Thursday, April 9, 2009

Hair Loss and Diabetes

By David U. Goodman

Hair loss can often be a sign of underlying disease, and is sometimes the first indicator that you may notice that points to diabetes. If you are losing more hair than you used to, a quick visit to your doctor is in order. This is important, as it will help to identify or rule out underlying disease as the cause. If you are diagnosed with diabetes and this is the potential cause of your hair loss, then there are several things that you can do to control it. Diabetes can impact hair growth and loss in the following ways:

1. Diabetes causes poor blood circulation. Poor blood circulation can affect the ability of hair follicles to operate normally. Under normal conditions, hair grows for 2-6 years; then it goes into a period of dormancy, and eventually it dies and falls out as a new strand is produced in the follicle to push it out. When blood circulation is poor, the follicle is not producing a new strand as normal, the old strand dies and falls out, and there is no replacement hair. Further, strands tend to die and fall out more quickly when blood circulation to the head area is poor. Therefore, more hair falls out and is not replaced, creating much thinner hair.

2. Skin infections and/or fungal infections are easier to contract and harder to treat in diabetics. Some of these infections, if left untreated, lead to hair loss.

3. Medications that are typically prescribed for diabetes can impact hair growth. As your body adjusts to new medications or new medication levels this process will often diminish or disappear completely. If you are just starting on a new course of medication, keep this in mind.

4. Diabetes causes both physiological and psychological stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are direct factors in hair loss. Dehydration is a factor as well. When coupled with stress, it can be a killer for hair.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, and you are noticing hair loss that might be a result of the disease, here are a few things that you can do to slow or stop the hair loss process:

1. Be patient. Often the process of hair loss will slow or stop as your body becomes accustomed to your new dietary and medical regimen. Give yourself several months to get used to the changes in your life that come with a new diagnosis of diabetes.

2. Keep your body hydrated. Eight glasses (8 0z. each) should be consumed daily, no matter what other liquids you consume.

3. Get plenty of exercise. This will help increase circulation, and increased circulation will assure that the scalp is properly receiving the nutrients required for proper hair follicle health. Healthy hair follicles will produce more hair.

4. Try Yoga or some other form of relaxation to relieve stress and anxiety.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes then you realize what a life-changing event that it is. Follow your physician's instructions for proper care and control of the disease, and strive to lead a healthy life-style. Your hair's health is dependent upon your body's overall health. If you take good care of yourself you can limit the disease's impact on your hair.

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