The normal hair growth cycle is one centimeter per month and the follicle lasts from two to three years. Hair grows and rests in a 90/10 pattern, meaning it grows 90 percent of the time, with the remaining 10 percent resting. Hair in the resting phase falls out after 3 months and new hair begins to grow in its place. The average head loses about 50 to 100 strands of hair daily, but this loss may become excessive for various reasons.

The most common type of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness, which is technically known as androgenic alopecia. It features thinning hair, with a receding hairline rolling to the crown, usually from the front to the back. This baldness forms an ‘M’-shaped pattern over the head. This condition can be inherited with a gene passed from either parent or hormonal; men with hair loss usually have a high presence of endocrine hormones.

Women may also suffer hair loss, developing female-pattern baldness, where the hair thins over the entire scalp. Hair loss may also indicate a problem in the gastrointestinal tract where women with insufficient stomach acids, or who lack protein, zinc, and other nutrients may experience hair loss.

• Temporary hair loss may occur following surgery or a major illness; this can last three to four months after the event due to the stress on the body. Radiation therapy patients fall into this group. Some patients will opt to wear hats, cosmetic wigs and hairpieces until the natural hair grows back.

• Hormonal problems related to the thyroid gland are a hair loss factor. A thyroid gland working too hard or not hard enough may cause hair loss and may be helped by treating thyroid disease. Hair loss may also be attributed to an imbalance of the female hormone estrogen or the male hormone androgen. If the imbalance is corrected, the hair loss may stop.

 • After giving birth, women may notice hair loss for about three months because pregnancy can interrupt the natural hair growing cycle. This, too, is hormonal; during pregnancy, certain hormones are at higher levels, retaining hair the body would normally release. As the woman’s body returns to its pre-pregnancy condition, the hair is released as the growth and loss cycle return to normal.

• A fungal infection of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. Typically, hair returns when the infection is treated with an antifungal medicine.

• Some medicines may cause hair loss including blood thinners (anticoagulants), gout medicines, certain antidepressants, retinoids, beta blockers, and an excessive intake of vitamin A. Other medicines which may contribute to hair loss include birth control medications, meds for high blood pressure or heart disease, and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like naproxen or ibuprofen. This type of loss should improve and show new growth once the medication is no longer taken.

• In diseases like lupus and diabetes hair loss serves as a warning to these serious medical conditions. This hair loss is the body’s warning flag to investigate further to determine the actual cause.

• Conditions that rob the body of protein like crash diets, radiation therapy, severe or extensive burns, syphilis, and fungus-induced infections may result in hair loss since hair is mostly comprised of protein.

• Continually pulling the hair tightly for styling, wearing pigtails or using tight hair rollers may cause hair loss known as traction alopecia. This hair pulling may scar the scalp which can lead to permanent hair loss. If the pulling is stopped, and there is no scarring of the scalp, the hair will grow back.

• Hot oil treatments and permanents can inflame hair follicles, which impedes new growth. Dying, tinting, bleaching, straightening, or any other hair-altering procedure may strain or damage hair and cause hair loss. It is important to know the types of ingredients in hair care products, as harmful chemicals may also cause hair loss.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for male pattern baldness. Medications that can help prevent hair loss are minoxidil, available without a prescription, and finasteride, available only with a prescription. Minoxidil is used to increase new hair growth in cases of hereditary hair loss. Finasteride blocks the formation and progress of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which appears to interrupt the development of male pattern hair loss. Minoxidil is a topical crème or gel and is applied over the scalp and may be used by both women and men, whereas finasteride is available as a pill and is for men only. The relative wait time to determine if these medications are successful may be as long as six months.

Because abnormal hair loss can be a sign of a serious condition, anyone experiencing it should visit a doctor. The physician will ask about medical history, diet, and current medications. This diagnostic visit may include a thorough physical examination, a biopsy of scalp cells, and selected blood tests to accurately determine the cause of the hair loss.  Women may also be questioned regarding their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.

An individual’s specific cause of hair loss, will dictate the course of action and treatment. If medicines are creating this hair loss side effect, the physician will order alternative meds. Correcting a hormonal imbalance may stop additional hair loss. And treating an infection may help to contain the hair loss.