It is entirely normal for the average human being to shed their hair. In fact, we're all likely to lose more than a few strands on a daily basis. For some people, however, hair loss goes beyond the expected and typical cycle. You may notice that you're finding more of your hair in the shower drain than usual, or perhaps it's all over the bathroom floor after you've finished combing. The scalp is more visible than it used to be. If any of the above issues are troubling you, then you may wish to consider the possibility that you're experiencing unusual hair loss, or even the beginnings of baldness.

There are many known causes for hair loss and only your physician is qualified to diagnose your particular case with any certainty. Those of you who've recently suffered from an extended physical trauma such as illness or surgery may take comfort in the knowledge that these events are often catalysts for unusual levels of shedding. They are, however, also temporary in almost all cases. Hair loss under these circumstances is simply a result of the stress placed upon your body during the trauma and after, as you are recovering.

Other types of hair loss are completely unrelated to illness and therefore may require medication or other special treatments to overcome. Patients with thyroid disease, for example, often experience added shedding until such time as they resolve to have the disease treated. Medicines and chemical hair treatments (more commonly known as "permanents") can also cause unfavorable situations which may result in either temporary or permanent loss of hair. Hair loss may also serve as a visible symptom of an associated but less obvious illness. That is why it is especially important to visit a doctor regarding your increased loss of hair, even though the cause may be benign to your overall health.

One of the most famous causes of hair loss, not to mention the punch line of many a sitcom joke, is male-pattern baldness. This is by far the most common cause of extensive hair loss in males and is usually a genetic trait inherited from someone in their ancestry. The extent and type of baldness caused as a result of this problem varies from one man to the next, though early victims tend to suffer more dramatic effects. It's interesting to note that women can also develop a variation of this trait. In their case, rather than developing a receding hairline or concentrated patches of baldness, thinning occurs across the entire scalp.

Treatments are available for victims of hair loss, but you'll want to examine the situation with your doctor before exploring the solutions. They will probably want to perform a number of simple tests to rule out any underlying causes. If it is determined that your baldness is not rooted in a more extensive problem, then you may be prescribed special medicines. You might even be instructed to do something as simple as purchasing Rogaine, an over-the-counter treatment, from your local pharmacy. Artificial hair implants or wigs are also an option for those whose attempts at alternative treatments have failed.