Diabetes and Hair Loss in Women

Diabetes is an illness where the glucose level in your bloodstream exceeds the normal level. This is a condition that you should control through exercise, medication as well as diet. Proper control of diabetes is important to prevent complications such as vascular problems, heart attack, stroke or alopecia. One result of complications from diabetes that you may not realize is hair loss. In women, this can indicate an advanced stage of diabetes or indicate diabetes in an undiagnosed individual. Therefore, you should be more cautious if you lose excessive hair since it can indicate a more serious health problem.

Women, men and children have around 100,000 hair strands on their heads. Normally, people lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair each day. If you lose hairs in excess of this normal level, it can be the result of health problems such as diabetes. It can also be the result of the use of certain medications, hormonal changes, thyroid problems and poor nutrition. When you see that hair loss is occurring, it is recommended to consult your physician about this condition. It is important to know the factors that probably the cause behind this condition. Then, you can take the necessary treatment to prevent more hair loss.

Facts about Hair Loss in Diabetics

Diabetics may experience anxiety and stress as the result of their condition. Hair loss is the manifestation of such stress and anxiety. In addition, the condition can also slow down your hair growth and thin the strands. These effects are often associated with stress and response to medications.

When your glucose level is higher than the normal, it can also affect your blood flow. The blood flow to certain parts of your body can be reduced. In the end, it will affect the oxygen and nutrient delivery. Compared to other parts of the body, your scalp is a part that gets one of the least amounts of blood flow. When your blood flow is reduced, your scalp receives the needed nutrients to produce healthy hair.
Women with diabetes typically have hair loss since it is related to the fluctuating hormone levels. They also have problems with their immune system due to the high glucose level. Their immune system has greater difficulty reacting against infections especially on the scalp. The scalp is also more prone to fungal diseases that include ringworm and other bacteria. This can also cause hair loss problems.

How to Control

You don't need to worry if you lose excessive hair due to diabetes. This medical problem can actually be managed. Following a proper diet is one of the ways to control your glucose level. Doing regular exercise and maintaining the ideal weight are also important in your effort to prevent complications from diabetes. In some cases, it may be necessary to take insulin or other medication to control the glucose level. These steps can help you reduce hair loss caused by diabetes. In addition, medical treatment is also needed to treat fungal infections caused by diabetes.