Information on causes and treatment of hair loss in women.
Female hair loss follows a different pattern than its male counterpart. It often occurs for different reasons, too. Since women view their hair as their ‘crowning glory,’ female hair loss is obviously of great cosmetic and aesthetic concern. Hair loss in women can and does cause great emotional distress. When it does occur, it is usually causes a gradual loss of hair from the crown of the scalp, causing a broadened midline parting. It may also recede from the forehead, resulting in the classic ‘widow’s peak’. Complete hair loss in women is a rare occurrence. In females, hair loss is often the result of a deficiency in endocrine hormones. Gradual or dramatic thinning of hair in women can happen after the onset of menopause. Genetic predisposition (androgenetic alopecia) is the cause of almost 90% of female hair loss. The use of oral contraceptives is often inevitable and can cause female hair loss, too. This is because birth control pills cause significant changes in a woman’s hormonal balance. In fact, stopping birth control pills can cause temporary hair loss in females too. Pregnancy and delivery also involve hormonal changes in a woman. Hair loss immediately after pregnancy should therefore not be a cause for surprise or alarm.Other reasons are the natural ageing process, the use of unsuitable hair products, drastic hair styling habits and grossly improper nutrition. Certain skin disorders like alopecia areata can also cause hair loss in females (this usually occurs in small patches rather than progressively expanding areas).In quite rare instances, trichotillomania is a factor – this is an obsessive/compulsive disorder typified by the willful uprooting of one’s own hair. Experts often detect it in pre-teenaged/teenaged females. Stress - a common factor in human life these days that knows no gender-related boundaries – is also often responsible for hair loss in both males and females.Approximately 20% of all women suffer from hair loss to some degree or the other, at some point in their lives. The good news is that there are medical ways of rejuvenating dormant, non-productive hair follicles. Sometimes, the body’s metabolism sends the necessary signals and hair growth may resume automatically. However, this is a rare exception and not the rule.We must remember that shedding of dead hair is a normal phenomenon in both men and women. Scientific studies have shown that the human scalp sheds between 100-125 hairs every single day. New growth then replaces the shed hair, but this is not immediately visible. Hair loss becomes a problem when there is too large a discrepancy between the lost hair and the new growth.Female hair loss can first show up at puberty. However, this may be due to normal hormonal changes and it invariably rectifies itself. If it does not, and if the woman notes other anomalies such as excessive facial hair, then she needs to have a hormone study done. Based on the results of this study, a skin specialist can prescribe the required medical treatment.There are many highly effective treatments for female hair loss available today. In fact, there are both pharmaceutical and herbal options. Often, a few changes in lifestyle (such as eating habits, personal hygiene and sleep regulation) can bring about dramatic changes in female hair loss.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Women’s Health:
I think I look fatWomen have distorted images of their bodies. Why?
Do you think you look fat? I certainly do sometimes. I guess it depends on what I wear. Even though I am not as big as many women around me, I still feel fat. Would a doctor consider me overweight? Probably not. I am within the healthy weight range for my height. The same might be true for you, but you probably still fat. Reasons why we women feel this way The media. It’s almost cliché to talk about the images in the media. The pictures of perfect women, and the skinny actresses are flooding our senses constantly. It doesn’t matter whether you are watching television, standing in line at the grocery store, or surfing the web, you are bound to see some half dressed ‘sexy’ and ‘perfect’ female body with a frail hour glass shape. The medium to large chest size, flat tummy and shapely thighs is on magazine covers, in commercials and on the big screen all the time. The problem is that we can’t help but compare ourselves. We know that we don’t look like them, so we tell ourselves that we need to lose weight. We all want to look like someone else. Seriously, how often do you hear a woman say, "I love my body?" The words of other women. Have you ever found yourself making negative comments about the way another woman looks? Has anyone ever told you that you look fat? How about, "you should work out more," or somehow made fun of you because of your size? Women are a ton more critical than men (in general) about the weight and shape of our bodies. We are in constant competition with each other. How can we feel better about ourselves? It is important to understand that the images we see are hardly the real bodies of those women. Computer imaging is incredibly advanced, and every little imperfection is digitally altered. As far as the movies go, you would be surprised at how the angles of the camera and the pose of the actress can make them appear thinner than they are. It’s not all real. Another thing that you must consider is that these people are rich. They are paid to look a certain way, play a particular role, and project a certain image. They can afford to eat the highest quality, healthiest food available. If they gain a few pounds, they can spend thousands on a personal trainer or get surgery. They might work long hours for weeks or months at a time, but with millions between paycheck to paycheck, vacation time can be as long as they want it to be. That means they don’t work the nine to five 340 days out of the year and can spend time keeping their bodies perfect. Stop trying to compete. You have to be confident in who you are and love yourself. You are unique and you will never look like anyone else. You will always look your best when you enhance your own best features. Be yourself, inside and out. Don’t let the way other people look dictate how you should look. Observe reality. Go to the mall or the grocery store during a busy hour. Take a look at all the women. How many of them have the ‘perfect bodies’ that you see on television? You will find that a majority of people do not look anything like those people on television. Go out and really take that truth in. Count the imperfect bodies if you want. It will help you realize that you are not the only one who isn’t on a magazine cover. I think everyone should eat as much healthy food as possible and get regular exercise. Any healthy person, big or small, is beautiful to me. Taking good care of your body will help you feel attractive. If you begin to love your body, so will other people. Emotional health is the key to being beautiful. We have to stop the association with thin and beautiful. True beauty has very little to do with your weight or the size jeans you have on. You should take care of your appearance, not try to make your appearance like someone else’s. You are beautiful. Treat yourself right, and forget about what famous people look like. Just be you.
Do you think you look fat? I certainly do sometimes. I guess it depends on what I wear. Even though I am not as big as many women around me, I still feel fat. Would a doctor consider me overweight? Probably not. I am within the healthy weight range for my height. The same might be true for you, but you probably still fat. Reasons why we women feel this way The media. It’s almost cliché to talk about the images in the media. The pictures of perfect women, and the skinny actresses are flooding our senses constantly. It doesn’t matter whether you are watching television, standing in line at the grocery store, or surfing the web, you are bound to see some half dressed ‘sexy’ and ‘perfect’ female body with a frail hour glass shape. The medium to large chest size, flat tummy and shapely thighs is on magazine covers, in commercials and on the big screen all the time. The problem is that we can’t help but compare ourselves. We know that we don’t look like them, so we tell ourselves that we need to lose weight. We all want to look like someone else. Seriously, how often do you hear a woman say, "I love my body?" The words of other women. Have you ever found yourself making negative comments about the way another woman looks? Has anyone ever told you that you look fat? How about, "you should work out more," or somehow made fun of you because of your size? Women are a ton more critical than men (in general) about the weight and shape of our bodies. We are in constant competition with each other. How can we feel better about ourselves? It is important to understand that the images we see are hardly the real bodies of those women. Computer imaging is incredibly advanced, and every little imperfection is digitally altered. As far as the movies go, you would be surprised at how the angles of the camera and the pose of the actress can make them appear thinner than they are. It’s not all real. Another thing that you must consider is that these people are rich. They are paid to look a certain way, play a particular role, and project a certain image. They can afford to eat the highest quality, healthiest food available. If they gain a few pounds, they can spend thousands on a personal trainer or get surgery. They might work long hours for weeks or months at a time, but with millions between paycheck to paycheck, vacation time can be as long as they want it to be. That means they don’t work the nine to five 340 days out of the year and can spend time keeping their bodies perfect. Stop trying to compete. You have to be confident in who you are and love yourself. You are unique and you will never look like anyone else. You will always look your best when you enhance your own best features. Be yourself, inside and out. Don’t let the way other people look dictate how you should look. Observe reality. Go to the mall or the grocery store during a busy hour. Take a look at all the women. How many of them have the ‘perfect bodies’ that you see on television? You will find that a majority of people do not look anything like those people on television. Go out and really take that truth in. Count the imperfect bodies if you want. It will help you realize that you are not the only one who isn’t on a magazine cover. I think everyone should eat as much healthy food as possible and get regular exercise. Any healthy person, big or small, is beautiful to me. Taking good care of your body will help you feel attractive. If you begin to love your body, so will other people. Emotional health is the key to being beautiful. We have to stop the association with thin and beautiful. True beauty has very little to do with your weight or the size jeans you have on. You should take care of your appearance, not try to make your appearance like someone else’s. You are beautiful. Treat yourself right, and forget about what famous people look like. Just be you.
Benefits of Cardiovascular Exercise
There are many health benefits of cardiovascular exercise. It can also have a number of psychological benefits - it can help you feel stronger and more capable, happier, more energetic, etc.
It can burn a lot of calories
One of the benefits of cardiovascular exercise is that it is a good way to burn calories. Still, to lose weight with cardiovascular exercise - you need to do it for longer periods of time and more frequently to lose weight. It is best to try and both decrease your caloric intake and start a cardiovascular exercise program at the same time.
Can raise you metabolic rate
Some studies have shown that with regular cardiovascular exercise your resting metabolic level will increase. This is one way in which it can help you to lose weight.
It can burn a lot of calories
One of the benefits of cardiovascular exercise is that it is a good way to burn calories. Still, to lose weight with cardiovascular exercise - you need to do it for longer periods of time and more frequently to lose weight. It is best to try and both decrease your caloric intake and start a cardiovascular exercise program at the same time.
Can raise you metabolic rate
Some studies have shown that with regular cardiovascular exercise your resting metabolic level will increase. This is one way in which it can help you to lose weight.
Cardiovascular Exercise Programs
There are many different types of cardiovascular exercise programs. You have many options. You can design your own, based on information your from a book for example. Or maybe hired a personal trainer to advise you. Or you can even find a video or dvd with information about different types of cardiovascular programs. Or even a software program to help you plan your exercise. One thing to have to be decided is if you want to do your cardiovascular exercise outside or inside. At home or at a gym.
You will also have to decide if you want to use bought fitness equipment, or exercise without it. Also - do you want to exercise alone or with a friend? Something else that should be planned into any cardiovascular exercise program is the frequency that you want to exercise. If you want to just be healthier you not need to exercise as much as you will if you want to lose weight. Of course the amount of time you have free to be able to exercise will also be a factor to consider. If you work long hours and it is winter, it will be too dark to do exercise outside - and too cold! One last thing to consider when planning your cardiovascular exercise program is leave time for warming up and cooling down! Many people forget to do this! The following are some other resources to learn more about cardiovascular exercise programs: Bodybuilding.com PresentMaia Appleby - Cardiovascular Exercise Prgrams - tennis, golf, skiing, dancing, basketball, volleyball, boxing, hiking, and strength training programs all benefit from cardiovascular exercise weight loss programs; weight loss diet; online personal trainers - most popular and effective cardiovascular exercise routines are ... combination with our customized workout routines ... is a true exercise routine resource ... exercise programs - cardiovascular exercise routine, Cardiovascular Exercise Routines Click here to receive an ... What should I eat before I workout? ... more exercise Tips and faqs .. Cardiovascular Exercise Principles and Guidelines: Part One- safe and effective cardiovascular exercise program. Strongwomen.com - Your Virtual Trainer with Dr. Miriam Nelson - next component and overall enjoyment of the workout focus on you are making regular cardiovascular and strength ... Intrafitt :: Individualized Nutrition and Exercise Programs- As far as your cardiovascular exercise is concerned, your INTRAFITT Program will provide you with the specific FITT (Frequency, Intensity, Type and Time) Good luck with planning your cardiovascular exercise program!
You will also have to decide if you want to use bought fitness equipment, or exercise without it. Also - do you want to exercise alone or with a friend? Something else that should be planned into any cardiovascular exercise program is the frequency that you want to exercise. If you want to just be healthier you not need to exercise as much as you will if you want to lose weight. Of course the amount of time you have free to be able to exercise will also be a factor to consider. If you work long hours and it is winter, it will be too dark to do exercise outside - and too cold! One last thing to consider when planning your cardiovascular exercise program is leave time for warming up and cooling down! Many people forget to do this! The following are some other resources to learn more about cardiovascular exercise programs: Bodybuilding.com PresentMaia Appleby - Cardiovascular Exercise Prgrams - tennis, golf, skiing, dancing, basketball, volleyball, boxing, hiking, and strength training programs all benefit from cardiovascular exercise weight loss programs; weight loss diet; online personal trainers - most popular and effective cardiovascular exercise routines are ... combination with our customized workout routines ... is a true exercise routine resource ... exercise programs - cardiovascular exercise routine, Cardiovascular Exercise Routines Click here to receive an ... What should I eat before I workout? ... more exercise Tips and faqs .. Cardiovascular Exercise Principles and Guidelines: Part One- safe and effective cardiovascular exercise program. Strongwomen.com - Your Virtual Trainer with Dr. Miriam Nelson - next component and overall enjoyment of the workout focus on you are making regular cardiovascular and strength ... Intrafitt :: Individualized Nutrition and Exercise Programs- As far as your cardiovascular exercise is concerned, your INTRAFITT Program will provide you with the specific FITT (Frequency, Intensity, Type and Time) Good luck with planning your cardiovascular exercise program!
What is cardiovascular exercise?
Some people refer to Cardiovascular exercise as aerobic exercise, some people even call it 'cardio' for short. All it amounts to is exercises that involve the large muscles like legs and help make your heart and lungs stronger. Cardiovascular exercise has lots of health benefits like lowering your blood pressure, and also it can burn lots of calories - for those of you who want to lose weight. Cardiovascular exercise is activity involving the large muscles, such as your legs. The word 'aerobic' refers to something that needs oxygen. During cardiovascular or aerobic exercise oxygen gets continuously delivered to your muscles. Outside of exercise, terms like 'aerobic bacteria' refer to bacteria that need oxygen to survive, and 'anaerobic bacteria' are ones that do not need oxygen to stay alive.
To give your heart a proper workout you need to make sure that you do your cardiovacular exercise with a certain amount of intensity, but you don't want to overdo it. One way measure the amount of exertion while exercising is by monitoring your heart rate. You can measure your heart rate manually or with a heart rate monitor. I prefer using a heart rate monitor, but more about that later. Heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Everyone has a resting heart rate, which is just what it sounds like - the rate your heart beats per minute while you are resting. Everyone also has a maximum heart rate, which the maximum amount of times your heart can beat in a minute. Your 'target heart rate zone' is a range of heart rate that is considered to be the best rate to be in to give your heart a good workout. This range is between 50% and 85% of your maximum heart rate. Your maximum heart rate can be determined by a doctor, or you can use a formula to calculate a rough estimate. The most common way to calculate it is the following: For women:226 - (your age) = your maximum heart rate For men:220 - (your age) = your maximum heart rate For example, if you are a 32 year old woman: substract 32 from 226 226 - 32 = 194 Then take that number and multiply it by .5, to get your lower end of your target zone. And then multiply that same number by .85 to get the upper end of your zone. For example: 194 x .5 = 97 and 194 x .85 = 164.9 So, for a 32 year old woman an estimate of her maximum heart rate is 194. And her 'target heart rate zone' is between 97 and 164.9 heart beats per minute.
To give your heart a proper workout you need to make sure that you do your cardiovacular exercise with a certain amount of intensity, but you don't want to overdo it. One way measure the amount of exertion while exercising is by monitoring your heart rate. You can measure your heart rate manually or with a heart rate monitor. I prefer using a heart rate monitor, but more about that later. Heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Everyone has a resting heart rate, which is just what it sounds like - the rate your heart beats per minute while you are resting. Everyone also has a maximum heart rate, which the maximum amount of times your heart can beat in a minute. Your 'target heart rate zone' is a range of heart rate that is considered to be the best rate to be in to give your heart a good workout. This range is between 50% and 85% of your maximum heart rate. Your maximum heart rate can be determined by a doctor, or you can use a formula to calculate a rough estimate. The most common way to calculate it is the following: For women:226 - (your age) = your maximum heart rate For men:220 - (your age) = your maximum heart rate For example, if you are a 32 year old woman: substract 32 from 226 226 - 32 = 194 Then take that number and multiply it by .5, to get your lower end of your target zone. And then multiply that same number by .85 to get the upper end of your zone. For example: 194 x .5 = 97 and 194 x .85 = 164.9 So, for a 32 year old woman an estimate of her maximum heart rate is 194. And her 'target heart rate zone' is between 97 and 164.9 heart beats per minute.
Monday, February 23, 2009
9 Ways To Squeeze Exercise Into Your Busy Work Day
Finding it hard to find time for exercise? Want to lose weight or get fit but are just too busy to start? Maybe these ideas will help.
9 Ways To Squeeze Exercise Into Your Busy Work Day
Next time you think you are too busy to workout try some of these ideas.
1. Forget formal sessionsIf you are too busy to go to the gym today then forget about it! Don’t stress over it. I know a lot of people who get so anxious when they can’t get to the gym thinking that all their good work will be undone. It won’t. Instead of a formal gym session try to fit in smaller things during the day.
2. Get up earlyGetting up early is one of the best ways to get the most out of life. All the fittest people in the world get up early and go for a workout. There is nothing more energising than and early morning jog through the streets - just you and the cool air.
People often think that they will be too tired if they get up early. Wrong. After a week or two you will have more energy than ever.
3. Take the stairsThe stairs at work are a great way to burn calories and get your heart rate up. This is especially true if you work in a skyscraper building. You don’t have to take ALL the stairs. For some of you that would take the whole day. Simply get off the elevator a few storeys early and do some stairs. Easy.
4. Bike to workLoyal reader Mazie sent us in an article about the benefits of biking to work. It is good for the environment, good for your waist-line, good for your heart and will save you a lot of money on petrol and car parking. Think about it.
5. Sit on a fitness ball instead of a chairChairs are so yesterday man! Sit on a fitness ball instead. It is better for your back and posture and it allows you to lean back and do a few crunches when the urge arises. I sit on a fitness ball and often surprise myself and how many crunches I will do in a day.
6. Keep a gripper at your deskLittle hand grippers are a great item to keep at your desk. You can squeeze them to relieve stress as well as to get a pretty full on forearm workout. These things are cheap and very good value.
7. Use your hour long lunch breakMost people will have an hour for lunch. But really, who needs that much time? Spend the first 30 minutes going for a run around the city or doing an abs workout in the conference room. Get back, 15 minutes to shower and get ready and then 15 minutes to eat your pre-packed lunch. Easy. You don’t have to do it everyday. Once a week is better than none.
8. Park your car further awayIf you park your car in the same parking lot everyday try parking a few blocks further away and walking to work. 10 minutes to work, 10 minutes back to the car - that’s 20 minutes of walking you wouldn’t have otherwise done.
9. Take the long route to the coffee machineEverytime you get up and go to the toilet or the coffee machine make sure you take the long route. You boss might not like this but as long as you are meeting the daily targets there really shouldn’t be a problem. The more you walk around the better.
ConclusionWhat other things do you do when you are too busy to workout?
9 Ways To Squeeze Exercise Into Your Busy Work Day
Next time you think you are too busy to workout try some of these ideas.
1. Forget formal sessionsIf you are too busy to go to the gym today then forget about it! Don’t stress over it. I know a lot of people who get so anxious when they can’t get to the gym thinking that all their good work will be undone. It won’t. Instead of a formal gym session try to fit in smaller things during the day.
2. Get up earlyGetting up early is one of the best ways to get the most out of life. All the fittest people in the world get up early and go for a workout. There is nothing more energising than and early morning jog through the streets - just you and the cool air.
People often think that they will be too tired if they get up early. Wrong. After a week or two you will have more energy than ever.
3. Take the stairsThe stairs at work are a great way to burn calories and get your heart rate up. This is especially true if you work in a skyscraper building. You don’t have to take ALL the stairs. For some of you that would take the whole day. Simply get off the elevator a few storeys early and do some stairs. Easy.
4. Bike to workLoyal reader Mazie sent us in an article about the benefits of biking to work. It is good for the environment, good for your waist-line, good for your heart and will save you a lot of money on petrol and car parking. Think about it.
5. Sit on a fitness ball instead of a chairChairs are so yesterday man! Sit on a fitness ball instead. It is better for your back and posture and it allows you to lean back and do a few crunches when the urge arises. I sit on a fitness ball and often surprise myself and how many crunches I will do in a day.
6. Keep a gripper at your deskLittle hand grippers are a great item to keep at your desk. You can squeeze them to relieve stress as well as to get a pretty full on forearm workout. These things are cheap and very good value.
7. Use your hour long lunch breakMost people will have an hour for lunch. But really, who needs that much time? Spend the first 30 minutes going for a run around the city or doing an abs workout in the conference room. Get back, 15 minutes to shower and get ready and then 15 minutes to eat your pre-packed lunch. Easy. You don’t have to do it everyday. Once a week is better than none.
8. Park your car further awayIf you park your car in the same parking lot everyday try parking a few blocks further away and walking to work. 10 minutes to work, 10 minutes back to the car - that’s 20 minutes of walking you wouldn’t have otherwise done.
9. Take the long route to the coffee machineEverytime you get up and go to the toilet or the coffee machine make sure you take the long route. You boss might not like this but as long as you are meeting the daily targets there really shouldn’t be a problem. The more you walk around the better.
ConclusionWhat other things do you do when you are too busy to workout?
All About Ab Workouts
Achieving the perfect set of six-pack abs is something that is extremely hard to accomplish, even with a solid ab workout. While it isn’t the Holy Grail and only seen by a handful, it also isn’t something that 1 out of 10 people achieve, nor is it something that 1 in 20 people can think of having. Of course, while there are no documented or official ratios, failure rate is high, even out of those that workout.
Out of those people that workout and work toward perfect abs, maybe only 1 out of 10,000 of them will actually get the “picture perfect” image of the perfect six-pack set of abs. With all of these people trying to get the model six-pack, we forget the need and importance for simply having a strong, muscular built torso.
Basics of working your abs
There is so much inaccurate information about abs floating around that simply won’t go away, regardless of how many times they’re debunked. You need to know the following:
Crunches do NOT lead to six-pack abs.
Crucial to six-pack abs includes losing body fat, not crunches
Fat over the abs does not denote weak abs. You shouldn’t get discouraged if you don’t see much progress, as your strength is still there – just not easily visible.
Do not ignore your entire body when working out your abs. Remember your back.
Not everybody is able to achieve perfect abs, as genetics plays an important role
You shouldn’t be discouraged that you most likely will never achieve a six-pack. By working out your abs, regardless of appearance, you’re stabilizing your torso to maintain good posture. In addition, strong abs and back muscles are important to prevent lower back injury.
Effective Ab Workouts
Contrary to common belief, crunches are not the most effective way to make your abs solid. It is important to approach your abs just like another muscle in your body, like biceps. It’s important when working out to target ALL of your lower back muscles and abs. You need to work your internal and external obliques, back extensions, your TVA, and your rectus abdominis.
Each exercise should be sdperformed with 10-16 reps. If it’s too easy for you, you need to pay attention to your form and make sure you’re doing them properly. You shouldn’t use momentum, nor should you incorporate other muscles to help you.
Your ab exercises should be 3 or 4 times a week, resting a day in between. They should be accompanied by a complete program of weight training, cardio, and stretching.
Out of those people that workout and work toward perfect abs, maybe only 1 out of 10,000 of them will actually get the “picture perfect” image of the perfect six-pack set of abs. With all of these people trying to get the model six-pack, we forget the need and importance for simply having a strong, muscular built torso.
Basics of working your abs
There is so much inaccurate information about abs floating around that simply won’t go away, regardless of how many times they’re debunked. You need to know the following:
Crunches do NOT lead to six-pack abs.
Crucial to six-pack abs includes losing body fat, not crunches
Fat over the abs does not denote weak abs. You shouldn’t get discouraged if you don’t see much progress, as your strength is still there – just not easily visible.
Do not ignore your entire body when working out your abs. Remember your back.
Not everybody is able to achieve perfect abs, as genetics plays an important role
You shouldn’t be discouraged that you most likely will never achieve a six-pack. By working out your abs, regardless of appearance, you’re stabilizing your torso to maintain good posture. In addition, strong abs and back muscles are important to prevent lower back injury.
Effective Ab Workouts
Contrary to common belief, crunches are not the most effective way to make your abs solid. It is important to approach your abs just like another muscle in your body, like biceps. It’s important when working out to target ALL of your lower back muscles and abs. You need to work your internal and external obliques, back extensions, your TVA, and your rectus abdominis.
Each exercise should be sdperformed with 10-16 reps. If it’s too easy for you, you need to pay attention to your form and make sure you’re doing them properly. You shouldn’t use momentum, nor should you incorporate other muscles to help you.
Your ab exercises should be 3 or 4 times a week, resting a day in between. They should be accompanied by a complete program of weight training, cardio, and stretching.
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