The Most Common Causes of Alopecia: A Functional Medicine Guide
by Dr. Will Cole
Experiencing hair loss, or alopecia, can be an extremely stressful experience. And it makes sense — no one wants to lose their hair! We often think of “balding” as a men’s health issue, but the truth is that alopecia can happen to anyone, at any age, for a wide range of reasons. In fact, more than half of all men and women will experience hair loss of some kind by the time they turn 50!
This can be the result of genetics, medical conditions, certain medications, hormonal changes, or just a result of normal aging. The good news is that by taking a closer look at the underlying causes of hair loss, there’s a chance that you may be able to slow it or even reverse it.
If you’re worried about hair loss, don’t panic. Keep reading!
How Much Hair Loss is Normal?
The average human loses about 100 hairs a day. And normally, we don’t even notice! That’s because new hair is constantly growing in its place, maintaining the thickness of the hair on our head. When alopecia — which is a general term of hair loss — occurs, hair isn’t growing as much as it's being lost and that can lead to balding and thinning of the hair.