|
Telogen Effluvium is a
generalized and diffuse loss of hair that in its most severe form can affect the
entire body. Normally though it is a localized condition developing over a
period of three months. Rarely does an individual experience more than one
episode and full recovery from the symptoms can be expected within a period of
two years. Strict causative factors are unknown but there do seem to be
precipitating factors. The major instigators seem to relate to extreme physical
and mental duress placed upon the individual. Often times this is an unexpected
and traumatizing event.
As medically described the effluviums are a hair
loss condition where a large percentage of the hair follicles prematurely enter
the telogen (resting) phase and the hair proceeds to fall out at a rapid pace.
As a comparative example typically 90% of the hair follicles are found in the
growth (catagen) stage. The condition does not affect the health of the
individual but can have a psychological impact. Following androgenetic alopecia
(pattern baldness) this is the second most common form of hair loss. It is
important to remember that all individuals experience normal hair shedding of at
least 100-300 hair a day. In the case of the effluviums the process though is
much quicker sometimes occurring over a few weeks or days. There are also
chronic forms of this disorder mainly seen in women over thirty and short
duration types that may go unnoticed.
Potential Telogen Effluvium Causes
Chemotherapy and Radiation -
Various cancer treatments can place particularly harsh demands on the body.
Diet and Exercise
- Extreme dieting, anorexia, and bulimia can trigger this condition. Excessive demands placed upon the body
from long term training or use of various steroids in the case of bodybuilding.
Pregnancy -
Childbirth often places unique strains upon the mother’s physique and
metabolism triggering this condition. The source of the problem can also be
traced to various birth control pills.
Drug Addictions
- Overuse of various legal and illegal drugs.
Various Medications
- Typically the most common are antidepressants. A change in the prescription
usually alters this. This category can include certain blood thinners, various antibiotics,
cholesterol lowing drugs, ulcer pills, anti-inflammatory medications, various
heart drugs, and overuse of vitamin A.
Infectious Diseases
- Includes various viral and bacterial infections.
Thyroid Conditions
- Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism.
Accidents and Serous Injury -
Can relate to car wrecks and serous falls.
Emotional Distress -
Depression and anxiety disorders.
Poisons
- Can include various toxic agents such as arsenic.
Cure of the Various Effluviums
Cures usually
consist of alleviating the underlying symptoms. As an in the case of depression
and anxiety the use of various anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs may speed
recovery. In other cases such as pregnancy the symptoms may dissipate with
childbirth or shortly thereafter. Plus with situations such as the use of cancer
treatments the condition will likely decline upon completion of therapy.
The downside of this is that there is no definitive
answer as to the causes of Telogen Effluvium in most cases. In these cases
minoxidil can be an appropriate agent for those experiencing excessive hair
fallout on the scalp. Various topical steroids exhibit very limited success.
LEARN
WHAT MALE AND FEMALE
THIN HAIR TREATMENTS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU
|
