Some people with diabetes experience hair loss. Because the same condition have been observed among several diabetes patients, it is therefore not surprising to question if diabetes has any connection with hair loss. Indeed, studies and research have shown that it has. A look at the because facts about diabetes and hair loss would help us understand how these two are connected.
Hair Facts
Let us first examine and understand both the human hair and diabetes' basic facts to help us better understand how the two may be related. Although the human head hair seemingly has no obvious function other than for appearance, it is still stands to benefit or suffer from anything that is going in on any other parts of your body.
The hair actually has a root and a hair follicle located in the scalp from which hair strands grow and are nourished. The best way to naturally nourish the hair is through the bloodstream which transports hair nourishing nutrients to the scalp. Insufficient intake of nutrients or poor blood circulation may therefore affect hair growth and health.
Hair Loss
It is also possible that there is really no direct link between diabetes and hair loss in some cases. There are several reasons why people lose their hair and it is crucial to be able to arrive at its cause through the process of eliminating other possible causes of the condition.
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.
Hair Loss and Diabetes
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 previously explained, the hair's source of primary nutrition is the blood. Poor circulation may mean poor hair health. Poor blood flow can also result in infections and skin irritations among diabetics. The scalp is of course still a part of the skin which may be infected too and result in hair loss.
The Diet
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.
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