The Reasons Why People Lose Their Hair

Alopecia is a strange word. But for some people afflicted by it, alopecia is a serious matter that should be addressed purposively and with determination. In layman’s terms, it means hair loss. Alopecia has many causes, mostly genetics and environment. Alopecia refers to any kind of hair loss, although there are variants depending on conditions and specific diagnosis.

Under normal conditions, hair growth is a cyclical process. The first phase is the anagen growth phase when hair follicles actively grow until it reaches the catagen stage in which follicles slow down their growth.

At the telogen phase, follicles rest before the start of a new anagen phase or the beginning of a new hair shaft, pushing old hairs to give way to new
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ones. When your scalp is healthy and not affected by any condition causing hair loss, 10 percent of hair follicles are ordinarily in telogen stage at any time.

Androgenetic alopecia or AGA is the most common condition of hair loss caused, as the name implies, by genetics. It is popularly known as male pattern baldness, although this condition also affects women.

Men afflicted with AGA lose their hair in a well-defined pattern that begins above both temples. The hair at the crown of the head becomes thinner, while that around the sides and back of the head recedes towards the center. This leads to an unsightly horseshoe pattern. While males with AGA could lose their hair completely, women with the same condition suffer only from thinning hair all over the head, which does not lead to total baldness. Unlike men, women do not experience receding hairlines.

Another kind of hair loss problem that afflicts five million people in the United States is Alopecia areata. It manifests itself through the loss of hair in the scalp and elsewhere in the body. According to the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, our bodies produce an arsenal of antibodies to deter malevolent bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, this immune system sometimes mistakes the hair follicles as targets of attack, resulting in the disruption of hair growth. Dermatologists consider Alopecia areata a type of skin disease because it occurs on the skin of the hair or the scalp.

While Alopecia areata is characterized by random patches of hair, there are two other types of alopecia considered more serious – Alopecia totalis involving total head hair loss and Alopecia universalis relating to total body hair loss. Unlike Androgenetic aloprecia, the hair follicles in Alopecia areata remain active and alive and are ready to resume normal hair growth at certain points, sometime after many years, without treatment.

There are many other causes of hair loss. Aside from Alopecia areata, the most common non-AGA alopecias are Telogen effluvium, ringworm, scarring alopecia, and hair loss due to too much cosmetic procedures and application. Telogen effluvium is marked by massive hair shedding as a result of early entry of hairs into the telogen phase due to emotionally stressful events, including childbirth, major surgery, severe emotional disorders, and drug use.

There are other causes of hair loss, some of them rare and difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, even with a correct diagnosis, there is very little that your skin doctor can offer if the cause is genetic.

By: Richard McGovern

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Richard likes to write about various interesting topics and has been doing so for years. His latest website is zebrablanket.org which provides information on what to look for in a zebra blanket.

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Baldness Causes- Twelve Reasons You Happen To Be Losing Your Hair

Women will normally begin balding throught the scalp, However the the frontal hairline will often remain intact

Men Which acquire MPB ( Male Pattern Baldness) will quickly lose the hair at the front Read the rest of this entry

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Hair Loss With Tamoxifen: Knowing The Reasons Why Tamoxifen Causes Hair Loss

There are some medications that can cause hair loss as a side effect. This side effect has physical and emotional effects on the body. While the damage may be predominantly physical, its effects Read the rest of this entry

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Vaginal Deliveries

Recovery time from a vaginal delivery is usually shorter than the recovery time from a Cesarean section. But sometimes it can take a while, especially if you’ve experienced any lacerations or tears.

The perineum, or the region between the vagina and rectum, is vulnerable to tearing during delivery. Some studies show that women are more likely to tear during their first vaginal delivery, probably because this is the first time the area has been stretched to that degree. But whether it’s your first or your tenth, delivery technique can make a huge difference. One study revealed that if normal, spontaneous vaginal deliveries are unrushed and occur in a controlled setting with a nurse, doctor, or midwife guiding the pushing process, there is a lower risk of obstetrical trauma. Many health experts recommend perineal massage in the weeks prior to delivery as a way to lower the chances of tearing. Unfortunately, some women experience tears despite their own best efforts and the efforts of their health care professional.
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Tears and Lacerations

Tears and lacerations vary in severity and are classified accordingly:

• First-degree tears are surface tears that involve the skin of the perineum and the vaginal connective tissue, usually near the vaginal opening. No muscles are involved. Healing time for first-degree tears is rapid, and women usually experience little discomfort. Stitches may or may not be required.

• Second-degree tears are deeper tears that involve the skin, connective tissue, and underlying muscles. Second-degree tears almost always require stitches, and healing time can vary. Most often, the stitches will dissolve on their own. Some women report feeling fine in a matter of weeks, others complain of experiencing pain for longer periods of time.

• Third-degree tears are more severe and involve the skin, connective tissue, and the external anal sphincter muscle, the muscle that you can squeeze to stop yourself from going to the bathroom.

• Fourth-degree tears are the most severe and can involve a tear through both the internal and external anal sphincter muscles and lining of the bowel. These tears often result in the loss of anal sphincter control, as well as fecal urgency and/or incontinence.

While third- and fourth-degree perineal tears are not common, they can happen to anyone. There are a few risk factors which may increase the chances:

• Larger babies

• Occiput posterior deliveries (baby is sunny-side up, or delivered faceup, instead of facedown)

• Nulliparity (delivery of first babies)

• Extended second stage of labor, or if the pushing stage lasts longer than an hour

• Midline episiotomies — unfortunately, some women end up tearing further than the controlled incision

• Forceps delivery

Third- and fourth-degree lacerations can be extremely painful and may interfere with all sorts of activities, including intercourse, for quite some time after delivery. Many women find going to the bathroom, especially having a bowel movement, a huge challenge. One woman with a third-degree tear told me that having bowel movements after her delivery was worse than the actual delivery itself.

The pain can persist for months after the baby arrives. A thorough follow-up is very important, so make sure that you see your health care professional several times after the delivery. Your doctor should examine the area and make sure the anorectal area is functioning properly. For many women, the pain and discomfort will subside within a few months and normal activities, including sex, can be resumed.

Some moms experience uncontrollable gas and/or fecal incontinence down the line. These problems should be brought to the attention of your physician immediately. In some cases, additional treatment may be necessary.

Episiotomies

An episiotomy is a controlled surgical incision made in the perineal area (between the vagina and rectum), prior to the delivery. In the past, the episiotomy was used routinely in order to lower the risk of vaginal tears during deliveries. But because newer studies have shown that these routine episiotomies have no real benefit for the mother, and may actually worsen the outcome and prolong healing time, episiotomies are becoming less common. In fact, several studies reveal that more severe lacerations were associated with the occurrence of an episiotomy.

Despite the new research about episiotomies, some women still get them. And it’s certainly true that in some cases, an episiotomy may be necessary, especially if the baby presents in an unusual positi
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on or is overly large; it may also be necessary if the doctor needs to speed up the delivery for health or medical reasons pertaining to the mom and/or the baby.

Recovery from an episiotomy is a lot like the recovery from a tear; it all depends on the extent of the cut or laceration. For most women, the pain and tenderness will subside significantly in one to two months. If a woman experiences a serious tear in addition to the surgical incision, recovery time may be prolonged.

C-section

The recovery from a Cesarean section, or the delivery of a baby through an abdominal incision, varies from woman to woman. In general, recovery time tends to be longer than the time it takes to recover from a normal, vaginal delivery, unless, of course, a severe tear or laceration is involved.

Right off the bat, the incision site will most likely be sore, although some women report that their incision feels numb and tingly. The pain will gradually subside and the numbness should lessen as well (although I’ve spoken to a few women who never fully regained total sensation in that area). Many women also complain of itchiness around the scar during the healing process. If the itchiness becomes intolerable, speak with your health care provider for options. Some doctors will recommend soothing creams, but others do not, so it’s important to get his/her opinion.

Some women who have had a C-section complain of cramps caused by the buildup of gas in the abdomen after surgery. Walking around or light exercise can help. This will usually go away within the first few days post-surgery, but it can linger, especially if you are not moving at all. Speak with your health care professional if it becomes a problem.

Don’t be shocked by the way the incision looks! For many women, seeing a dark red scar on the abdomen can be upsetting. But remember, it fades with time (and will likely look a whole lot better in six to eight weeks) and most doctors make the incision low enough that your pubic hair will eventually cover it.

Certain activities may be difficult right after a C-section; even coughing, sneezing, and laughing can be uncomfortable. Lifting anything heavy is out of the question, and it will be a while before you can have sex again. You also may need to wait to drive a car, especially if you experience pain buckling your seat belt or getting in and out of the car. Getting up and moving are important parts of the healing process, but you shouldn’t expect to run a marathon.

Here’s a good piece of advice: Don’t overdo it! Oftentimes, women don’t seem to realize that they have just had major abdominal surgery and they feel frustrated that they are unable to move around freely or lift heavy things. One woman I spoke to complained that the stairs in her house posed a major challenge. Another woman was upset that she was in too much pain to be able to cook for her older child. It normally takes an average of six to eight weeks to recover completely from a Cesarean, and for some women it can take several months.

Here are a few more tips to help speed your recovery from a C-section:

• Accept help. As simple as it sounds, it can make a world of difference. Many women are used to doing everything themselves. But this is not the time to be superwoman. Husbands, siblings, parents, friends, and even in-laws make great helpers. If they offer, take them up on it!

• Take it nice and slowly. Many women feel okay by that six-to-eight-week mark, but if you’re not among them, don’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Overexerting yourself can actually prolong the healing process.

• Don’t neglect your bowels. If you’re taking pain medications, be aware that certain types can cause constipation, which in itself can become a serious problem. Make sure that your bowel movements are regular, and if this starts to become an issue, speak with your health care provider. Stool softeners and laxatives might be necessary.


• Accept the mess. With tons of foot traffic through your home and visits from your extended family, your house may get messy. But you’re recovering, so leave it. This is a great opportunity to ask your mother-in-law to help clean up. Even if the mess causes you stress, it’s better to leave it for someone else to handle than for you to overexert yourself. Believe me, there will be many messes in the future you can dirty your hands with!

The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

The above is an excerpt from the book The New Mom’s Survival Guide
by Jennifer Wider, M.D.
Published by Bantam Books; June 2008;$15.00US/$17.00CAN; 978-0-553-80503-1
Copyright © 2008 Jennifer Wider, M.D.

Author Bio
Jennifer Wider, MD, is a doctor, author, and radio personality who specializes in women’s health issues. She is the medical advisor to the Society for Women’s Health Research in Washington, D.C. Dr. Wider is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan magazine and hosts a weekly segment on Cosmo Radio for Sirius Satellite. She has appeared as a health expert on The Today Show, CBS News, Good Day NY, Fox News, and a variety of cable channels. She lives with her physician husband, and their daughter and son, in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

By: Jennifer Wider, MD

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Visit the author at www.drwider.com.

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Hair Care Product: Win The Battle Against Falling Hair

Strong Shinny hair is the desire of every person. However, Hair Loss can rob you of those beautiful and lustrous locks. Hair care products are becoming more and more useful in the prevention of hair loss.

Read the rest of this entry

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Understanding And Preventing Hair Loss

Noticed more fallen hair collecting on the drain stopper in your shower room?

Or do you suspect that more hair has been left in your brush than is normally the case?

Been sweeping up more strands of hair all over your house? Read the rest of this entry

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Hair Loss Prevention Products– Which Kind Of Hair Loss Are You Experiencing?

Balding is a horrible disease that may affect about 70 % within the total population forty percent males and 30 % females are struck with this particular disease. There are several forms of hair Read the rest of this entry

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Hair Diseases Resulting Into Hair Loss

Hair diseases and hair loss are interrelated. One cannot be thought about without the other.

Common hair loss causes

No single factor can be marked out as the universal cause of hair diseases. There are several causes varying from person to person.

The two types of hair loss diseases

The hair loss causes can be broadly divided into the following two groups –

The temporary effect and the one involving a prolonged action, usually triggered by genetics.

a.) The temporary effect – Usually such cases can be cured by medications and treatments.
b.) Prolonged hair loss diseases – Such cases may require long term treatment. Sometim
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es the drug treatment might appear to be ineffective. In such circumstances surgery like hair transplantation may be the way.

The causes of temporary hair loss include the ones like child birth, using birth control pills, etc.
Another key factor can be hormonal imbalance. It can have a severe impact by causing pattern baldness. The latter comes in the list of major hair diseases.

Relation between hair diseases and hair loss

It is sometimes found that a particular hair loss cause is more commonly related to a particular hair disease. In this context one can refer to the acquired hair shaft defects. These defects are usually triggered by the excessive use of hair treatments and styling products.

Similarly, infectious diseases have their root in unhygienic scalp.

The common causes of hair loss diseases –

The common causes of hair loss diseases include the following –

• Hormonal imbalance
• Ailment
• Faulty hair styling
• Inadequate diet

Hormonal Imbalance

In men – Hormonal imbalance is a major cause of hair loss diseases among men. The male hormone testosterone plays a key role in actuating hair loss. The enzyme 5 alpha reductase in the hair follicles turns testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The latter is the most potent androgen promoting male pattern baldness, the common hair loss disease.

In women – Imbalance in thyroid hormone is a key cause of sudden hair loss among women. The thyroid gland’s being n the state of overactive and under active might cause hair fall. Thyroid hormones largely influence cellular metabolism of scalp proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and minerals. And the hair matrix cells are highly affected by the thyroid hormones’ excess or deficiency.

Hormonal imbalance also causes hair loss during pregnancy. Pregnancy witnesses a high level of estrogen hormones. This causes hair follicles percentage in anagen growth phase. But post-child birth there is a rapid fall in the estrogen level. Consequently a large number of hair follicles shift to a catagen phase. And gradually hair falls.

Women may also experience hair loss during post-pregnancy period. It is generally temporary in nature. But if it continues for months, then it may indicate hormonal imbalance in the body. And hormonal imbalance for an extended period requires proper treatment.

Ailment

Some of the serous ailments like high fever, severe infection, or flu may lead hair follicles to a resting phase. This condition called telogen effluvium results increased hair fall. But it is a temporary condition soon to be followed by normalcy.

Some cancer treatments also prevent the hair fiber growth. The hair becomes thin and breaks off. And gradually hair loss occurs. The condition starts within one to three weeks after the beginning of the chemotherapy treatment. The treatment may witness the patients losing up to 90 percent of their scalp hair.

Faulty hair styling

It means using certain hair styling techniques resulting in hair loss diseases like traction alopecia. In this condition the hair fibers are pulled out from the hair follicle by a hairstyle that pulls on the roots of the hair fibers. One example of such faulty hair styling is braiding cornrowing.

Cosmetic treatments like bleaching, coloring or hair straightening like chemical relaxing can also create problems if proper procedure is not followed.

Inadequate diet
Taking up crash diets for rapid weight loss may lead to hair loss. Such diets are low in protein, vitamins and minerals, thus causing malnutrition.
Abnormal eating habits lacking important nutrients can also result into hair loss

By: michel waugh

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Michel is a seasoned beauty expert with specialization on hair care. He is also a regular contributor to various style magazines. For more information please visit us : www.hairdiseases.com/

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Hair Loss Review- Treatment Options Which Will Re-grow And Re-establish Your Hair.

Hair Loss is big money with estimates that seventy % of all people will be taken in by its destructive effects during their life. The reasons can be numerous but I am going to attempt to list some of the most well known ones. Like I pointed out earlier hair loss occurs lots of people, the vital thing that you need to do so that you can prevent more from falling out would be to know the cause after the cause is pinpointed you’ll be able to approach the right solution and cure. Here are a few of the causes that may make your hair fall out, they include; drastic weight reduction, could cause hair loss. Hormonal fluctuations within your body like prednisone, essentially post pregnancy baldness, which often will re-grow following the event, has finished, stress, male pattern baldness, bad nutrition, just to name a few. I will cover things you can do to halt your hair loss and re-grow your hair in th
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is short article.

Treatments for Below 50 % hair loss

1. Cortocosteroids
2. Dithranol
3. Retin A – Tretinoin
4. Topical Minoxidil marketed as Regaine, Rogaine or Headway
5. Zinc

Treatments for above 50% hair loss

1. Systematic Cortisone
2. PUVA
3. Irritants
4. immuno-suppressive drugs

1. Herbs like saw palmetto, pygeum, and nettle roots are natural DHT or dihydrotestosterone inhibitors. This implies they are designed for stopping and the halting of the hair-follicle-killing DHT hormone. Whenever your follicles of hair get unclogged because of using these herbal treatments, your hair will begin growing again.

2. Ginko biloba is another famous herb which is effective in the ones that face baldness. Ginko biloba is beneficial at improving blood circulation. With the boosted blood flow, your hair follicles will receive sufficient nutrition and consequently, healthy re-growth of the hair is initialized and promoted.

3. Green tea is surely an herbal drink that will require no further introduction. Green tea is named the miracle tea that has the capacity to cure or reduce multiple ailments. Green tea, in terms of treating alopecia condition, contains substances that are made for blocking 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme accountable for the development of DHT hormone.

NEXT:

By: Hair Loss Guy

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For More Free Information and Reviews Hair Loss Review Or Hair Loss Prevention Products For The Best Hair Loss Review On The Net

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How To Stop Hair Loss – Some Natural Tips

Hair loss in women is not an unusual condition. It is approximated that around 30% of women all over the world is experiencing hair loss or hair loss indications. The number of women experiencing hair loss grows larger every year. The most common type of hair loss seen in females is androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern alopecia. The term Alopecia usually refers to full or partial balding or hair loss. Most times with women, they will notice a gradual thinning of their hair which becomes of a concern, especially when certain patches can become noticeably thin. With the prevalence of hair loss incidence in women, a lot of people from this gender think that hair loss can be devastating as losing their virginity. Seventy-five percent of hair loss cases are due to hereditary factors, but there are other causes, such as malnutrition, traumatic stress, hormone imbalances, autoimmune and thyroid disorders, post-pregnancy changes or chemotherapy. Hair loss may respond to simple changes in health habits. These include eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest, and managing stress.
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1. Select a shampoo that is suitable for your hair type. When you are buying a shampoo make sure that you choose the product that will nourish your scalp and not the one that can cause irritation and clog your follicles by leaving sediments on your scalp.

2. It is common knowledge that too much sodium or salt is not good for us, But even if we are salt savvy and do what’s best by avoiding salt. Our bodies can still produce too much sodium due to too much stress, which will naturally increase sodium retention. What to advise! If you have a client suffering with hair loss, it might be a good idea to mention the above and advise the following: Drink Bottled Water Avoid foods high in copper, such as milk, chocolate, oysters, nuts, high fat meats and salmon.

3. Scalp Massage. Get yourself a good, stimulating scalp massage oil. This is a better way to prevent hair loss because it can stimulate your scalp. You can massage your scalp with any natural massage oil at least five to seven minutes. This process can help accelerate the flow in the scalp by eliminating the dead skin and sediments obstructing the development of healthy hair and the good condition of the follicles.

4. If a stressful lifestyle is on the agenda, then relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation will help to reduce sodium levels. Other causes of excessive hair loss. This is one of the best hair loss treatment.

5. What you eat is reflected in the health of your hair. Your hair as well as your body needs a balanced, nutritious diet to stay healthy. Making a conscious decision to eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamins and anti oxidants is essential. Whist, whole grains, nuts and seeds will provide minerals and vitamins. A lean protein will add sufficient iron to the diet and a fortified cereal breakfast will complete the nutritional pyramid. Of course drinking plenty of purified water will give your hair maximum hydration.

6. Also avoid processing. This means coloring, straightening, perming, highlighting, blowing dry excessively, straight ironing, curling irons and any other high heat or harsh chemical methods of styling the hair.

By: Charles Zoe

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Author is an online medical researcher on hair loss treatment. Click read more on hair loss treatment, how to stop hair loss in women.

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