Hair loss is a phase of the normal hair growth cycle; when strands reach their endpoint, they shed and are replaced with new ones. However, if these replacements do not occur, they can result in visible balding or thinning on certain parts of your scalp.
Unfortunately, this condition affects countless people throughout the world – but there may be some solutions available to help you manage it!
A variety of elements can influence hair growth, including stress levels, hormones, raised blood sugar readings, and health issues like diabetes.
In this enlightening piece, we will explore how diabetes directly influences hair health and outline the potential regimens for reversing thinning. We’ll also analyze other physical ramifications of having diabetes.
Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a collective term for various illnesses that influence the way our body uses and regulates blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is an energy source to stimulate muscle and tissue growth and fuel important brain functions.
Owing to the distinctive nature of each type of diabetes, its underlying causes may differ. Nonetheless, in all cases, it can lead to an excessive concentration of sugar in your blood flow – a health hazard that carries grave consequences if not appropriately managed.
Two types of diabetes tend to be long-term: type 1 and 2. On the other hand, prediabetes and gestational diabetes can be reversed if the proper steps are taken.
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels exceed normal amounts but aren’t high enough to qualify as full-on diabetes yet; it may lead to life-long problems unless addressed quickly. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy but should disappear once the baby is born.
Diabetes is a condition caused by the body not producing enough insulin or being unable to use it effectively. This means that too much sugar remains in your bloodstream, leading to long-term health complications such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease if left unmanaged.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes yet. However, reducing weight and being more active in combination with eating a balanced diet can significantly improve symptoms of the disease.
Hair Loss Causes and Symptoms
Different things can bring on different types of hair loss. In general, hair loss is caused by a combination of factors such as genetics, hormones, and stress levels. It is also possible for certain medications or medical treatments to cause hair loss in some individuals.
The most common type of hair loss is male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), typically characterized by a receding hairline and thinning on the crown. Other types of alopecia include alopecia areata, which causes patchy baldness, and telogen effluvium, which can cause the sudden shedding of large amounts of hair. Common symptoms and signs of hair loss include thinning, bald spots, and total hair loss.
The Relationship Between Diabetes and Hair Loss
High levels of blood sugar can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels inside your scalp, resulting in poor circulation and reducing the amount of oxygen received by hair follicles.
These follicles struggle to produce new hair growth without adequate oxygen, leading to a thinning crown or bald spots. High glucose levels can also increase inflammation in the body, leading to hair loss.
Studies have also shown that people with diabetes are more likely to suffer from alopecia areata. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks its hair follicles and prevents new hair growth.
It is thought that this may be caused by the body’s inability to control blood sugar levels, resulting in an overactive immune system.
Other Factors Contributing to Hair Loss in Diabetics
While diabetes is indeed a common factor behind hair loss, there are many other possible explanations for why someone could be experiencing thinning of their locks, including:
Stress
While some stress is a part of our daily lives, having high levels over an extended period can take its toll on the body. It can disturb hormone production and cause many worrisome symptoms, such as:
- Increased aches and pains
- Fatigue
- Inability to focus
- Emotional changes
- Difficulty sleeping
Furthermore, unmanaged stress can cause the regular hair growth cycle to become disrupted, resulting in increased levels of shedding. Severe and chronic stress might also contribute to the developing of Alopecia areata.
If you have received a diabetes diagnosis or have been managing it for some time now, you know how stressful the process is – whether with diabetes or not! It’s important to manage your stress as best as you can to prevent hair loss and other health issues from appearing.
Hormones
Hair loss does not always stem from stress; hormonal imbalances are sometimes its source. For example, women may experience hair thinning or baldness during menopause when their reproductive hormone levels deplete. Similarly, male androgen levels might decrease with age, causing them to lose hair over time.
Besides hormonal issues such as hypothyroidism, having an autoimmune disorder can also increase the chances of encountering Alopecia areata. Hypothyroidism is a particular type of autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid and related hormones in a destructive way.
People with conditions like type 1 diabetes or hypothyroidism have been found to be at greater risk for hair loss due to Alopecia areata.
Alopecia Areata
If you’re suffering from alopecia areata, your immune system is mistakenly attacking the healthy hair follicles in your body. This leads to damaged follicles that can’t hold onto existing hairs or generate new ones.
It’s an unfortunate consequence of our bodies sometimes mistaking harmless objects for threats and trying to fight them off.
Although there is no definitive cure for alopecia areata, the good news is that its damage to hair follicles can be reversed. Also, if it doesn’t grow back naturally, many effective treatments are available today to help restore your hair.
Poor Circulation
Diabetes patients can have impaired blood circulation due to the deterioration of their blood vessels. This decreases the number of red cells and oxygen being carried throughout your body, especially in areas like hands or feet.
Poor circulation can not only cause hair loss, but it may also lead to an array of other uncomfortable symptoms, such as:
- Slow-healing wounds
- Brittle nails
- Dry and cracked skin
- Cold hands and feet
- Tingling in hands and feet
If you’re looking to enhance your blood circulation, a few easy strategies can help. Such as:
- Frequent exercise breaks
- Stopping smoking
- Eating foods high in iron, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids
- Keeping blood sugars at healthy levels
- Wearing compression socks
Side Effects of Medication
While medications may relieve certain ailments, they can also lead to an unfortunate side effect: hair loss. Common culprits of this symptom include:
- High blood pressure medications
- Blood thinners
- Cholesterol-lowering medications
- Antibiotics and antifungal medications
- Some contraception drugs
- Anticonvulsants
- Cancer medications and chemotherapy
- Acne medications, particularly those containing vitamin A
Don’t let this short list of medications deceive you – many more can cause hair loss. If any of the ones listed above apply to you, or if your hair loss may be connected to one of your prescriptions, discuss potential solutions with your doctor, such as trying a different medication or alternate interventions.
Preventing Hair Loss in Diabetics
Recommendations for maintaining healthy hair despite having diabetes include:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Controlling blood sugar levels
- Managing stress levels
- Avoid smoking
Additionally, taking the necessary steps to prevent hair loss can benefit those with diabetes. This may include using special shampoos and conditioners or avoiding tight hairstyles like ponytails.
Finally, if you are experiencing any type of persistent hair loss, it is important to speak with a dermatologist or other healthcare professional. They can advise on the best treatments that may help prevent further damage and preserve your scalp health.
Lifestyle changes that may help prevent or slow down hair loss include maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, blood sugar control, managing stress, and avoiding smoking. Additionally, using specialized shampoos or conditioners and avoiding tight hairstyles can help protect the scalp from further damage.
If you are still experiencing persistent hair loss, speak with a dermatologist or healthcare professional to discuss treatment options that may be right for you. Proper management and care allow for maintaining healthy hair despite having diabetes.
Managing Your Hair Loss
If you’re dealing with hair loss due to diabetes, here are some remedies that may help:
Biotin
Diabetes can potentially lead to biotin deficiency, causing levels in the body to dip below recommended amounts.
Biotin also recognized as vitamin B7 or H can be found in a selection of nutritious foods, including:
- eggs
- onions
- almonds
- peanuts
- oats
- sweet potatoes
There is credible evidence that biotin supplementation may be an effective treatment for hair loss in individuals with a biotin deficiency.
Before taking biotin supplements, however, make sure to discuss with your doctor first.
Medications
If you are suffering from alopecia, your doctor may advise a course of steroid medications to reduce inflammation and promote healthy hair growth.
A dermatologist or skincare expert may suggest utilizing a topical drug like minoxidil (Rogaine) for hair loss. This substance must be applied directly onto the scalp and other affected areas to be effective.
Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve finasteride (Propecia) for those assigned females at birth, people who were assigned males at birth have been able to utilize this pill as a means of hair regrowth.
Hairpieces and Wigs
If you are experiencing significant hair loss over a wide area of your scalp, consider adorning yourself with a wig or hairpiece for now. This is an effortless way to cover bald spots that can be easily removed when no longer desired.
Exercise
Enjoying a daily dose of exercise is an excellent way to keep your blood sugar levels in check and promote oxygen flow throughout the body, including within the scalp.
Here are some excellent exercises to get you started:
- calisthenics
- yoga
- walking
- weightlifting
- swimming
Treatment Options for Hair Loss in Diabetics
Medical treatments available for managing hair loss associated with diabetes
include topical ointments, steroids, minoxidil, and light therapy. Topical treatments such as minoxidil or steroid creams can be applied directly to the scalp to encourage hair growth.
Light therapy using low-level lasers is another option for managing hair loss associated with diabetes. This treatment sends low-energy laser beams directly onto the scalp, which can help encourage new hair growth.
Finally, medications such as finasteride or dutasteride may also be prescribed to stop further hair loss and promote new growth. These drugs are taken orally and work by blocking the production of DHT, a hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink.
These treatments should only be used as prescribed by a healthcare professional, and it is important to note that none of these treatments is guaranteed to work. It is best to talk with your doctor about the most appropriate treatment.
Conclusion
Hair loss is a common complication for people with diabetes. Although no single cause for hair loss exists, lifestyle factors like diet, stress levels, and smoking can contribute to the problem.
Making lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet and controlling high blood sugar levels is essential for preventing or slowing down hair loss in diabetics.
Additionally, managing stress levels, avoiding smoking, and using specialized shampoos or conditioners can help protect the scalp from further damage.
If you are still experiencing persistent hair loss, speaking with a dermatologist or healthcare professional is important to discuss treatment options that may be right for you. Proper management and care allow maintaining healthy hair despite having diabetes.
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