Baldness or hair loss is commonly considered as problem that arises with the growing age but due to some factors, in some cases, even in young or adolescents this problem is evident. Normal human being in a day sheds 50-100 hairs, if hair fall is more than this number then those people are experiencing hair loss. The hair has three parts, one the part that shows, is called shaft, second is root below the skin and third is a follicle from which root of hair originates. The hair is made up of a type of protein called keratin and the follicle of the hair contains pigment called as melanin which makes the color of hair. When a hair falls off another is produced from the same follicle replacing the fallen hair.
Hair loss symptoms can be seen in men and women both and at any age. Baldness is usually associated with man as there are very less chances of a woman loosing all her hairs. In men, receding hair line is the most common and first sign of hair loss. Bald spots can be seen and it appears as if some parts of the head have lost the hairs completely. This symptom is evident in women too but mostly hair loss is noticed at the crown. Thinning of entire head of hair is also a symptom of hair loss both in men and women. The thinning of hairs is experienced over the entire body including armpits, legs, and even eyebrows.
Constant shedding of hair is also a symptom of hair loss, most of the shedding is evident in the shower but it can happen anytime during the day and can be noticed on bed clothing, clothing and brushes. Hair loss in patches or incomplete hair loss can be seen even in children as in adults. It occurs at the scalp or eyebrows, breaking of hair signifies problem which may lead to complete hair loss in later stages.
Hormonal problems can lead to hair loss both in men and women. In women particularly after pregnancy this problem is evident as there is lot of hormonal secretion during pregnancy which keeps the hairs intact which would normally fall out, after 3-4 months of pregnancy when hormonal levels return to normal those hairs fall out and normal growth and loss cycle of hair is restored. After a prolonged illness or surgery hair loss is experienced in men and women, this may be due to excessive doses of medicines induced in the body to treat the disease or due to stress and depression that normally patient experience during the treatment. Hair loss due to this is temporary if any other complication is not present in the body.
Some medicines also causes hair loss commonly used blood thinners or anti-coagulants in some cases cast adverse effects on the follicle which promotes hair loss. Anti-depressants, medicines for heart diseases and gout and too much vitamin A supplements also cause hair loss. In women, birth control pills also cause hair loss as they may cause imbalance of estrogen hormone in the body after prolonged use. Some diseases like lupus and diabetes and fungal infections of the scalp also cause hair fall. Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism also promotes hair loss as this disease causes hormonal imbalance, the problem of hair loss subsides with the treatment of thyroid gland.
