Show 1181: How to Keep Your Hair from Falling Out скачать в хорошем качестве

Show 1181: How to Keep Your Hair from Falling Out

Do you love your hair the way it is? Many of us wish our hair were different–curlier, straighter, darker or lighter. But what people worry about most with their hair is when they lose it. Can you keep your hair from falling out? Why does hair loss affect some people, including women as well as men? Why do others seem relatively unaffected? What’s the latest update on low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss? While there is some familial component to male pattern baldness (despite the name, it affects women too), the exact genetics are unclear. Other causes of hair loss include autoimmune disease such as alopecia areata or hormone imbalance such as thyroid disorders. Pregnancy is a common cause of hair loss after delivery. That’s because the hair that has been in anagen phase (growing) shifts to telogen phase in which the hair follicle rests and the hair is no longer growing. Stress can also make hair fall out. What Can You Do About Hair Loss? This week’s New England Journal of Medicine (Oct. 15, 2025) has an article titled: “Hair Loss in Women (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41092...) “ The author of this article is Dr. Elise A. Olsen, a dermatologist at Duke University. She is Founder and Director of the Duke Dermatopharmacology Study Center. Here is how she introduces the problem: “Female-pattern hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss in women. The prevalence of this condition is 3 to 12% among women of European descent in their 20s and 30s, 14 to 28% among those in their 50s, and 56% among those older than 70 years of age.” In other words, women lose hair as they age just as many men do. You will shortly read about some of the causes of hair loss. But in this update I want to cut right to the chase and tell you what Dr. Olsen recommends for treating “Female-Pattern Hair Loss.” She first mentions 2% topical minoxidil solution applied two times a day or a 5% topical foam applied once a day. Dr. Olsen mentions side effects such as contact dermatitis or hair growth on the face. She goes on to describe low-dose oral minoxidil (5 mg or less) on a daily basis. Dr. Olsen says that a 1 mg dose of oral minoxidil is “at least as effective as a daily application of a 5% topical minoxidil solution.” She goes on to describe side effects: “Although low-dose oral minoxidil has no substantial effect on blood pressure in most persons, women may benefit from starting at a dose of 1.25 mg per day or less and escalating slowly as long as unacceptable side effects do not occur. Peripheral edema [fluid accumulation and swelling] and hypertrichosis [unwanted hair growth], both of which can manifest after approximately 2 to 4 months of treatment and are dose related, have been reported in 1.1% and 15.1% of patients, respectively.” If you would like to read Dr. Olsen’s entire article you will need access to the New England Journal of Medicine (Oct. 15, 2025) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41092...) . Your dermatologist may be able to provide you a copy. It is an excellent overview of Female-Pattern Hair Loss. Your doctor may wish to read it herself. This overview goes on to discuss the use of the diuretic spironolactone and the antifungal agent ketoconazole. A ketoconazole shampoo is sold over the counter as Nizoral and Dr. Olsen states that a ketoconazole “shampoo is commonly prescribed for female-pattern hair loss.” What Causes Hair Loss? Treating the conditions that trigger hair loss can be helpful. That’s why the first test might be for thyroid function. Once a thyroid imbalance is corrected, the hair loss will generally improve. Infection and fever can also lead to hair loss. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/h...) : “Most people see noticeable hair shedding two to three months after having a fever or illness. Handfuls of hair can come out when you shower or brush your hair. This hair shedding can last for six to nine months before it stops. Most people then see their hair start to look normal again and stop shedding.” Telogen Effluvium: Dermatologists call temporary hair loss due to stress or a shock to the system “telogen effluvium.” The word telogen means “resting.” Your hair goes through various cycles of growth. The “anagen” phase is active, when the follicle is working hard to create and grow a hair. It can last for years. The “catagen” phase is a transition phase that just lasts a few weeks. It is followed by the “telogen” phase. Think of this stage a bit like resting or hibernation. The hair stays in the follicle, but is no longer growing. Eventually, the old hair falls out. That is called the “exogen” phase. Effluvium is dermspeak for hair loss. So telogen effluvium means excessive hair shedding brought on by stress, infection, childbirth, weight loss, surgery, medications and a who...