Health Tips for January 6

Health Tip: Why People Lose Their Hair

Hair loss isn't confined to men. Women and even children can lose their hair, the American Academy of Family Physicians says. Here's the academy's list of possible causes of hair loss: Stress caused by an illness or major surgery. This type of hair loss often is temporary. Changes in hormone levels, such as those caused by pregnancy or a thyroid disorder. Use of certain medications, such as blood thinners, antidepressants, oral contraceptives, heart medications, gout treatments or vitamin A. A fungal infection of the scalp. An underlying disease, such as diabetes or lupus. Health Tip: Losing Your Hair? Hair loss can be triggered by many things, including hormonal changes, medications, radiation or your genetic makeup. The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help you deal with hair loss: Hair loss may not be permanent. When it is lost as a side effect of an illness, medication or radiation therapy, the hair probably will grow back on its own. You can wear a hat, scarf or a wig until your hair has grown back in. Hair loss that has occurred because of hormonal changes, age or hereditary may be treatable with a topical medication such as Rogaine (minoxidil) or an oral medication such as Propecia (finasteride). None is guaranteed to work on everyone. Hair transplant surgery can replace lost hair with hair from another part of the head. Hair loss can be covered up with a wig, a hair piece or weave, and sometimes even with a different hair style.