Health

Type II diabetes is rapidly increasing, especially among African Americans and Hispanics. At current, 3.7 million African Americans ages 20 and over have been diagnosed. For every white American diagnosed with diabetes, there are 1.6 African Americans diagnosed. One in four black women over the age of 55 have diabetes. In additon to having higher rates of diabetes, African Americans also suffer higher rates of complications due to the disease.

There are three types of diabetes: Type 1 (formerly juvenile), Type 2 (formerly adult onset), and gestational (developed while pregnant). Diabetes is a disease in which glucose (sugar) is unable to enter your body’s cells. Since it has no where to go, it starts to build up in blood vessels. This buildup causes poor circulation and ineffective blood flow. Have you ever heard of diabetics being unable to have wounds heal properly, even to the point of amputation? Poor circulation is the problem.

It therefore stands to reason that people suffering from diabetes may also suffer from hair loss and hair growth problems. The scalp is very blood vessel rich…if you’ve ever had a scalp laceration, you know this already. So, the poor circulation stemming from diabetes affects the scalp too. Due to decreased ability to fight infection, fungal infections may also appear on the scalp further hampering hair growth. In addition, some medications used to manage the disease may cause hair loss in some people. You should consult your doctor if this occurs.

How can you improve your hair loss due to diabetes?

There is no cure currently for diabetes. But there are some things you can do to help your hair and your health. This link had a lot of helpful tips. As I’ve said many times before, exercise is a good way to increase blood flow to the scalp. So, try to perform at least 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise.

Also, if you are prediabetic (meaning that your blood sugar is higher than normal, but under the diabetic range), now is the time to prevent or prolong this disease. Talk to your doctor and get on task. Not only is it important to the health of your hair, but your health overall.

Sources:

The connection between diabetes and hair loss by Anthony Galz

Am I at risk for Type 2 diabetes?

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