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Medical Conditions that Cause Hair Loss
by Alex Kilpatrick
Hair loss is a common problem that can be treated with a variety of regimes and remedies, but it is important to understand the root cause. Many times, hair loss can be caused by specific medical conditions, which are best dealt with by medical intervention.
While most hair loss is simply hereditary, if hair follicles are uniform in size or the hair loss is sudden, the condition is likely caused by something else, like a medical issue or disease.
Wendy Roberts, M.D., a dermatologist at a private practice in Rancho Mirage, California comments that anything that interferes with a normal hair cycle, from medications to illnesses to chemicals, can in turn cause hair loss.
“Like a garden, a normal hair cycle should lead to a product, which is the hair,” Roberts told WebMD. “Growth cycles are important because when they go awry, that is one of the reasons we have hair loss. It’s a very dynamic place and anything that can get the cycle off can cause hair loss.”
Hormonal changes
More prevalent among women, hormonal changes are a common root cause of hair loss. Anything from pregnancy to menopausal fluctuations to a change in menstruation schedule can lead to unprecedented hair fall.
Fungal infections
Fungal infections on the scalp, such as ringworms, can also cause significant hair loss. Lost hair tends to re-grow with the use of anti fungal medications.
Cancer treatments
Hair loss is often associated with cancer and treatments that involve radiation or chemotherapy. Hair tends to grow back once patients recover and stop treatment.
Other diseases and illnesses
Medical conditions like diabetes and lupus and medications taken for cardiovascular illnesses and hypertension can lead to hair fall.
Trichotillomania
The compulsive disorder Trichotillomania, characterized by tearing of hair from the scalp and eyebrows, can lead to significant hair fall and even complete baldness when not controlled in time. Researchers are still studying the cause of these unusual tendencies. Treatments for such hair loss are symptom specific.
Nutritional deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies, usually associated with a lack of protein or iron, can cause health conditions that lead to severe hair loss. Such hair loss can be controlled by balancing nutritional deficiencies and taking vitamin supplements.
Hair loss is not always an isolated problem. It’s important to undergo a complete and thorough medical check-up in order to understand the root cause of your hair loss. Remember that hair loss treatments should only be administered with proper advice from a registered medical practitioner. Self medication can often do more harm than good.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about hair loss treatment, please schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
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