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One study that was done in Australia showed the prevalence of mid-frontal hair loss increases as people age and affects 57% of women and 73.5% of men aged 80 years and over. The normal cycle of typical hair growth lasts from two to six years. A bit of trivia- the word bald derives from the English word balde, which means white or pale, or the Celtic word - ball, which means a white patch or blaze, as on a horse's head.
Some fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children which is easily treated with anti-fungal medicines. In the past it was believed that baldness was inherited from the maternal grandfather; while there is some basis for this belief, both parents contribute to their offspring's likelihood of hair loss. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to find the cause so it can be treated properly and fast.
Hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, like lupus or diabetes and hypothyroidism can cause hair loss, especially thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows. Traumas due to chemotherapy, childbirth, major surgery, poisoning, and severe stress may cause a condition known as telogen effluvium.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder also known as "spot baldness" that can result in hair loss ranging from just one area on the body to every hair on the entire body. If a medicine is causing your loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine or you may find you really don't need the medicine after all. Poor digestion, parasites and nutrient deficiencies like an iron or biotin deficiency shouldn't be overlooked as possible causes.
Minoxidil is a drug that is used daily to prevent hair loss but may create heart problems; the hair it grows is very fine, only on the top of the head and may fall out again soon after the drug is discontinued. There are hundreds of hair loss products on the market today used as remedies and treatments. There are many natural home remedies and all sorts of recipes for making mixtures to apply topically to the scalp.
Surgery is another method of reversing hair loss and baldness, although it is considered an extreme measure. Topical application of Ketoconazole, which is both an anti-fungal and a potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, is often used as a supplement to other medical approaches. Minoxidil is available without a prescription and is for topical application only, but one needs to consider the side effects.
Products for hair loss include: shampoos, shampoos with conditioners, conditioners, lotions, creams, concealers, thinning hair shampoos, laser combs, laser brushes, the Lasertron Hair Growth Brush, herbal-based products, chemical- based pills or tablets, Nizoral shampoo, Neutrogena T-Gel, and many others. Studies done on subjects of various adult ages suggests that weight training alone may increase testosterone in studies where aerobic exercise only was compared to either weight training or a moderately sedentary life. Propecia (Finasteride) and Minoxidil (Rogaine in the U.S and elsewhere as Regaine) are drugs that have reported having shown some success in partially reversing loss but one needs to consider the negative side effects and long term usage.
Massage the scalp nightly with an oil mixture made of one part rosemary oil and two parts almond oil. Make sure to test all remedies on a small area first and check with your doctor or skin doctor before trying any natural home remedy if it includes any irritating ingredients. You can try lying on a slant board with head down for 15 minutes a day, but clear it with your doctor first.
The Russian cure with honey and vodka remedy - combine one tablespoon honey with one jigger of vodka and the juice of a medium-size onion; rub mixture into the scalp every night, cover with a cap and shampoo in the morning. Polygonum Multiflorum is a traditional Chinese cure for hair loss; whether the plant itself is useful, the general safety and quality control of herbs imported from China can be very questionable these days. Vodka and cayenne remedy for hair loss - mix one jigger of vodka with a 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (test on skin first for sensitivity) and rub it on the scalp; blood rushes to the hair follicles stimulated by the vodka and cayenne pepper - but be careful if you try it.
The olive oil and rosemary remedy for hair loss - use equal amounts of olive oil and oil of rosemary; combine them in a bottle, shake vigorously, massage into the scalp, put on a cap, go to bed and shampoo in the morning. The raw onion remedy - take half a raw onion and massage the scalp with it; cover the head overnight, shampoo and rinse in the morning. Resveratrol, from the skin of grapes, is a lipase inhibitor and by decreasing the body's ability to absorb fat through the intestine walls, it reduces the total fat and calorie content of a person's diet.
Circulation to the scalp is of utmost importance. Saw Palmetto is an herbal DHT inhibitor often claimed to be cheaper and have far fewer side effects than finasteride and dutasteride; unlike other 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, saw palmetto induces its effects without interfering with the cellular capacity to secrete protein specific antigen (PSA). Apple cider vinegar used as a hair rinse may also stimulate hair growth.
Keep in mind that hair loss should be continually treated, preferably naturally however, even after the loss stops. Sometimes it will indicate a disease or condition that hadn't been recognized or diagnosed before. If you experience any form of hair loss that causes you concern, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist to discuss the treatment options available to you for your particular condition.
Our society has an increased interest in making healthy lifestyle choices. We pay closer attention to what we eat and how we exercise our bodies. We look to our bodies for signs of good health, and we know how to recognize potential trouble. Even with all of our knowledge, however, many of us don't know that our hair can be a great tool for measuring good health.
To determine whether your hair and body are truly healthy, you need to understand the hair growth cycle. By knowing the growth cycle and reacting appropriately to the different phases, you'll be able to maintain healthier and thicker hair and to prevent unnatural hair loss and baldness.
Hair obviously grows continuously from the scalp. The rate of speed at which it grows will naturally vary from person to person, but the growth rate averages about six inches per year. From the time that a hair first appears above the surface of your scalp, it will grow in three different phases. These phases are essential, as the hair continually grows from your scalp.
The catagen is the first phase of growth that your hair will go through. This is also known as a transitional phase for your hair. When hair is in the catagen or "regressing" phase, it is actually getting ready to shed. The moisture, salt and water are released, and the growth of the hair will completely stop. This allows for the outer root of the hair to shrink and attach to the inner root. Catagen can last from two to four weeks. Different areas of your scalp are in this phase at all times, while other areas are in subsequent phases.
Telogen is the "resting" phase. Again, at any given time some of your hair will be in this phase, which typically lasts for about three months. The telogen phase occurs directly after catagen in order to complete the formation of the hair. If you pull out a hair during this phase, you will see hard, dry, white material at the root and you will experience some scalp irritation.
Anagen is the third and final stage of hair growth. Some healthy hairs are able to keep growing over time, yet others will become dead at the follicle. In the telogen phase, hairs that are unable to keep growing will fall out. Remaining hair will progress to "growth" phase known as anagen.
During this stage, roots of your hair begin to produce and divide new cells. New hairs are then pushed through the open follicles in the scalp. This type of hair will remain active from two to six years. If your hair tends to grow quite long, then you likely have a longer active anagen phase.
When the anagen phase becomes less active, hair loss and baldness occur. This is why it's important to understand the growth cycle of the hair before you can properly respond. You can give your hair the boost it needs when you know and can appreciate the hair growth cycle. You're able to find the best care methods for your scalp and hair, and you may be able to prevent the occurrence of premature hair loss.
Keeping healthy is not just about knowing your body from head to toe. It requires full understanding from HAIR to toe. Your hair is a great indicator of your overall well-being. Know the growth cycle and how to keep your hair healthy.
By: Venus Enock
With news media showing us that being overweight, both in men, women, and children, causes a few of the most dangerous health problems today. Now is the best time to lose those unwanted pounds you've gained. No matter if it's from an over abundance of food during the holiday season, like Christmas, to simply being unmotivated to begin that new exercise regiment, losing weight will have long term medical benefits and make you feel more confident in your appearance.
However, it will take time so be patient with yourself if you don't see fast results. You now see too many drugs and "wonder" diets now advertised. These are simply hunger suppression methods as opposed to healthy calorie controlled options. They may offer a "quick fix" and stop you from being hungry, and thus helping you lose weight, but the effects of it, being the equivalent of starving yourself, can have long term repercussions. Pills, and other quick fixes, prevent you from focusing on the crucial points of the reason your weight increased in the first place.
So despite what the drug makers want you to think, some of the most reliable ways to lose weight and maintain it are the old tried and true methods:
Diet- Okay, no surprise here, what you consume has a direct effect on what you weigh. Yet this isn't as insane as it may sound you can still eat the same amount of food that you did prior, just in healthier and more frequent options. So, instead of a cookies for a snack, have a piece of fruit. And instead of over eating on one enormous meal that is harder to diguest, eat scaled down portions spread throughout each day. This can have the net effect of reducing calories without reducing food!
Breakfast- You may think that it's an old wives tale that breakfast is the most important part of the day, but it's indeed true. Since the most busiest part of any day is usually between 11.00am and 4.00pm, having a good yet nutritious breakfast will not only help keep starvation at bay but guarantee that your metabolism has something to feed off. This in turn take care of any impulses for midday snacks, which most likely are fattening fries or burgers.
Eat Regularly- A number of men and women think that the less they eat, the less they will weigh. While this is true to a certain extent, it's starvation and that becomes a concern. So, instead of not eating a meal, make sure you eat often, but with reduced sized healthy quantities of fruits and veggies, dairy and protein. This will make sure that hunger pangs are kept to a minimum.
Exercise- Again an obvious one, but one that is skipped. You aren't required to work out 24/7 at the gym to keep weight under control. Simply enjoy a long walk with a loved one, or a swim. This helps to burn off excess calories and will have you feeling much healthier and happier.
By sticking to a well managed meal plan, yet still eating tasty food that is healthy at the same time, in addition to becoming more physically active, you'll soon begin to not only see dramatic results, but feel the difference in your clothes. And once that happens, you'll never want to be unhealthy again.
By: Natasha Hopkins
