If you have a diabetes condition and suddenly start losing your hair, there is a possibility that you may be experiencing a diabetes-related hair loss. A careful look at the basic information and facts about hair loss and diabetes may help us understand better why there might be an actual connection between the two.
On Hair Basics
Before looking into the possible links between hair loss and diabetes, let us first examine and understand both their basics. Human head hair may seem to have no function other than for appearance. Still, the human hair is still a part of the human body, and thus, still stand to benefit or suffer from anything that is going on in the other parts of your body.
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.
Another factor of hair loss is through heredity and genetics. An estimated 95% of people suffering from hair loss have androgenetic alopecia, a hair loss condition brought about by hormonal activities in the body as well as by the individual’s genetic make-up. Since both androgenetic alopecia and diabetes are hereditary, it may be harder to pinpoint which is causing your hair loss. A look at balding relatives who are also diabetic may point to the direction that it is the diabetic condition that is causing the hair loss and not the androgenetic alopecia condition.
Diabetes with Hair Loss
The link between hair loss and diabetes may be best identified by examining the nature of diabetes and what it does to the body. Diabetes is the body’s condition in which people either cannot produce the insulin that our body needs or cannot respond properly to it. When a person has a diabetes condition, glucose cannot always enter the body cells to provide it with the energy it need. Since there is an excess of unused glucose, it will start accumulating in the bloodstream. Along with high blood sugar levels, fat deposits may now also begin to attach on blood vessel walls, ultimately clogging blood passageways. When blood passageways are clogged, improper blood flow and poor circulation circulation ensue.
As explained, the hair’s main source of nutrition is in the bloodstream. Poor blood circulation means unhealthy hair condition. Furthermore, poor blood flow can also result to infections and skin irritations among diabetics. And since scalp is part of the skin on our head, it is also gravely affected with hair loss as possible effect.
Dietary Conditions
People with both diabetes and hair loss may have a tougher time dealing with hair loss. Usual cases of hair loss are treated with nutritional supplementation and proper diet. Those with diabetes and hair loss however have to take into consideration the graver condition of diabetes. Eating an unregulated amount of even the most nutritious foods may result in drastic glucose spikes. Consult your doctor first before dealing with your hair loss.
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