Sunday, December 14, 2008

Is There A 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.

Another factor of hair loss is through heredity and genetics. An estimated 95% of people suffering from hair loss have androgenetic alopecia, a hair loss condition brought about by hormonal activities in the body as well as by the individual's genetic make-up. Since both androgenetic alopecia and diabetes are hereditary, it may be harder to pinpoint which is causing your hair loss. A look at balding relatives who are also diabetic may point to the direction that it is the diabetic condition that is causing the hair loss and not the androgenetic alopecia condition.

Diabetes with Hair Loss

The relationship between diabetes and hair loss can be determined best by taking a careful look at the nature of diabetes and how it affects the body. Diabetes is a condition in which the body neither produces insulin nor respond properly to it. When this occurs, glucose cannot always enter the body cells to provide energy that the body needs. Since glucose has been rejected by the body's cells and therefore has no place else to go, it will start collecting in the bloodstream. If you have high blood sugar levels, fat deposits may also begin to attach on blood vessel walls, consequently clogging blood passageways which results to improper blood flow and poor blood circulation.

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.

Dietary Conditions

You may have a more difficult time dealing with hair loss if this is caused by diabetes compared to an ordinary hair loss condition. In an ordinary hair loss condition, the problem may be treated with nutritional supplements and proper diet. However, diabetes is causing your hair loss, you will have to stick to a diet that is more proper as a diabetic rather than a person suffering from a hair loss. The best thing to do in such case, therefore, is for you to consult your doctor for a proper dietary plan before tackling your hair loss condition. - 15995

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