Illnesses that cause hair loss

One of the most common hair problems that both men and women suffer from is hair loss. Hair loss or baldness is caused by several factors like stress, genetic traits, hormonal imbalances, and poor nutrition. Baldness can occur naturally with age as well.

The general term for hair loss in men is known as Androgenetic Alopecia. Androgenetic Alopecia is the type of hair loss that can occur in both men and women and it is the most common form of hair loss. With male pattern baldness, your hair is usually receding at the temples and the crown (or in some cases all over your head). In this article, we will discuss some common causes of hair loss in men and also the treatment available to treat hair loss.

What are the illnesses that cause hair loss?

Only a dermatologist can accurately determine the underlying cause of your hair loss but there are certain illnesses that induce hair fall in both men and women, like:

Genetic Hair Loss

Hereditary-pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss. If you have a family history of baldness, you are very likely to experience hair fall due to genetic factors. This type of hair loss can begin as early as puberty because certain sex hormones trigger these hereditary hair losses.

Hormonal Changes

Hair loss due to hormonal changes is usually temporary in nature. Your hair will start growing back without any treatments. Some hormonal changes that can cause temporary hair loss are:

• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Childbirth
• Discontinuing the use of birth control pills

Medical Conditions

Medical conditions such as thyroid, diabetes, alopecia areata, scalp infections can cause hair loss. Certain medications used to treat health conditions like cancer, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure, etc. can also trigger hair loss.

Sometimes emotional or physical shock can also induce hair loss. These shocks include:

• High fever
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Accident
• Death of a close family member

Other causes of hair loss are:

• Hair loss due to tight hairstyles or use of styling tools/heating tools
• People with trichotillomania, which is a hair-pulling disorder, experience hair loss.
• An imbalanced diet or lack of nutrients in the body can also lead to hair thinning.

What are the Treatments Available for Hair Loss?

Topical creams/gels and OTC medications are the first steps towards treating hair loss. One of the most effective and popular products is Minoxidil.

Minoxidil is an active ingredient that is used in many hair growth products. It is available over-the-counter or by prescription and is available in different forms, including tablets, topical applications, and liquid. It was originally used to treat high blood pressure, but researchers discovered it could also help men with hereditary hair loss. Minoxidil works by stimulating hair follicles located at the bottom of your hair shaft. As a result, it encourages the growth of new hair. 

Contents of Minoxidil

Minoxidil tablets contain:

• Anhydrous lactose
• Docusate sodium
• Sodium benzoate
• Sodium starch glycolate
• Magnesium stearate
• Microcrystalline cellulose

Surgery for Severe Hair Loss

Hair transplant and scalp reduction are the two popular surgery options available to treat severe hair loss which can leave permanent effects.

Hair transplant surgery is usually advised to people with inherited baldness since they tend to lose hair progressively. So, multiple surgeries are carried out over time.

Scalp reduction is a surgery that involves removing part of your scalp that lacks hair and replacing it with a piece of your scalp that has hair.

How to Prevent Hair Loss?

Hair loss can be prevented in some cases. Given below are some of the effective hair care tips that can prevent hair loss up to some extent.

1) Oiling Hair

Oiling your hair once a week has a lot of hidden benefits that we are unaware of. Our mothers and grandmothers always emphasize oiling hair and getting an oil massage but we never realize the benefits that it holds until we start losing our hair due to insufficient nutrients and minerals that our scalp requires. Use a wooden comb as it helps in distributing the scalp oil throughout the hair, to each strand and makes your hair look non-greasy, shiny, and bouncy.

2) Finding the Right Shampoo

Finding a shampoo that is suitable for your hair type can be a tough job. We would suggest you do thorough research before buying shampoo. Avoid using shampoos that contain sulfate because it is a harmful chemical that might damage your hair. Instead, use a hair nourishing shampoo that is free from sulfate and parabens.

3) Combing Gently

Do not comb wet hair as wet hair is very fragile and prone to breakage. Rigorous brushing can also make your hair vulnerable to breakage so comb your hair twice a day and be gentle with it.

4) Avoid using Heating/Styling Tools

Regular use of hairstyling tools leads to split ends. It leads to porous hair and increases the chance of hair damage.

5) Stress Management Techniques

Mental health is as important as physical health. Stress, induced by any kind of factor can lead to hair loss so try out some stress management techniques that will bring you back on the right track.

6) Scalp Nourishment

Use natural hair masks and home remedies that can nourish your hair in a way that you don’t need to spend pennies on a hair spa.

7) Hair Coloring

Avoid coloring your hair with artificial colors which contain harmful chemicals that can damage hair severely and prove to be good for nothing! Embrace your natural hair color and flaunt whenever and wherever required… A good hair day should always be appreciated.

8) Healthy Diet

We are what we eat and so the diet should be our priority when it comes to our wellbeing. Foods rich in vitamins are essential for healthy and lustrous hair so add eggs, milk, fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts, carrots, grains to your diet. Lack of vitamins such as iron leads to hair loss so even if you are following any fad diet, do not forget that the health of your hair is far more important than trying out trendy diets which will become outmoded real quick.

9) Hair Trimming

Regular hair trimming will help you get rid of split ends and make your hair look healthy. Try to trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to maintain a proper hair care routine.

Take Away

Hair loss is a serious issue that not only destroys your self-confidence but can also hamper your social life. Luckily, there are a number of ways that can help treat hair loss at home with natural remedies and if you have been affected by hair loss, you can get back your self-confidence by using products like Mars By GHC's Minoxidil, an effective hair growth serum that helps men treat and prevent further hair loss.