Saturday, January 10, 2009

The Connection Between Diabetes and Hair Loss

By Andy Rowde

If you have a diabetes condition and suddenly start losing your hair, there is a possibility that you may be experiencing a diabetes-related hair loss. A careful look at the basic information and facts about hair loss and diabetes may help us understand better why there might be an actual connection between the two.

On Hair Basics

Before looking into the possible links between hair loss and diabetes, let us first examine and understand both their basics. Human head hair may seem to have no function other than for appearance. Still, the human hair is still a part of the human body, and thus, still stand to benefit or suffer from anything that is going on in the other parts of your body.

Hair grows from a root and follicle located underneath the human scalp. The hair grows and is nourished by through the bloodstream which transports nutrients from the body to the hair roots and follicles. If there your body does not have sufficient nutrients or does not have proper blood circulation, hair growth and health is also affected.

Hair Loss

There may be no immediate link between diabetes and hair loss in your specific case. There are many reasons why people lose their hair and it is important to first rule out other reasons for hair loss before concluding your diabetes and hair loss conditions.

Just like diabetes, hair loss is also affected by genetic factors. It is estimated that 95% of people who suffer from hair loss have androgenetic alopecia which is a hair loss condition that is brought about by genes and hormonal activity. Check first if you have this before thinking of the possibility of diabetes. However, since both conditions have genetic components, you may want to take a look at the rest of your family members and relatives. Balding relatives who are also diabetic may indicate that you may share a similar future.

Diabetes and Hair Loss

The link between hair loss and diabetes may be best identified by examining the nature of diabetes and what it does to the body. Diabetes is the body's condition in which people either cannot produce the insulin that our body needs or cannot respond properly to it. When a person has a diabetes condition, glucose cannot always enter the body cells to provide it with the energy it need. Since there is an excess of unused glucose, it will start accumulating in the bloodstream. Along with high blood sugar levels, fat deposits may now also begin to attach on blood vessel walls, ultimately clogging blood passageways. When blood passageways are clogged, improper blood flow and poor circulation circulation ensue.

As explained, the hair's main source of nutrition is in the bloodstream. Poor blood circulation means unhealthy hair condition. Furthermore, poor blood flow can also result to infections and skin irritations among diabetics. And since scalp is part of the skin on our head, it is also gravely affected with hair loss as possible effect.

Diet Conditions

If your hair loss is caused by diabetes, you may have harder time dealing with it than an ordinary hair loss condition. This is because in an ordinary hair loss, the condition may be treated with nutritional supplements and proper diet. However, if your hair loss is caused by diabetes, you will have to consider following a diet that is more proper as a diabetic rather than a person suffering from a hair loss. In such case, you will have to consult your doctor for a proper dietary plan before tackling your hair loss condition. - 15252

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