I will never forget when my hair loss started.  It was a normal morning and I went to read the paper.  As I bent my head down and began scanning the words, strands of my fallen hair began to fall onto the paper like rain drops.  Of course, this completely freaked me out.  I went to the bathroom, turned my head over the garbage can, and shook.  Immediately, tons of hair fell out forming a little heal of hair in the garbage can.  I grabbed the trash can and thrust it at my husband (who is a medical professional.)  Even he looked at me a bit baffled and we started racking our brains about the possible cause.

Since that day, I’ve done tons and tons of research on sudden hair loss. Below, I’ll share with you the top three common causes of sudden hair loss and their corresponding treatments.

Telogen Effluvium (TE): Probably the most common cause of sudden hair loss is telogen effluvium or shedding.  Although some people have seasonal shedding (in the spring and fall), typical TE is most commonly very pronounced shedding that is well outside of what is normal for you.  Hair will suddenly be all over the house and all over your clothes.  It’s very hard to ignore or miss.

Often there’s a change in your body that causes this shedding. This may be starting or stopping medications (birth control pills are a common culprit), recently giving birth, menopause or peri menopause, thyroid or adrenal issues, being ill, having surgery, physical or mental stress, etc.

The treatment for TE depends on the trigger.  Some triggers you can’t do anything about. If you just had a baby, you’ll just need to wait it out and support a healthy scalp and regrowth.  You may need to address hormone fluctuations or find a medication that agrees with you more.  You may need to restore you health. What ever the cause of your trigger, you’ll need to identify, address, and fix it (if it’s a fixable issue.)

Alopecia Areata (AA): Often times, AA is quite sudden, occurring in only a matter of days.  This is autoimmune related loss that will sometimes appear in smooth bald, patches.  Sometimes though, the patches progress or the patient gets diffuse or all over shedding – which sometimes results in total baldness (called alopecia totalis.)

Sometimes, hair on other parts of the body are also affected or thin out and / or become bald.  You may have hair loss in areas like your eye brows, lashes, pubic hair, beard, etc (this is called alopecia universalis.)

Needless to say, this type of hair loss is hard to miss. The patches often end up being quite smooth and pain free. Sometimes, regrowth will grow in white.  There are many theories as to the cause of this.  It used to be thought that is was stressed induced.  But, now the medical community is pursuing other causes like allergies, hormones, viruses, or exposure to toxins.

Treatment for this is often corticosteroids. Sometimes this is applied in cream form to the scalp and sometimes it is injected.  There has been some promising research on herbal mixes as treatments.  Some study respondents had a good deal of regrowth from a combination of herbs like rosemary, lavender and cedar wood, among other things.

Issues That Start In The Body And End Up On The Scalp: Another cause of hair loss that seems to come out of nowhere is problems in your body that eventually make their way onto your scalp.  Examples are yeast, inflammation, bacteria, or ringworm.  This can inflame, damage and choke out the nourishment that the follicles are receiving and in turn they die off.

Treatment for this type of loss depends on the exact cause.  Sometimes, medications are needed and sometimes, you can alleviate the inflammation and yeast with topical treatments that you can make on your own using ingredients like tea tree oil, emu oil or horsetail among others, in combination, as part of a rotation, or alone.

Yesterday, I got an email from a women asking how to bump up her hair regrowth following androgenic alopecia (AGA) or genetic hair loss. Specifically, she had a lot of loss on the top of her head at the part line (her part had become wider and a lot of scalp was showing through on the top) and she also had receding temples and a thinning crown. These are all places typical of genetic hair loss caused by excess DHT, sebum, and inflammation. In the following article, I’ll discuss regrowth with AGA.

Regrowth Is Key In The Appearance Of Genetically Thinning Hair: I often tell my readers it’s not really what you lose, it’s what you regrow. What I mean by that is that even if you’re shedding massively, your hair won’t look that much thinner if you can regrow it back with thick, high quality hair that has good texture and a normal appearance.

In all actually, AGA usually has much less hair loss and shedding than other conditions like TE (telogen effluvium) or hormonal hair loss. However, the thinning sometimes is more noticeable because the hair that replaces the shed is lacking. Typically, the reason for the loss in the first place is excess androgens. And, these same things keep your hair from coming back in healthy.

Instead, you will sometimes get weak, peach fuzz or spider web type hairs that I’ve heard people describe as “cotton candy looking.” This is miniaturization. Clogged hair follicles and DHT are working to compromise your ability to grow back decent hair. Thinner, miniaturized or baby hairs do not offer sufficient scalp coverage even if there are a decent number of them. So, what can you do about this?

Combat The DHT And Androgens (Externally At First:) These things are poison to your hair and scalp. They are what is standing between you and a healthy head of hair. Many people will throw anti androgen medications at this problem. And, if your levels are very high, this can work. But if you are hormonally vulnerable (which is especially true for women) you should know that these treatments change your hormones and will often kick off a new shed.

Sometimes, this shedding will stop and stabilize with time and sometimes it doesn’t. I usually tell my readers that this risk isn’t worth it until you tried topical solutions first, preferably natural solutions that don’t further irritate your scalp. There are some things that you can get or extract in topical form that can reduce these substances on your scalp and you apply them directly to your scalp rather than in your body. Just a few examples are nettles and saw palmetto (extracted in liquid form), but there are others.

Combating Inflammation: Anytime you shed or lose a lot of hair, inflammation is both a cause and a result of this. And, this inflammation can also clog or shrink your follicles which only continues this cycle. You must cut down or stop this process. It’s so important to have both a healthy scalp and unclogged, fully functional follicles that are cycling through normally – with each hair cycle remaining in it’s full phase rather than staying in telogen for longer than necessary. Good, natural topicals for this are tea tree or jojoba oil, but they must be diluted properly not to clog.

Creating The Scalp That’s Going To Be Conducive To Healthy Regrowth: The bottom line that is your scalp is full of DHT or is inflamed, your can’t regrow your best head of hair. So, you want to both soothe and stimulate your scalp. Of course, the most popular stimulator is Rogaine and there is even a special formula for women. However, take a look at the alcohol content in this and check out the hair forums where you’ll see countless people saying that Rogaine causes massive sheds and only regrows peach fuzz. Now, Rogaine works OK for some. But again, I think it’s best to save this as a last resort, until you’ve tried more gentle, but equally as effective, solutions. Examples are rosemary, lavender, henna, horsetail, and burdock, to name only a few. These should be also be rotated and used as a combination for best results.
]]> http://dailyhealthtips.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/measures-to-be-undertaken-for-genetic-hair-loss/feed/ 0 varunsharma1800 http://dailyhealthtips.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/tips-for-minimizing-the-fall-of-hair/ http://dailyhealthtips.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/tips-for-minimizing-the-fall-of-hair/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:02:12 +0000 varunsharma1800 http://dailyhealthtips.wordpress.com/?p=56 ]]>

You must stop the fall of your hair before you can grow it back. This is something that so many people are unable to do simply because they are taking the wrong approach.

There are hundreds of products and treatments available today for regrowing hair. The funny and sad thing is that none of them really ever do the job that they promise to do.

This is why I say you should examine a few natural methods for hair growth. They work better than most other avenues of treating hair loss. You’ll experience few if any side effects, and the cost is next to nothing.

Home remedies are amongst the favorites of many. One that I want to relate to you involves that of mustard seeds and water. You can take a teaspoonful of mustard seeds, boil them in a cup of water, and drink this solution.

It actually works with your body system internally to help stimulate hair growth. By applying olive oil to your scalp and leaving on overnight, you will easily get rid of years of trapped dirt and oils. Just be sure to rinse it out the next day.

Clogged follicles don’t cause extreme cases of hair loss, but they can cause a considerable amount of hair to shed. Use all-natural shampoos that are made with green tea, tea tree oil, saw palmetto, or even aloe vera. These natural elements all work well in regrowing your hair while giving the hair the body that it needs.

Hormonal Migraines – Women often experience migraines which correlate with their menstrual cycle.

Optical/Ocular Migraines – Affecting fewer people, optical/ocular migraine sufferers experience visual symptoms with no corresponding headache.

Abdominal Migraines – Mostly affects children.

There are many different schools of thought on natural migraine remedies. All of them will, in some form, relieve the sufferer of their symptoms. Three major methods of natural relief are; Herbals, Supplemental, and Homeopathic.

Herbalism is an age old medicinal practice which uses substances from herbs to relieve the sufferers ailments. In much the same way as conventional medicine is used, the Herbalist uses various natural substances which contain active ingredients to help address specific problems. Some popular herbal medicines in the treatment of migraines are feverfew, butterbur, passionflower, peppermint, rosemary and lavender.

Supplementation is exactly what it sounds like. It is a technique that supplements the sufferers dietary intake. This natural treatment provides the patient the extra substances needed to fight the symptoms that increase the likelihood of migraine attacks. Supplements such as magnesium, co-enzyme Q10 and riboflavin are found to be helpful in treating migraines.

Homeopathy is a natural method of treating illnesses in which a disease is treated by minute doses of natural substances that in large quantities would produce symptoms of the disease. This is not a home remedy, and should only be administered by highly trained and experienced homeopaths.

So as you can see, these are a few ways you can naturally reduce the symptoms of migraines. In some cases billion dollar industries have been built around the fact that they can significantly reduce the symptoms. Here is where the difficulty lies. Each of the methods I have outlined above will work to some degree, however they have the inherent problem that they aim to treat the symptoms of the illness, NOT the cause.

If you are looking for a holistic treatment which aims to refresh your entire system and treat the root cause of your migraines, there is The Migraine Solution Program. It is an effective, natural migraine treatment system which works for both men and women. The program was developed and perfected by Chris Holmes, a migraine sufferer for more than 5 years. It is a culmination of in-depth study into the nature of migraines, and patients who had relieved their own symptoms. After extensive research Mr. Holmes correlated the findings of hundreds of cured cases to form his program, that is used by thousands of people around the world with astonishing results.

If you want to improve blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and body awareness, regular massage therapy is a great way to enjoy these benefits. For maximum benefits, you need to use the right massage techniques. Friction is decreased by applying massage oil before the massage session. You can make use of gentle stroking movements when massaging an affected area but you need to ensure that you’re using the right techniques because you might worsen the muscle pain.

You should lie down on your belly on a comfortable and form surface. You can have the massage session on a firm bed or floor mat. The massage therapist should be able to easily reach your back from your side. Take note where the hand is being placed. For back pains, one hand should be positioned on the lower portion of the back while the other over the heart or shoulder blades. You can also be the one to give the massage; so try it out by following the steps.

The back can be warmed by applying appropriate thumb pressure along the spines sides simultaneously. Thumb pressure can be applied from the lower back up to the area around the neck. Relaxation is promoted through the kneading movements.

When massage oil is being applied, effleurage can be used. These are delicate and smooth stroke movements. Slide the palms of your hand down the side of the spine until you touch the pelvis area; and then scoop out on the hip area. After that, you can back up (using your palms) until your palms reach the shoulders side areas. You need to maintain back contact as you move over other areas of the back.

Place your palms on the spine area and slowly move them to the sides (starting from the lower spine). Slowly work your way up to the shoulders. You can give kneading movements on the shoulders particularly the muscular area, and also on the buttocks and mid-back. This movement can loosen fascia and tight muscles.

Those are the different back massage techniques that you can use if you want to give your loved one or friend a massage. Back pain is quite common these days especially after a tiring day at the office. Relieve back pain through the techniques mentioned. You can also have a massage therapist relieve your back pain since you can’t possibly massage your own back.

When you’re looking for panic disorder help it can be hard to know where to turn. So many of the traditional approaches fail to work for the majority of people, so you can end up feeling as if there’s no hope.

This is kind of where I was a few years ago. I’d tried the normal things – doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, medication, cognitive behavioural therapy. None of them had helped me at all. In fact, apart from the cognitive behavioural therapy, I’d say the other approaches had actually left me worse off than before I’d tried them.

Because all these methods had failed me so miserably, I started trying less obvious things in an effort to help myself. One of them I’d like to recommend to you today, because it played a big part in my eventual recovery.

It’s mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness meditation is a form of meditation that requires you to become hyper-aware of yourself, your body, your breathing, and your thoughts. By doing this, you form an incredible link between your mind and your body, and for me this turned out to be some of the best panic disorder help I found.

There are lots of great free resources on the subject online, so take a moment to look through the websites and free videos out there. This will let you sample mindfulness mediation first-hand before you invest in any audio CDs or DVDs.

So if, like I was a few years ago, you’re really struggling to find some effective, simple panic disorder help, take a closer look at mindfulness meditation and see what it can do for you.

Wondering where to look for really effective back relief? Studies show that back pain is the most common kind of problem people deal with, next to headaches. As a result, there are literally thousands of spinal pain relievers out there- some of them work, some of them don’t and some may cause even further damage. It helps to know which methods can really help in alleviating back pain.

Slow Down!

One of the most common reasons why people aggravate bad back conditions is because of a wrong diagnosis. Once they experience some discomfort, they pop a few painkillers and think that it’ll be alright now- frankly, this is the worst thing one could have done. It’s important to first assess exactly what is wrong with your back. You need to take into consideration which area of your back has been hurt and what kind of damage has been done- have you pulled a muscle? Or is it something more serious? Before you start thinking about relief, you must know what’s wrong first.

It’s also a good idea to have decent back pain doctors on hand. The back is as important to you as your head- remember that damage to your spinal column can result in paralysis. Always meet with your doctor if you’ve developed a back problem. He is the right person who’d tell you the kind of treatments you should take. He will also ensure that you don’t worsen your bad back condition!

Many Methods

One of the most effective and popular natural pain relievers is acupuncture. A recent study conducted in the UK showed that people who underwent the acupuncture therapy not only experienced a considerable reduction in pain, they also were less likely to use medication. However, you need to check with your doctor to make sure that you are physically ready to undergo acupuncture. Capsaicin cream is another popular back pain remedy- it is actually an analgesic, which means that it depletes the neuro-chemicals that transmit pain. Be careful when using this as it can cause stinging or burning if you touch abraded skin or your eyes.

Replenishing your vitamin intake can also help beat a bad back. Studies have shown that chronic muscle pain is often caused due to a deficiency of vitamin D. You can easily supplement this by eating more cereals and drinking fortified milk. It’s also interesting to note that music is an effective form of back relief. How? Most back-related problems are related to stress. This often causes the muscles to get tense and bunch up, thus causing pain. Listening to soothing music can relax you and cause those tense muscles to loosen up.

You can also treat a bad back with yoga. This method will also increase your body’s overall strength and flexibility. Those who have opted for yoga have experienced a reduction in pain, greater mobility and a much-reduced reliance on medication. So the next time your back starts acting up, don’t just reach out for the pain killers. Instead, meet with your doctor and find out what’s really wrong. Then you can easily find a back relief method that would really work for you.

Teeth whitening can be done in the privacy of your own home or the office of your favorite cosmetic dentist. There are many different methods available and products to fit a variety of teeth whitening techniques you are looking for and need for your level of discoloration and staining. Out of all the teeth whitening techniques we are going to share the top three and the products that go with them to help you find a brighter smile.

The top three teeth whitening techniques include strips, kits and brush on applications. These are all among the most popular for a variety of reasons, but mostly for convenience and cost-effectiveness. Brush on applications and some strips are used for more mild to moderate whitening, while the kits are designed for more intense whitening.

Brush on teeth whitening products gained popularity because of the easy to apply formula that can be used daily and doesn’t contain extremely harsh chemicals. Brush on teeth whitening products can be applied before leaving the house and no one will ever know your teeth are being whitened on your way to work. Follow the application instructions carefully for the best results, as you are often to abstain from eating or drinking for a period of time after application.

Whitening strips are available in a couple of different whitening strengths depending on the convenience level you are looking for. Dissolving strips are great for easy application on the way out the door in the morning, but for more whitening power use an overnight or longer lasting strip as it will hold the whitening agents onto your teeth longer for better results. These are also safe to use daily and contain mild whitening agents that are unlikely to aggravate your gums or sensitive teeth.

The last of the teeth whitening techniques we are going to cover is teeth whitening kits. Kits contain more than one whitening product for the maximum in at-home teeth whitening. Often a combination of strips and a rinse or other product is contained in the kit to extend the length of time your teeth are exposed to the whitening agent. Whitening kits also tend to use slightly stronger chemicals, so keep them away from you gums if they are sensitive. Regardless, of your level of discoloration or staining, there is a teeth whitening product for you to make your smile brighter and healthier.
]]> http://dailyhealthtips.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/teeth-whitening-methods-and-techniques/feed/ 0 varunsharma1800 http://dailyhealthtips.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/definition-of-marine-phytoplankton/ http://dailyhealthtips.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/definition-of-marine-phytoplankton/#comments Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:03:43 +0000 varunsharma1800 http://dailyhealthtips.wordpress.com/?p=43 ]]> Some analysts who have studied asthma and its symptoms have determined that marine phytoplankton may be sufficient enough to decrease asthma symptoms in children. Phytoplankton could be the next natural cure for asthma.

Adding this to food or drinks with a certain dosage daily can help to decrease asthma symptoms particularly with kids. It is shown in certain studies that marine phytoplankton cures certain pains in the body, and may also cure asthma in the certain patients.

Marine phytoplankton is considered the basis of life on earth, without it, nothing would be able to survive. It was considered the first food source on the planet, and has many uses for modern time. According to NASA, it is responsible for producing up to 90% of the oxygen in which we breathe.

It may also be responsible to cleanse the air passageways when consumed. Teaspoon consumption may be all you need to decrease asthma. This may be the first natural cure for asthma that may actually work. Scientists have had difficulty to manage and reproduce it to have as a natural cure.

A natural cure for asthma may have just come into human supply. Now, the marine phytoplankton can be distributed throughout the world, and is responsible for curing most of the users. Scientists say this was a remarkable study, and this may just be the first ever working natural cure for asthmatic persons.

Unfortunately, it is relatively difficult to extract, thus it is still not very common on the market. However, as people realize the potential as a natural cure for asthma, it will become more widely accepted and the prices should fall accordingly.

If we could all beat growing old, everyone would probably remain young, healthy, and look in their prime throughout their whole age. The realist of this is that everyone has to grow old some time. Although there are ways to feel young and even look younger for longer, you wont be able to beat life’s nature, the one that is true for us all – growing old.

In this article we will discuss growing old, how to possibly slow the process down and how to do it gracefully.

Diet and exercise are probably the most important aspects to staying younger. Once you start exercising, you will also start to take interest in to your nutrition as a whole. This is probably one of the key aspects to staying healthy and young. The antioxidants you get from healthy foods help keep free radicals at bay, thus, letting your bodily functions correctly. Free radicals are chemical reactions that happen at a cellular level. If left unchecked, they can wreak havoc on the human body as a whole

By regular exercise and eating healthy, aging will not stop, but it may slow down. If you feel good, you will generally look good also.

Now, the skin is another area that needs attention. As we grow old, the skin starts to age rapidly. Sadly, we start to lose our looks and wrinkles start to set in. This is a sad part of life; however, with the science of today, all is not lost.

There are many natural creams available that can revitalize the skin and actually get rid of wrinkles. The problem however, is that many of these so called hyped up creams can end up doing more damage than good to your skin. You need to find a product that actually works and has customer testimonials to back that works.

If you use a good skin product, eat well, exercise weekly, you should well be on the right path to improving your health, your life, and slowing down the aging process.