What’s a king without a crown? In certain mythologies, If a king or queen was
stripped of their crown, then the true symbol for authority is lost. The crown
of man or woman is their hair, and hair loss is one reality that millions of
men and women out there are dealing with today. Balding is sometimes a natural aging
process that is carried out by our bodies as we grow older, and the body uses
it’s resources to feed major organs and body functions more and more, leaving
less energy for production of hair. The
rate of hair loss, however, differs for each individual. Some people still have
a decent amount of hair in their old age, some people start losing it in early
adulthood.
But nonetheless, hair loss is really
a thing to be dealt with. Not just from a cosmetic or looks viewpoint, but as a
symptom of other issues at work in the body. Sometimes it can be stopped, or at
least slowed down, but only if the symptoms are addressed and dealt with. There
are several major causes of hair loss. Here are some of them:
Hormonal
problems (The Big One)
For men, Androgenic Alopecia, or Male Pattern
Baldness is known to be genetic. It’s also hormonal. Excess testosterone can
become rancid and turn into dihydrotestosterone, a waxy substance that envelope
the hair follicles and cuts them off from nutrition. This condition was once
recently thought to be a fait accompli, but not so much anymore. When the genetic
factors are present, parents should take their male children to a holistic
practitioner at puberty. Excess facial acne is also a sign of impending hair
loss.
Many
people lose hair due to problems that are related to hormonal imbalance. For
example, when there is an imbalance of female or male hormones (estrogen and
androgen) as well as thyroid, and adrenal hormones, there is a strong
possibility that hair loss will occur. I see this very frequently in my
practice and ask if my client has had their hormones checked. Most often, not
yet, is the answer. Fortunately, there
are treatments out there that can fix problems with regards to hormonal
imbalance. My opinion would be to consult a nutritionist, or a doctor who understands
natural hormone therapy. There are many practitioners who can lead you in the
proper direction for hormone balance.
Also,
there are many newer and excellent products to use topically on the hair and
scalp to slow down hair loss and possibly stimulate the hair follicles to
produce hair again. Do some research!
Another example is hair loss that is connected
with pregnancy. Mothers can attest to the fact that hair loss is quite intense
a few months after delivery. This is because there high levels of hormones
during pregnancy which cause hair to fall. The good news is that after this
stage is through, the normal hair-growth-cycle resumes.
Some
people experience high levels of “shedding” in different seasons. As we age,
though, the regrowth from those shedding episodes slows. So, if you are seeing
excess hair in the drain or in your combs or brushes, take note. More than 50
hairs per day is excessive.
Major surgeries or illnesses
The body experiences stress during
major surgeries (body trauma) and this makes hair fall out. Stress is one of
the key suspects for hair loss. Stress (Hormones again!) weakens the
foundations of one’s hair follicles and this causes hair to fall out. This is
also true when one has been sick with a major illness. Hair loss due to these
reasons may be only temporary and once healed the hair may grow back.
Hair loss due to medication
There are medicines out there that
maybe helpful in treating certain kinds of illnesses but are detrimental to
one’s hair. Some medicines have side effects such as hair loss. Medicines which
are used to treat cancer (those used in chemotherapy), those that are anti-coagulants
and those which suppress depression can lead to hair loss. Some weight loss
medications and birth control pills can also lead to hair loss, and even certain
fat soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A, if too much is taken.
Some basic prevention:
1. Eat right, and include organic
foods as much as possible. Clean protein sources. No tortured meat. An
imbalanced diet adds up to the threat of hair loss. Once again, consult a
nutritionist and have some testing done. Consult the Environmental Working
group for more research. www.ewg.org
2. Maintain good hygiene. This is
self-explanatory.
3. Consult your doctor when taking
medicine. Make sure one drug doesn’t undo another drug’s potency.
4. Be cautious and aware of product
use on the hair and scalp. Organic and clean is best. Consult a professional
when using hair coloring or other chemicals.
5. Avoid hairdos such as braids and
cornrows. They stretch the scalp and may lead to bald spots.
There is no generic treatment for
hair loss because each situation is different from another, but being
proactive, you will find some answers and get some help and advice.
