More than half of men and women in the United States experience hair loss. About 30% of people have hair loss by age 30 years, and about 50% have hair loss by age 50 years. Hair fall also known hair loss. Hair is made of a type of protein called keratin. Hair is actually a modified type of skin. Hair grows by forming new cells at the base of the root. These cells multiply to form a rod of tissue in the skin. Hair fall usually develops gradually and may be patchy or diffuse. Hair growth cycles alternate between a growth phase (called anagen, it lasts about three years) and a resting phase (telogen, which lasts about three months). During telogen, the hair remains in the follicle until it is pushed out by the growth of a new hair in the anagen phase.

At any one time, up to about 15 per cent of hairs are in telogen. But a sudden stress on the body can trigger large numbers of hairs to enter the telogen phase at the same time. Then, about three months later, this large number of hairs will be shed. As the new hairs start to grow out, so the density of hair may thicken again.

Many number of things can cause excessive hair fall. Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. Hair fall may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Some medicines can cause hair fall. Medicines that can cause hair fall include blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout, medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, vitamin A birth control pills and antidepressants.

What causes excessive hair loss?

A number of things can cause excessive hair loss. For example, about 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary.

Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.

Stages of hair growth

Hair growth is not a continuous process. It has several stages.

* The first phase is the growing stage. Hair grows at about 1 cm each month, and this phase lasts for anything between 2 and 5 years. * This is followed by a resting stage, during which there is no growth. This phase lasts about 5 months, and is called telogen. * At the end of the resting phase, the hair is shed and the follicle starts to grow a new one.

Is there any treatment for hair loss?

Depending on your type of hair loss, treatments are available. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. Recognizing and treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance may prevent further hair loss.

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