Alopecia (pathological hair loss) hair loss treatments

Alopecia, the pathological hair loss, refers to a hair loss problem due to various causes such as age, disease, lifestyle, medication and hereditary factors. Hair experts can assess the cause based on the progression of hair loss and the timing. Sudden hair loss, for example, is usually attributed to illness, medical treatments such as chemotherapy, or a change in diet. Gradual hair loss is more of a hereditary problem and part of the normal aging process. This type of alopecia is one of the most common hair loss problems and can be seen in both men and women.

Other types of alopecia are:

Very sudden hair loss, where the person loses their hair in patches, needs to be examined by a health specialist. This could be a symptom of an underlying disease; it may be an autoimmune disease that is causing the hair loss.

Hair follicles can be destroyed by thyroid, anemia and anorexia disorders. It can also occur as a side effect of certain medications, such as drugs used to treat heart conditions, high blood pressure, and depression.

The patterns of hair loss in men and women are very different; in men, hair loss generally occurs near the hairline, on the scalp, or at the back of the head. In women, hair loss occurs primarily on the front and top of the scalp. Hair loss is a huge problem in America, facing an astounding 80 million or more men and women.

Alopecia Treatment

After all the bad news, it is encouraging to know that there is good news as well. There are different types of hair loss treatment. If hair loss is a symptom of a medical problem, the problem must be treated first. For hereditary hair loss, treatments are available in the form of hair growth therapies and some over-the-counter treatments. There are also surgical techniques for hair transplantation.

The first step to healthier hair growth is to consult a doctor, who will likely run some tests to make a diagnosis. Sometimes the general practitioner will recommend the patient to a dermatologist if the hair loss is related to a skin problem. Only after the cause is determined will the doctor prescribe treatment.

In addition to over-the-counter treatments, hair transplantation, scalp flaps, laser treatment and scalp reduction are some of the available alopecia treatments.

Alopecia in itself does not cause any complications; the only problem is actually the loss of self-confidence when hair loss occurs.