When we discuss hair loss, it's convenient to focus on purely
physical causes over which we have no control. Blaming the genes is the
favorite. That can't possibly be our fault and forces us into drug
therapy in order to put it right. The pharmaceutical industry come in
there somewhere to back us into the corner of relying on drugs, but that
pretty much sums up the party line on hair loss in particular and
diseases in general. If in doubt, take a pill. However, there are times
when you have to look at exactly what the individual is doing and ask
whether this is contributing to the initial problem. This is being
written during the month of Ramadan. This is a regular part of the cycle
of religious observance practiced by the Moslem community around the
world. It's a way of confirming the faith by self-denial, and
reinforcing the power of the family through communal celebration.
The primary change is not in the cycle of prayer but in the shift of
eating habits. The general rule of observance is that no food is to be
taken in the day light hours - a fast from dawn to dusk. In order to
sustain the body, only two main meals are taken: iftar and suhoor. This
reduces the options for the body to take in all the essential fibers and
minerals required to maintain a healthy body. When it comes to hair,
the first signs are a flakiness on the scalp followed by hair loss. A
healthy diet reduces hair loss.
This year, the problem of poor diet is aggravated by the increased
heat of summer. High temperatures and humidity aggravate hair loss. So,
ignoring the question of genetic predisposition, men may be losing more
hair this summer because of the coincidence of a hot summer and Ramadan.
So if you are Moslem and you see significantly more hair falling at
this time of year, do not assume this is androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness.
It's not appropriate to start Propecia without first getting a
confirmed diagnosis of the cause of the problem. If the diagnosis is
already confirmed but the hair loss seems to be returning at this time,
do not think Propecia is failing. The weather will cool and you will begin eating a normal cycle. Your hair loss will stop.