Hair today, gone tomorrow. It's every woman's worst nightmare. We're talking about hair loss or thinning of the hair. For most women, it's natural to lose an average of up to 100 hairs every day. It seems like a lot until you consider there are about 100,000 hairs on your head. So losing that amount shouldn't be a big cause for concern, especially as you age. Unfortunately, thinning hair is part of the aging process. The problem becomes when you're losing more hair than you're growing. And there's nothing natural about losing clumps of hair. Hair loss from the head or body is referred to as alopecia. There are different types of alopecia: alopecia universalis (complete hair loss over the entire body), alopecia totals (complete baldness), alopecia areata (patchy hair loss), hair loss due to pulling or tightening (traction alopecia) and androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). Although doctors can't always pinpoint the exact cause of hair loss, there are many factors that contribute to hair loss issues. Poor nutrition, medications, disease, chemotherapy, hormones and heredity are among the leading causes. One of the most common factors leading to hair loss for women is hormone changes and imbalances. That means going on or off birth control pills, getting pregnant, having a baby and starting menopause.

This hair loss is due to dropping estrogen levels. Many women freak out after giving birth when they notice their hair is falling out by the handfuls. The good news is that this is a temporary situation. By the time the newborn turns one, the shedding will cease. While you may not be able to control some of the factors contributing to hair loss, there are others you can control. Too many treatments can be a recipe for disaster. We're talking about dying, highlighting, bleaching, straightening, perming and drying. If you are one of those people who is constantly brushing or pulling on hair, you might also be doing serious damage to you hair. If you are suffering from hair loss, keep these tips in mind. Purchase a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. These products will make the hair appear fuller. You might even consider a shorter cut that will lend some volume to hair. If you are concerned about excessive hair loss, consult your physician.