Alopecia comes from the classical Greek word meaning loss of hair from the head or body and hair loss in the Gulf region occurs for many reasons including:
Male pattern baldness
Stress-related hair loss
Hair loss due to poor diet and lack of vitamins which hair needs to grow such as iron and zinc.
Hair loss due to minerals in desalinated water
Hair loss due to thyroid problems
Hair loss due to damage caused by harsh hairstyling routines such as over tight ponytail, braids or hot hair irons
Cosmetic hair loss due to damage caused by styling such as hair relaxers chemical treatments
Generally, the sign that hair loss is due to alopecia areata is that the hair falls in small patches. Alopecia areata typically presents with sudden hair loss causing patches to appear on the scalp. If left untreated, this can lead to alopecia tolalis; it is similar to the effects that occur with chemotherapy. Total hair loss is, however, very unusual.
Anyone can have alopecia areata although there is often a family history or genetic link.
The exact cause is not known but scientists believe that a person’s genes may pay a part, which means people’s genes may put them at risk of the disease; however, there is generally some kind of trigger that starts the attack on the hair follicles. This can be a virus or can be brought on by a stressful or emotional event such as the death of a loved one or period of extreme anxiety. There is also a link with thyroid disease and getting the right medication for thyroid problems will help the condition to clear up if thyroid is the cause.
Many people have found that when they start to feel happier, their hair starts growing back and often the hair grows back thicker.
If you think you have alopecia or are worried by hair loss, the first person you speak to is your doctor, and he will assess the best possible treatment for you. Living with alopecia can be hard and it is important to build up a positive self-image and to remember that for most people it is only temporary. Remember we are so much more than how we look, and it is good to keep that in mind. We can be confident and happy even when we’re going through a problem like this: there will always be upsides and you can learn what a strong person you really are.
If you find yourself worried about falling hair, do something about it. The good news is that most hair loss can be treated and improved with natural solutions. Always look first at your diet. Hair cells grow quicker than practically any other cells in your body, and so they require a continuous supply of nutrients. If your diet is poor, your hair is the first to show it. Hair is made from protein and to have a good head of hair, you need a healthy diet that contains protein to give you iron and zinc, which help your hair to grow. Some vegetarians experience hair loss due to a lack of protein in their diet first: the first step is to make sure you have a healthy balanced diet. Email me at [email protected] for my healthy eating plan. I also highly recommend Permea Plus hair skin and nails as a good balanced multivitamin: it is an insurance policy so that your body has everything it needs for growth and repair.
Stress causes a surprising amount of hair fall, and this is because a huge amount of tension is stored in the scalp, which restricts vital blood and nutrient flow to the hair follicles. To ease this, try regular scalp massage with Permea Plus hair repair massage oil, which contains six naturally light oils. Massage for two minutes prior to washing your hair: this provides good results and you will find that after a few weeks, your scalp is less tight and much more flexible. This is a good sign as the follicles remain open and you will soon start to feel new healthy, strong hair growth near the scalp. Trichologists recommend that the best natural way to slow down hair loss and kick start new growth is to massage your scalp as this stimulates blood flow to the hair follicles. Permea Plus products are also available online at www.ardenhealth.com.
How can I get my children to eat salad leaves as they refuse them?
Greens are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Mixed leafy greens and herbs are important: if your children do not like salad leaves, chop them up really small and put them in sandwiches together with their favorite filling. A great idea for children is to buy seeds and grow your greens in little pots with your children; they will soon be curious to eat them. Salad leaves grow really easily even on a balcony or window sill. For a daily healthy tip, follow me on Twitter “@AlvaCarpenter”
