Losing Hair

Losing Hair

Causes of Hair Loss
There are several reasons why you could be losing hair. The reason you are losing hair could be;

• Genetic predisposition
• Medication
• Aging
• Harsh chemicals and tight hairstyles
• Severe physical or emotional stress. This can arise after undergoing a stressful procedure such as a major surgery
• Hormonal changes such as those experienced during pregnancy, puberty, menopause or when taking oral contraceptives
• Changes in nutrition/ rapid weight loss
• Medical conditions such as thyroid disease and iron deficiency anemia
• Chemotherapy

Prevention:

If you are losing hair as a result of hormonal changes then you just have to wait it out. For loss after pregnancy you lose the most amount of hair at 3-4 months after pregnancy but the condition quickly resolves itself within several months. Your hair will be back to normal by the time your baby turns one year old.

Like everything else in the body, hair requires a balanced diet in order to grow. A poor diet can cause loss or worsen the situation in cases where there are other contributing factors. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and proteins will go a long way in helping you avoid losing hair. Foods that are rich in zinc and silica should be included in one's diet since they are helpful in promoting hair growth. Crash dieting for rapid weight loss should be avoided. Instead opt for a healthier lifestyle to lose those extra pounds/kilos.

Massaging the scalp with essential oils like rosemary and lavender is also helpful in preventing loss and stimulating new hair growth. Using shampoos that contain essential oils also prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth.

Avoid harsh hair products and styles that twist your hair too tight. Constant styling using curling irons or cornrows, braids and ponytails only make the situation worse by exacerbating hair loss. Use of tight hairstyles puts pressure on hair roots and if not dealt with it can lead to permanent loss especially along the hairline.

If the hair loss is being caused by some medication you are currently taking you can talk with the doctor and see whether it is possible to get it changed.

There are also several drugs that can be prescribed to help stall hair loss. These include Minoxidil (an over counter medication), Propecia and Avodart. Propecia and Avodart are meant for men although women sometimes use them. They should not be used by pregnant women or those still planning to get pregnant someday. 

These drugs are intended for long term use and it works by preventing further hair loss thus helping you maintain the remaining hair.

Is Rapid Weight Loss the Way to Go?

Many of us have wanted to lose weight and burn fat for a very long time. Many of us have also wanted to lose weight fast. Many of us have also used crash and fad diets, but only to gain more weight afterwards. 

Weight loss has been a trending topic for long now. I agree that we need to live healthy and look good. Everybody has a need to look good. Over and above that, feel great. To an overweight person, the promise of a slimmer and a healthier body means a lot. Overweight people just know how hard it is to get a pair of jeans from normal clothing department stores. They are also aware of how it is uncomfortable to eat in front of people, sitting there thinking of how everybody is talking about them and discussing how they are eating.

I have come across a lot of people who want to drop all of 15 pounds in a week. But is losing weight fast safe? Is it healthy? Is it even wise? Lets deal with these questions intently. Losing weight is just about what every overweight person dreams about. They talk about it and think about it all the time. Losing weight fast achieves one thing. A secondary effect. One may be able to drop those extra pounds fast and also feel energized and have more endurance. 

Lets pose more questions:

Would you want more long term results or short term results. Would you want results that make you happy now or later? Do you want to wow your friends, family and spouse now or later? I bet each one of you answered these questions with NOW. But that will produce short term weight loss. This is why - when you drop a lot of weight at once, you also lose your muscle. In fact, in addition to losing muscle, you lose a lot of water. Now your goal is to lose fat and develop muscle, right. 

Losing muscle is not what you want, you want to develop it so that you can use it to burn more calories, in turn burning fat. Neither do you also don't want to lose a lot of water because that will cause you to gain all the weight lost quickly. I have tried crash and fad diets and this is entirely true.

Weight loss should be enjoyable. You should be in love with yourself when you are eating healthy and working out. Most of weight loss successes, actually, have come from portion control of our food. This is through eating what you are used to but controlling the portions so that the calorie intake is less than your maintenance level while also working out at intervals. 

In conclusion, though rapid weight loss works, it is only short term. My advice to you is focus on long term results. With such, you will have a toned body in good shape, a vibrant smile, a feel good aura and improved self confidence. Device a weight loss program that will challenge you to follow consistently and work your way through a healthy life.