Hair loss in men - Diagnoses, Treatment & Prevention.

Hair loss can range from thinning hair and hair thinning to complete baldness. Hair loss is caused by many different reasons, from a medical point of view there are several forms:

Telogen effluvium - This common form of hair loss is caused enormous physical stress, usually 2-3 months after a prolonged illness, serious injury or serious infection. There is then a sudden change in hormone levels, especially in women after childbirth. Moderate amounts of hair on a pillow or brush combing hair strands are observed. Most often thinning in some parts of the scalp hair areas are rare in this type of hair loss

Hair loss as a medical side effect of medication - Hair loss can be a side effect of the use of certain drugs - lithium, beta-blockers, warfarin, heparin, amphetamines, levodopa. Much of chemotherapeutic used in oncology - such as doxorubicin, often causing total loss of hair.

Hair loss as symptom of a medical illness - Hair loss can be a symptom of disease - eg. systemic lupus erythematosus, syphilis, thyroid disease (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), imbalance of sex hormones, eating disorders (especially a deficiency of protein, iron, zinc and biotin). These deficiencies are common in people leading heavy diets in women with heavy menstrual bleeding

Tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp) - in this condition is a loss of hair in different areas of the scalp. It is caused by certain types of fungus. They cause breakage of hair on the scalp, there is separation of scales from the scalp, often occurs in children.

Alopecia areata - this is an autoimmune disease in which the hair to fall into one or more small areas. The reason for this condition is unknown, although it is more common in people with autoimmune diseases. If the process causes total loss of hair, it is known as alopecia totalis.

Traumatic alopecia - this form of hair loss is a result of trauma inflicted on the scalp and hair - braiding, using fresh hair rollers for hair curling. Hair can be damaged by strong chemicals - bleaching, hair dyes. Some people suffer from a rare psychiatric disorder, trichotillomania, thus pulling and plucking of hair.

Hereditary baldness / androgenic alopecia - hair loss in men is a typical sequence - front hairline moves back and hair thinning on the crown. This is the most common form of hair loss can begin at any age, even in adolescence. The biggest impact of three factors: heredity, male hormones and age. Women can also be observed typical balding, starting from the crown of the scalp (the upper part), but unlike male pattern baldness front of the scalp are usually not affected.



Hair loss Symptoms
Usually every day a person loses 50 to 10 hairs. Usually, most hair loss is noticeable brush hairs, clothes, bath etc. The hair becomes thin hairline changes appear bald patches.

When hair loss is caused by telogen effluvium or medication, it is observed all over the head. In tinea infections and hair loss is alopecia areata in small areas. Tinea infections can cause additional symptoms such as flaking of the scalp or areas of broken hairs that look like black dots. In traumatic alopecia hair loss area depends on the method by which the damage occurred. In male baldness is a shift of the frontal hairline back, later observed thinning on the crown, gradually at its upper part is completely bald and hair remains in the occipital and temporal areas.

Hair loss Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose the cause of your hair loss based on your medical history, medications you are taking or have taken, your nutrition, physical examination and the way you treat your hair. If you suspect a fungal infection, it is necessary sampling of the scalp and hair for laboratory tests. Blood tests are needed on suspicion of a disease (such as lupus), or a thyroid problem, iron deficiency or hormonal imbalance.

Duration of hair loss
The duration of hair loss depends on the cause. In telogen effluvium, it is several weeks to months, but then again affected areas hair. When hair loss is a result of drug use, stopping the medication and it stops hair again prorastva. In traumatic alopecia, with few exceptions, normal dentition recovered after stopping damaging your hair up. In tinea infections requiring treatment from 6 to 12 weeks and hair regrowth is slow. It is extremely important to begin treatment as early as possible to avoid permanent baldness. Both male and female genetic type, age and hormonal hair loss is getting worse with time, but can be treated.

Hair loss prevention
Some forms of hair loss can be prevented by minimizing stress, eating a healthy diet and using sensible hairdressing techniques, and, if possible, the use of drugs not cause hair loss. Hair loss from fungal infections can be prevented by good hygiene and avoid wearing hats, foreign foreign combs and hairbrushes. Hair loss hereditary type can be prevented by drugs.

Hair loss treatment
Hair loss resulting from telogen effluvium or drug usually requires no treatment other than discontinuing the use of the drug problem. Limiting trauma and exposure to chemical agents (use a hair dryer, trouser hair, hair color, etc.) can reduce or stop hair loss. Hair loss from poor nutrition or disease usually stops after a healthy diet and treatment of the disease. Treatment of fungal infections of the scalp requires of oral medication (Lamisil, Itraconazole, ketoconazole, etc..) For 6 to 12 weeks. Alopecia areata can be treated with a corticosteroid, injected or applied to the skin. Other therapeutic approaches include treatment with anthralin, minoxidil or a combination.

Many men and women with hereditary hair loss sex do not seek medical help, although this can be given. Most often this type of hair loss using topical (local) minoxidil (Rogaine) or (in men only) oral finasteride (Propecia, Proscar). Recently gaining popularity transplantation of hair or reduction surgery on the scalp.

When to approach a specialist
Talk to your doctor whenever you feel concerned about hair loss, especially if you have other unexplained symptoms.

Hair loss Forecast
Many forms of hair loss are either self-restrictions (telogen effluvium, drug conditioned) or treatable (tinea capitis). Even hereditary baldness tends to improve with treatment. Unfortunately, in these cases, treatment should be continued for an indefinite period of time. In some conditions the hair loss is reversed, especially if scarring has developed (such as lupus)