The word “alopecia” is the medical term for hair loss. Alopecia does not refer to one specific hair loss disease — any form of hair loss is an alopecia. Thinning hair and hair loss are common in both women and men. In many cases, there are ways to treat both male and female hair loss. It all depends on the cause. Here are some common reasons why you might be seeing less hair on your head.
Tight hair styles
Keeping your hair too tight, such as wearing tight braids or ponytails, can cause hair loss. This is called traction alopecia; because the hair is extremely stressed for a long time, the hair on the scalp can easily fall off. Brushing hair too vigorously can also pull hair out in patches and lead to traction alopecia.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania refers to the habit of pulling a hair out of the head or other parts of the body. This habit is considered to be an obsessive-compulsive disorder in which people tend to pull their hair out under stress or tension. If this condition is serious, it may cause bald patches. However, if you stop this habit, your hair will usually grow back.
Vitamin deficiency
A balanced diet can ensure that your body gets the right vitamins and nutrients which is an important part of hair growth. The right nutrients can promote hair growth. Vitamin deficiency leads to hair loss, and protein and vitamin B deficiency are associated with hair loss.
Stress
Physical stress, such as surgery or psychological stress caused by severe trauma, can lead to hair loss. Stress can cause the body to enter a state of shock, which can change the hormone balance. Hair loss can also occur after significant physiological stress, such as long-term illness or dieting, which can cause you to be deficient in iron, B12 or protein, which is essential for healthy hair growth. A big emotional event, such as a divorce, can also cause your hair to become thinner and cause hair loss.
Hereditary baldness
Hereditary baldness is one of the most common causes of hair loss. Hereditary baldness is not a true disease, but a natural condition caused by a combination of genetics, hormone levels and aging processes.
As we age, almost all men and women begin to lose hair or have thinning hair. However, as many as 40% of men and women have hair loss symptoms more obvious. Most hair loss begins at the age of 20 and 30, but in women, after the period of menopause, the symptoms of hair loss become more obvious. This condition is also known as androgenetic alopecia and in men, male-pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is the leading cause of hair loss, over time the hair follicles begin to change and shrink which leans to the hair thinning.