How to Pronounce Telogen Effluvium: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

How to Pronounce Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a common form of temporary hair loss that often causes significant distress. But how exactly do you say this strange sounding term?

In this article, well break down the proper pronunciation of telogen effluvium. Well also cover what causes it, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for managing this condition.

What is Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen effluvium is a scalp disorder characterized by excessive shedding of hair. It occurs when more hairs than normal enter the telogen or resting phase before falling out.

This temporary hair loss is usually triggered by a disruption in the normal hair growth cycle. Common causes include:

• Severe stress
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Sudden weight loss
• Illness or surgery
• Medications

In most cases, telogen effluvium resolves on its own within 6 to 9 months as normal hair cycling resumes. But pronounced or prolonged bouts can be very distressing for those affected.

How to Pronounce Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium has three parts to its pronunciation:

• Telogen is pronounced TEL-oh-jen
• Effluvium is pronounced ef-LOO-vee-um

So putting it together, the full term telogen effluvium is pronounced:

TEL-oh-jen ef-LOO-vee-um

Breaking the word down can help remember how to say telogen effluvium correctly.

Telogen and Effluvium Meanings

The term telogen effluvium comes from Greek and Latin roots.

Telogen means resting and refers to the third phase of the hair growth cycle when hair follicles enter a dormant period before old hairs are shed.

Effluvium means outflow and refers to the excessive shedding of telogen hairs that occurs with this condition.

So telogen effluvium essentially translates to outflow of resting hair, which describes the increased shedding of dormant hairs before they are ready to fall out naturally.

Signs and Symptoms

The primary symptom of telogen effluvium is increased daily hair shedding. You may notice more hairs than usual on your comb, brush, shower drain, pillowcase, or clothes.

Other symptoms can include:

• Diffuse thinning of hair on the scalp
• Decreased hair volume and limpness
• Wider part line
• Increased visibility of the scalp

However, complete bald patches do not occur with telogen effluvium. The hair loss is typically spread evenly over the head.

Many affected individuals describe their hair starting to feel and look thinner 2-4 months after a triggering event like illness, pregnancy, or severe stress. The shedding phase lasts around 4-6 months before gradually resolving.

Causes and Triggers

Telogen effluvium can be triggered by any disruption to the normal hair growth cycle. Common instigating factors include:

• Physiological stress - High fever, surgery, chronic illnesses
• Extreme dieting - Crash dieting, anorexia, bariatric surgery
• Nutritional deficits - Iron, zinc, protein, biotin, calorie restriction
• Hormonal changes - Postpartum, discontinuing birth control pills
• Medications - Anticoagulants, antidepressants, blood pressure medications
• Toxins - Heavy metals, radiation exposure, pollution

Major bodily stressors like these impact the normal hair regrowth process. The anagen or growing phase shortens, while more follicles prematurely enter the telogen resting phase, leading to increased shedding 4-5 months later.

Diagnosing Telogen Effluvium

To diagnose telogen effluvium, dermatologists will first perform a physical exam and take a medical history to understand when the hair loss began and what triggered it.

They may gently pull on small sections of hair to see how many hairs come out. If more than 6 hairs detach, telogen effluvium may be the cause.

Your doctor may also order blood work to check for nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or other underlying conditions. Scalp biopsies are rarely needed for diagnosis.

Telogen effluvium must be differentiated from other types of hair loss like female or male pattern baldness. Your dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis by combining medical history, physical examination, hair pull tests, and blood work.

Treatments and Recovery

The good news is telogen effluvium nearly always resolves on its own within 6 to 9 months as normal hair cycling resumes. But certain treatments can help reduce shedding and support recovery:

• Stress reduction - Relaxation techniques, counseling, sufficient sleep
• Improve nutrition - Eliminate restrictive diets, supplementation if deficient
• Correct hormonal imbalances - Thyroid medications, postpartum care
• Treat triggering conditions - Manage chronic diseases, change medications if possible
• Hair regrowth products - Minoxidil, low level laser therapy

Be patient, as it takes time for new hair to grow back once the shedding phase has passed. Avoid perms, dyes, or chemical treatments in the meantime.

Coping with Hair Loss

Losing handfuls of hair daily can be frightening and affect self-esteem. Here are some tips for coping while waiting for telogen effluvium recovery:

• Use volumizing shampoos and conditioners
• Style hair to hide thinner areas
• Consider a shorter haircut
• Use cosmetic fibers or powders for density
• Try scalp concealers like colored sprays
• Focus on self-care and positive self-talk
• Join support groups to reduce isolation

With time and a few camouflaging techniques, the hair loss from telogen effluvium will resolve. Patience and self-compassion are key during the waiting period.

When to See a Doctor

Consult a dermatologist if youre losing excessive hair with no known trigger, or shedding lasts over 6 months without improvement.

Seek medical advice to determine if telogen effluvium is the cause, or if it could be a different hair loss condition requiring different treatment.

Early intervention maximizes the chances of regaining a full head of hair over time. A dermatologist can create a customized treatment plan to promote optimal recovery.

The Takeaway

Telogen effluvium, pronounced TEL-oh-jen ef-LOO-vee-um, is increased shedding caused by stress, nutrient deficits, hormonal changes, or medical triggers disrupting the normal hair regrowth cycle.

While distressing, telogen effluvium is temporary in most cases. Supportive treatments paired with identifying and addressing underlying causes can help minimize hair loss severity and duration.

Learning the proper pronunciation of telogen effluvium makes it easier to discuss this common form of hair shedding with your doctor or hair loss specialists.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.