Anagen Effluvium

There are literally hundreds of different diseases commonly associated with hair loss. While most of them fall under the term of alopecia, there are others that are stand alone and can also be far more devastating to say the least. This is certainly the case when it comes to anagen effluvium. While largely a mystery in some cases, this form of hair loss has certain markers that make it unique among the other diseases that are currently known. The first part of this disease refers strictly to the cycle of hair growth that naturally occurs with in the human body. The second part of the name is the way in which the hair that is growing is lost and how fast it progresses through the cycle.

When anagen effluvium occurs it is the direct result of some traumatic occurrence in the body. The issue revolves around the division of cells as they relate to the growth of hair and the ways in which the hair will grow over time. The most common of these occurrences if the chemical therapy used to treat most cancers. Chemotherapy is actually the act of injecting poison into the body the will attack the cancer cells. The problem is that the poison also attacks other parts of the body, such as the cells that grow hair. When this happens the patient will lose their hair and will not re-grow any until the treatments have ceased. Most often the effects of this kind of therapy are only temporary and the effects will reverse when the treatments are no longer present.

Anagen effluvium is also a symptom of other problems that can occur in the body. Toxic plants are a common issue when it relates to this problem. Those who eat certain plants that are toxic will most likely suffer from this form of hair loss. Of course death is also a factor unless the person has built up a sufficient immunity to the toxins from the plants. This is very common in third world countries where certain plants are considered to be tasty treats and eaten in small amounts until the person can eat them fully with no chance of death. With this form of anagen effluvium there is little chance that the effects will reverse and the person will most likely suffer from permanent hair loss.

The breaking of hair rather than simply falling out is another common issue when it relates to this disease. Examining the scalp the doctor can determine if the person is suffering from another not so common condition known as telogen and it refers to the hair breaking at the base rather than falling out at the root. With this form you will find that there is very little in the way of treatment options.

Anagen effluvium is one of those diseases that can actually be treated in most cases. While the effects are often devastating, like the almost overnight hair loss that is seen with cancer patients, they can rest assured that they will have some relief when it comes to the hair growing back once the treatments are stopped.

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