, especially those suffering from alopecia, or balding, know that Julius Cesear and Napolean both dealt with hair loss. Yes, it's a fact; balding is part of our genetics, our history and our future. It's here to stay, for now at least. In the meantime, it's best to understand alopecia and learn about the condition so as not to feel the embarrassment usually associated with balding; it's a normal occurrence.

Male pattern hair loss, also known by the term Androgenetic Alopecia, is a genetic condition. Another, not so common fact is Androgenetic Alopecia is not just restricted to males; females also experience this type of hair loss. In the past, the general consensus was that the genes were inherited from the mother's side. However, new research is finding that it can be passed on from either mother or father.

In addition to genetics, the condition is associated with hormones and age. As a person ages, male or female, the hair follicles become more susceptible to a normal chemical reaction. The reaction occurs when testosterone is exposed to an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. The resulting product is DHT.

DHT is known for its role in male pattern balding and increased growth of ear and nose hairs. In women the levels of 5-alpha reductase are lower, thereby decreasing the amount of hair loss experienced in the head region for women.

Alopecia can be caused by other reasons as well. Chemotherapy patients usually lose their hair although many times it will eventually return. In some cases, stress will trigger hair loss. Stress may be mental, emotional or physical - the body senses a need to reserve all of its energy for survival and thus decreases hair growth which is unnecessary to staying alive. In these instances, the hair usually returns once the stress factor has been removed.

In some cases, hair loss can signal the first sign of a major disease. As such, hair loss that does not follow the normal horseshoe shape of male pattern balding should be looked at closely and followed up with a doctor or health care provider.

Rachel Dayer runs and operates http://www.mustask.com, a health related portal.


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

In The News:


Head on
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 3 hours ago
It’s not surprising that the billion-dollar hair-loss industry is booming. But what is at the root of all this hair loss? And why does it seem to happen to ...

Male Pattern Baldness and its Causes
Corsavoo.com, France - 3 minutes ago
Androgen directly affects the lower levels of fertility and hair loss among men. DHT or dihydrotestosterone is considered an androgen and at the same time a ...

Jamaica Gleaner

Getting to the root of hair loss
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Sep 2, 2008
I read your article about alopecia (hair loss) in the June 4, issue. I found it very interesting and informative. I thought that maybe I could get some more ...

Best Syndication

Hair Loss - 5 Natural Ways of Preventing Hair Loss
Best Syndication, CA - Sep 4, 2008
There Is Also A Chinese Beverage That Is Believed To Cure Hair Loss - The Detox Tea Chinese people believe that when the kidneys are detoxified, ...

코리아타임즈

Oriental Route to Silky Hair
코리아타임즈, South Korea - Sep 4, 2008
Hanbang answer the woes of many young urbanites suffering from hair loss. The shampoos straddle the functional role of conventional medicated shampoos, ...

Take action against thinning hair and hair loss with new NaturVital
Response Source (press release), UK - Sep 1, 2008
NaturVital is a new, topical hair loss programme launching exclusively in Boots (1) that offers a scientifically-tested (2), affordable and naturally ...

Harvard Health: Hair replacement methods improve
Newsday, NY - Sep 2, 2008
The balding pate can be treated with drugs, hair transplants - or both. But the search for the ultimate solution to hair loss goes on. ...

Hair Loss for Men not a Major Problem Anymore
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 31, 2008
There are several reasons why people suffer from hair loss. According to studies, men are more prone to hair loss as compared to women. ...

Various Hair Loss Treatment UK Choices
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 30, 2008
You can acquire hair loss treatment UK drugs over the counter or by prescription. The two in this category are propecia and minoxidil. ...
A Closer Look At Male Pattern Hair Loss Treatments Corsavoo.com
Get Your Hair And Looks Back Corsavoo.com
all 3 news articles

Coastal deer survived harsh winter
Keizertimes, OR - Sep 5, 2008
Although not dealing western Oregon deer herds a fatal blow by any means, hair loss syndrome continues to be a factor to reckon with. ...
hair loss - Google News
Your Ad Here

Games at Buy.com

Holiday Home Store at Buy.com

Top Nutritional Tips To Support Healthy Hair Growth

1. Eat adequate amounts of protein. Protein is composed of the amino acids essential for the building of new cells, including hair. Five amino acids are of... Read More

Treatments That Offer Hope To Hair Loss Sufferers

Many people experiencing premature hair loss simply resign themselves to a process that is as inevitable as growing old. This is a positive and healthy reaction to... Read More

How To Reduce Stress That Causes Hair Loss and Bad Hair

Your hair will be radiant and shining if you are healthy physically as well as emotionally.Your hair becomes dull and lifeless if you are upset emotionally. Your... Read More

Hair Transplant Surgery ? Do You Need It, Do You Want It?

Hair transplant surgery is very common these days. As hair loss is such a big problem for so many people, and as hair transplant surgery becomes more... Read More

Hair Loss In Women ? A Devastating Occurrence

Hair loss is widely accepted as a man's problem and it is quite common to see bald men. However, hair loss in women is just as common,... Read More

Permanent Hair Removal ? A Growing Problem

The nature of hair is to grow. That's why laser clinics and other so called "permanent" hair removal methods cannot and will not guarantee permanent hair removal... Read More

Hair Care Tips by Nadeem

It's surprising the way some people treat their hair. Instead of giving it the respect it deserves, they tug at it with their hair brush, secure it... Read More

Natural Hair Loss Remedy Discovered in Apples

The news spread like lightning across the Internet...In Japanese clinical trials, a safe, natural polyphenol compound from apples was proven to promote new hair growth in men... Read More

What Condition Is Your Hair In?

Our hair can be categorized in three different ways:HealthyDryDamagedCharacteristics of Healthy HairSmooth texture and feelShinyHair loss is 75?100 strands per dayHair loss consists of entire hair strands... Read More

Female Hair Loss

Some of the "legends" I have heard over the years about female hair loss are : Wigs and hats may cause female hair loss, Female hair loss... Read More

Non-Approved Drugs That Can Help Hair Loss

At present only two medications have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss, namely finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine). While both of these... Read More

Medical Hair Restoration

Medical hair restoration in the literal sense includes the hair loss treatment which depends upon the use of medicines.Unusual hair loss both in men and women is... Read More

Waxing Instructions -- Waxing with Soft Wax

Waxing is the one of the best, oldest and most popular hair removal methods. Its popularity is based on several factors including it's effectiveness and relatively low... Read More

Male Hair Loss Treatment - What Options Do You Have?

Male hair loss treatments are big business. That is because for many men, losing their hair as they age is a devastating experience. It can happen at... Read More

Is There A Role For Nutrition In Dealing With Hair Loss?

Could something as basic as inadequate nutrition really contribute to excessive shedding of hair? Does sensible nutrition have a role to play in helping hair to regrow?... Read More

What Is The Role Of Minoxidil (Rogaine) In Treating Hair Loss Conditions?

Minoxidil is one of only two FDA-approved treatments for hair loss and is the only anti-baldness drug approved for women. Originally introduced as a medicine to treat... Read More

Everything You Wanted To Know About Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is the best available method for hair removal because of the several advantages offered by this method. Laser hair removal method scores over other... Read More

What?s All The Fuss About Hair Growth Products?

If you are losing your hair and you are afraid that you will go bald, there are many different kinds of hair growth products on the market.... Read More

The Causes of Hair Loss

Very few people, especially those suffering from alopecia, or balding, know that Julius Cesear and Napolean both dealt with hair loss. Yes, it's a fact; balding is... Read More

Hair Loss: An Overview

Hair, though often overlooked, plays an important role in our lives. Upon meeting someone, one of the first things you notice is their hair. Before a social... Read More

Are Your Searching In Vain For The Causes of Hair Loss?

Trying to find out what causes hair to fall out is often very hard to do. This is because there are so many different causes of hair... Read More

The Truth About Hair Loss

Male Pattern BaldnessOn average, there are 90,000 to 150,000 hairs on the scalp. The hairs grow from roots called follicles. Blood vessels at the base of each... Read More

Cosmetic Solutions For Hair Loss

Many people suffering from hair loss prefer not to use the strong drugs and medications that currently form the best available treatment options. They may have tried... Read More

Why Don?t We Hear So Much About Female Baldness?

Female baldness is not as common as male baldness, which is probably why we don't hear as much about it. Women are more self-conscious about baldness when... Read More

Natural Hair Loss Product

Hair is a crucial part of our identity. Although we no longer use it for protection, heat retention or camouflage, we would do almost everything to keep... Read More

Making Your Own Herbal Hair Shampoo

In 1990 I decided not to use the commercially made shampoos after reading Aubrey Hampton's book, "Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care." In this book Aubrey tells... Read More