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Does Scleroderma Cause Hair Loss

Causes Of Hair Loss In Women

Mayo Clinic Minute: Expert advice for women with thinning hair

In 90 % of women, shedding occurs on the entire scalp. In the other 10 %, the hair loss is seen in the front and sides of the head as seen in men. However, complete baldness is usually not observed, as is usually the case with men, which may lead to late discovery of hair loss issues. The reason for late discovery of hair loss is that the front hairline is mostly protected in women. Hair loss progresses in the form of thinning and shedding of hair.

Hair loss in women can sometimes begin during puberty. If hair loss is accompanied by menstrual irregularities, acne and body hair growth, then hormonal values should be checked. The causes of hair loss in women are divided into two groups as permanent and temporary hair loss.

Genetic reasons such as iron deciency, anemia, various systemic disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary can trigger permanent hair loss.

Postpartum complications, feverish diseases, postoperative complications, some medications and stress are among the primary reasons for the temporary increase of hair loss in women.

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Alcohol Can Increase Estrogen Levels

Particularly in men, but also in women, an increase in estrogen levels can cause hair loss. This is because estrogen minimizes the effects of testosterone. Testosterone converts to DHT which is a key factor in male pattern baldness. Therefore low levels of estrogen mean that there is less available to counteract testosterone. Hair loss caused by fluctuating estrogen levels tends to be all over the head in patches, which is again why alcoholics often have what looks like all-over thin and patchy hair.

Common But Overlooked Causes For Hair Loss

I was talking with a friend the other day who said she is experiencing hair loss, and that it is very disappointing to her because it appears to be getting worse. She was leaning on me for advice because she said, I cant look in the mirror anymore.She has tried all the expensive shampoos, and color treatments, she has asked her doctor, and she has finally retreated to the reality of losing her hair, when she is still a very pretty woman in her mid 70s. Basically, shes given up hope for restoration.

Within minutes I was able to discern the problem for her, and arm her with information to regrow her hair.

Todays article is to help you too. Id like to show you some more possible causes for your own hair loss in case youve given up hope yourself. Its not always because of advancing age, although that is one obvious reason.An estimated 100 hairs are shed every day! Thats hard to believe, but its true. If youre not growing new hairs, the hair loss becomes more evident. So hair loss and hair growth are two different things. You cant stop the shedding, thats natural, but you do have some control over new hair growth. You also have a little control over factors that lead to excessive hair shedding, maybe not stem cells but certainly other factors. The stem cell theory is brand new!

Statin Use.

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Role In Medical Treatments

Aside from aesthetic treatments, collagen is also theorized to help with managing conditions like atherosclerosis, or the narrowing of arteries leading to the heart. Collagen helps the arteries around the heart maintain their structure, which reduces their stiffness. This can help reduce the risk of experiencing heart attacks.

A more direct way of replacing collagen in your skin is via collagen replacement therapy. Highly purified bovine collagen is injected directly into the skin, which can help reduce wrinkles, promote further collagen production, and improve the overall firmness and appearance of the skin.

Collagen is also one of the compounds used for major reconstructive surgery, as its a compatible substance that can be easily integrated with existing skin. Synthetic and animal-based derivatives of collagen are also biocompatible with the human body, which gives doctors and dermatologists plenty of options when using collagen for medical treatments.

When Scleroderma Affects Internal Organs

Scleroderma And Hair Loss / Amino Acids for Hair Loss

Some types of scleroderma affect the skin and internal organs like the lungs and kidneys. The following symptoms can be a warning sign that scleroderma is affecting an internal organ:

Digestive system

  • Shortness of breathe

  • Lack of sex drive

If you have any of these, you should see a dermatologist, rheumatologist, or other doctor who treats scleroderma. The sooner you are diagnosed and treated, the better your outcome.

ImagesImages 1,5, and 12 used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Images used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology:

  • Image 2: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 64:217-28.

  • Image 4: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 60:248-55.

  • Image 6: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000 43:670-74.

  • Image 8: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 67:769-84.

  • Image 9: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 59:385-96.

  • Image 10: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 54:880-2.

  • Image 11: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 65:1-12.

ReferencesDenton, CP and Black CM. Scleroderma . In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:1553-62.

Falanga V and Killoran CE. Morphea. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:543-6.

Fett N and Werth VP. Update on morphea: Part I. Epidemiology, clinical presentation, and pathogenesis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 64:217-28.

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Why Do I Sometimes Develop Sores On My Fingers Toes And Elbows

These sores are called digital ulcers and are caused when excess collagen collects on the inside of blood vessels causing them to narrow and restrict blood flow. They occur most often on the fingertips but can develop anywhere on the finger or toe when the skin in stretched too tight. Sores can also appear at pressure points, like elbows. Sores may be very painful and can make it difficult to use your hands or other parts of your body.

Answer: Patient Has Scleraderma

This disease is know to cause hair loss. If your hair is thinning, hair transplants will not work, but scalp micropigmentaiton will work nicely in such diseases to make your hair thicker . If your problem is only thinning, this technique may solve your problem . As you are in the Los Angeles area, come in for a private, free consultation to see if what we have will solve your problem.

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What Can I Do To Limit Reflux

  • Dont eat within two hours of bed time.
  • Move the main meal towards midday
  • Eat more frequent small meals instead of one or two large meals.
  • Eat sitting up.
  • Eat slowly.
  • Chew food thoroughly.
  • Drink sips of water between bites and make sure each mouthful is fully swallowed before taking the next bite.
  • Avoid carbonated drinks. They will fill your stomach with air and push the contents up.
  • Dont exercise after eating.
  • Elevate the head of the bed at least four inches by placing it on wooden blocks. Just propping your head up on pillows wont work because it doesnt lift your esophagus above your stomach. Pillows should be wedged from the low back upward to avoid bending the neck or torso.
  • Limit actions that increase pressure on your stomach such as bending, vigorous exercise or tight clothing.
  • Try to keep your body weight within a healthy range. An overweight abdomen can put pressure on your stomach.

How Is Scleroderma Diagnosed

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The diagnosis of scleroderma is not always easy. Because it can affect other parts of the body â such as the joints â scleroderma may be initially mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

After discussing your personal family medical history, your doctor will perform a thorough physical examination. In doing so, he or she will be looking for any of the symptoms mentioned above, especially thickening or hardening of the skin around the fingers and toes or discoloration of the skin. If scleroderma is suspected, tests will be ordered to confirm the diagnosis, as well as to determine the severity of the disease. These tests may include:

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What Are The Symptoms Of Scleroderma

In addition to the thickening of skin, the following other symptoms may occur in a person with scleroderma:

  • Swelling of the hands and feet
  • Red spots on the skin
  • Excessive calcium deposition in the skin
  • Joint contractures
  • Fatigue
  • Hair loss

In addition to these symptoms, 2 other conditionsâRaynaud’s phenomenon and Sjögren’s syndromeâalso affect patients with scleroderma. Approximately 85% to 95% of scleroderma patients experience Raynaud’s phenomenon. However, primary Raynaud’s phenomenon is common and often occurs by itself without any underlying connective tissue disorder. Only 10% of patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon will develop scleroderma.

Sjögren’s syndrome is manifested by dry eyes and mouth. This dryness is due to lack of secretion of tears and saliva as a result of immune damage and destruction of the moisture-producing glands of the body. This condition is named after the Swedish eye doctor, Henrik Sjögren, who first described it. It is seen in approximately 20% of patients with scleroderma.

Medical Serums And Supplements

Serums and creams specifically formulated to manage hair loss have become more popular in the past ten years, such as products like PEP Factor. PEP Factor products are creams or serums composed of peptides, nutrients, and other growth compounds that may encourage skin rejuvenation in the face and scalp. Its been used to treat cases of acute and chronic hair loss and may help manage the progression of certain skin conditions.

PEP Factor products are easy to use and integrate into a patients daily skincare routine, which allows them greater freedom and versatility with how to manage their hair fall. PEP Factor products are also relatively accessible and can be recommended as a clinical or home remedy for patients.

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I Am Often Too Tired For Sex And Experience Discomfort During The Act What Can I Do

Fatigue is a frequent problem and can seriously alter your sex life. Like any activity that is important to you, you may need to pace yourself and rest up to continue your sex life.

The vagina can become dry with less lubrication during arousal. This can make sex uncomfortable or even painful. Vaginal lubricants can be bought in most drugstores and are very helpful. Its important to look at other causes of vaginal dryness before blaming Scleroderma. Menopause and the drop in female hormones that goes with it can also cause vaginal dryness. If this is the case, an estrogen replacement in pill form or in a vaginal cream may be helpful.

Some women find sex painful because they cant find a comfortable position. Symptoms of reflux can be made worse by lying flat and having the weight of a body on top. Joints may feel stiff and not move as easily. A warm bath may help. Being open to new positions or activities are also important.

Complications Of Localised Scleroderma

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Usually, localised scleroderma does not cause any complications. But can be linked to the systemic sclerosis form of scleroderma which involves internal organs.

Some types of localised scleroderma may affect not only the skin but the tissues directly underneath it such as bone or muscle. This only happens in the deeper types of scleroderma . In this situation, the scleroderma can affect growth in the underlying tissues and so may cause some degree of deformity. About one third of people with deep localised scleroderma have this type of problem. Rarely, if the affected skin is located on the head, the brain or eye can be affected.

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How Does The Disease Itself Present

A very small proportion of patients with sarcoidosis are asymptomatic. About 50% have lung symptoms of some kind . Some patients have fever and weight loss. A variety of other symptoms are possible depending on the organ affected. Sometimes the skin is the first site of involvement. Therefore, dermatologists need to understand the different ways this disease presents itself so that they can help make the diagnosis in early stages.

Conventional Treatments For Scleroderma

Traditional medicine will not treat the underlying cause of scleroderma. Typically, a drug or treatment will be prescribed for each different symptom, instead of treating your body as a whole. For example, Raynauds Phenomenon may be treated with drugs such as calcium channel blockers or drugs called PDE-5 inhibitors which open up narrowed blood vessels and improve circulation. Muscle pain and weakness may be treated with immunosuppressive medications, which can leave you vulnerable to infections and other dangerous side effects. A doctor may also prescribe proton-pump inhibitors for acid reflux.

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Alopecia And Autoimmune Diseases

Distinctive histopathologic findings in linear morphea alopecia. Similar follicular remnants have been reported in chemotherapy-induced permanent alopecia but not in alopecia secondary to morphea or other cicatricial alopecias. Journal of Cutaneous Pathology.

Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy : More Common Than You Think. Gluten-sensitive enteropathy commonly manifests as “silent” celiac disease . Serologic tests for antibodies against endomysium, transglutaminase, and gliadin identify most patients with the disease. Gluten-sensitivity can also cause alopecia by an immunologic attack on hair follicles. American Family Physician.

What Are Some Esophageal Problems

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Difficulty swallowing:

Difficulty swallowing food is called dysphagia. Food gets stuck somewhere in the passage between the mouth and the stomach. There isnt enough muscle power in the esophagus to move the food to the stomach. Drinking a glass of water can help wash the food down. Taking smaller bits of food and chewing food longer than usual can also help.

Normally dysphagia is not painful, but it can be uncomfortable. If it does hurt, its possible you have developed an ulcer on the esophagus or an infection. Ulcers can occur from repeated exposure to stomach acid caused by reflux

Reflux and Heartburn:

Reflux is a backwards flow of stomach acid moving back up into the esophagus. Normally stomach acid stays in your stomach because it is blocked from going up by the lower esophageal sphincter. When a person has a reflux problem, the sphincter is too weak to hold the acid back.

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that is caused by stomach acid moving backwards into the esophagus. It can also cause a bad taste in your mouth, particularly in the morning.

Stomach acid can also cause atypical chest pain, coughing, asthma-like wheezing due to aspiration, hoarse voice and a feeling of gagging.

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