Management of Hair Loss

With constant advertisements claiming to improve the quality of hair, or even stimulate re-growth, it is important to understand the most effective medically proven methods of containing hair loss and ensuring healthier hair.  Coupled with these advertisements come a number of common misconceptions as to the most effective ways to look after your hair, and things to avoid to maintain its thickness.  The emotional distress which goes hand in hand with hair loss can cause serious problems for many sufferers, although the majority will benefit from simple lifestyle changes and changes to hair care in reducing and managing its excessive loss and making it look and feel healthier.

Many people are under the impression that dandruff, or similar irritations of the scalp do not lead to hair loss.  In the case of dandruff, which is a result of fungal growth, this is certainly a contributory factor to the loss of hair, which can be irretrievably damaged by the scratching of the scalp brought on by the presence of the fungus.  The fungus responsible for causing the condition is transferred through the air, and can commonly be detected which is why the problem is so widespread.  To eradicate the condition would be simply unfeasible and impossible, given the quantities of the fungus found in the air which cause the itching and flakiness associated with the condition. 

It is also a common misconception that by blow drying hair, we give it volume and body.  This is certainly not the case, with the intense heat from the hair dryer causing serious damage to hair, making them brittle and fine, and ultimately encouraging their loss.  On a similar vein rigorous towel drying can cause hair loss and scalp irritation, which is again bad for the overall condition of the hair.

The common fear that medicated shampoos have a negative effect on the hair has led to many patients living with the unnecessary discomfort of dandruff and an itchy scalp.  This is simply not true, with the majority of like shampoos having beneficial properties for the overall quality of hair as well as treating these conditions, ultimately leading to healthier hair, and helping maintain the natural hair growth cycle.

Additionally, meagre alterations to diet, and aiming to reduce daily stresses can have a positive impact on hair growth.  By eating a healthy balanced diet, you can be sure to keep your hair healthy and maintain the natural growth cycle thanks to the presence of all the appropriate vitamins and minerals.  Healthy body generally equates to healthy hair, so it is important to ensure that you get all the nutrients you need to keep your hair loss at bay.  Secondly, stress and trauma are major causes of hair loss, so it is important to try as far as possible to minimize these from your life.  Stress can also negatively impact the body and influence other conditions, leading to heart attacks and strokes which should obviously be avoided.  By making these simple changes to your lifestyle, you can reverse the symptoms of hair loss and encourage natural hair growth for healthier, longer lasting results.

 

Hair Loss News On The Web

Rapid hair loss (AsiaOne)
Q: I am a woman in my 40s and my hair has been falling rapidly lately. Both my parents suffer from hair loss. I have tried over-the-counter hair products but to little avail. I have read that minoxidil helps but requires daily use.

Rapid hair loss (AsiaOne)
Whether you have an underlying cause for your recent hair loss or not, you need to seek a doctor.

WATCH: Reversing Hair Loss (ABC News)
How lasers can help you regrow lost hair. Health - Conditions and Diseases - Hair Loss - Shopping - Skin Disorders

Optimer Pharma Reports Narrower 4th-Quarter Loss (ABC News)
Optimer Pharmaceuticals narrows its 4th-quarter loss as expenses decline; yearly loss widens Health - Conditions and Diseases - Shopping - Weight Loss - Hair Loss

Author explores loss, family in India, US (Montgomery Advertiser)
Sometimes the image in our minds of what we have lost is far greater than the loss itself, and so it is for Asha, who was given up for adoption by her birthpa­rents in India.

Win the War Against Hair Loss (ThirdAge)
Whether you're 30 years old or 80 years old, hair loss in women can be traumatic. Its victims try countless ways to cover up this problem -- and the results are often lukewarm at best.

Football: Offensive line protects their quarterback, but not their hair (The Pitt News)
There are many ways for a team to establish unity. When Pitt’s offensive line decided it was time to do so, it took a trip to a hair salon during a bye week.

Hair affair to help cancer kids (Queens Courier)
Ladies with long locks and men with messy manes united at St. John’s University on Tuesday, March 2 to fight childhood cancer by shaving their heads or donating their hair to children in need.

Double loss for Bruins (Boston Globe)
MONTREAL — Harmless play, really. Puck glances off the end boards near the net. Goalie leaves the crease to play the puck. He settles it and starts the breakout the other way.

Author writes about loss, family in India and US (AP via Yahoo! News)
"Secret Daughter" (William Morrow, 352 pages, $23.99), by Shilpi Somaya Gowda: Sometimes the image in our minds of what we have lost is far greater than the loss itself, and so it is for Asha, who was given up for adoption by her birth parents in India.