Medical Reasons Hair Hair Loss

Hair loss is more common than we know. Although most hair loss is caused by genetic receptors, there are also a number of common medical reasons for hair loss in men and women, including trichotillomania, alopecia, telogen effluvium, acute stress, anemia, and radiation. Hair transplants are still an option for those who are dealing medical disorders and diseases. 

Trichtillomania, or compulsive hair pulling, is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder but is classified as an impulse control disorder, that involves compulsive pulling of the hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, or any other bodily hair.

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition that causes a recurrent non-scarring hair loss that can affect any hair-bearing area of the body, in which the hair follicle is attacked by the body’s own antibodies leading to hair loss. 

Telogen Effluvium is temporary hair loss that is caused by some form of shock to the body such as pregnancy, stopping use of a birth control pill, extreme physical and emotional stress, surgery, or high fever. This hair loss is not permanent, and hair growth is often restored with time.

Anemia, deficiency of iron in the body, has been shown to be the main cause of hair loss in non-menopausal women (ages 35-50.)

Radiation and chemotherapy are treatments for cancer in which the body’s own cells are targeted, and as a side effect, the cells that make up the hair follicle are destroyed. Chemotherapy causes general hair loss, whereas radiation affects only the parts of the body that receive treatment

Thyroid disease, otherwise known as hyperthyroidism or hyperthyroidism, is in the form of general thinning of the hair. Its patterns are not patchy or in any pattern, but typically increased shedding throughout the scalp.

Surgery, hair loss is common in patients who undergo major surgery. Although this type of hair loss is temporary, it is commonly associated with the stresses that come along with the illness.

However, many women who undergo gastric bypass surgery can witness hair loss due to the lack of nutrients and vitamins they retain.

After gastric bypass surgery, the amount of calorie intake is limited due to the size of the stomach being reduced. Gastric bypass surgery patients tend to have difficulty retaining the necessary vitamins and nutrients that help hair regrowth. Because we lose 100-150 strand of hair a day, without these nutrients, patients are not able to stimulate healthy hair growth. While lacking these nutrients, patients should be aware that this can result in 40-50% more hair loss.

Although with time the body does begin to adjust, patients need to keep in mind that maintaining a healthy level of vitamins and minerals will help protect hair follicles. Vitamin B, iron and protein deficiencies have been linked to post weight loss surgery hair loss. Your surgeon will discuss with you the supplements available to prevent vitamin deficiencies and a nutritionist can help you adjust your diet to provide your body with the energy it needs.

Other guides

• Overview of Hair Transplantation
• Hair Loss In Women
• Alopecia (Patchy Baldness)
• Facial Hair Restoration
• Hair Transplant Cost
• Cost of Hair Transplantation Abroad
• Preventing Hair Loss
• Myths About Hair Loss
• Male Pattern Baldness
• Recovering from Hair Transplant Surgery
• Common Causes for Hair Loss
• Candidates for Hair Transplant
• Hair Transplant Methods
• Results After Hair Transplant
• Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Method
• Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) Method
• Preparing for Hair Transplant Surgery
• The Ludwig Scale
• Hair Loss in Men
• Hair Loss in Women
• Hair Restoration Method comparison: FUT vs FUE
• Causes of Hair Loss
• Surgical Hair Restoration: Hair Transplant Surgery
• Hair Loss in Men
• Alopecia
• Cost of Hair Transplant
• Prevent Hair Loss
• Common Hair Loss Definitions
• Hair Loss Treatments

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