My Hair Is Falling Out!

Women are shocked and surprised that their hair is falling out, and they frequently report to their doctor  that “My hair is falling out by the handful!”  Hair loss can be traumatic, but around 100 to 200 strands of hair loss a day is normal.  Shedding of hair usually occurs on a 5 to 7 year cycle of growth and shedding.  At any time 10 percent of hair is in a resting phase and not growing.  When it grows, the hair root (follicle) will push out the old strand with a new, short strand.

The most common type of hair loss, called alopecia, is hereditary thinning.  It is popularly believed that it is inherited through the mother, but can come from either or both parents.  Fifty percent of people (both men and women) will develop some hereditary hair loss by 50 years of age, but it can occur in some people as early as age 20 or in their teens.  In females it is referred to as female pattern thinning.

Improper hair care and hair treatments can damage hair and cause it to break off.  Hormones can cause hair loss.  In and around menopause when the estrogen of women goes down, hair thinning may be noticed.  Around age 60 or 70 aging can cause further thinning.  Low serum iron and low thyroid levels can also cause hair loss. Stress (such as a death in the family, birth of a baby, severe illness with high fever, major surgery, or stressful relationships) may trigger a shedding episode.

There are many products at drugstores that claim to build back hair volume.  Most are empty claims.  Hair, like nails, is made up of protein.  Eating adequate amounts of protein helps keep hair in peak condition.

Why Are My Allergies So Bad This Year?

Why Are My Allergies So Bad This Year?

There can be bad allergy years and better years.  What causes the difference? People who suffer from pollen allergies should hope for favorable weather.  A dream year is one in which there is a long winter and rain in the spring.  This is, if mold allergy is not a problem!  Allergy season, when there are allergic reactions to tree, grass, or weed pollen, depends largely on weather, both day to day and season to season. If a summer is hot and dry, the buds of the dormant winter trees will be stressed and there will be fewer flower buds during the spring.  A harsh winter can also reduce the pollen load by damaging the tree buds.  Rain in the spring may wash out the tree pollen from the air.

A dry spring with sunny skies and breezes are the ideal conditions for pollen to be released and spread.  If the winter is long and spring is short, everything seems to bloom at once.  Itchy eyes and drippy noses result.  The recent torrential downpours in many parts of the country have caused high damage, but are an advantage for people with pollen allergy.  The rain has washed out any pollen in the air.  However, the rains can make growing conditions ideal for summer grasses and weeds, increasing the allergies during that time.  Rain also affects how much pollen is present day to day.  High-pollen days may alternate with low-pollen days.   The allergy season, both short term and long term is weather-driven and varies from region to region. 

Generic Drugs

Generic Drugs

New or brand name drugs are protected in the United States by patent for 20 years.  After the patent expires other companies can market the drug.  These generic drugs may be identical chemically, and they may or may not be equivalent therapeutically to the original drug.  They will have different binders, fillers, and dyes.  Sometimes when a brand goes off patent the company may withdraw the original drug from the marketplace and begin making the same drug in a different form.  They may produce a tablet instead of a capsule.  Tablets and capsules have different bioavailability to the body and many times one cannot be substituted for the other.  The body may not absorb the drug/generic as well or a rapidly.

Many generic drugs are just as effective as the proprietary (brand name) drug.  Biochemical individuality of the patient can cause a wide variance in drug processing by the body.  Doctors write prescriptions for the generic drugs because they are generally cheaper.  Some insurance companies will not pay for a brand name or proprietary drug if a generic is available.  In these cases the doctor must specify that the proprietary drug is a medical necessity, which is written as “dispense as written” on the prescription.

The FDA rates generics as A – an exact equivalent or B-if the bioavailability profile is different.  Pharmacists are usually the only ones who know the rating for a generic.  When switching from a brand drug to a generic, some patients may be able to tell a difference.  In most cases the body will adjust to a generic drug with ease.  For serious diseases a patient may want to check with the doctor or pharmacist before switching to a generic.

I have published little Kindle books

I have 10 books in my "Allergy and You" series.  Frances Taylor and I are busy writing more Kindle books on other health subjects.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_11?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Ajacqueline+krohn&keywords=jacqueline+krohn&ie=UTF8&qid=1425501820&rnid=2941120011

Food Poisoning

The CDC estimates that 1 in 6 Americans are affected by food borne illness each year.  Food poisoning is defined as an illness caused by the consumption of food or water contaminated with bacteria and/or their toxins, or with parasites, viruses, or chemicals.  The symptoms vary in severity and include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache, with serious cases resulting in life threatening symptoms.  Most of the illnesses are mild, improving without specific treatment, but severe cases may require hospitalization.  A food borne illness must meet the following criteria:  Similar illness, often gastrointestinal, in a minimum of two people and evidence of food as the source.

The most common pathogens causing food borne illness include Norovirus, and the bacteria Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter species, and Staphylococcus aureus.  There are others, most of which are responsible for the hospitalizations.   Fish are the most common cause, followed by spices that include fresh or dried peppers.  Green leafy vegetables, poultry, and dairy items may be causes, as can contamination by food handlers, and improper pasteurization. Travel, and globalization of food production, manufacturing, and marketing increase the risk of food borne illness.  The best way to prevent food poisoning is to practice strict personal hygiene, cook all foods adequately, avoid cross-contamination of raw and cooked foods, and to keep all foods at appropriate temperatures whether hot or cold.

Does My Cut Need Stitches?

When people get a cut they ask, "Does my cut need stitches?"  Many times a simple bandage will work just as well.    Stitches are used to control bleeding, to reduce the chance of infection, and  generally to leave a smaller scar.  There are types of cuts when stitches are essential.

The wound on a scraped knee is an abrasion, usually superficial, and will heal with a simple bandage.  Lacerations are what most people think of as a cut, with avulsions a chunk of skin is torn away, and punctures occur from a nail or sharp object piercing the skin.  Because dog bites have a very high risk of infection if closed, antibiotics are usually given and the bite is bandaged, but not stitched.  For a puncture wound, because bacteria is associated with the soles of rubber shoes, an antibiotic is given.  Stitches depend on the depth of the wound.

Being able to see bone, tendon, muscle or fatty tissue from a laceration is cause for concern as is a cut wider than about 3/4 of an inch. Excessive bleeding that will not stop, loss of sensation, and risk of a foreign object stuck inside the cut signal need for medical attention.  Stitching wounds applies pressure that stops the bleeding, brings the tissue back together, and helps prevent infection.  Booster tetanus shots are administered if there is no memory of a tetanus shot within the past 5 to 10 years.

The development of tissue adhesives has allowed fewer stitches to be given, but work only on parts of the body that do not move a lot.  A knee might benefit from stitches rather than the adhesive.  If a person washes a wound and the cut appears to be healing well, in most cases it is.  If there are concerns, a visit to the emergency room is in order.

Interrupted Sleep for Moms

Interrupted Sleep for Moms

Sleep is as important to health and life as are food and water.  Interrupted sleep over long periods of time can have serious health consequences.  Sleep is frequently interrupted, sometimes for both parents, but particularly for moms of newborn infants who are nursing.  Young babies have to be fed every few hours through the night.  Older babies and those weighing 14 pounds and more can go longer.  They sleep longer, but may awaken to feed out of habit, not out of hunger.

By the time a baby is nine to twelve months old, it should be sleeping through the night.  Waking frequently to feed can become a habit, which can interrupt the sleep of the mother.  Interrupted sleep can eventually adversely affect her energy levels, health, and ability to take care of the baby and her family.