If you have diabetes and you start losing your hair, you may be experiencing diabetes related hair loss. Although the connection was long thought to have already been established, the link between diabetes and hair loss needs to be further studied. Looking however at the basic facts about diabetes and hair loss may help you understand why there might be a real connection.
Hair Basics
Before we look into the diabetes and hair loss link, it is important to first understand both diabetes and hair loss basics. Head hair may seem to have no functional use other than as an appearance enhancer. Nonetheless, it is still very much a part of the human body. Your hair will therefore stand to benefit or suffer from whatever you put in your body and whatever is going on in your body in general.
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.
Basics of Hair Loss
There may be no immediate link between diabetes and hair loss in your specific case. There are many reasons why people lose their hair and it is important to first rule out other reasons for hair loss before concluding your diabetes and hair loss conditions.
One other factor of hair loss is through genetics and heredity. 95% of people suffering from hair loss have androgenetic alopecia. This is a hair loss condition brought about by genetic make-up and hormonal activities in the body. Because both conditions have their sources in genetics, it may be more difficult to identify which condition is causing your hair loss.
Hair Loss and Diabetes
The connection between diabetes and hair loss can be established best by looking at the nature of diabetes and what it does to the body. Diabetes is a condition in which people either cannot produce insulin or cannot respond properly to it. When this happens, glucose cannot always enter the body cells to provide energy. Since glucose has nowhere else to go, it will start collecting in the bloodstream. With high blood sugar levels, fat deposits may also begin to attach on blood vessel walls, effectively clogging blood passageways. This results in improper blood flow and poor circulation.
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.
Diet Conditions
If your hair loss is caused by diabetes, you may have harder time dealing with it than an ordinary hair loss condition. This is because in an ordinary hair loss, the condition may be treated with nutritional supplements and proper diet. However, if your hair loss is caused by diabetes, you will have to consider following a diet that is more proper as a diabetic rather than a person suffering from a hair loss. In such case, you will have to consult your doctor for a proper dietary plan before tackling your hair loss condition.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Vaporizers
By: suzanemichel | 22-09-2008
Where can I find vaporizer at low price online?
Can a diabetic on insulin lose weight
By: Mary Lou | 20-09-2008
can a diabetic on insulin lose weight
How do I get information about SUPER FOODS aired
By: mannymathews | 20-09-2008
How do I get information about SUPER FOODS aired
How to take care of food poisoning
By: OhThePlacesYoullGo | 20-09-2008
I had food poisoning this week, and I'm not sure how quickly I can start eating real food again. I've been eating just toast and soup. It seems like it doesn't matter what I eat, I feel a bit nauseated afterwards and need to take a nap to get over it. But, at the same time, I want to eat real food. What is the next thing that I can eat, so I feel more satisfied, without causing myself problems? Could I eat cereal and milk?
Neurotransmitters
By: star200064 | 19-09-2008
how to help the neurotransmitters to work better with vitamins insted of medicine.
My nipples are cracked and I have never had a baby ...
By: I love jeffrey | 19-09-2008
my nipples are cracked and are always hard I have never had a baby or breastfed
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Diseases and Conditions Articles
What Are The Psychosis Symptoms?
By: Ronen David | 12/10/2008
Psychosis symptoms involve hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, mania and depression along with others.
Corn Allergy
By: nlwest21 | 11/10/2008
Corn allergy is not a very common allergy - but it can be a dangerous one. Many who suffer from this will have severe reactions.
Risk for Heart Disease
By: jeniferhobson | 11/10/2008
Heart disease kills approximate 700,000 Americans each year. But a lot of these deaths could be prevented if people take manage of their threat issues for this disease.
A number of the threat issues for heart disease can be controlled and some can not. That is why it is significant to know your risk issues and change your lifestyle to decrease them.
Care Plan for Diabetes
By: jeniferhobson | 11/10/2008
Men with diabetes face a number of health concerns, including raised threat of heart attacks and strokes and impotence.
On top of the age of 50, the likelihood of having difficulty with a creation occurs in about 50-60% of men with diabetes. In men over 70, 90% have erectile dysfunction troubles.
Leucoderma - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Remedies
By: jeniferhobson | 11/10/2008
Leucoderma also called vitiligo is a painful skin situation. In word language means white skin. There is a continuously loss of the pigment melanin from the skin layers which outcomes in white patches. These patches seem to be ugly in a body, particularly in persons with a dark skin.
Scoliosis Treatment in India: World Class Treatment at Third World Prices
By: julia | 11/10/2008
This article is about getting low cost scoliosis treatment in India
What Is The Right Anxiety Treatment?
By: Ronen David | 11/10/2008
You have been diagnosed with anxiety and you finally have a reason for the things that you have been feeling. You have a reason for the tremors and chest pains even for the hyperventilating that you experience in cases of extreme fear
Fertility Self Help How Self Hypnosis Can Really Help Fertility
By: J Seymour | 10/10/2008
Self hypnosis is a useful tool to fight infertility problems in addition to medical treatments by helping you to relax and reduce stress.
Health 
