Hair Loss After Surgery?

This is often a topic in many of the support groups I have attended. I found this article in today's MSNBC page, and have inclueded portions which I believe are relevant to our special issues. GETTING TO THE ROOT OF FEMALE HAIR LOSS 'Today' health editor Dr. Judith Reichman shares some insight on what causes women to lose hair and what you can do to re-grow it Let's start with 101 in hair physiology. How does hair grow and should it recycle? A single hair follicle grows its hair strand over a period of four to six years (the anagen phase). It then rests for two to four months (the telogen phase), after which it loses the "old" hair as a new hair shaft grows and pushes out its predecessor. When the new hair grows in, it does so at a rate of approximately half an inch per month. At any time, 10 percent of your hair is in the telogen phase and 90 percent is in the anagen phase. What causes a change in this hair loss/ hair growth process? If lots of hair begins to fall out throughout the scalp, it's obviously due to a change in the normal hair cycle: either a short anagen phase or an increase in the number of follicles that enter the telogen phase. When the majority of hair follicles "go telogen" it's called telogen effluvium or stress alopecia. A shock to the body's system, which stresses the hair follicles, is often to blame for this change in cyclical hair events. Two to three months after the stressor hits, up to 70 percent of hairs can enter the telogen phase and commence a massive "fall out". There are a number of shocks that are known to cause this. They include: ? sudden hormone change (usually a drop in hormone levels) ? After the birth of a baby ( delivery of the placenta causes the levels of pregnancy hormones to plummet) ? Discontinuing birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy ? High fever ? Acute trauma (surgery, physical injury or psychological trauma) ? Severe dieting ( inadequate protein and iron intake) ? Underactive or overactive thyroid ? Diseases such as diabetes and lupus ? Chemotherapy ? Medications: These include retinoids, blood pressure medication, anti-depressants, certain birth control pills and even NSAID's (including Ibuprofen) ? Burns or radiation therapy Are there other tests that should be done to diagnose telogen effluvium? Your doctor may want to check your iron and thyroid levels, but in most cases, your history is the most important factor for diagnosis. What is the therapy for this type of hair loss? Mostly reassurance. If the loss is due to a birth, illness, or a self-limited problem, it will stop and will not progress to baldness. New hair shafts will come in and in a few months the hair loss will diminish. Eventually the hair will grow back and become normal. Obviously if the loss was due to a medication, the drug should be stopped. If iron levels are low, iron should be supplemented (after making sure that the cause was not abnormal bleeding, which could be a sign of a serious disorder), and if the thyroid level is "off," this should be treated. Can dyes, hair treatment, or certain hairstyles cause hair loss? Pulling the hair tightly in a ponytail and the repeated traction used for hair extensions and tight braiding can cause some hair loss, especially in the temple area. This is called traction alopecia. If not corrected, the hair follicle may be permanently damaged. Chemicals that dye, bleach, straighten or perm the hair can also cause the shaft to break off, but once the chemical insult has stopped, the root portion should grow back. Are there other causes for "patchy hair loss"? Yes, it can be caused by fungal infections such as ringworm and even syphilis. What about genetic or inherited hair loss? We all know that men can become bald as they get older. As a matter of fact, inherited or male pattern baldness occurs in 25 percent of men by 30 and two-thirds are bald or balding by the time they reach 60. This male pattern baldness usually occurs in the hairline and around the crown. It continues until there is just a ring of hair along the side. The male pattern of balding occurs from the effects of testosterone, after it is converted to the more potent DHT (which is the only form that will attach to receptors on the hair follicle). Men who tend to male pattern balding don't have more testosterone; they simply have an increased conversion of testosterone to DHT in the scalp Women, however, do develop thinner hair as they get older and often this is accompanied by gradual hair loss. It occurs over the top and sides of the head, not in the crown. Once more, it is felt that genetics play a role and it is far more likely to occur if relatives on either side of their family has experienced balding as they age. What therapies target this hair thinning and loss? The drug Minoxidil, which was first developed to treat high blood pressure, was found to have a side effect of thickening hair growth in some of those treated. It's now available over the counter as a lotion applied to the scalp. No one quite knows how it works, but it seems to be effective in about 20 percent of women who develop diffused hair loss or thinning, especially if they are younger when they begin to lose their hair. The disadvantage is that if daily use is stopped, the new hair will fall out. What about all those so-called wonder products that are advertised on the Internet? Beware if they say they are going to quickly and easily cure female pattern hair loss. They probably won't. You are providing money for the individuals who are using the Internet to promote their product, and there's a good chance the product will not promote your hair growth. Dr. Reichman's Bottom line: In most cases your hair loss is due to trauma to the hair follicle and after several months your hair will grow back. Make sure that you talk to your doctor before you try any products on your own. Reassurance and patience may be all you need. My interpretation of this Bottom Line is two-fold: Hair loss is caused by combined diminished protein and iron supplements as well as trama to the body (actual surgery) and will start approximately three months after surgery. Attempt to fight the problem by taking vitamin supplments starting three months before surgery, and keeping your protein and iron intake as high as possible during your "honeymoon" period. Hope this helps. Hugs, Nannette

im kinda expecting i will lose lots of hair as i approach three months post surgery. it happened to be in 2004 after my knee surgery. but once it stopped, my hair grew back and has been good again. maybe all the vitamins will help this time, we shall see. by the way, that was a very interesting article nanette, thanks for always being on top of things for us!!. hugs, jacki

Its protein...you need to get as much protein as possible...vitamins? sure but that isn't why you lose your hair. It takes three months for your body to deplete its storage of protein...thats why the hair loss comes at 3 months out. Make sure you get your protein first in your meal and the hair loss should be minimal. Best Wishes!!!!!!