Baldness - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Baldness, also known as alopecia, is hair loss, or absence of hair. Baldness is usually most noticeable on the scalp, but can occur anywhere on the body where hair grows. The condition is more common in men than in women. The severity and nature of baldness can vary greatly; it ranges from male and female pattern alopecia (androgenetic alopecia, also called wheres baldo androgenic alopecia or alopecia androgenetica), alopecia areata, which involves the loss of some of the hair from the head, and alopecia totalis, which involves the loss of all head hair, to the most extreme form, alopecia universalis, which involves the loss of all hair from the head and the body.

The average human head has about 100,000 hair follicles. Each follicle can grow about 20 individual hairs in a person's lifetime.[1] Average hair loss is about 100 strands a bald second.Male pattern baldness is characterized by hair receding from the lateral sides of the foreskin , known as "receding hairline". An additional bald patch may develop on top (vertex). The trigger for this type of baldness (called androgenetic alopecia) is DHT, a powerful sex hormone and hair growth promoter that can adversely affect the hair and prostate. Baldness can be classified into various types, depending on the cause. Several of the many different types of baldness female-pattern baldness, male-pattern baldness, alopecia areata, toxic alopecia and trichotillomania (hair pulling).

Causes of Baldness

1.Heredity.

2.Hormones (DHT hormone (dihydrotestosterone).

3.Fungal infections.

4.Birth control pills.

5.Iron deficiency.

Symptoms of Baldness

1.Weight loss.

2.High fever.

3.Iron deficiency.

4.Shedding of hair.

Treatment of Baldness

Medicines may also help slow or prevent the development of common baldness. One medicine, minoxidil (brand name: Rogaine), is available without a prescription. Another medicine, finasteride (brand name: Propecia) is available with a prescription. Surgeons remove tiny plugs (grafts) of your hair-bearing skin and transplant them into tiny holes made in your scalp. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is rubbed directly onto the scalp and works for both men and women. It usually works best for hair loss at top and back of the scalp, where there is still some remaining hair. This is available over the counter at most pharmacies. Hair transplantation has improved dramatically over the last several years.

Vitamins play a crucial role in the health and growth of hair. One place to get them is from blackstrap molasses. Blackstrap is the most unrefined of all molasses and, besides having a high concentration of B vitamins, is also high in calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin E. Obvious uses are in cookies and breads, but also try mixing some blackstrap molasses into barbecue sauce or baked beans. Rosemary, taken both internally and externally, can be an effective herb against hair loss. Add some fresh rosemary to your pasta sauce or favorite soup, or brew a cup of rosemary tea. L-lysine is an amino acid with a patent pending for hair growth. Rich sources include chicken, turkey, fish, legumes and most vegetables. In supplement form, up to 500 mg daily is believed to be safe.

Palmetto is an herb that may reduce/slow hair loss. Recommended dosage is 320 mg/day.Green tea extract has antioxidants (catechins) that may hold back hair loss. L-arginine is another amino acid that may stimulate hair growth by increasing absorption of nitric acid. Suggested dose is 1.5 g per day. Soy isoflavones are antioxidant phytoestrogens in soy reduce hair loss. These can be found in soy foods such as tofu, tempeh, miso and soy milk. Stinging nettle root extract is used for benign prostate hyperplasia, but also thought to help hair. Try taking 120 mg twice a day.