Female Pattern Baldness

Female pattern baldness

Female pattern baldness involves a typical pattern of hair loss in women, due to hormones, aging, and genes.

Causes

A hair grows from its follicle at an average rate of about 1/2 inch per month. Each hair grows for 2 to 6 years, then rests, and then falls out. A new hair soon begins growing in its place.

Baldness occurs when hair falls out and normal new hair does not grow in its place. The reason for female pattern baldness is not well understood, but it may be related to:

1. Aging
2. Changes in the levels of androgens (male hormones). For example, after reaching menopause, many women find that the hair on their head is thinner, while the hair on their face is coarser.
3. Family history of male or female pattern baldness

Hair loss can occur in women for reasons other than female pattern baldness, including the following:

1. Breaking of hair (from treatments and twisting or pulling of hair, or hair shaft abnormalities that are present from birth)
2. Certain skin diseases that lead to scarring of the hair follicles
3. Certain autoimmune diseases
4. Hormone problems, such as too much testosterone, or too much or too little thyroid hormone
5. Too little iron
6. Too little vitamin B (biotin) or other vitamin deficiency
7. Medications such as chemotherapy and beta blockers
8. Patchy hair loss (alopecia areata)
9. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection
10. Temporary shedding of hair after a major illness, surgery, or pregnancy

Symptoms

Hair thinning is different from that of male pattern baldness. In female pattern baldness:

1. Hair thins mainly on the top and crown of the scalp. It usually starts with a widening through the center hair part.
2. The front hairline remains
3. The hair loss rarely progresses to total or near total baldness, as it may in men

Itching or skin sores on the scalp are generally NOT seen.

Exams and Tests

Female pattern baldness is usually diagnosed based on:

1. Ruling out other causes of hair loss
2. The appearance and pattern of hair loss
3. Your medical history

The doctor will examine you for other signs of too much male hormone (androgen), such as:

1. Abnormal new hair growth, such as on the face or between the belly button and pubic area.
2. Changes in menstrual periods and enlargement of the clitoris
3. New acne

A skin biopsy or other procedures or blood tests may be used to diagnose skin disorders that cause hair loss.

Looking at the hair under a microsope may be done to check for arsenic or lead. Looking at the hair this way does not accurately diagnose nutritional problems.

Treatment

The hair loss in female pattern baldness is permanent, if not treated. In most cases, hair loss is mild to moderate. You do not need treatment if you are comfortable with your appearance.

MEDICATION

The only medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness is minoxidil. It is applied to the scalp.

• For women, the 2% concentration is recommended.
• Minoxidil may help hair grow in about 1 in 4 or 5 of women. In most women it may slow or stop hair loss.
• You must continue to use this medicine for a long time. Hair loss starts again when you stop using it.

If minoxidil does not work, your doctor may recommend a medicine called spironolactone, taken by mouth:

• Spironolactone may help if your hair loss is caused by too much androgen, a male hormone.
• The drug is not FDA-approved for female baldness.
• It can cause increased potassium levels in the blood. It should not be used in women with kidney failure or who are pregnant.

HAIR TRANSPLANTS

Hair transplants remove tiny plugs of hair from areas where hair is thicker, and place them in areas that are balding. This can cause minor scarring where the hair is removed, and carries a slight risk for skin infection. You will likely need many transplants. This can be expensive. However, the results are often excellent and permanent.

The use of hair implants made of artificial fibers was banned by the FDA because of the high rate of infection.

Stitching (suturing) hair pieces to the scalp is not recommended. It can result in scars, infections, and abscess of the scalp.

Hair weaving, hairpieces, or a change in hairstyle may disguise hair loss and improve your appearance. This is often the least expensive and safest way to deal with female pattern baldness.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Female pattern baldness is usually not a sign of an underlying medical disorder.

Some women say it the baldness affects their self-esteem and may cause anxiety.

Hair loss is usually permanent.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor or nurse if you have hair loss and it continues, especially if you also have itching, skin irritation, or other symptoms. There might be a treatable medical cause for the hair loss.

Prevention

There is no known prevention for female pattern baldness.

Alternative Names

Alopecia in women; Baldness - female; Hair loss in women; Androgenetic alopecia in women

by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD,

4 Effective Acne Home Remedies to Reduce Acne Pimples and Black Spots on Your Skin!

I am sure there are times when you must have had to put up with the nightmare of acne. Those black spots and gigantic acne pimples popping up on your body and face can be really embarrassing to you. Sometimes you might not want to go outdoors because of the outbreaks on your skin. If you are in a situation like this, then I guess today is your lucky day. There are some acne home remedies that are very effective in reducing your acne pimples and black spot. Here are 4 of them:

Home remedy #1 - Proper Hygiene: 

  The first and foremost of these acne home remedies for combating acne pimples and black spots is keeping your skin clean. If you have an oily skin, then you must ensure that you wash your face at least twice a day. Make sure that you use a gentle wash that has salicylic acid in it. This would exfoliate your skin and prevent it from drying out.

Home remedy #2 - Increase Your Water Intake:

   I am sure you must have heard this one. If you want your skin to look glowing and beautiful, then you should ensure that you drink a lot of water daily. Medical researchers recommend at least 8 - 10 glasses of water per day to help remove the toxins in your body that causes acne pimples and to keep you skin hydrated.

Home remedy #3 - Apply Garlic:

   I know the smell of garlic is very weird and annoying but applying garlic on your face can kill acne causing bacteria on the surface of your skin. Just wash a clove of garlic and grind it, then apply all over your face. You would be amazed at the results.

Home remedy #4- Apply Lime Juice and Rose Water: 

  The moment you discover that your pimples are drying out apply a small amount of lime juice and rose water on them. Doing this would prevent acne scars from forming on your skin.

Following these easy acne home remedies would reduce the intensity of your acne. If you really want to remove acne of your skin completely then you should use a double combination method to combat your acne condition. What I mean is both on the skin surface and inside your body.

By Temi Olatunde

6 Effective Ways to Reduce Belly Fat Without Breaking a Sweat

  You may always be thinking what are some of the effective ways to reduce belly fat while admiring those models in the magazines. Most people would kill for those 6-pack abs or those flat bellies on super models. But I have news for you: you might already have them and none of these steps involve exercising "yet".

You see, the fastest way to get six pack abs is really to lose those fats that are hiding them. Most men have their six pack abs already, but they are just hidden by a layer of fats. I bet it never really crossed your mind. Time to sit up and take note of these very simple tips to shed your belly fats.

Here are five simple tips that can help you uncover those six pack abs:

1. Cutting your calorie intake

We tend to eat more than we really need. This is a natural human conditioning as part of our evolutionary fight for survival. We need to eat till we are stuffed before our brain allows us to stop eating. But remember, you are in charge here. You can stop yourself once you are no longer hungry. More importantly, become aware of how many calories you are taking in. You need not know how to calculate the exact amount you are consuming, but at least find the right kind of food that does not contribute to higher calories.

2. Cut down on sweets

Most men think that they do not take sweets. Most women confess they have a weakness for confectioneries. But really, sweets are everywhere. That can of cola that you are drinking can contain as much as 7 spoonfuls of sugar. Tell me you don't take sweets! How many cubes with your coffee, how many bottles of ketchup you take? You have to absolutely reduce your sweets intake.

3. Cut down on food that contributes to high carbohydrate

You really do not need to finish all the fries on the plate. Potato, bread, rice and noodles are pure carbohydrate. They are essential, but certainly not in huge quantities. Continue your carbohydrate intake, but cut down to smaller portions. For fast food lovers, so sorry to say that you have to really cut down on those french fries that we have all grown to love.

4. Drink lots of water

Water helps to keep our internal systems in top working condition. It flushes out the toxins and brings food (fuel) around our bodies. Also, it burns calories as the body tries to warm up the water. Most importantly, when you are thirsty, your body sometimes interpret it as you are hungry.

5. Eat smaller meals, but eat more often

Instead of 3 solid meals a day, try to break them into smaller meals. In this way, you are training your body to realize that it does not need to store food (fats). Instead, the body learns that food is always available when its hungry. This helps to boost your metabolic rate and cuts down on fat build up.

6. Breakfast should be your daily priority

Breakfast is one of the most important element in your quest to shed off your gut. I shall not need to go into details but you have to understand that for most people who missed their breakfast, the potential of going hungry very quickly can cause a person to compromise those healthy food and may lead us to over consumption of unhealthy, fatty food.

These 6 effective ways to reduce belly fat may sound easy but ask yourself, how many of us really keep to any of these 6 ways. Choose any step to follow, get discipline, and each time you have finally manage to keep, include any step and so on. Once you begin to see the results, I strongly believe you will have bigger faith and stronger control towards getting that elusive 6 pack abs.

By Andrew Choong

Natural Kidney Stone Treatment

The kidney stones may be small and pass unnoticed out of the urinary tract, but they may also cause extreme pain upon exiting. Kidney stones are a collection of any of these four types of chemical substances; calcium, uric acid, cystine and strurite. These substances are normally found in the urine and do not cause problems at lower levels. Most people have calcium stones, while cystine is not common and rare. Just like the name, kidney stones actually form like a stone. Stones can occur in a variety of sizes, ranging from the size of grains of sand to as large as a golf ball. When the stones are small it can pass through your urine when you go to the bathroom you may not even notice. Larger stones may be difficult to pass. They get lodge in the ureter tubes, which will require treatment or surgery.

Kidney stones can be caused by an assortment of reasons, but the most common reason is not drinking an adequate amount of water. Carbonated drinks and soda pop will only make the condition worse. Stones may also be a genetic trait or medical conditions such as serve intestine or urinary tract infections, bowel disease are causes as well.

Symptoms may not become evident while the kidney stones are small. As stones increase in size serve pain in the side, back and groin/genital area become noticeable. Fevers, stomach aches, burning feeling during urination, blood in urine, chills, nausea, vomiting and frequent urination are also common.

If you experience any of these symptoms a complete and thorough exam should be preformed by a doctor. A doctor will properly diagnose the possibility of kidney stones with urine, blood, and imaging tests to help determine your treatment options.

In less serious cases of kidney stones a doctor may recommend a natural stone treatment or home remedy. There certainly are numerous home remedies with unknown results. Natural kidney stone treatments may or may not be effective, which treatment to attempt first, whether to combine remedies or remain consistent is the question. Experiment and see what works best for you as every kidney stone condition is different.

1. Try cutting out coffee, sodas and carbonated drinks from your daily diet and replace it with water. Drink between 8-10 glasses of water a day.
2. Drink beverages containing lemons everyday. Whether you drink real lemonade, lemon juice or just water with a few lemon slices, the acidic nature helps in dissolving kidney stones.
3. Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water in a disposable bottle. Be sure to drink this substance before every meal throughout the day for 2 weeks.
4. Consume cola in moderation. The phosphoric acid in cola is known for dissolving kidney stones naturally, but too much may actually lead to more stones. Drink cola when you are struggling to pass a stone, but otherwise limit your cola intake.
5. Before bedtime take a capsule of I-Lysine. I-Lysine will help distribute the calcium, strengthen your immune/circulatory system during the night.
6. A watermelon cleansing has been known to naturally remove stones. First remove a few seeds from the watermelon and place them in a cup of boiling water. Let the seeds absorb the water and cool down, then remove the seeds from the cup and enjoy. Use new watermelon seeds for each cup of tea.
7. Use diuretic tea to dissolve stones. Diuretic tea is a mixture of herbs and hot water that encourages your body to urinate often, helping to flush out the stones.
8. Combine dandelion, fennel seed, corn silk, oat straw and nettle leaf together in a bowl.-Boil 1 qt. (.95 L) of water. Mix it with 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) of the herb mixture. -Cover the mixture with a lid. Let it sit for 20 minutes. -Pour the mixture through a strainer or coffee filter over a tea cup. This will remove the herbs, allowing you to drink the hot water in which they were steeped. - Drink a cup of the tea in the morning, and a cup at night.
9. Take time to relax and rest. Kidney stones are not going to disappear overnight. It is going to take some time for your body to return back to normal.
10. Drink cranberry juice. This beverage features polyphenolic compounds that can dissolve stones and flush them out of the body through the urine.
11. Make a tea specifically for dissolving kidney stones.
12. Mix hydrangea, cramp bark and wild yam in a pan. Add 48 oz. (1.4 L) of water. - Boil the mixture. Then lower the heat to a simmer for 15 minutes. - Remove the pan from the stove. - Add corn silk, joe-pye weed, yarrow leaf and plantain leaf. Cover the pan with a lid and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes. - Filter or strain the herbs out of the water. To dissolve stones, drink up to 4 servings of this tea per day. Keep the leftover tea refrigerated.

By Pat K Noack