Hair loss is an unfortunate problem that is often encountered by men and women. There can be numerous reasons for the development of this issue and some things you can do to prevent it.
Just like with other health-related problems, it is important to pay attention to your habits, lifestyle, and diet.
Generally, hair loss is a symptom of something going wrong in the body and it’s essential to get to the core of this problem. Here we take a look at some of the ways to prevent alopecia and ways you can treat this condition.
The most common causes of hair loss
The quality of our hair changes as we age and it is a natural process. According to the statistics, approximately 50% of men over the age of 50 experience some form of hair loss. Unfortunately, some people can notice significant hair loss starting as early as their 20s. Some of the most common causes of this issue include the following:
- Genetics and hormones
It is not a secret that men are more prone to hair loss due to the peculiarities of their hormonal system. According to the statistics, the most common reason men experience hair loss is due to testosterone converting to dihydrotestosterone or DHT.
This type of steroid hormone is the one responsible for binding to receptors in the scalp and it can become the reason for hair loss in some people. A lot of this has to do with the genetic predisposition of a particular man. Some are more genetically susceptible to the influence of this hormone and thus can experience hair loss even at a young age.
- Stress
In our bodies, nothing is separate and everything is interconnected. Stress is something that affects all the systems of your body, including your hormones, the levels of certain nutrients, and more. This means that developing ways to deal with stress is crucial if you want to prevent hair loss. Some of the ways you can overcome stress include mindfulness, getting enough sleep, proper work and life balance, and regular exercises.
- Learning about the side effects of drugs
You may not realize, but there are plenty of medications out there for different health problems that can actually lead to thinning out and loss of hair. The categories of drugs that can cause such side effects include certain antidepressants, chemotherapy, birth control pills, anticonvulsants, and more. The potential hair loss side effect is generally listed in the leaflet that comes with the drug. If you notice sudden hair loss when you start taking a certain drug, you should inform your doctor and maybe find potential alternatives with other active ingredients.
- Harmful lifestyle habits
Lifestyle plays an essential role in your appearance, including the condition of your hair. For instance, excessive consumption of alcohol decreases the levels of iron and prevents the absorption of zinc in the body. Both of these nutrients contribute to health hair but their sudden lack can cause hair problems.
Smoking also seriously affects the quality of hair because of all the chemicals that are contained in cigarettes. The same applies to recreational drug abuse. It negatively influences the state of health, and hair is not an exception.
- Diet
It’s common for people to be deficient in certain vitamins and nutrients and not even realize it. In some instances, you may feel completely normal but the state of your hair, nails, and skin suffers. If you want to prevent hair loss, you should consume a proper diet that contains the right amount of protein, carbs, and fat. With the help of a detailed blood test, you can determine your personal deficiencies. This can help you find the right diet and maybe introduce supplements.
Consuming plenty of fruit, vegetables, fish, and greens is always a great idea. Mediterranean diet is considered one of the best to lower the chances of androgenetic alopecia.
The foods that should definitely be in the diet of everyone experiencing hair loss are:
- Protein-rich foods – lean meat, eggs, seafood, fish, milk, cheese, nuts
- Food containing omega-3 fatty acids – flax seeds, salmon, walnuts, tuna, eggs yolks, avocado
- Foods high in iron – leafy greens, beans, beef, eggs, liver, turkey, quinoa, shellfish
A healthy diet can help to deal with stress and has a positive influence on your hormonal system. It is essential if you want to improve the quality of your hair and prevent its loss due to deficiencies.
Treatment options: effective drugs for hair loss
While the mentioned recommendations are great for your overall health, sometimes they are simply not enough to stop hair loss.
Genetic predisposition plays a huge role in the development of this problem and it’s not always possible to solve it with a diet and a healthier lifestyle. Fortunately, there are FDA-approved drugs out there that have been used for years to help grow hair back.
- Finasteride
Also referred to as Propecia, Finasteride is the most widely used prescription drug for hair loss in the world. It is most often used in men and helps them prevent further hair loss and, in many cases, even help grow new hair. According to the research, this drug is especially effective in males under 60, so those experiencing hair loss at a young age often benefit from taking these pills.
Finasteride is considered a DHT-blocker drug, so it is an ideal drug for the most common type of hair loss – androgenetic alopecia. It blocks the influence of DHT in the body and thus allows hair to grow normally and not fall out. Finasteride and its generics retail at Finos Canadian Pharmacy, which is a worthwhile place to order medications since the prices being regulated by the government and therefore never go above a certain limit set by the state. Safe and confidential delivery add value to the economical shopping, and bonus pills are offered to every customer regardless of the amount spent.
- Minoxidil
As opposed to Finasteride, Minoxidil has a different influence. This type of treatment comes in the form of foam or liquid and it helps promote hair growth. It needs to be applied to areas where a person experiences hair loss. This treatment works by boosting blood flow to the area where it is used.
An individual approach to the problem is required to get definite results in prevention and treatment. One person may experience hair loss due to hormonal issues while another may simply need to take more iron and zinc. If you are getting hair loss at a young age, you should take a look at your overall lifestyle and make appropriate changes.
