Reasons for Losing More Hair Than Normal

Hair loss occurs as a result of a daily routine of washing, brushing or combing. It is perfectly normal to lose some hair on a daily basis, but what that "normal" amount is will vary from person to person. Excessive hair loss can be alarming and often sufferers will have no clue as to the cause. There are a number of different conditions that can cause excessive hair loss.

Genetics

• With male pattern baldness, hair is often lost at the temples first, then the crown.

  Androgenetic Alopecia is a condition that can affect men and women. In men, it is often referred to as male pattern baldness (MPD) because the hair tends to be lost in a well-defined pattern beginning at the temples and then gradually affecting the frontal hair line and then the crown of the head. In women, the condition tends to result in an overall thinning of the hair and tends not to result in complete baldness.

  This form of hair loss is believed to be caused by hormones called androgens, in particular dihydrotestosterone (DHT). A genetic sensitivity to DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink when exposed to the hormone, preventing them from producing hair as normal. In women, hormonal factors such as the development of polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy or menopause can also play a part in developing androgenetic alopecia.

Trauma, Illness and Medication

• Complete hair loss is often a result of medications.

  Major traumas such as surgery, extreme stress, severe infections or childbirth can affect the normal hair-growing cycle. When growing, hair will go through three phases: the anagen (or growth phase), the catagen (or regressing phase) and the telogen (or resting phase). When the body is experiencing a major trauma, the majority of hairs in the growth phase will shift into the resting phase. This can happen anywhere from 6 weeks to a few months after the stressful event and will often cause the hair to fall out in handfuls. This condition, known as telogen effluvium, can clear up if the extreme stress is reduced or completely avoided.

  Anagen effluvium is a form of hair loss that often occurs when a person is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This type of hair loss, which sees the matrix cells of the hair follicle affected, tends to be immediate as the whole hair shaft is shed. It can also be caused by other toxins and conditions such as trichotillomania.

Lifestyle

• Excessive hair styling can cause breakage and, in some cases, hair loss.

  Extreme dieting or a diet severely deficient in essential nutrients can cause thinning hair and, in some cases, excessive hair loss. Prolonged or chronic stress, regardless of the root cause, can trigger the body to produce hormones that will affect the hair's growth cycle, causing the hair to shed, become thinner and eventually fall out. Extreme overuse of hair products and salon treatments can weaken the hair shaft and cause breakage or loss, especially if a lot of chemicals are involved. Furthermore, a condition called traction alopecia can occur when people regularly pull their hair too tight into ponytails, cornrows and similar styles.