For some, it’s just a little hair left in the brush or in the sink. For others, it’s looking in the mirror and seeing more forehead than before. Hair loss, because it changes your appearance, can be intimidating.

Most everyone will shed between 50 to 100 hairs each day. With more than 100,000 hairs on a typical head, the loss shouldn’t be noticeable. Our hair goes through a growing and resting cycle so not all of your hair is growing at the same time or rate.

In the growing phase, hair will grow just under an inch a month. So if the loss exceeds the gain it’s time to visit a health care provider particularly if you’re shedding in clumps.

Your practitioner can determine if a medical condition is responsible or if it’s hereditary in action. According to the Mayo Clinic, diseases such as lupus, diabetes and thyroid conditions may cause hair loss as can the side effects of certain medications such a those prescribed for gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems and high blood pressure.

Some hair loss is temporary and will cure itself. Other baldness symptoms may be slowed, but not eliminated.

Pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) affects close to 50 percent of men and it’s no stranger to women. The myth is that if your mother’s father is bald you will be too. The fact is you can inherit it from either side of the family tree.

Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia is a permanent hair loss that occurs when a yet to be known inflammation damages and scars the hair follicle.

Alopecia areata is classified as an autoimmune disease, and like above, the cause is un-known. People who develop this condition are usually in good health.

Any family history will make you predisposed. The prognosis is that your hair will fall out and regrow a number of times.

Telogen effluvium typically occurs when some type of shock to your system, either emotional or physical, causes the hair roots to be pushed into the resting state. Once the cause is eliminated hair growth will resume.

Tugging on your hair, excessive brushing, pulling your hair back into a ponytail or tight braids may cause traction alopecia. If the action is stopped before the scalp is scarred causing permanent damage to the root, hair will grow back normally.

Hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania is a type of mental illness where people have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair on their scalp or other parts of the body, eyebrows, eyelashes, etc. Causes are currently being researched.

Besides the natural thinning of hair as we age, disease, nutrition and medications, hair loss can also be caused by hormonal changes. Pregnancy, childbirth, birth control, menopause, thyroid gland issues can cause hair loss. Correct the imbalance and tresses will grow again.

Scalp infections such as ringworm can invade hair follicles. Cure the infection and hair will return.

Chemicals used for dying, bleaching, straightening and permanent waves can cause hair to become damaged and break off. Discontinue to let healthy hair grow back.

If you’re concerned about hair loss, see your healthcare provider, eat a nutritionally balanced diet and handle your hair carefully.

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation board. She can be reached at 264-4029 or by email at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.