Androgenetic Alopecia is a condition that affects 1 in 7 people in the US, approximate 35 million people, which is 12.87 percent of the total population. The condition can affect any part of the body which has hair follicles and varies in severity. The condition does not cause many debilitating physical problems however does have a serious affect on the sufferer psychologically as it lowers self esteem.
The condition can affect men, women and even chimpanzees and is more commonly known as male pattern baldness in men. The symptoms of the condition are a receding hairline and loss of hair in the crown area of the scalp, however this differs in women as they experience a thinning of the hair as opposed to the prevalent receding hairline in men. The severity of the condition also depends on the causes of the balding.
The most common cause is the aforementioned hereditary condition that affects men and women, Androgenetic Alopecia and cutting edge research has identified the condition being hormonal. The androgen hormones are responsible for standard masculine sexual development and the main hormone responsible is called DHT. It is believed that the maternal side of the genetic pool is key and that a recessive variant of the androgen gene is responsible however the condition is still not fully understood.
There are other environmental factors that can cause baldness and the most common are malnutrition, dermatological scalp conditions, illness and stress. Some of these causes of Androgenetic Alopecia are harder to treat than others however in most cases there is something that can be done, there have been excellent developments in the treatment of the genetic strain of the condition.
Opinion varies on how best to treat Androgenetic Alopecia however many experts believe that a combination of hair transplant surgery and medication boasts the best results. Hair replacement surgery is now a relatively common treatment and there are many specialists practicing using increasingly effective techniques.
Hair transplant surgery is a procedure which is generally performed under local anaesthetic and hair is stripped from a discreet donor area of the scalp, usually from round the back of the head which is genetically programmed to re-grow. The hair is taken in clumps of follicles and the amount taken is down to the discretion of the individual surgeon, however it is essential that the follicles are intact.
The donor hair is then surgically implanted into the recipient area, usually in the crown of the scalp, then the donor area is sutured back together. The hair transplant follicles do not have the same genetic code as the affected area, they have genetic code from the lower part of the scalp which is programmed to re-grow. After the donor hair sheds after a couple of months the transplanted hair should grow normally and results should be seen in approximately two years.
Hair transplant surgery is only a success when taken in combination with medication. There are two main medications that have been clinically proven to combat Androgenetic Alopecia. Minoxidil, which has the pharmaceutical name Rogaine has been on the market for some time and shows some success in arresting hair loss however no results as far as hair regeneration goes. It is available over the counter of a pharmacy in certain dosages.
Finasteride which has the pharmaceutical name Propecia, is a newer drug and only available in prescription as it can potentially be fatal to foetuses so should never been taken by pregnant women. This drug has shown excellent results in hair regeneration and it is crucial to be taken after hair transplant surgery as ceasing the medication can result in a return to the pre-hair transplant level of hair loss.
Glue Ear is a hearing impairment commonly seen in children. It results in a hearing loss with an average of 20 decibels (db HL). Due to this condition, normal speech seems to be a whisper. Glue ear is mostly seen in small children around the age of three. As the children get older, the probability of glue ear reduces.
Glue ear is a painless condition. The back of the eardrum fills with a thick, sticky fluid, which causes blockage in the middle ear. The movement of bones is minimized in the ear due to the thick fluid. This leads to loss of hearing. If glue ear is not given proper treatment, it will lead to delayed speech in young children, and affect a child's behavior and educational progress. Sometimes, it may cause permanent damage to hearing.
The thick yellowish white fluid behind the eardrum looks like glue, hence the name glue ear. It is also known as chronic otitis media with effusion, or middle ear effusion or secretory otitis media.
Causes Of Glue Ear
Glue ear occurs when there is a problem in the Eustachian tube. This tube connects the middle ear to back of the throat and nose. The middle ear is filled with air that travels through the Eustachian tube to the back of the nose. The tube helps the middle ear to drain the fluids.
When there is an ear infection, the Eustachian tube swells. This swelling blocks the middle ear drainage. As a result, there will not be a proper airflow from the tube to the nose. When this happens, the middle ear builds up pressure, which leads to the formation of a thick and glue-like fluid. This fluid fills the middle ear which leads to partial deafness.
In the case of babies, the Eustachian tube is shorter and straighter that in adults. This makes them less efficient in draining the ear, which results in blockage. Children, when colds and sore throats in children can infect the tube will lead to glue ear. And in some children, the adenoids are likely to be increased in size. This will block the opening of the tube, which in turn leads to hearing loss.
Effects Of Glue Ear
A person suffering from glue ear will have muffled hearing. It will not be complete deafness. Detecting hearing loss in small children is not easy since they will not be able to converse properly. Such children may not pay attention to others. School children may be poor at studies. They will want to watch TV with the sound volume high. In the case of babies, there will be a delay in speech. The early stages of glue ear will be pain free. Children suffering from this disease will be clumsier than normal. If not detected in time, it will lead to impaired hearing.
Treatment for Glue Ear
There are various treatments for curing glue ear. It can be done either by intake of medicines or by minor surgery. Glue ear can be treated by three methods:
? Antibiotics: Antibiotic therapy has been proved effective for children suffering from glue ear. Due to the infection, which leads to glue ear, the child will suffer from pain. Antibiotics are the best-prescribed medicines for glue ear. If the infection is present and if it is not treated on time, child will end up with a hearing loss.
? Myringotomy: Myringotomy is a method, which helps in draining the fluid from the middle ear. A small opening is made on the eardrum. This incision helps in removing the fluid from the middle ear. It takes about a week's time for the eardrum to heal.
Myringotomy is also done to insert ear tubes in the eardrums. This helps in allowing free flow of air between the Eustachian tube and the nose and throat. It also helps in further drainage of fluids.
? Ear Tubes: Ear tubes are also called tympanostomy tubes, or grommets. In ear tube surgery, the surgeon will make an incision in the eardrum to remove the excess fluid from the middle ear. A small metal or plastic tube will be inserted through this incision. This will help in removing the excess fluid through the ear canal. The operation is done through the eardrum externally without any cut on the child's skin.
Once the ear tube is placed, the child's hearing capability will be back to normal. The tube stays in the ear. It will fall out on its own once the eardrum closes.
When the child is suffering from glue ear, make sure that water does not enter his eardrum. The child should have earplugs or cotton coated with petroleum jelly to avoid the water getting inside the ear. This can help in reducing further infection and pain.
Both Dominic Donaldson & Mike Jennings are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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