There is no way hair loss can be prevented

Hair loss is a common problem faced by many people all around the world. Hair loss is a whole science in itself. What causes people to lose their hair…no one seems to have a clear answer. 

There are dozens of theories; some sounding plausible, others just sounding dam right stupid!. There are various reasons behind hair loss. Let us look at some of the major causes and their remedies: 

Men can start to lose their hair as early as age 17. The most common type in men is ‘Male Pattern Baldness’ (MPB). The main causes as described by the medical profession are heredity, natural ageing, hormonal disruptions and imbalances, stress and damage by toxins. 

One of the most plausible explanations is that MPB is caused directly by hormonal imbalances called Androgens, mainly by the hormone testosterone. Testosterone causes the hair roots to gradually close up, prevent the hair from growing through properly. Eventually, the hair follicle closes up completely disabling any further growth. 

This pattern begins as a receding hairline, which creates a noticeable pattern, eventually leaving a small hair ‘island’ in the centre of the scalp. 

Other explanations include poor blood flow in the scalp and excessive oil production. It is clear that some expiations and theories are simple, but not necessarily true. The hormonal theory sounds the most realistic in my opinion; men who suffer hair loss have been found to have high levels of testosterone in their system. 

Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland is under active or overactive, you will suffer the problem of hair loss. This hair loss generally can be cured by treatment of the thyroid disorder. Hair loss may occur if androgens (male hormones) or estrogens (female hormones) are out of balance. Clinical treatment of hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss. 

Pregnant women may notice hair loss problems with in a period of about 3 months after delivery. Hair loss problem is also related to hormones. During pregnancy, high levels of particular hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, that hair falls out and the normal growth and loss cycle starts again. 

Some medicines (mainly sulphur drugs) can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss problem improves when you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include anticoagulants (also known as blood thinners), medicines utilized in chemotherapy to treat cancer, medicines used for gout, vitamin A (if too much is taken), birth control pills, and antidepressants. 

If you have undergone a major operation or have suffered a prolong illness you can face the problem of hair loss. However, this hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary. 

Certain fungal infections can cause hair loss. Generally, children may have hair loss problems caused by a fungal infection of the scalp. This type of fungal infection can be easily treated with antifungal medicines. 

Conclusively, hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to consult a specialist to detect the cause so that it can be treated at an early stage. 

In my honest opinion, I believe that until someone somewhere comes up with a provable explanation, there is no way hair loss can be prevented. The majority of products available on the market tend to delay hair loss for a while, but as soon as you have stopped applying a product, the hair loss rate accelerates to its normal pace, or increases even faster!