Derik Li

Before discussing the various causes of hair loss, it is important to understand that there are many different types of loss that can occur. One is called androgenetic alopecia, and is also known as pattern baldness. This is by far the most common type of hair loss that occurs, and is most frequently the one that patients will seek medical treatment for. Another type of hair loss is called alopecia areata, which tends to occur in patches and often is temporary in nature. The causes of hair loss when it comes to alopecia areata are more numerous than those that cause androgentic alopecia. However, both types of hair loss are worth a trip to your doctor, so that you can get a definitive diagnosis on the type of hair loss that you are experiencing and the potential causes and treatment for it.

Causes of Hair Loss: Androgenetic Alopecia

The primary cause of hair loss that is considered to be androgenetic alopecia is heredity. If you have family members that have suffered with this same condition, you will be more likely to experience it as well. The genetic history of the family can also give you an indication of when this type of hair loss might start, how fast you will lose your hair, and the pattern of the baldness. In the case of androgenetic alopecia, there is unfortunately not much that you can do to prevent this type of hair loss. The good news is that there are treatments available, and some have proven effective for many people in stopping the process of hair loss. In some cases, hair has even grown back for certain patients that use these treatments.

Temporary Hair Loss: Alopecia Areata

This type of hair loss can occur at any age, and can also be linked to genetics in some cases. Scientists believe that alopecia areata may be triggered by a virus or an environmental cause, but studies are still being done to determine the exact cause of this type of hair loss. In this case, the loss is often temporary, and the hair grows back on its own without any type of treatment. This process can repeat itself a number of times however, making it a frustrating condition for many even though it is often temporary in nature.

Other Causes of Hair Loss

There are many other temporary causes of hair loss that include certain types of illnesses, diets and medications. Pregnancy and childbirth can also be causes of hair loss, due to the hormone fluctuations that go through a woman’s body during this time. Some types of hair treatments can cause hair loss, especially if they are overdone or done incorrectly. Finally, infections of the scalp can cause hair loss that will reverse itself once the infection is treated.