How diabetes can lead to hair loss in women ?
Hair loss in women who suffer from diabetes is a connection that was discovered years ago. Hair loss is an early warning sign of diabetes and should always be taken seriously. Diabetes is a hormone related medical condition that affects blood glucose levels which then leads to hair loss, peripheral vascular problems and increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
If you have a strong family history of diabetes and you have noticed thinning hair or hair loss, it is important that you see your doctor right away for a complete checkup.
One reason that diabetes causes hair loss in women is that the condition also causes hormonal upset in the body. Hair loss is common in people who are under stress or whose hormonal system is fluctuating such as during menopause, pregnancy or diabetes.
Diabetes affects the circulatory system of the body.
If you have decreased circulation to any part of the body, that part of the body will not function properly. This rule will hold true for hair follicles. If your scalp has poor blood circulation, it cannot stimulate the growth of hair and the hair follicles that are present may start to die off and fall out.
Diabetics sometimes will need to take a lot of medications to keep their diabetes under control. There are some diabetic medications that can cause hair loss. Not every woman will experience hair loss from diabetic medication. But, if you start noticing thinning hair after starting on a diabetic medication, check with your doctor. He may be able to put you on a different medication that will not cause your hair to fall out.
Another cause of hair loss in people who suffer from diabetes is the inability of the body to fight off certain fungal diseases. Ringworm and other types of fungus or bacteria may cause patchy hair loss in women who are diabetic. Diabetes breaks downs the body’s response to infection or to a cut or sore on the skin. It takes much longer for a diabetic to heal than it does for a healthy person to heal.
An autoimmune disease that can accompany diabetes is a major factor in hair loss. Thyroid dysfunction, skin rashes and pernicious anemia can all be present in diabetics. These conditions can also cause hair loss in women. Your doctor can prescribe the best treatment for your particular situation.
If you start to notice hair loss, see your doctor right away. It could be a sign of diabetes. The sooner you get a diagnosis and start treatment, the lower the risk of suffering from a greater degree of hair loss.
