Causes for Hair Loss & Breakage
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According to MayoClinic.com, it's normal to lose up to 100 hairs every day. However, when your hair becomes noticeably thinner, there may be an underlying disorder causing the excessive hair loss (alopecia). In addition, hair is normally resilient and supple but if you're experiencing a lot of breakage, it could be the result of environmental conditions, chemicals or a health problem.
Pattern Baldness
A predisposition to baldness may be genetic or a result of the shortening of the hair growth cycle and the general thinning of individual hair shafts. Pattern baldness affects more men than women. Often, the first observable signs are increased visibility of the scalp followed by a receding hairline or a bald patch at the crown that gradually extends to the rest of the head.
Hair Loss Disorders
Some hair loss disorders result in either temporary or permanent thinning of the hair, breakage and/or excessive loss of hair. Cicatricial alopecia is a rare condition where the hair follicle ceases normal function and eventually dies. Alopecia areata (temporary hair loss), is related to your body's autoimmune function, and you may not experience any other physical symptoms. Medical conditions that affect the body's endocrine system may also result in hair loss.
Emotions
Severe emotional upset or trauma may cause temporary hair loss (telogen effluvium). Extreme stress, resulting from the death of a loved one or a traumatic incident may trigger a temporary shutdown of the normal hair growth cycle and you may lose the hair from the affected follicles. New hair growth will appear in a few months. Usually, this involves only a portion of your hair follicles, so the condition may mimic severe thinning of the hair but not total hair loss.
Medication
Some drugs can interfere with the normal hair growth cycle. The resulting hair loss is usually temporary and hair growth returns when the medication is discontinued. Chemotherapy commonly causes hair loss in cancer patients but other medications put your hair at risk as well, including prescription medications that contain isotretinoin, lithium or amphetamines. Not all patients receiving these medications experience hair loss.
Styling
Overuse of chemical hair products may lead to hair loss. Every time your hair is colored, permed, chemically straightened or highlighted, the hair shaft is damaged. Using heated curling irons and hot blow dryers exacerbates the problem. Limit chemical hair processes to no more than once every two months to reduce hair loss and breakage from over processing.
Nutrition
Poor eating habits may cause hair loss and breakage if you do not receive sufficient protein and other nutrients in your diet. An iron deficiency may result in hair loss. Normal hair growth will return once you begin eating a balanced diet that includes sufficient protein and iron.
Causes for Hair Loss & Breakage by mental-health-resources.com