Hair Loss

Overview of Hair Loss

Hair loss or commonly known as hair fall (بال گرنا) is one of the common health conditions, that can be indication of any underlying health condition.

It is common and natural to lose some hair strands every day as it is a part of normal hair growth cycle. Normally hair grow back naturally and maintain your head. However, if you have any illness, stress, hormonal imbalance, inherited disease or aging, it can affect your natural hair growth cycle. Your hair fall out but new hair don’t grow back.

Hair Loss Meaning in Urdu

بالوں کا گرنا یا بالچر بہت سے لوگوں کو متاثر کرتا ہے۔ زیادہ تر لوگوں کے سر کے بال جھڑنا شروع ہو جاتے ہیں، جب کہ کچھ افراد کے جسم کے باقی حصوں سے بھی بال گرنا شروع ہو جاتے ہیں۔ بالچر وقتی بھی ہو سکتا اور دائمی بھی۔ وقتی بالچر کی صورت میں بال کم گرتے ہیں اور گرنے والے بالوں کی جگہ نئے بال اگ آتے ہیں۔ اس کے برعکس دائمی بالچر کی صورت میں بال ہمیشہ کے لیے گر جاتے ہیں۔ عورتوں کی نسبت مردوں کو زیادہ تر بالچر کا سامنا کرنا پڑتا ہے۔

As per studies, people normally lose about 70-100 strands of hair per day. As a part of natural hair growth cycle, you’ll regrow your hair that are shed.  However, if you lose more hair every day and little or no hair regrow, then it is a health condition and termed as hair loss or alopecia. It can affect people of all age group irrespective of gander. There are various types of hair loss. You lose hair either from your head or any other part of body as well.

Signs and Symptoms of Hair Loss

The symptoms of hair loss may vary from person to person depending upon which type of hair loss they are suffering from. Some of the common symptoms include:

  • Thinning of hair all overhead ( it is a typical symptom of female pattern hair loss)
  • Receding hairline ( it is male pattern type baldness)
  • Loss of hair in the form of patches on the head
  • Loss of hair both on scalp and rest of the body

Types of Hair Loss

Types of hair loss depends upon whether it’s permanent or temporary. Some of the most common type of hair loss include:

  • Androgenic alopecia – It is a genetic hair loss that can affect both men and women. In men, it is mostly called male pattern baldness while in women it is termed as hair loss.
  • Alopecia areata – It is an autoimmune disease, in which you start to lose hair from your head and rest of the body as well.
  • Anagen effluvium – This is a sudden and rapid hair fall due to the side effect of certain medical conditions and their treatments such as in the case of chemotherapy.
  • Telogen effluvium – In this type of hair loss, you suddenly lose a lot of hair in just a short time. It normally occurs a few months after your body has gone through something stressful either emotionally or physically. It can also be due to sudden changes in your hormones.

Causes of Hair Loss

There are various causes of hair fall and hair loss. The most common causes of hair loss are:

  • Genetic factors i.e. it can be hair loss due to hereditary factor
  • Skin fungal infection on your scalp
  • Thyroid diseases
  • Tight hairstyles such as tight ponytails, hair extensions or braids
  • Haircare or styling that causes damage such as bleach or perms
  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth or during menopause
  • Nutritional deficiencies such as protein or iron deficiency
  • Stressful events such as losing a loved one or undergoing surgery
  • Certain medicines or treatments such as chemotherapy
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Risk Factors of Hair Loss

There is a number of factors that can increase your risk of hair loss such as:

  • A family history of hair loss from either side of your parents
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Ageing
  • Stress
  • Poor dietary habits, because deficiency of any vitamin or nutrient in your body would lead to hair loss.
  • Complications of Hair Loss

Whether your hair loss is temporary or permanent, it can be emotionally stressful for people. More importantly, some of the types of hair loss can ultimately lead to baldness.

If you are losing a lot of hair, you need to protect your scalp. You need to wear a head covering, scarf or hat for this case.

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Prevention

If you suffer from hair loss due to genetic factors such as female pattern baldness or male-pattern baldness then hair loss is not preventable.

If hair loss is due to other factors apart from genetic you can prevent hair fall by these following tips:

  • You need to be gentle with your hair. You need to avoid brushing your wet hair and avoid tugging them as well. Use a wide-tooth comb as it prevents hair fall. Avoid or reduce harsh hair treatment such as curling irons, hot rollers etc. You need to reduce the tension on your hair from certain hairstyles such as braids, barrettes etc.
  • You need to protect your hair from UV rays and sunlight.
  • Quit smoking as it triggers baldness in men.
  • You need to talk to your doctor about your medications if they cause hair loss.
  • Eat a healthy nutritious diet.
  • Manage your anxiety and stress.
  • Get a cooling cap, if you are undergoing chemotherapy as this cap reduces hair loss due to chemotherapy.
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Diagnosis

In the case of medication or certain treatments such as chemotherapy, hair loss is unavoidable. However, in case of other causes of your hair loss, your doctor will provide a treatment plan as needed.

To properly diagnose the hair loss your doctor would:

  • Inquire about your family history if anyone suffers from hair loss.
  • Check your medical history.
  • Recommend some blood tests to check the iron level, the function of the thyroid and any nutritional deficiency.
  • The doctor would examine your scalp to check if there is an infection.
  • Biopsy test would also be done to check if there are any underlying skin diseases.

Treatment of Hair Loss | When to Consult a Doctor

If your hair loss is due to diet, hormonal imbalance, stress, thyroid disease, or medication, your doctor will first address the root cause and provide you with the treatment accordingly. At times, in order to prevent and treat hair loss, treating the underlying health condition is most important.

Most hair fall treatments are meant for female and male pattern hair loss. These treatments include:

  • Medication – Over-the-counter medications are usually the first line of treatment for hair loss. It can be in the form of pill, supplements, or spray depending upon your root cause. You take medication only after the doctor’s prescription.
  • Diet – If you have any nutrient deficiency, your doctor would recommend a healthy diet plan to counter this deficiency and reduce hair loss.
  • PRP or Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy – It is one of the most common hair treatments these days. In this, first, your blood is taken and plasma is separated out from it. After this, this platelet-rich plasma is injected into your scalp via a sterile syringe. This treatment helps in reducing hair loss and promotes healthy hair growth.
  • Hair Transplant Surgery – If you are suffering from avoidable hair loss, your doctor would recommend hair transplant surgery. In this, where the hair is thick on your scalp, the surgeon carefully removes hair strands from there. After this, the surgeon transplants these strands in the area where the hair is thin on your scalp.

In case of any concerning signs and symptoms, you need to visit a certified dermatologist or hair transplant surgeon.