Hair Loss

 

My biggest issue with Gastroparesis has been hair loss.  Okay, besides the: nausea, pain, bowel issues, toliet hugging and not knowing what to eat/drink. 

In my limited medical knowledge (mother is a retired RN) I knew that my now lack of nutrition was causing some of the hair loss.  I knew (and experienced) hair loss during hormone changes.  I also knew that an abrupt diet change can also trigger hair loss, not to mention stress. 

But months went by and I was still having large amounts of hair fall out.  I was afraid to brush it and shower.  There were first fulls and I would clog the drain.   I was literally scared!  

One day I decided to take Omega 3-6-9 and within about 7 days, I was doing much better, the more I continued on the supplement, the better my hair got.  I ran out and decided not to buy another bottle.  Soon the hair loss started again, prompting me to run to the store for another bottle of it.  Then, slowly it got better again.  This is my magic pill that is what what my body seems to want.  I have a prior blog on that supplement (which is also used to help with constipation), which you can find here:  https://melissagpfight.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/omega-3-for-constipation/

 

What are the triggers?  What can we do about it?  I hope to answer that, below.   Keep in mind that this is general hair loss.  I am not talking about any medical condition or genetic premature balding.   Below is simply targeting factors that can cause thinning. 

 

Hair Loss Triggers

• Hormonal factors – pregnancy, childbirth, discontinuation of birth control pills or the onset of menopause.
• Thyroid problems – Thyroid gland helps regulate hormones.
• Medications For–  Cancer, Arthritis,Depression,High Blood Pressure and Birth Control.
• Stress (Physical or Mental) – Fever, Chronic Illness and Relationship Problems.
• Medical Conditions – inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune diseases.
• Dietary Changes – Severe protein, fatty acid and caloric restriction.

 

Help For Hair Loss

• Iron – Spinach
• Zinc – Oyster, Crab, Dark Chocolate and Peanuts
• Vitamin D – Greek Yogurt (as well as B5 for follicle help)
• Fatty Acids – tuna, walnuts and flaxseed
• Biotin – egg yolk and cheese
• Magnesium – Halibut 
• Vitamin A – Carrots

 

If you are like me, I am not getting enough of the vitamins needed to even help with hair loss through food alone.  I typically only consume 1 small meal of real food a day.  The rest is either soup or smoothie for my daily intake.  

You may want to have blood work done (if you have not already) to see where exactly your vitamin and mineral levels are.  Then go from there.  If you are deficient in something, look to see what foods are high in that amount or if the deficiency is really bad, you may need a supplement.  Here is a great web site to match foods with vitamins:  http://www.healthaliciousness.com/most-nutritious-foods-lists.php

Should you need a supplement, I suggest that you look for a liquid form, as it is easier to digest.  If you can’t find one, then the gel caps are fairly good. 

 

Links:

• http://www.ccjm.org/content/76/6/361.full
• http://www.hairlosshelp.com/hair_loss_research/hairloss_causes.cfm
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278/DSECTION=causes
• http://www.healthaliciousness.com/most-nutritious-foods-lists.php

 

Non-Prescription Nausea Relief Ideas

Let me first start off by saying that the suggestions that will follow will not completely get rid of your nausea.  At least, they didn’t for me.  But my nausea is much less being on some of them.  Also, be sure to consult your doctor before you try any home remedies or herbal supplements.  There can be drug interactions and some supplements as well as no guidelines as to how much you (as your own individual case) should take.

Okay, with that disclaimer out of the way lets begin!  Follow in is a list of items that should help relieve/limit your nausea.  Also, don’t expect the diminished nausea to happen instantly.

• Ginger – supplements, candied ginger, ginger ale, ginger cookie/bread, tea
• Saltine Crackers (breads or crackers of any type)
• Water (dehydration causes nausea)
• Mint Tea
• Lemonade
• Black licorice candies
• Altoid peppermint
• Check to see if you are low in B-6
• In-scents: ginger, lemon, lavender and peppermint
• Cool Air / Fan (to bring down your body temp)
• Cold wash cloth or ice pack on the back of the neck
• Acupressure – Link: http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Nausea-With-Acupressure
• peppermint candy (York or Jr Mints)
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Yoga
• Short small sniffs of a medical alcohol sanitizing pad (right before you feel you will vomit)

I can happily say that I take ginger supplements every day.  If I miss a few days of them, the nausea comes back strong.  I also notice if I get ‘hot’ the nausea starts to approach as well.  After every meal (any meal other than soup or smoothie) I drink mint tea (Mint Medley by Bigelow) and it works wonders!   I even carry bags with me when we go anyplace.  My body does not tolerate any of the prescription medications, so this I am very limited.

Found at a local drug store:

• Sea sickness band
• Pressure band (PSI)
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• meclizine (Bonine)

I tried that last 3 items on this list and they had no effect on me.  My GI Dr told me to give them a try before we went down the prescription route.

LINKS:

• http://www.livestrong.com/article/437870-good-foods-to-eat-while-nauseated/
• http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Nausea.html  <<foods to avoid
• http://www.livestrong.com/article/416161-yoga-poses-for-nausea <<Yoga poses
• http://www.ehow.com/how_6618_shiatsu-nausea.html  << Shiatsu Message

Omega 3 for Constipation

Copy from April 13, 2013 Facebook Note (edited):

It is odd what my brain seems to wonder to.  I had been skipping on my fish oil and other supplements.  First it was just the mornings.  I had been sleeping in until noon-ish and just didn’t bother.  Then I was skipping them at night too.  Falling asleep to soon, or just not caring.  Probably both. 

Soon after receiving a highly stressful letter, my body decided to go into flair mode.   Yep, I am sure it was due to the lack of supplements, stress and just not taking care of myself.  I am now 5 days into the flare.  Normally the 3rd day I am fine. 

I realized yesterday my neglect for the supplements and started them up again.  During this flare, I have had a very difficult time with constipation (I had a prior ‘note’ on this as well).  Just now I had a ‘regular’ BM and was so happy.  Yes, small things make me happy!  Anyway, I was wondering if starting up my fish oil had anything to do with this.  The rest of me is still about the same: worse than ever pain, too tired to do much, hurt all over, dizzy, lack of focus, ect.   But the BM is much better.
So I did a little research and found out that Omega 3 can help to make you ‘regular’.  What ever your “regular” is.  It will not speed anything up.  Here is the link if you want to read it:  http://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/five-home-remedies-for-constipation.aspx

I do want to tell you that I LOVE my fish oil.  It is from Natures Bounty and is: Fish, Flax, Borage (Omega 3-6-9) it is rapid release liquid softgel.  I only burped fish once and that was because it was that kind of gassy night and I didn’t take it with a meal.  Just popped the pill and went to bed.  Honestly, I hate fish and the burp wasn’t as bad as I would have thought.  Here is a link for info on this blend from the manufacture (other brands make this blend too):  http://www.naturesbounty.com/product/010151

 

So maybe there was something to the fish oil combo I use!!  I started it because I was loosing my hair.  And YES, it did help that issue.  If I miss a few days of the Omega 3-6-9, then I notice more hair loss in the shower.