I am an 18-year-old boy. My hairs are very thin and I have lost much hair at the back of my head. Though I take oil baths and apply methi paste, the hair has not grown back. I look much older than my age. I eat well and drink enough water. Please advise.
Based on your description of hair loss, you may be having hereditary baldness. You are having male pattern baldness, which is the most common type of hair loss in men. It usually follows a typical pattern of receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown and is caused by hormones and genetic predisposition. Treatment is not necessary if you are comfortable with your appearance. Hair weaving, hairpieces, or change of hairstyle may disguise the hair loss. This is usually the least expensive and safest approach for male baldness. Other mode of treatment is hair transplantation. Hair transplants consist of removing tiny plugs of hair from areas where the hair is continuing to grow and placing them in areas that are balding. There are few drugs used to treat Male pattern baldness, however should be taken under the guidance of a Dermatologist.
Dr Vandana Jayaprakash
Consultant dermatologist
I'm a 20 yr old girl of height-5'1" weighing 75 kg. I was suffering from Koch's disease, two years back and was on medication for almost 1 ½ yrs. Now my Hb is 9 and I am having spoon shaped nails and I am on medication for iron deficiency anaemia. My problem is that no one recognises me as a 20-year- old girl because I am over-weight. Sometimes, I am mentally disturbed. Please help
I completely understand your predicament. When the Hb count is so low, it's preferably managed through medication than simply dietary intake. Iron is crucial for the proper functioning of the body; from carrying oxygen (oxy-haemoglobin) to the lungs and muscles, to providing the energy to cytochromes in the cells, to DNA synthesis and connective tissue formation, one cannot do without optimum levels of iron. In order to reduce your weight while continuing your medication (which should include Vitamin C tablets as it enhances Iron absorption), I would recommend that you start walking in the mornings. A twenty minute walk for starters is a good option, after a month you can increase it to forty minutes or so. Remember to not exert yourself, as your body should not be further strained, or pressured for oxygen intake. Simultaneous to your medication, choose high iron foods; dates, raisins, meat/fish/poultry fruits: orange, orange juice, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapefruit, Vegetables: broccoli, brussels sprouts, tomato, tomato juice, potato, green & red peppers.
Parul Dube R.D
Health Professions Council, UK
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