For the majority of women, their hair is considered to be their ‘crowning glory’, and is inextricably linked to their sense of self-esteem. The average woman spends a considerable amount of time and money on hair products and salon visits to help ensure their hair stays in tip-top condition. So, if a woman begins to lose her hair this can understandably cause a great deal of concern and distress.
Image: DeviantArtThere are many causes of hair loss in women and the condition is thought to affect as many as eight million women per year. There are ways to treat the problem. Health guru, Dr Oz, recommends biotin to fight hair loss. Biotin is known to help boost vitamin B7, which is essential for promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails and can help prevent hair loss.
1. Alopecia
Alopecia is one of the most common causes of hair loss. This condition falls under the category of an autoimmune disorder. Other autoimmune disorders include psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Although doctors are yet to fully understand why autoimmune disorders cause the body to attack itself, many believe that stress plays a part. In the case of Alopecia, it causes the immune system to attack the hair follicles which can lead to hair loss. In the majority of cases, the hair grows back within a year.
2. Some Types of Medication
There are various types of prescription medicines that can cause hair loss in some patients. One of the most common is a group of medications called anticoagulants. These help to thin the blood and are used to treat people suffering from heart conditions. Some forms of the oral contraceptive pill can also lead to hair loss, as a result of the hormones they contain. Methotrexate, which is often used to treat severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, is also known to cause hair loss in some patients. If you’re taking any of these medications and experiencing hair loss problems, it’s wise to contact your GP. They’ll be able to inform you of any alternative drug therapies and advise you how best to treat, as well as cope with your symptoms.
3. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is becoming increasingly common. It’s a condition that mainly affects women and can lead to weight loss, anxiety issues and of course, hair loss. Your GP will usually be able to diagnose the problem through a simple blood test. However, in some rare cases, more testing is required to confirm this diagnosis. It’s easily treatable with hormone drug therapy. However, it can lead to more serious problems if left untreated.
If you’re concerned about either yourself or a friend, the best thing is to get yourself in to see the doctor sooner rather than later. The problem is unlikely to go away by simply ignoring it. A doctor will advise you on the best treatments and will also teach you techniques for coping with the emotional implications of the disease.
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