Hairloss - What Causes It?

Hair loss or baldness is one of the most common problems that people suffer from. It refers to the condition where you lose excess hair from either a part of your head or the entirety of it. Doctors state that, on an average, losing about 100 hairs each day is normal and the volume of hair you lose is replaced by new strands of hair. However, this is not always the case. The problem starts when you don’t regrow hair on the scalp. The medical term for this condition is Alopecia. Hair loss can gradually develop over the years or can happen abruptly.

Although hair loss can affect anyone, older men are more likely to be affected by this condition. About 65% of men experience baldness or hair loss problem by the age 60.

What are the causes for losing hair?
People typically shed about 100 hairs per day which is part of normal hair growth cycle. This usually goes unnoticed since new hair grows in at the same time. Hair loss occurs when this cycle is disrupted- when the hair follicle is damaged or scarred and fails to generate new hair.

Hair loss can be either temporary or permanent. Several factors are responsible for hair loss problems, the most common one being heredity or family history of alopecia. Hormonal changes due to thyroid problems, menopause or pregnancy can cause you to lose large volumes of hair. If you’ve been on medications or supplements for a long time, then you may experience hair loss or thinning of hair as a result of the side effects of certain drugs.

Aggressive radiation therapy used in cancer treatment often leads to excess hair loss and new hair may not grow the same way as before. Apart from these, an emotional or physical shock, stress, poor diet can also trigger hair loss and thinning of hair in people.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms and signs of hair loss include- patchy or circular bald spots on the scalp, gradual thinning of hair on top of the head, scaly patches all over the scalp, loosening of hair etc. For instance, you may notice clumps of hair on the towel or in the drain after washing your hair.

Role of homeopathy in treating hair loss problems-
Depending on the causes, homeopathy offers a wide range of treatment options for hair loss. Unlike other conventional treatment methods, homeopathy studies the patient’s detailed case history in order to identify the root cause. Once the actual cause is evaluated, the patient is prescribed suitable medications for the condition. Certain medications prepared from extracts of all-natural components- herbs, minerals and others- are used in the treatment. Essential oils extracted from Burdock roots have been used for centuries to reduce hair loss problems. Homeopathy remedies that are derived from ink of cuttlefish, are very effective in dealing with hair loss problems faced by women post pregnancy or due to hormonal changes.

Alopecia or hair loss at a young age can be embarrassing for most people- you lose confidence in yourself, avoid socializing with people and may even slip into depression. So it’s strongly advisable that you consult a doctor if you encounter the symptoms mentioned above. Since homeopathy remedies are prepared from natural substances- living organisms, herbs, medicinal plants, minerals etc. - they are completely safe and do not adversely affect your health. Homeopathic medicines are easily available over-the-counter as well.