Putting a Stop to Hair Loss

Millions of Americans are affected by thinning hair and hairloss, called alopecia. Typically we think of men with the mostcommon form of hair loss, male-pattern-baldness, as having atrait that is inherited from family members. But hair loss isnot just a male problem. Hair loss can also affect women andchildren for a variety of reasons.Hair Loss CausesThinning hair and sudden hair loss can be caused by any numberof very different reasons. Stress related to illnesses can bringabout a sudden change in one's hair and even affect a temporaryhair loss. Hormone imbalances due to illness, even pregnancy andchildbirth can cause another temporary form of hair loss thattypically lasts only a brief period of time and is rathercharacteristic. We all are familiar with hair loss fromchemotherapy treatment, and there are other drugs related tohair loss, as well.Male-pattern-baldness, the type we associate with familial ties,is typically blamed on the paternal lineage, but there is anincreasing body of scientific evidence supporting the idea thatthis type of hereditary hair loss may in fact be a product ofthe maternal lineage. A complex array of hormonal issues is toblame for male baldness of this type.Hair loss is best discussed with a physician who can work withyou to determine the cause characteristic to your case andexplore the various treatment options available.Hair ReplacementA popular and very viable treatment option for hair loss,especially in men with male pattern baldness, is surgical hairreplacement. Healthy hair follicles are literally harvested fromthe back of the scalp and transplanted to the hairline and topof the scalp. A good portion of this treatment is determined ona patient-by-patient basis and is part medicine, part artistryon the part of the physician.ProductsFor many though, including women and children, hair loss may notbe treatable with surgical replacement methods. In these cases,there are scads of products on the market, some viable, somedownright hokey. Rogaine, or minoxidil, was originally developed as a treatmentfor high blood pressure. A documented side effect, though, wasan increase in hair growth on various parts of the body. Sincethe drug was not very effective at treating its initial problem,researchers developed it instead as a treatment for hair loss. Taken in pillform, the brand name Rogaine has not been effective at replacinghair in totally bald areas of the scalp, but has been proven tothicken hair on other areas of the scalp where thinning hasoccurred. The other mainstream product besides Rogaine is marketed underthe brand name Propecia, or finasteride. Propecia was developedto treat prostate problems, but was observed to be moreeffective at stimulating hair growth, the same as monoxidil. Thecompounds in finasteride bind with a man's testosterone andalter the hormonal makeup, allowing hair re-growth.