Five Common Reasons Why Seniors Suffer Hair Loss - By: Mikeel

Hair loss or in some cases, balding is one of the common signs associated with aging. Even though many adults below the age of 40 also encounter significant thinning of hair, the degree of hair loss tends to exacerbate as one grows older. Statistics show that almost 80 percent of men in their late 60s suffer a certain degree of hair loss.
Hair loss can affect one’s self confidence especially for women who have been used to taking pride in their beautiful, thick mane. Even though it is not life threatening, significant hair loss can cause seniors to lose sleep and increase their psychological anxiety with regards to aging.
It is important to understand that hair loss is a natural process of aging. Like the body’s weakening immune system, joints and bones, the growth rate of hair also declines with age. In many cases, hair loss is a biological factor where people who suffer from it often have parents or grandparents who have had similar conditions. Hair loss caused by hereditary factor can be prevented or alleviated by taking certain prescribed drugs.
Hair loss can also be caused by factors that are associated with the lifestyles or health conditions of seniors. The following are five common reasons why seniors may suffer greater degree of hair thinning than younger adults.
Medication
Seniors who are under prescribed medication due to their health conditions may suffer hair loss as a side effect. Blood thinning medication prescribed for heart diseases, drugs to treat gout as well as antidepressants may halt hair growth. Seniors who have undergone chemotherapy due to cancer are also susceptible to acute hair loss.
Hormonal Changes
As one grows older, one’s hormonal conditions tend to change and in many cases, hormonal balance needs to be restored and regulated. Unfortunately, hair loss is one of the effects of hormonal imbalance caused by aging such as menopause.
Disease or Illness
Seniors also tend to fall into the high risk group where diseases or illnesses are concerned due to weakening immune system and lifestyle-related factors. Therefore, adults over the age of 60 may be more likely to suffer cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes than their younger counterparts. Sometimes hair loss can be a symptom of an existing medical condition. For example, diabetes, thyroid conditions, HIV/AIDS and certain skin diseases can lead to significant hair loss.
Stress
Seniors are also vulnerable to stress and anxiety caused by their fret over failing health conditions, financial situations and personal problems. In some cases, highly stressful moments may literally cause hair-pulling situations and in others, high stress levels can cause hair growth to stagnate. The good news is hair loss due to stress is temporary and can be restored once the stressful episode is resolved.
Nutrition
Most of the time, deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals can cause the hair to stop growing. Vitamins A, B, C and minerals such as iron are pivotal to hair growth. It is therefore important for seniors to consume food rich in lean protein, vegetable and fruits that can help prevent hair loss. Taking vitamins and supplements on a daily basis also helps seniors ensure they take the required amount of nutrition for healthy, beautiful hair.

About the Author

I am Mike Smith born at May/11/1976 in New York/New York and still living in New York. I work as writer for Adult Foster Care Home. I am husband of beautiful woman and father of two kids.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Mikeel/229322

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