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| ciency, fungal infections, nutritional deficiencies and genetic tendencies. Sudden shock has been known to lead to rapid balding. |
| In male-pattern balding the hair recedes at the front of the scalp on either side or spreads out from the top. One frequent cause of male balding is excessive production of the hormones androgen and testosterone. Both of these hormones can cause the hair follicle to shrink. As far as genetic tendencies go, hair loss patterns typically follow the maternal rather than paternal side. |
| Two of the leading types of hair loss in women are alopecia areta and the less common, chronic telogen effluvium (CTE). Alopecia is thought to be an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks itself. CTE is suspected to be caused by the hair follicles failing to move through their normal phases. In female baldness, the hair usually will diminish at the center and front of the scalp. This is more common at menopause but can occur much earlier. Birth control pills or hormones have sometimes been a factor in hair loss as excessive estrogen will suppress the thyroid and hypothyroid. High levels of copper, which can be the result of copper pipes or cookware, is another possible factor in women's hair loss. Women often lose hair after giving birth but not during pregnancy. Hair loss after childbirth will usually reverse after about six months. Other factors that can contribute to hair loss include physical injury, excessive weight loss, ringworm, psoriasis, seborrhea, syphilis, and anesthesia. Avoid a diet high in fat and sugar. Minimize alcohol consumption. Soybeans help to block the formation of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone associated with hair loss. |
| One approach that may be helpful for alopecia is supple-mentation with the essential fatty acids. In addition, drink a quart of nettles, oatstraw and horsetail tea daily. |
| Spend about 20 minutes daily lying on a slant board to allow increased blood flow to the scalp or consider yoga |
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