Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Natural Remedies for Alopecia or hair loss
Most people experience hair loss as you age. However, people are increasingly discovering that your hair is becoming increasingly thinner, bald areas have emerged and the scalp is clearly visible when looking in the mirror. Hair loss affects not only men, it affects women too - of all ages, including children and teens!
Alopecia is the medical term used to describe hair loss or baldness. For many men and women experiencing alopecia, can be emotionally devastating and traumatic. Quality of life is often affected, which may eventually lead to depression and severe anxiety.
This condition can affect any body part that is covered with hair including the scalp, eyebrows, beard or pubic area. There are several types of male pattern baldness or female hair loss associated with being classified by the cause. Some are permanent while other types are temporary.
Permanent hair loss can be classified by the following:
* Pattern baldness in men, also known as androgenetic alopecia, usually affects men in their teens or early 20s. Androgenetic alopecia is distinguished by having hair on the sides of the head and bald on top.
* Pattern baldness in women, also known as androgenetic alopecia. It's very rare that complete hair loss women - may lose hair in patches and thinning usually begins only at the front, sides or crown.
* Alopecia (which is marked with a scar) is also known as scarring alopecia. This type of hair loss destroys the hair follicle and the hair is replaced by scar tissue - causes permanent hair loss. Sometimes, there are no obvious symptoms and hair loss is gradual. In other cases, itching, burning or pain may occur. If the scalp is affected, certain scales and redness may be apparent.
Temporary hair loss
Alopecia areata tends to occur in small, round bald spots. Hair loss or bald patches usually occur on the scalp but can also affect other areas such as eyebrows, eyelashes or beard. If hair loss occurs at a point only, usually in the head, is known as alopecia areata monolocularis. If the hair is lost in the whole scalp is alopecia totalis. If hair loss occurs in the entire body, including pubic hair, this condition is called alopecia universalis.
* Telogen effluvium is a condition characterized by sudden loss of hair as a result of a disruption in the normal growth cycle of hair. The hair begins to thin and fall usually from the scalp, which is more sensitive when you wash or comb his hair.
* Traction alopecia occurs as a result of certain hairstyles such as braids, tight ponytails, cornrows, buns, rolls and twists that are used regularly. It is caused by pulling (traction chronic) and hair follicle samples of this type of hair loss involving tension headaches, itchy scalp, red, random bald patches and hair breakage around the scalp.
What causes alopecia?
There are several causes for specific types of alopecia as well as other underlying factors.
The causes of specific types of alopecia include:
* Pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) occurs as a result of factors of heredity. Affects the age at which you start to get bald, pattern, speed of development and degree of hair loss
* Alopecia (which scars) scar is permanent and occurs when the hair follicle is scarred and damaged by inflammation. This condition appears in many disease conditions of the skin.
Alopecia areata is defined as an autoimmune disease. It is believed that genetic factors may cause you to develop.
* Telogen effluvium is caused by a change to your normal cycle as a result of physical or emotional stress (high fever, weight loss, loss of a family member, nutritional deficiencies, or surgery)
* Traction alopecia is due to the hairstyles that pull your hair back too tightly or excessive hairstyling
Other factors that may contribute to hair loss include poor nutrition, certain medications, diseases such as diabetes and lupus as well as medical treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, an overactive thyroid or vague and infections of the scalp can cause hair loss.
A hair-pulling disorder known as trichotillomania is a mental illness that makes people have the irresistible urge to pull hair from your scalp or any other area of your body. In addition, hair treatments such as bleaching, dyeing, tight braiding or hot curlers can cause scarring of hair follicles and hair reduction.
Diagnosis of alopecia
The diagnosis of alopecia is based on physical symptoms, family and medical history. Your doctor will want to know the pattern and rate of hair loss.
Certain tests may also be performed to determine the cause of alopecia and to classify it:
* Testing pull where several hairs are pulled out to see how many
* The skin scrapes involve a sample of skin or hairs taken from the scalp to determine if an infection is the cause of hair loss
* A biopsy involves removing a small section of the deeper layers of the skin (this test is usually done when it is difficult to confirm a diagnosis)
* Other health tests to determine if other diseases are the cause of hair loss
Help for alopecia
Although there is no cure for alopecia, it is estimated that 50% of patient's hair will grow in a year without treatment. Approximately 90% of people with hair loss will eventually grow, while the other 10% of cases, only some or no hair will grow. There are several treatment options for alopecia extending to corticosteroids, steroid injections, hair transplants, natural oil massage or scalp reduction.
Corticosteroids can be administered orally, injected or applied topically - these drugs however, can have some harsh side effects. Steroid injections are typically used for small areas of hair loss such as the eyebrows. Phototherapy, often used to treat skin disorders, may also help stimulate hair growth and improve the appearance of hair. Massage with natural oils helps hair grow stronger and more abundant, feeding on roots and promote healthy hair growth and slow the excessive loss. Hair transplantation and scalp reduction are surgical procedures used to cover bald areas.
Natural Remedies
Natural and holistic treatments are gentle and effective alternative to treat hair loss that harsh chemicals found in products on-the-counter and prescription. Using herbal and homeopathic remedies help to promote healthy hair, strong and supports circulation, hormonal balance and functioning of the thyroid.
Carefully selected herbal ingredients such as Ginkgo biloba, Rosmarinus officinale and Xanthoxylum clavaherculis promote blood circulation to ensure that the nutrient-rich blood reaching the hair follicles. In addition, Equisetum arvense, Avena sativa and Echinacea also help to stimulate and feed the tiny hair follicles.
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