Page 80 - SOM Summer 2017

the good life | health

The FRENZY of Hair Loss

Column by Nisha Jackson

ave you ever freaked the hair is forced into the shed- on good lean proteins in the diet, accelerated hair loss.
over observing handfuls ding phase from the growing and the body will likely ration protein
Hof your head-hair com- resting phase too quickly, result- and shut down new hair growth. Genetics: Female pattern bald-
ing out in the shower, your part- ing in increased loss of hair often This typically occurs in men and ness. This can be linked to genet-
line becoming wider, bald spots observed in the shower or when women 60 days after they switch ics or very likely connected to
erupting on your scalp, or the shampooing the hair. This typi- to lower protein diets imbalanced hormones, estrogen
dreaded receding hairline? If you cally will occur six weeks to three dominance, low or excessively
have, you will most likely find this months after stressful events or Male pattern baldness: About elevated testosterone, or insulin
article useful and encouraging, as an increased stressful state. two out of three men experience resistance (leading also to weight
there are many things that can be this by the age of 60. The hair loss gain around the mid-section).
done to alleviate the problem. Pregnancy: A sudden drop in can be genetic or linked to drop-
hormones following the delivery ping levels of testosterone or ele- Hormones: Changes for men
FIRST, LET’S DISCUSS THE of the baby can signal a change vated DHT in the blood, causing and women specifically. Women
OBVIOUS CAUSES OF HAIR in the hair cycle also creating a discontinuing birth control pills
LOSS: “forced” shedding phase of the or hormone replacement, and
Physical stress: Telogen efflu- hair. The loss of hair typically men experiencing a sudden drop
vium is a phenomenon brought shows several weeks into the in testosterone due to excessive
on by acute or chronic stress, or post-partum period. stress can result in loss of hair
an isolated traumatic event, in approximately 60 days following
which you shed large amounts Protein: Lack of protein in the these events. As women enter
of hair. With telogen effluvium diet to be specific. If you are low menopause, the male-hormone

78 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2017