Dealing with the Psychological Impact of Alopecia

Published on: 13 November 2018 Last Updated on: 30 October 2024

Alopecia is a chronic disease that can lead to partial or, more frequently, complete hair loss. It is a disease that affects both men and women, and individuals of all ages. Despite it being a common and wide-reaching disease, very little is known about alopecia. It has no known cause and no known cure for example.

Many people, particularly women, find that wearing ladies’ wigs helps with alopecia by enabling them to hide their hair loss and maintain their former identity. Some people choose not to cover their hair loss, owning their baldness as a new part of who they are. There is no right or wrong answer. One thing that we do know for sure is that although alopecia is a physical disease, it can have a profound impact on the mental health of those who suffer from it. Struggling with alopecia and the impact this is having on your mood and your sense of self. Here are some handy hints to help you deal with the psychological impact of alopecia:

What is the Psychological Impact of Alopecia?

Studies have shown that around forty percent of women who suffer from alopecia experience some form of social problems as a result of the depression and anxiety they experience because of their condition. These social problems can include issues within their marriages, families and friendship groups. The problem worsens in the workplace, with 63 percent of women reporting career-related issues as a direct or indirect result of their alopecia. Other psychological problems that sufferers of alopecia are more prone to experiencing include depression, anxiety, and social phobias. Because alopecia is classed as a disfiguring disorder (one that permanently changes your appearance) it stands to reason that some individuals may have to deal with ongoing feelings of loss for their hair as well as issues relating to their self-identity and any changes of confidence that may come with this. It’s important to remember that whilst alopecia doesn’t cause any physical pain, it does lead to emotional and psychological pain and these symptoms should be taken just as seriously. Alopecia is a very serious condition that can completely change your life, and it is important to take the time to acknowledge this and to grieve for your former self, and for the hair that you have lost if you think that this will be helpful for you.

What Can You Do?

Struggling to cope with the psychological impact of having alopecia? This is completely normal, but there are some things that you can do that will help you to deal with the transition a little better. Firstly, if you think you may be suffering from depression then it’s important to seek help and support. Signs of depression include feeling sad, anxious or empty inside. Lossing interest or pleasure from hobbies and other activities that you used to enjoy. Difficulty sleeping, making decisions or engaging with others. Changes to your weight or appetite. Thoughts of death, suicide, or a general feeling that the world would be better without you in it. The first thing you should do if you experience any of these symptoms is to both talk to those around you and seek the support of your GP. Don’t try to deal with depression alone: the more you can share your feelings with others, the easier your condition will be to treat.

If you are struggling to deal with the changes to your self-identity then one solution is to start wearing a wig. Modern wigs are not the ugly, itchy things they were twenty years ago: in fact, many modern wigs are so realistically constructed that no one would ever know you were wearing one. This may help you to feel like your old self and give you the confidence boost you need to go out, socialize, and otherwise live a normal life.

It doesn’t matter whether you choose to wear a wig or not. But if you would like to meet with and talk to other people who know exactly what you’re going through then you may find it helpful to join an alopecia support group. You will find alopecia support groups in most major towns and cities across the UK: if you’re struggling to find one then your GP may be able to offer advice. These groups are a wonderful way to learn more about your condition, build a new social circle, and gain the support of individuals who really understand what you’re going through.

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Forever Young: Natural Ways to Live a Longer Life

There's nothing like a health scare or an accident to make you realize the value of your life. Whether it was your accident or a friend barely escaped death, you realized you need to live healthier. Or maybe you need to start nagging your elderly family member to stop smoking again. There are so many ways how to live a longer life, that it can get overwhelming. We've structured this post so you have one thing to do every month that'll improve your life and your health. It doesn't have to wait until January either - start this list right now! You're only one habit away from how to live a longer life. Month #1 Task: Drink More Water: There's a problem in the US where we drink too much soda and alcohol. While that's fine once in a while, neither should be a daily occurrence. If you drink more than one soda a day or more than one beer, make yourself add in one glass of water. If you want to go the extra step, then replace one of your beverages with water instead. If you don't drink either, then drink a glass of water when you wake up every day. It'll give your body a boost of hydration to start the day and help you wake up! Month #2: Stop Popping Pills: There's nothing wrong with taking the occasional Tylenol or ibuprofen when you're in pain - but people take them all the time. Before you pop them at the first sign of a headache, drink a glass of water, and rub your temples. You can buy pre-mixed essential oil headache sticks that will stop the pain in its tracks. Taking these pills too often can increase your risk of heart attack and even stroke by 10%. They're also hard on your kidney and your liver since that's where they process. If you do have to take one, try to take a lower dose and only take more if you need it. Month #3: Go to Sleep, Please! Just an extra half hour of sleep a night can do wonders for your life. Sleeping re-regulates everything, so you can see better results in your skin, your mood, your sex life - just about everything. That means putting down your phone before you go to sleep and picking up a book. The blue light our phones and devices emit confuse our brain's circadian rhythms. You can also invest in a sleep tracker watch or app on your phone that tracks your sleep cycles. Then, it can predict the best time for you to wake up when you're in light sleep. That will stop you from feeling groggy in the mornings and you'll bounce out of bed. If you can't sleep easily in general, go see your thermostat. Your body likes to sleep in a chilly room, so set it as low as your budget allows. 67 is a prime temperature. Finally, regulate your sleep schedule. Going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day gives your body a routine, and bodies love routines! Month #4: Get Outside: We know it's hard to get time in the sun, especially in the winter. You drive to work as the sun is just coming up and when you get out, it's already going down. But humans are low on vitamin D, which we get from sun exposure. Not enough vitamin D can lead to depression and general fatigue. Try to take a quick walk outside during a break or eat lunch outside. If it's too cold - find a room with a lot of sunlight in your building. You can take it in a supplement or even buy sunlight if you're really struggling with your Vitamin D levels. But, try to get the real thing if you can - it's always better than faking it. Month #5: Take Time Off: Do you know those vacation days that are adding up? Or those weekends that just feel like work part two with all the things you try to stuff in? It could be hurting your longevity. The body needs a break from work and not taking one can lead to a heart attack. Even if you don't have the money to take time off work or have a real vacation, leave your Saturday unplanned for once. Laze around the house in your PJs and do nothing. Play with the kids and make a late breakfast. Go work in your garden - only if you enjoy it. Your body deserves a break. Month #6: Challenge Your Brain: Not only can this tip help you live a longer life, but it can also help you live a longer, better life. Is there a card game you love playing but never have time for? Do you like doing crosswords or playing sudoku? Keep doing it! Activating your brain in challenging ways keeps it working. Think of it as muscle (which it is), you need to work it out. Keeping your brain active longer can prevent or put off the development of dementia by a few years. That means you'll have more time you can be present with family and friends. If your loved one lives in a nursing home or works with an organization like Families Choice Home Care, ask their nurses if they'll play challenging games with them. Invest in some good mechanical pencils and an extra eraser or a new deck of cards. It's time to play! How to Live a Longer Life in 6 Months: The idea behind these tips is that they'll become a habit in their month, then the next month you'll build on that habit with the next tip. So by month three, you should be drinking more water, taking fewer pills, and sleeping at least a half-hour more. That's the best way how to live a longer life - small changes that add up over time. Want more health and fitness tips? Click here. Read Also: Five Benefits Of Meditation That Will Change Your Life Ways To Stay Fit And Healthy In Your Senior Years

Marathon Training Section. Breaking Through the Wall

Every runner knows what “to hit the wall” means and almost every runner lives in fear of it interfering with their race. During a marathon hitting the wall is the main problem, thus, breaking through wall is the number one priority as the success with the race depends on it. The wall is considered as the most difficult period in a marathon when things transition from being just hard to being really very-very hard. It is a specific runner`s condition of sudden fatigue and loss of energy. For most runners, the latest 6.2 miles (or 10-K) of the marathon are commonly the toughest part of the race when the legs feel like if they are made of cement, when the stomach is queasy, the head starts getting dizzy and negative thoughts flood the mind. The wall is hard to describe to a non-runner as it`s something that needs to experience to understand. Jerome Drayton, winner of the 81st Boston Marathon, said it best: “To describe the agony of the marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain the color to someone who was born blind.” Some athletes call it “wall”, some also call this state “bonking”. But it doesn't really matter how to call it, it`s more importantly, what to do about it, namely, how to break through the wall and reach the finish line first. The key to avoiding the wall or at least minimizing its impact on your race is understanding what`s going on in your body and preparing yourself for it with proper training, intelligent race management, right nutrition and appropriate hydration strategies. Prepare Your Body For The Race If you include the long training runs in your training program you'll be able to train your body for the marathon. Your long runs are the best training for avoiding the wall as they will condition your muscle for a marathon distance. By the way, they help you build your endurance and make your muscles more injury resistant. You have to experience and stimulate the exertion of the marathon every day, preferably 16 weeks before it. Your long runs should be done slowly (at least 2 minutes per mile) than the marathon pace. Remember, here your goal isn't a distance, here your goal is duration! For example, if you run training commonly lasts 4:30 hours, your long run should last 4 hours (it means 3 hours of long runs in the morning and an additional hour in the evening). Analyze Nutrition Matters When your aim is to win the marathon you have to draw your attention to the right nutrition strategy. If you prepare your muscles with daily progressive long runs that's great, but don't forget your muscles are fueled by using the combination of fat and glycogen. The harder you're pushing yourself, the more fuel your body needs. So you should eat before the marathon and during it! At least 300 calories you need to take in an hour before the race to raise your blood sugar level and help your brain concentrate on the task. Then every hour of the marathon you should consume about 200 calories. That can be candy, a banana, cookies, energy gels or an energy bar. It would be better if you work out what fuel is easiest for you to transport, use and digest before the race. Drink More Often It`s equally important to stay hydrated during the marathon. When you lose water through sweat, your overall blood volume is decreased and that's why there's less blood available to carry oxygen to your muscles. So dehydration also leads to the marathon wall. Try not to pass the early water stops even if you feel that you're not thirsty! By the time your body tells you it's thirsty, you're already dehydrated. You have to drink two 8-ounce glasses of water or sports drink 2 hours before the marathon and take in 6 to 8 ounces of water or sports drink at every water station every 15-20 minutes of the race (of course, depending on the weather conditions, your body size and sweat rate). This will help you avoid dehydration so your blood will move smoothly from your heart to your leg muscles, providing the oxygen to those muscles and shuttling waste products away. By the way, consuming enough fluids keeps sweat flowing that cools you down and helps you ease muscle cramps. Don`t be afraid to lose your precious time, just stop and drink. These few seconds will pay off further. Follow Proper Marathon Race Management The biggest and most common marathon race mistake is to start the marathon too fast. Of course, you feel so strong and full of energy early in the race, so you tend to run too fast. Don`t do that, in no case! If you want to cross the finish line you have not to overestimate your potential. Keep in mind that you have to save your energy for the last 6 miles. Use Head Games To Reach The Finish Line To make the last 6 miles easier you shouldn't focus on how your body is feeling or your fatigue, if anything, you can visualize yourself in another situation and try to dissociate. For example, don`t concentrate on the race you may imagine yourself by the sea or visualize achieving your goal. The main thing is to think of something nice and you'll cross the finish line before you know it! As you see with the right training program and racing techniques, proper nutrition, hydration and mental strategies you can easily make the last 6 miles of your marathon and defeat the wall once and for all. Read More : Why Jumping On Trampolines Is More Beneficial Than Running Or Jogging? How To Train Your Brain With Math Yoga For Pregnant Women Helen Rogers is an editor of http://thecrossfitshoes.com/ She helps people get stronger. She shares running and sports questions, beauty tips. All her stories are result-oriented and make her readers become healthy, wealthy and wise.

Tonsillitis Treatment Without Antibiotics: What You Need to Know

Tonsillitis, a common condition characterized by inflammation of the tonsils, can be incredibly uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. Antibiotics have historically been the first line of treatment when treating tonsillitis. However, a growing number of people are looking for alternate ways to manage this illness due to worries about side effects and antibiotic resistance. This blog will address vital topics, including the cost of tonsil removal surgery in the UK and the recuperation period for adults after tonsillectomy. It will also look into the options available for treating tonsillitis. An Overview of Tonsillitis Condition Most often, bacterial or viral illnesses result in tonsillitis. Frequent signs and symptoms include fever, swollen glands, sore throat, trouble swallowing, and occasionally yellow or white spots on the tonsils. Antibiotic treatment is often necessary for bacterial tonsillitis to avoid complications like strep throat or a peritonsillar abscess. However, viral tonsillitis typically goes away independently with rest and supportive care. How To Cure Tonsillitis Without Antibiotics 1. Home Remedies Using home treatments like drinking warm liquids like herbal teas or broths, gargling with salt water, and using throat lozenges or sprays to relieve irritation are common ways to get relief from tonsillitis symptoms. Also, ensuring adequate hydration and relaxation can bolster the body's inbuilt defense mechanism against the infection. 2. Herbal Remedies Herbal treatments with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting qualities, like slippery elm, licorice root, and echinacea, may help reduce the symptoms of tonsillitis. But before using herbal supplements, you should always speak with a doctor, particularly if you have underlying medical issues or are on other prescriptions. 3. Pain Management Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, two over-the-counter pain medications, can help lower tonsillitis-related fever and pain. Aspirin should not be given to youngsters due to the risk of Reye's syndrome; instead, it is crucial to abide by the prescribed dosage requirements. 4. Warm Compresses Applying a warm compress to the neck can help ease throat discomfort and reduce swelling of the tonsils. 5. Humidifiers Using a humidifier in the bedroom can add moisture to the air, which may help soothe a sore throat and alleviate dryness. 6. Probiotics Probiotics are good bacteria that are included in yogurt and other fermented foods. Some studies show they can strengthen the immune system and lessen the intensity and length of tonsillitis symptoms. 7. Avoiding Irritants It's essential to avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke, pollution, and dry air, as these can exacerbate symptoms and prolong recovery. Even though these treatments can help with tonsillitis symptoms, it's essential to keep a careful eye on your illness and consult a doctor if symptoms intensify or last longer than a few days. Tonsil Removal Surgery Cost UK A tonsillectomy is frequently advised when the tonsillitis is severe or recurring and does not improve with other therapies. A tonsillectomy is a surgical treatment usually carried out under general anesthesia to remove the tonsils. The price of tonsil removal surgery varies in the UK based on several variables, including the particular hospital or clinic, the surgeon's fees, and other medical costs. The National Health Service (NHS) reports that about 40,000 tonsillectomies are carried out in England annually. The frequency and intensity of tonsillitis episodes, the procedure's possible dangers and advantages, and the effect on one's quality of life are often considered while removing one's tonsils surgically. Before having tonsil removal surgery, reviewing the possible expenses and financing options with your insurance company and healthcare practitioner is crucial to ensure you know what to expect financially. Tonsillectomy Recovery in Adults The length of recovery following a tonsillectomy can vary based on a patient's age, general health, and surgical complexity. Adults may require a more extended recovery following a tonsillectomy, although children typically recover more rapidly. It's normal to have ear pain, swallowing difficulties, and throat pain during the early stages of rehabilitation. To help with discomfort relief and healing, your healthcare practitioner might advise a soft diet and give painkillers. It's critical to carefully adhere to post-operative care guidelines, including drinking enough water, avoiding physically demanding activities, and obtaining lots of rest. After a tonsillectomy, most adults can return to regular activities in two weeks, though complete recovery may take several weeks. Attending all your follow-up sessions with your healthcare practitioner is essential to tracking your recovery and addressing any issues. Conclusion Although tonsillitis has historically been treated primarily with antibiotics, other non-antibiotic methods exist for treating this ailment. Herbal therapies, home cures, and supportive care techniques can all aid in symptom relief and healing. In cases where tonsillitis is recurrent or severe, a tonsillectomy may be necessary. Comprehending the possible expenses and recuperation duration linked to tonsil excision surgery is crucial to making well-informed choices regarding available treatments. People can efficiently cure tonsillitis and reduce the risk of complications by looking into non-antibiotic treatments and, where necessary, contemplating surgical options. Always see a healthcare expert for individualized advice and treatment recommendations based on your unique needs and circumstances. Read Also: Integrating Therapy And Activities In Residential Treatment Benefits Of Early Detection And Treatment Of Alzheimer’s Disease Navigating Depression Treatment In Brooklyn: Your Options

Dealing with the Psychological Impact of Alopecia

What is the Psychological Impact of Alopecia?

What Can You Do?

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Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Forever Young: Natural Ways to Live a Longer Life

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Dealing with the Psychological Impact of Alopecia

What is the Psychological Impact of Alopecia?

What Can You Do?

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Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Follow Us

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