Topic > omen-causes and solutions1) What is androgenetic alopecia? What is the underlying cause? How is it treated? Androgenetic alopecia is a genetically determined disease characterized by the gradual conversion of terminal hair into indeterminate hair and finally into vellus hair. It is an extremely common disease that affects both men and women. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Androgenetic alopecia is caused by the prolonged effect of androgens on hair follicles. In some cases it could also be due to other factors such as seasonal changes, malnutrition, anemia, etc. In men, this condition is called male pattern baldness. Baldness in men is more defined than that in women. While in women it causes thinning hair and rarely leads to complete baldness. Approximately 50% of men over the age of 50 and 15% of women before menopause have some degree of androgenetic alopecia. Causes There are many different potential causes of alopecia. Hair loss, whether temporary or permanent, can be triggered by numerous factors. These can include allergies, irritants, toxins, burns, injuries and infections. We also know that certain medications (particularly anabolic steroids), chronic kidney disease, radiation, and chemotherapy can cause hair loss. Sometimes, hair loss can be due to an overdose of vitamin A, iron deficiency anemia, malfunction of the thyroid gland, fever, hormonal imbalances, or pregnancy. To reduce the symptoms of AGA, it is necessary to identify the causes. You can't target your genetic makeup, but you can target androgens and inflammation by stimulating new hair growth. The most prescribed medical treatment for permanent hair loss is Minoxidil, commonly known on the market as Rogaine. Rogaine treats AGA by preventing androgens from attacking the hair follicles, thus reducing noticeable hair loss. Minoxidil is not a permanent solution and will stop working shortly after you stop taking it. Although it allows for hair growth, the hair will likely not grow to its full potential, but it will be enough to cover some of the baldness. In men, finasteride, also known as Propecia on the market, is used to treat male pattern baldness by reducing DHT or androgens. It is not safe for use in women of childbearing age, pregnant women, or children suffering from hair loss. Ketoconazole shampoo is another medical treatment option that targets AGA caused by inflammation. 2) What is Telogen effluvium? What is the underlying cause? How can the problem be solved? At any given time, approximately 85% to 90% of the hair on the average person's head is actively growing (anagen phase) and the others are at rest (telogen phase). Typically, a hair remains in the anagen phase for two to four years, then enters the telogen phase, rests for about two to four months, then falls out and is replaced by a new growing hair. The average person naturally loses about 100 hairs a day. In a person with telogen effluvium, certain bodily changes or shocks push more hair into the telogen phase. Typically in this condition around 30% of the hair stops growing and enters the resting phase before falling out. So, if you suffer from telogen effluvium, you may lose an average of 300 hairs a day instead of 100. And the cause is: Surgery Severe physical trauma Severe psychological stress High fever, serious infections, or other illnesses Extreme weight loss Extreme changes in diet Sudden hormonal changes, including those associated with childbirth and menopauseDeficiency ofironHypothyroidism or hyperthyroidismSome medicationsSome causes of the disorder can be corrected. For example, if you have a poor diet, consult a dietitian to help you balance it. If your hair loss began after you started taking a new medication, talk to your doctor to see if the medication should be stopped. Many times, however, the cause is a specific event in the past, and you can expect the hair to grow back. In cases where hair growth has not returned to a satisfactory level. we can use minoxidil (Rogaine), a lotion applied to the scalp that can stimulate hair growth in some people. What is alopecia areata? What is the underlying cause? How can it be solved? Alopecia means hair loss or baldness. There are several causes and patterns of alopecia. Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss. Alopecia areata can occur at any age, but most cases initially develop in adolescents and children. At least half of people with alopecia areata develop their first patch of hair loss before age 21. Males and females are equally affected. The condition tends to be milder when it first develops at an older age. Alopecia areata is believed to be an autoimmune disease. This occurs when your immune system damages your body's healthy cells. The immune system produces white blood cells (lymphocytes) and antibodies to protect itself from foreign bodies such as bacteria, viruses and other germs. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakes one or more parts of the body as foreign. In people with alopecia areata, many white blood cells accumulate around the affected hair roots (hair follicles) which are mistaken for foreign ones. This causes mild inflammation which somehow leads to hair weakening and falling out, resulting in bald patches. It is not known why it is common for only certain areas of the scalp to be affected. Furthermore, the affected hair follicles are not destroyed. The affected hair follicles are able to rebuild normal hair if the immune reaction disappears and the situation returns to normal. It is not known why alopecia areata or other autoimmune diseases occur. It is believed that something causes the immune system to react against one or more tissues in the body. Possible triggers include viruses, infections, medications, or other environmental factors. There is also a hereditary factor that makes some people more predisposed to autoimmune diseases. About 1 in 5 people with alopecia areata have a close relative who has it. If you suffer from alopecia areata you also have a slightly higher than average chance of developing other conditions. autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorders, pernicious anemia and vitiligo. (However, it is important to note that most people with alopecia areata do not develop any of these other conditions.) There is currently no cure for alopecia areata, although there are some forms of treatment that may be suggested by doctors to help hair regrowth. -grow more quickly. The most common form of treatment for alopecia areata is the use of corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress the immune system. These are commonly administered via local injections, application of topical ointments, or orally. Other medications that may be prescribed that promote hair growth or affect the immune system include Minoxidil, Anthralin, SADBE, and DPCP. While some of these can encourage hair regrowth, they cannot prevent new bald patches from forming. How can nutritional deficiency lead to hair loss? How can the problem be solved?.