Though it is normal to lose hair every day, it is not normal to shed a substantial amount unless there is an underlying condition. Patients who are shampooing their hair and losing a large amount may want to speak to a doctor to learn more about what might be happening. Excessive hair loss or thinning may signal a medical condition or another situation that may cause this potential side effect.
There are several reasons why Arlington patients may experience hair loss. Here are just a few of the primary causes of hair loss in Americans:
Alopecia – Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss, and there are several types of alopecia. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, cicatricial alopecia is caused by scar tissue inhibiting new hair growth, and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia is hair loss that occurs most often in African American women and results in hair loss in the center of the scalp.
Genetics – Several conditions that cause hair loss may be genetic. Hereditary conditions often include male pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. This condition results in receding hairlines and thinning hair on the top of the head.
Medications – There are medications that may affect an individual’s hair growth and the rate at which they lose their hair. Chemotherapy is known for resulting in excessive hair loss. Blood thinners, birth control pills, and many other medications may be to blame for unwanted hair loss, and these side effects should be discussed with the prescribing doctor.
Stress – Stress can have a negative effect on many aspects of our body and emotions, and can result in the loss of hair. This is typically temporary; however, the source of the stress should be controlled to reduce hair loss and the risk of other stress-induced conditions.
Hormones – Abrupt changes in hormones can be a significant factor in hair loss. These dramatic changes may include menopause, pregnancy, hormone supplements, and childbirth.
Health and Disease – There are many times in which hair loss or thinning may be a sign of an underlying condition. Poor health can cause hair loss due to malnutrition or specific vitamin deficiency, and many diseases are signaled by hair loss and other symptoms.
