Monday, May 21, 2018

Hair and Health

Your hair can be considered a good indicator of your health. Losing about 100 hairs a day is normal as it will quickly grow back to replace the fallen ones.

Excessive hair loss can happen in many ways depending on its cause. It can show up on just your scalp or your whole body, be temporary or permanent, and happen suddenly or gradually.

The most common signs of hair loss include:

-    Gradual thinning on the top of the head- most common form of hair loss, appearing in both men and women. With the symptoms in men starting with the receding of the hairline from the forehead with a letter M shape and in women with the broadening of the part in their hair.

-    Bald spots- usually affecting the scalp it appears in smooth, circular bald spots that may sometimes also appear on the beard or on the eyebrows.

-    Sudden loosening of hair- can be caused by either a physical or emotional shock. It results in the hair loosening and handfuls of hair coming out when combing or washing your hair or even at a gentle tug.

-    Full-body hair loss- certain medical conditions and treatments like chemotherapy can result in this kind of hair loss, in most cases it growing back.

-    Scaly patches spreading over the scalp- accompanied by other symptoms like broken hair, redness, swelling, and occasional oozing, it is a clear indicator of ringworm.

Causes


Normal shedding of the entails losing around 100 hairs a day. This does not cause much visible thinning as new hairs take its place. Excessive hair fall occurs when this natural process is disrupted and the normal hair follicle is replaced by scar tissues.

The exact reasons for this are still debated but there are some generally accepted reasons
-    Family history or genetics
-    Hormonal changes
-    Medical conditions
-    Medicines

Family history


The hereditary condition called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness is one of the most common causes of hair loss. Occurring in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair in women.


Hereditary factors also determine the age at which baldness starts its manifestation and can range from age groups of early puberty to the late forties.

Hormonal changes


The hormonal conditions that can affect hair fall are,
-    Temporary hair loss caused due to childbirth, pregnancy, the onset of menopause and the hormonal imbalances that accompany them. These changes can also onset the thyroid gland and that in turn can also cause hair fall.


-    Hair loss caused by the body’s immune system attacking the hair follicles resulting in smooth bald patches on the skin.


-    Infections caused by ringworm where the hair and skin of scalp are invaded leading to scaly patches and hair loss, which once treated grows back.


-    Scaring of alopecia caused by diseases like lichen planus, certain variants of lupus and sarcoidosis can result in the permanent loss of hair in the scared areas.


-    Trichotillomania also called hair-pulling disorder which causes people to have an irresistible to pull out their hair.

Medication


Certain medications concerning cancer arthritis, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure and birth control. Intake of too much vitamin A is also known to cause hair fall as well.

Other causes


-    Radiation therapy


-    A trigger event-this type of temporary hair loss occurs after a few months after an emotional or physical shock


-    Lifestyle choices- excessive hair styling, hairstyles that pull on their hair tight, such as pigtails or cornrows, can cause inflammation of hair follicles that leads to hair loss. If scarring occurs, if scarring occurs, there is a risk that the hair loss is permanent.

Risk Factors


Apart from the above-mentioned causes, there are certain factors that can risk hair fall, namely

-    Family history
-    Age
-    Lack of nutrition
-    Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes
-    Stress

Preventive measures

The most common cause of thinning hair for both men and women is a hereditary condition in which sex hormones cause hair to fall out in a particular pattern. 

While male or female pattern baldness is permanent, there are certain measures you can take to slow it down and treat it.

Find the cause


Hormonal fluctuations can lead to impermanent hair loss. Women who are pregnant, have discontinued birth control, or are going through menopause may experience temporary hair thinning.
Certain medical conditions can cause hair loss. 

Treating these conditions can help slow or halt hair loss. If you are concerned you may have one of the following conditions, talk to your doctor about starting a treatment program so your hair will start growing back in.

Certain medications lead to hair loss. If you're on a medication that lists hair loss as a side effect, you can discuss other options with your doctor.
Hair loss can result from physical or mental shock as well as stress. 

Any type of shock to nervous the system is going to have a physical effect, and hair loss is a common occurrence when these conditions are at play If you're chronically stressed, dealing the causes of your stress is an important way to keep yourself in good physical condition.

Avoid tight hairstyles


Tight braids, weaves, and other pulled-back hairstyles can cause hair to pull out more easily. Wearing your hair down or pulled back loosely.

Get nutrition for hair


Massaging your scalp can stimulate hair growth by increasing circulation around your hair follicles. Place the pads of your fingers on your scalp and rub your scalp in a circular motion. Start near your forehead and make your way along the sides and back of your head, concentrating on areas that are thinning.

Get unstressed


Taking measures to decrease your stress level might help to slow it down. If you lead a high-stress life, trying the following measures to calm down on a daily basis can help:

Get more sleep. Lack of sleep causes your body to produce the stress hormone cortisol.
Exercise frequently.
Try meditating or yoga.
Get more sleep. Lack of sleep causes your body to produce the stress hormone cortisol.
Exercise frequently
Try meditating or yoga.

Eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet


Make sure you are getting plenty of protein and omega-3s in your diet so your body can create new hair. Hormone-related hair loss can sometimes be treated with a cream like minoxidil, which is available as an over-the-counter cream or foam.

Protein


 It's one of the building blocks of your hair, and if you aren't getting enough, hair loss can occur. Thinning hair is common among vegetarians and vegans who aren't taking in enough protein. Adding the following foods to your diet can help:
Fish, chicken, beef, and pork
Black beans, chickpeas, and other legumes
Tofu
Dairy products

Omega 3


The body needs omega-3 fatty acids to create new hair. Getting plenty of omega-3s is essential for hair growth, so stepping up your intake of the following foods can help a lot:
Salmon
Sardines
Walnuts
Avocados




Sources
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
  https://www.rewardme.in/beauty/hair/article/fight-hair-fall-with-these-simple-steps

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