puricare-files: HAIR LOSS - While Androgenetic Alopecia is the number one reason why individuals experience hair loss, it is not the only one. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, ringworm and fungal infections can cause hair loss. Certain medications such as blood thinners, gout medication, birth control pills, and too much vitamin A can cause sudden or abnormal hair loss as can following a crash diet, sudden hormonal changes, chemotherapy and radiation.

Hair Loss

The Truth About Hair Loss

Androgenetic Alopecia and Other Causes of Hair Loss

by Dr. Rita Louise

It is normal to shed hair every day and the truth is we lose between 100-125 hairs on any given day.

Hair that is shed falls out at the end of growth cycle.

At any given time 10% of our hair is in what is called a "resting phase" and after 2-3 months resting, hair falls out and new hair grows in its place.

Some people, however, experience more hair loss than is normal.

Androgenetic Alopecia Accounts for 95% of All Hair Loss

As we get older, both men and women experience some hair loss. It is a normal part of the aging process.

Androgenetic Alopecia often runs in families and affects some people more than others.

In men it is often referred to as Male Pattern Baldness. It is characterized by a receding hair line and baldness on the top of head.

Women, on the other hand, don't go entirely bald even if their hair loss is severe. Instead, hair loss is spread out evenly over their entire scalp.

Hormones play the dominant role when talking about Androgenetic Alopecia.

Simply put, both men and women produce testosterone.

Testosterone can be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.

DHT shrinks hair follicles causing the membranes in the scalp to thicken, become inelastic and restrict blood flow.

This causes the hair follicles to atrophy. As a result, when a hair does fall out, it is not replaced.

Needless to say, men produce more testosterone than women and experience more hair loss.

Other Causes of Hair loss

While Androgenetic Alopecia is the number one reason why individuals experience hair loss, it is not the only one.

Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, ringworm and fungal infections can cause hair loss.

Certain medications such as blood thinners, gout medication, birth control pills, and too much vitamin A can cause sudden or abnormal hair loss as can following a crash diet, sudden hormonal changes, chemotherapy and radiation.

Emotional stress, pregnancy, or surgery can also cause our hair to fall out and is usually not noticed until 3-4 months after the stressful event has taken place.

Stress can cause a slowing of new hair growth because a larger number of hair follicles enter into the resting phase and no new hair growth is experienced.

Another way in which individuals experience hair loss is due to mechanical stressors on the hair and scalp.

Wearing pigtails, cornrows, or tight rollers that end up pulling on the hair can scar the scalp and cause permanent hair loss.

Hair products such as hot oil treatments and chemicals used for permanents can cause inflammation to the hair follicles which can also result in scarring and hair loss.

Note: Hair loss may be the early warning sign of a more serious disorder such as lupus or diabetes, so it is important to talk to your doctor.

Hair Loss Recommendations for Wellness

If you are taking prescription medications, talk to your doctor and find out if your medication is contributing to your hair loss.

· Avoid Vitamin A - Avoid mega-doses of vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can cause your hair to fall out.

· Exercise - Do yoga, meditate or find some other practice that will help to reduce your anxiety and stress levels.

· Don't Stress Your Hair/Scalp - If you wear pigtails, cornrows, use a curling iron, hair dryer or hot rollers. Try changing your hair style to one that puts less pressure and stress on your hair and scalp.

· Watch Out for Chemicals - If hot oil treatments or chemicals such as those used in permanents are causing inflammation to the scalp, discontinue their use, or reduce the number of times you are using them.

· Choose Gentle Shampoos and Conditioners - Use gentle shampoos and conditioners to avoid any unnecessary damage to your hair.

· Oil Massages - Massage your scalp with rosemary oil in an olive oil base. Both rosemary oil and massaging the scalp can stimulate the circulation in the scalp and promote hair growth.

· Seek Professional Help - Again, if you are experiencing hair loss, check with your doctor to ensure that a more serious disorder isn't the cause.

· Consideration for Women - If you are a woman, have your female hormones tested. If they are imbalanced, talk to your health care provider about bio-identical hormone replacements.

· Consideration for Men - In men, herbs such as saw palmetto and licorice root help block the formation of DHT. The same holds true for supplementation with zinc. As an added benefit, studies show that these supplements can also help prevent prostate enlargement.

Bestselling author and Medical Intuitive, Dr. Rita Louise is the host of Just Energy Radio and the Founder of the Institute Of Applied Energetics. “Fran Dresher’s delivery without the whine”, is how one audience member put Dr. Rita's frank, funny yet honest approach.
Dr. Rita possesses the caliber of knowledge and experience that organizations demand. Dr. Louise infuses every engagement with both credibility and content. She has the unique ability to deliver a serious message through intriguing stories and her own brand of humor. Her high content presentations and down-to-earth strategies empower and motivate audience members.

https://www.thoughtco.com/truth-about-hair-loss-1728660

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