Hair Loss : Definition and Scope
Hair loss, or alopecia, refers to the partial, or complete absence of hair from areas of the body ,where it normally grows. It can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other body parts. The scope of hair loss ranges from minor thinning to complete baldness, and can result from various factors, including genetics, health conditions, and lifestyle choices.
Statistics: How Common is Hair Loss?
Hair loss is extremely common, affecting an estimated 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States alone. Approximately 50% of men experience noticeable hair loss by age 50, while about 40% of women experience hair thinning by the same age.
Causes of Hair Loss
A hair loss problem refers to various causes, including age, disease, lifestyle, medication, and hereditary factors.
the Hair experts can determine the cause by observing the progression of hair loss and its timing. For instance, they generally attribute sudden hair loss to factors like illness, medical treatments such as chemotherapy, or dietary changes. Gradual hair loss, on the other hand, is more commonly associated with hereditary factors and is a part of the normal aging process. Men and women can both experience this type of alopecia, which is one of the most common hair loss problems.
Other types of alopecia include:
A healthcare specialist needs to evaluate very sudden hair loss in which the person is losing hair in patches. This could be a symptom of an underlying illness; it may be an autoimmune disease causing the hair to fall.
• Hair follicles can get destroyed due to thyroid, anemia and anorexic diseases. It can also happen as a side effect from certain medications such as medicines used to treat
heart ailments, high blood pressure and depression.
• Hair loss varies significantly between men and women; in men, it generally occurs near the hairline, on top of the scalp, or at the back of the head. In women, it predominantly occurs in the front and on top of the scalp. A staggering 80 million or more men and women face the problem of hair loss, making it a huge issue in America.