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Hair loss is a quite common occurrence with more than 80 million Americans affected by it. This medical condition is commonly known as alopecia, and it has a number of causes. As you may know, alopecia affects both men and women.
The history of a patient’s hair loss is important. Some questions a medical provider may ask are: Was it abrupt or was it a gradual occurrence? Was the scalp involved? Did one notice there was extra dryness or itching or other changes to the scalp with this hair loss?
Have there been new medications prescribed by a health care practitioner or over-the-counter supplements of any kind started? Has there been a history of trauma to the scalp? Was there hair pulling, traumatic or self-inflicted or tight braiding of the hair?
Has there been a recent diagnosis or suspicion of a medical illness such as thyroid disease, autoimmune disease or are there problems with nutrition? Has there been an abrupt change in weight, an increase or a decrease?
What is the family’s history of hair loss? Do the men or women in the family tend to lose their hair as they age? What is the emotional state of the person? What was their emotional state before the hair loss started? Could it have been a factor in the hair loss?
It is a well-known fact that once hair loss has occurred, people with moderate to severe hair loss often experience depression. Anxiety and depression may even affect their work performance. Finally, the loss of one’s hair may also affect the quality-of-life of scores of these individuals and they enjoy life less.
Hair loss can thus be a serious event in a person’s life, and it should be treated as such.
So, if you are experiencing hair loss, take the time to see your healthcare provider, especially when you first notice there is a change. Remember, the sequence of events and the character of the events as depicted in the questions posed at the beginning of this article.
So much can be done with the proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment for hair loss. Be leery of special potions, oils or treatments found online. Be careful of products and gimmicks that say they can grow hair back. Make sure those products are well tested, and your healthcare provider feels they can help and not harm your hair and your pocketbook.
There are several different reasons for hair loss and appropriate treatment is needed. Make sure that if you are suffering from hair loss you acknowledge it. This can be a profoundly serious emotional condition and disease affecting your quality of life. Seek care for your hair loss and be kind to yourself. The emotional trauma from hair loss is real and should be addressed. This is not a weakness but rather a show of strength and self-care.
Dr. Veita Bland is a board-certified Greensboro physician and hypertension specialist. Dr. Bland’s radio show, “It’s a Matter of Your Health,” can be heard live on Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. on N.C. A&T State University’s WNAA, 90.1 FM. Listeners may call in and ask questions. The show is replayed on Sirius 142 at 5 p.m. on Wed. Email Dr. Bland at ideas@blandclinicpa.com.
