Problem-Based Learning : File Case (1) - Hair Loss (Alopecia)

I had gone through my first trigger for my Problem-Based Learning session in my university (though i missed the first class,haha). And my very first case for this PBL was about hair loss problem. The case started with a 20 years old John who was concerned with the finding of many strands of his hair on the pillow recently. He was not sure whther this was a normal hair loss...

Thus, our group members were required to identify the issues for discussion as well as the learning issues for this case. Of course , when we are studying a case file, it's neccessary to do it systematically .So, we started off with defining the normal hair loss per day, the anatomy of the hair, to the causes, effects and treatments.

After a week of research, we found that the normal hair loss per day is about 50 - 100 strands and if one has this amount of hair loss per day, it's considered normal, and there's nothing to worry about. If maybe one found out that the hair loss is more than this amount, then one should only start to worry.

The factors influencing the hair growth/loss including nutritions (diets) and hormones which both are the most important factors. Nutritions like iron, protein and vitamin A are important for our hair growth. And for hormones, it's the androgens (male hormones), specifically testosterones , and it is the metabolite of this hormone which is converted by an enzyme that inhibits the terminal hair (type of hair that grows on our scalp) growth but promotes vellus hair (type of hair that grows on our skin, the fine hair) growth. Of course, there are other factors contributing to the hair loss, like stress level (related to hormones level as well), diseases (fungal infections) , genetics linked , medicines taken, age factor and conditions of hair (excess oilly can cause hair loss,and while in wet condition, hair is at the most fragile state).

Hence, what are the effects of losing our hair? Basically it comes back to our knowledge on the functions of hair, which is to protect our scalp from sun burn and mild physical impacts. Other than that, it might be the psychological problems one may be facing when losing hair. The feeling of shame, and the importance of the opinions of the others can often cause one to look for treatments.

Now for treatments, there are different types of treatments available now. There are injections (hormones), oral taken medicine , cream (to be applied on scalp) and surgery (hair transplant, laser biostimulation). Of course, these are treatments available if one really want to grow back their hair. One should always be aware of the contents of the medicine, or cream that he or she used as to prevent side-effects or undesirable consequences.

Conclusion for this case study was that, one should only start worry and look the causes and treatments if one day you found that you lose strands of hair, and that will definitely require your attentions, and should start putting attention to the matter. Other than that, if you know that any of your family members had the history of becoming bald (usually the male, and is called the male bald pattern), personal thought is that not to worry about that, as becoming bald isn't really something to feel ashamed of , after all, a person's value isn't measured by the look, but by the heart, and of course, you save money in buying shampoo too : )