Many men and women experience hair loss each year, often for the first time in their lives. It can be a devastating occurrence for some individuals, and treatment is desperately sought after at this time. What many people don’t know, however, is that there are certain things that facilitate hair loss. Understanding the causes of hair loss can help you deal with it when it happens. It might even help you prevent it in the first place.
1. A poor diet can lead to hair loss. Diets low in iron, protein and essential omega-3 acids can harm the scalp. An unhealthy scalp will not support healthy hair and can make it fall out. Fatty foods and foods high in sugar and salt, alcohol and caffeine in large quantities can also contribute to the loss of hair. Maintain a nutrient-rich diet, and you may never have to deal with hair loss.
2. Some prescription medications can cause hair loss. Blood thinners, blood pressure medication, birth control pills, arthritis medications and antidepressants are just some of these that promote hair loss. Talk to your doctor about the side effects of any medications you are going to take. If hair loss is a major concern to you, there may be an alternative treatment your doctor can suggest.
3. One unfortunate fact is that medical treatments like radiation and chemotherapy cause rapid and dramatic hair loss. If you find yourself needing one of these treatments, you can pretty much resign yourself to losing all of your hair. This may be a time when you decide that bald is beautiful or opt to wear an attractive wig, hat or head scarf.
4. Fluctuation in the body’s hormone levels can also play a big part when it comes to hair loss. High testosterone or low estrogen levels, along with other factors in flux, can result in hair loss. It is possible to maintain healthy hormone levels by taking supplements. However, this should only be done if instructed by your doctor. Done incorrectly, taking hormone supplements can cause more harm than good.
5. Some people are genetically predisposed to start losing their hair at some point. While not everyone with a history of hair loss in the family will lose their hair, knowing what that history is can help you mentally prepare for it to happen. That way, it won’t be as devastating if it does occur. It will also be a pleasant surprise if it never happens at all.
Now that you know what some of the common causes for hair loss are, you can set about either preventing or dealing with your situation accordingly. If you haven’t yet begun to lose your hair, take a look at your lifestyle for any changes that can be made to make hair loss less probable. If you are already experiencing hair loss, learn how to deal with it, and perhaps halt it in its tracks. You and the steps you take to manage your situation will determine what happens next.