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hair_loss_types - Types of hair loss and their causes posted by ena-oopi
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Different types of hair loss are caused by different things. Here is a look at various types and their causes.
- Androgenetic Alopecia: This is by far the leading type of hairs loss in men and women and is a result of genetics. This genetic hair loss is hereditary and can be inherited from either side of the family. Commonly known as male and female pattern baldness, this type of hair loss is due to the action of a chemical known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which attacks the hair follicles and causes hair loss.
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Telogen Effluvium: This condition is also referred to as diffuse hair loss. In this type of hair loss, a lot of hair is lost in a short span of time. Leading causes for this condition are pregnancy, chemotherapy for cancer treatment, very high fevers, severe illnesses, and sometimes even high levels of stress can result in telogen effluvium. This is not a permanent condition and most of the lost hairs does grow back within a few months.
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Alopecia Areata: Any sudden loss of hiar resulting in bald patches is the condition of alopecia areata. This is an autoimmune disesase where the hair follicles are attacked by the body. Why it happens has not yet been discovered. It can be a mild case and result in bald patches on the head or if it is severe it can affect the entire body hair. This condition usually treats itself without any medication although some doctors may prescribe certain steroid injections for repeated occurrence of localized alopecia areata.
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Traction Alpoecia: This type of hair loss occurs in people who routinely pull on their hair through harsh brushing or hairstyles such as a tight ponytail that pull on the hair. One prime example of this condition is the braided hair popular with African-americans. Medication Related Hair Loss: Certain medicines such as accutane, allopurinol, and anti-thyroid medicines are known to cause hair loss. Diet Related Hair Loss: Temporary hair loss and hair shedding can result from poor nutrition and an unbalanced diet. If your body is deficient in certain minerals, vitamins, and/or iron, it can cause you to lose hair.
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Repetitive_Stress_Injuries - Repetitive Stress Injuries posted by ecmp
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As more and more people spend greater amounts of time at their computers, they run the risk of contracting a Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). RSIs are caused by repeating the same task over and over again, such as constantly clicking your mouse or striking your keys too hard. These tasks can cause wear and tear on your body's soft tissues (tendons, nerves, etc). If care isn't taken to rest these parts, permanent damage can result. Some of the more common RSIs are: - Tenosynovitis – inflammation of the tendon sheath
- Tendonitis – inflammation of a tendon
- Epicondylitis – an inflamed tendon that attaches itself to the bones at the elbow
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – the compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome – compression of the ulnar nerve where it passes the elbow near the "funny bone."
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – affectation of the nerves and blood vessels of the neck and shoulder
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Typical warning signs of these injuries include: - Tightness or soreness
- Throbbing or sharp pain
- Numbness / tingling / burning sensation
- Loss of strength in the hands, arms, shoulders or neck
Some of these symptoms may not reveal themselves while you're at work. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, for instance, sometimes manifests as hand numbness or tingling while you are trying to sleep. Usually, however, your first symptom of an RSI will be localized fatigue (aches, pains, loss of strength or trembling) in the affected limb. These sensations will increase if you continue the damaging activity, but usually decrease after stopping the task. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. A day or two could make a significant difference. Factors known to contribute to RSIs: - Monotonous or Repetitive Tasks – performing the same action with the same body part
- Posture – placing a joint toward its extreme end of movement in any direction away from its neutral or centered position
- Force – performing a task with excessive muscular exertion
- Static Exertion – holding an object or part of the body in the same position for an extended period of time
- Contact Stress – direct pressure on nerves or tendons from resting a body part on a hard or angled surface
- Exhaustion – infrequent or inflexible breaks while performing repetitive tasks
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Here are some things you can do to prevent RSIs: - Keep frequently-used items within arm's reach so that you needn't stretch uncomfortably to get them
- Adjust your chair so that your feet lie flat and your thighs are parallel to the floor
- Be sure to have proper support for your hands and forearms when you use your keyboard (either on a tabletop, wrist rest or the arms of your chair)
- Avoid bending your wrists for any lengthy period of time
- Adjust your typing style and keyboard position to avoid striking the keys too hard
- Get up from your desk at regular intervals and move around for a few minutes
- Knowing the risk factors and symptoms of RSIs can go a long way toward preventing them. For more information on this topic, consult your physician.
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