At a loss

It was just the winter of last year when visiting my mother, she pointed out that I had a large bald spot that had formed on the back of my head. I was startled to learn this and with the help of two mirrors, I confirmed her findings. The spot came about abruptly, and its location was not aligned with androgenic or male-patterned hair loss. This form of balding was inflammatory, and as it is currently understood, an autoimmune disease. Autoimmunity is when the body begins to attack cells that belong to “self,” and in this case it is the follicle of the hair that is destroyed, leaving a completely smooth skin surface behind. Many other conditions of autoimmunity exist, like vitiligo where skin pigment cells are attacked, or even non-dermatological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis , Type 1 Diabetes, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Alopecia areata, is inflammatory hair loss that can usually be explained by factors such as nutritional insufficiency, heightened stress levels, or other disturbances to health. Many individuals who experience alopecia areata see their hair loss improve after an emotional disturbance has resolved or healing from a particular stress occurs. Overall, hair loss whether considered hormonal or immunological are both signs of what, in my profession, we refer to as an “obstacle to cure.” Our job as naturopathic physicians is to identify these and work with patients on how to remove them. Sometimes the obstacle to cure is more difficult to remove, so strategies with patients often involve some additions to aid in coping with obstacles. It is frequently easier to add good health practices compared to removing others. In the case of a stressful work environment, it might not be possible to reduce the stress that comes with a career in teaching or healthcare, but meditation practices as well as exercise and diet can aid in relieving or reducing anxiety. Supplemental nutrition and botanical agents can also be employed when necessary.
Male patterned hair loss is also a sign of excess hormone DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, which is converted from testosterone. This conversion rate, and ultimately hormone level in the blood, is highly influenced by multiple health factors and can be altered with use of botanicals. Poor hormonal health, particularly DHT, can result in other more serious conditions. Hair loss might be the first sign that your hormones are out of balance and the result for men can be conditions like Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, and Cancer. It was once said that genetics from your mother are what dictate hair loss in men, but like cancer rates connected to genetic polymorphisms, it is well known that genetic expression and cancer development are all influenced by environmental factors. Many people with hair loss are in fact suffering from undiagnosed cancer. This of course, would come with several other symptoms, but it is always important to do thorough screening with sudden onset hair loss. Genes are always part of any disease process, but all too often diseases are deemed a permanent diagnosis when with the right changes in environment, they can be reversed.
If you or someone you know suffers from hair loss, I encourage you to reach out to a naturopathic provider and see what environmental changes might be attainable. The reversal of hair loss, like many other conditions, will take a while to heal. There are some conditions in which hair loss will likely not reverse and that is in the case of scarring, when traumatic damage has resulted in the loss of normal physiology in the area. From the formation of a scare over usually hairy skin, there is often a loss of function in the area to reproduce that hair follicle. This might very well be the indication for a surgical intervention where hair is implanted. There is the possibility that the use of certain stem cells could also be employed. At the time of this writing, I do not know the details of these options. 

1. Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Perspective
 
Hair loss, like alopecia areata, can be sudden and unrelated to typical male-patterned balding.
Autoimmune diseases, including alopecia areata, are characterized by the body attacking its own cells, specifically the hair follicles, resulting in smooth skin areas.
Other autoimmune conditions such as vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis share similarities in their mechanisms.
 
2. Identifying Obstacles to Cure
 
Naturopathic physicians focus on identifying and addressing obstacles to cure, which could include factors like nutritional deficiencies, heightened stress, or other health disturbances.
Strategies involve removing or mitigating these obstacles, often through lifestyle changes, stress management, nutritional supplements, and botanical agents.
Hormonal imbalances, particularly excess dihydrotestosterone (DHT) linked to male-patterned hair loss, can potentially signify stages of a more severe health conditions like BPH and cancer.
 
3. Seeking Solutions and Possibilities for Hair Loss
 
Seeking guidance from a naturopathic provider can help determine achievable environmental changes to address hair loss.
Reversing hair loss can be a slow process, but some cases, especially those involving scarring, may necessitate surgical interventions like hair transplantation or possibly stem cell-based treatments.