Hey! That's Some Bollgna Patch You've Got There.

Everyone sheds har everyday, in fact it is a shocking 40 to 100 strands per day on average. It is part of our body's natural process. Serious thinnning, however, is a serious concern for most people -- whether you are young, old, male or female. We like our hair and want to try and keep it for as long as possible (think of the men with comb overs!) The good news is that science and medicine continue to discover new solutions for slowing or preventing hair loss.

Get to the Root of the Cause

• “Pattern baldness” (most often referred to as “male-pattern baldness”) is a common, inherited type of hair loss that is usually associated with men, but may occur in women, too.

• Underlying medical conditions, such as iron-deficiency anemia, hormonal imbalances, and thyroid problems can cause shedding. Hair loss may also be a side effect of certain medications.

• Intense stress or trauma can trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss condition most common in women. This kind of hair loss can also occur post-pregnancy.

 Treatment Alternatives

You can start by consulting your healthcare provider or hair loss specialist. They will be able to help you determine fact from fiction so that you may avoid wasting your money on products that are known to over promise and under deliver. Here are some treatments that you might find beneficial:

• Over-the-counter treatments—Minoxidil, a topical formula applied to the scalp, is USFDA-approved and may help both women and men preserve their existing hair.

• Prescription treatments—Finasteride, USFDA-approved for men only, is available in pill form and may promote both retention and regrowth.

• Natural treatments—Some men see positive results from taking the herbal supplement saw palmetto. More research is needed before it is known whether saw palmetto is safe and effective for women.

• Diet therapy—Though there seems to be agreement that wholesome nutrition can, in some cases, reduce or prevent the problem, research has not yet pinpointed a “magic formula.” Talking to a knowledgeable, experienced nutritionist may provide some guidance on foods to eat or avoid, but until more is known, people with hair loss concerns would at least be well advised to eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, and take a multivitamin supplement.

Stop the Thinning Now

The faster to respond to hair loss, the better your chances are that you will be able to hold on to the hair that you have.

• Step 1—Consult your healthcare provider or a hair loss specialist for diagnosis and to discuss possible side effects from treatment.

• Step 2—Start the treatment of choice as soon as possible, since treatments are usually more successful at stopping the loss than stimulating new growth.

• Step 3—Give the treatment time to work. Six to twelve months may pass before you see results.

Love Your Other Features

Once you have been made aware that you are facing hair loss, you'll be able to prepare yourself for action; maybe you don't want to take action at all. Some people prefer the way they look without hair; you may be self concious at first, but it might grow on you (don't mind the pun), Hair loss is a natural aging process and is recognized in all parts of the world; love the way you look regardless. Hey, you still have those other amazing features right?