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Many people these days want to look thin. However, in their desire to lose weight and to lose it quickly, many individuals have unwittingly compromised their health and well being by resorting to drastic fad diets.
Unknown to many, certain fad diets can cause not only stress on the body, but stress on the hair as well.
Although many of these diets can deliver very quick weight loss results, certain aspects of health and appearance may be put at risk. Crash dieting, abrupt changes in one's eating patterns, and extremely low protein diets can lead to hair loss.
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The lack of proper hair nutrition has been found to lead to a condition called Nutrition Deficient Follicle (NDF) as well as cause stress of hair follicles, which can inadvertently shorten the life and durability of hair. Stressed hair is also more likely to result in hair loss due to physical damage.
Extreme lack of overall nutrition, such as those caused by the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, can also cause severe hair loss. Here, the body adjusts to the change by switching the scalp hair from its 'growing phase' into the 'resting phase' to conserve valuable energy thus, causing the hair to fall out 3 to 4 months later.
Iron deficiency, which leads to the reduction of the number of red blood cells in a condition called anemia, can also cause general thinning of the hair. Zinc deficiency, often accompanied by skin diseases such as psoriasis, can also lead to hair loss and diffuse loss of hair. Vitamin B12 deficiency, a condition commonly prevalent among vegetarians, can also bring about hair loss. This is because plant-derived food
does not contain this vitamin.
The good news is that hair loss due to lack of nutrition is temporary and is often the easiest to treat. By replenishing the lost nutrition through a proper and balanced diet, further hair loss can be stopped and hair growth can be restored.
Unfortunately, another type of hair loss is much more difficult to stop and can be a permanent condition if not treated promptly. It is also one of the most common hair loss conditions among men and is known as male pattern hair loss (MPHL) or androgenetic alopecia. Male pattern hair loss is genetically determined and passed on from parents.
With MPHL, some men have areas on the scalp that are very sensitive to the male sex hormones that circulate in men's blood. The hormones make the hair producing follicles shrink. Eventually, the follicles become so small that they cannot replace the lost hairs. The follicles are still alive, but no longer function properly. The condition can start in men aged 20 to 30 and usually follows a typical pattern. First, a receding hairline develops, and gradually the hair on top of the head also begins to thin. Eventually, the two balding areas meet to form a typical U-shape around the back and sides of the head. The hair that does remain is often finer (vellus hairs), and does not grow as quickly as before.
Treating MPHL involves using medicines that may help slow or prevent the hair loss. One medicine,
minoxidil is available without a
prescription and is topically applied to the scalp. Both men and women can use it. Another medicine, finasteride is available with a prescription and comes in the form of a pill. It is only for men. It usually takes 3 to 6 months before its benefits can be apparent.
If you are experiencing unusual and significant hair loss, it is best to consult the hair and scalp expert – a dermatologist. Further hair loss, be it permanent or temporary, can be averted by proper and early treatment.
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