Hair loss is always something people do not want to deal with.
Perhaps seeing extra hair in the shower or on the brush is what
alerted them to their hair loss. Or, maybe a friend or family
member has made a comment as to how thin the individual's hair
has become. Regardless of how it came to be noticed, hair loss
means something. Here are a few things to look into regarding
why hair loss happens and if there is something that can be done
about it.

1. Medicines are often a large cause of hair loss. Such
medicines as blood thinners, birth control pills, and
antidepressants can cause hair loss. Chemotherapy drugs, gout
drugs, and even high doses of vitamin A can cause it. To stop
the hair loss, the drugs must be stopped. Usually normal hair
growth will return at this point.

2. Hormones are a large cause of hair loss as well. Often this
will be due to the over-activity or the under-activity of the
thyroid gland. This creates an imbalance of such hormones as
androgens and estrogens and leads to hair loss. Treatments for
thyroid disease often fix this problem and hair loss stops.

3. Pregnancy. Often times, the levels of hormones in the
pregnant women's body are so high that they do not allow the
normal growth cycle of hair to continue. This means that during
pregnancy, women lose less hair. About 3 months after pregnancy,
though, many women experience high levels of hair loss that is
just the hair that never fell out during pregnancy. Hair loss
will soon stop and regular hair cycles will begin again.

4. Illness and Surgery. Often times, 3 or 4 months after a major
illness or surgery, people will experience hair loss. This is
due to the stress that the body was under. It is usually
temporary.

5. Infection. Fungal infections of the scalp are also a cause of
hair loss. Treatment here is antifungal medications. This is
often found in children.

6. Underlying Disease. Diseases like lupus and diabetes often
have early symptoms of hair loss. For this reason alone,
individuals at a risk of these diseases should contact a doctor
right away if they are losing hair.

7. Improper care can also lead to hair loss. People whose hair
is pulled back tightly such as in pig tails and cornrows often
experience hair loss. The hair will grow back if the pulling is
released before scarring can occur. If scarring has occured, it
may be permanent.

Lastly, male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair
loss in men. Unfortunately, it is hereditary. Men normally
experience hair loss at the top of the head and develop a
receding hair line.

About the author:
John Howard runs an information website at Smart Hair Loss Choices. You can find up to date information on hair loss, its causes, and treatments at his website.
© 2005 John Howard. All Rights Reserved.