Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment

               

Hair Loss Problem :

Hair Loss is often distressing and can have a significant effecct on the patient's quality of life. Patients may present to their family physician first with diffuse or patchy hair loss. Scarring alopecia is best evaluated by a dermatologist. Nonscarring alopecias can be readily diagnosed and treated in the family physician's office. Androgenetic alopecia can be diagnosed clinically and treated with minoxidil. Alopecia areata is diagnosed by typical patches of hair loss and is self limited. Tinea capitis causes patches of alopecia that may be treated systemically. Telogen effuvium is a nonscarring, noninflammatory alopecia of relatively sudden onset caused physiologic or emotional stress. Once the precipitating cause is removed, the hair typically will regrow. Trichotillomania is an impulse-control disorder; treatment is aimed at controlling the underlying psychiatric condition. 

 Physiology of Hair Growth 

Hair grows in three phases anagen (active growing, about 90 % of hairs), catagen (degeneration, less than 10 % of hairs ) and telogen (resting, 5% to 10 % of hairs ). Hair is shed during the telogen phase. 

Approach to the Patient with Nonscarring Alopecia

The history and physical examination are often sufficient to determine a specific etiology for hair loss. It is convenient to divide the various causes into focal (patchy) and diffuse etiologies, and proceed accordingly. Patchy hair loss is often due to alopecia areata, tinea capitis, and trichotillomania. Diffuse hair loss is commonly dur to telogen or anagen effluvium. Androgenetic alopecia may be diffuse or in a specific pattern, and may progress to complete baldness. 

History

Hair Loss also caused due to illness, stressful event, or recent pregnancy may account for the diffuse of hair loss of telogen effluvium. The use of hair products such as straightening agents or certain shampoos suggests a diagnosis of trichorrhexis nodosa. A family history of hypothyroidism may warrant laboratory test for this condition, whereas a family history of hair loss supports the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia.

Treatment 

Effective treatment for some types of  hair loss are available. You might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it. With some conditions, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Tteatment for hair loss include medications 

Medication 

If your hair loss is caused by an underlying diseade, treatment for that disease will be necessary. If a certain medication is causing the hair loss, your doctor may advice you to stop using it for a few months.

What  You Can Do 

* List key personal information, Including any major stresses or recent life changes.

*Make a list of all medications, Vitamins and supplements that you're taking. 

*List questions to ask your doctor.

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Hair Loss 

Hair loss problem

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write by @nyaksahil34