Hair Loss

Have you or anyone you know experienced hair loss due to genetic, hormonal, or medical matters? If so, there is help out there. PublicHealthForums.com is offering information and treatment options for dealing with many types of hair loss.

What causes Hair Loss?

The most common cause of hair loss is caused by a hormonal imbalances called androgenic alopecia. Other causes of hair loss are caused by drugs such as blood thinners that are used to treat depression, gout, arthritis, and cardiovascular conditions. Hair loss can also be caused by major medical treatments such as Chemotherapy and radiation, as well as major surgery, and stress.

Diet and improper nutrition can also induce hair loss. A low protein diet often results in severe hair loss. Once the person starts eating adequate amounts of protein, normal hair growth should resume fairly quickly. Too much or too little of certain vitamins can also cause hair loss. For example, an iron deficiency, or an excess of vitamin A have been known to cause hair loss in some people. Some women who have heavy periods develop an iron deficiency. This can be corrected with iron supplements.

If you are unsure of what the cause of your hair loss is, it's best to consult a dermatologist. The sooner you address hair loss, the better the chances you have of halting and reversing it.

What are the options for treating hair loss?

Hair loss is common among both men and women and the treatment options vary widely. One solution is a hair transplant. This is a surgical procedure in which graphs of skin are relocated to parts of the scalp where hair is absent. Another popular option is Rogaine or Minoxidil an FDA approved drug. Although Rogaine has proven to be effective for many who use it, it requires a very demanding routine involving two daily applications to the scalp and may sometimes be given up before it is allowed to work.

Another popular drug is Provillus which comes in topical and oral forms. Provillus contains Minoxidil but also contains ingredients that cause it to act as a DHT inhibitor.

Finasteride, is commonly used for prostate cancer prevention but can also be used to combat the effects of hair loss. Finasteride has been shown to work for men, but it does have possible irreversible sexual side affects. While men who are not worried about sexual side effects can enjoy the benefits of Propecia women can not use it. Studies have found that Finasteride does not have the ability to regrow hair in women. It is also noted that women should not even try to use this product as it causes birth defects in unborn babies.

While I have discussed the leading causes and treatments for hair loss it is strongly suggested that if you are experiencing severe hair loss that you see your doctor or dermatologist immediately.

My New Menu Plan for 2008

For optimal weight loss, I should be eating 3 meals and 2 snacks every day so that my body doesn’t go into starvation mode and therefore mess up my metabolism even more.
Additional calories and fat will be added through the addition of olive oil or butter in the preparation of my meals so I will have to account for that through FitDay. I'm sure as time goes on, I will be experimenting with my menu options a little more but right now I want to keep things super simple. I have used the (*) to separate meal options.

Breakfast
Boiled Egg and Canadian Bacon
*
Lean Meat Omelet (Smoked Salmon or Canadian Bacon)
*
Spinach Omelet

Snack
Small Apple
Slice of Cheddar Cheese or 1 tsp Natural Balance Peanut Butter
*
Raw Veggies
*
Carb Control Yogurt
*
Sugar Free Popcicle
*
Egg Muffin

Lunch
1 slice Whole Grain Bread
2 Thin Slices Low Sodium Lean Deli Ham
1-2 cups of green leaf lettuce
2 tablespoons Olive Garden Dressing
*
Walnut Chicken Salad
Low Carb Tortilla or 1 slice Whole Grain Bread
Spinach Salad
*
Leftover Rotisserie Chicken
Mixed Green Salad
Olive Garden Dressing

Snack
Small Apple
Slice of Cheddar Cheese or 1 tsp Natural Balance Peanut Butter
*
Raw Veggies
*
Carb Control Yogurt
*
Sugar Free Popcicle
*
Egg Muffin

Dinner
4 oz lean chicken or fish
1 cup broccoli or other green veggie

*
Shrimp Parmesan
Mixed Green Salad
Olive Garden Dressing
*
3 oz Lean Ground Beef 93% fat free or better
¼ packet of taco seasoning
¼ cup of cheddar cheese
*
4 oz Rotisserie Chicken
Mixed Green Salad
Olive Garden Dressing


Other Great Options for Healthy Lunchmeat options include: Boars Head Lower Sodium Ham, Boars Head Blazing Buffalo Chicken, and Boars Head Oven Gold Roasted Turkey. These have all been certified by the American Heart Association.