JoHealth.com

HAIR TODAY, GONE...

Help! My hair's falling out. Is there anything I can do?

Yes. And don't panic. About 40 percent of women lose a little hair and gain a little forehead after they hit 40. For most, the loss is barely noticeable (it's normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day). For others, the thinning gets progressively worse. Hair experts have found that the prescription drug Rogaine can slow or stop that sort of loss; ask your doctor if he or she thinks the drug might be worth a try in your case.

A common reason for excessive shedding is some sort of physiological stress that has tipped the body's hormonal balance. Eating too strict a diet, getting pregnant, and secreting too much or too little thyroid hormone are just a few of the things that can prompt hair loss. Check with your doctor. A precise diagnosis and proper treatment could restore your mane within a couple of months.