Are you one of the millions of people who have noticed thinning hair, a receding hair line, or bald patches? Have you considered that the reasons for your hair loss may actually be a medical condition? If so, then perhaps your hair loss is reversible, and future loss preventable.

There are many causes of medically related hair loss. For example, high fever, severe or prolonged illness, a hormonal imbalance, pregnancy and childbirth, or extreme stress can all cause hair loss. Protecting the remaining strands from further damage is essential to preventing future loss.

Many medications can cause hair loss, such as diuretics, blood pressure medications, birth control, skin and anti-fungal medications. These may cause thinning hair or bald spots. And of course, chemotherapy is a very well-known treatment that causes hair loss.

Estrogen is a hormone that protects against hair loss, and as women age estrogen levels naturally decrease. The hormone dihydrotestosterone causes hair follicles to shrink and makes existing hairs thin and fragile. Disorders of the thyroid gland can cause thinning hair or hair loss, as well.

Poor diet or malnutrition is another medical reason for hair loss. This cause can become combined with other medical causes, because serious illnesses can lead to malnutrition due to inability to eat properly. Vitamin supplements are recommended for anyone, especially those who are already experiencing hair loss.

As with any condition, diagnosing the cause is the first step in treatment. Hair loss is often a symptom of a medical condition, and understanding the cause will help reverse the problem and prevent future hair loss.