Why diabetes can lead to hair loss

• Hair loss can be a symptom for undiscovered metabolic diseases.
• Diabetes mellitus affects the cell metabolism of the hair.
• A whole bundle of causes leads to diffuse hair loss.
• If the blood sugar is set correctly by the doctor, the hair loss would have to stop.

Hair loss and suddenly thinner hair can be one of the first visible symptoms for diabetes mellitus. After diabetes diagnosis, hair loss is certainly not the biggest problem of those affected. But the knowledge of the interplay of diabetes and hair loss as well as the possibilities of treatment are great motivation to get the type 2 diabetes under control.

Diabetes hair loss: causes

Diabetes affects all metabolic processes in the body and thus also on the cell metabolism on the hair roots. It is probably not the one disruptive factor that leads to hair loss, but a whole bundle of causes. Cell division and cell growth on the hair roots do not optimally run, the hair follicles end the growth phase of the hair early. In the following we call the causes of diffuse Hair loss With diabetes mellitus.

Circulatory disorders

Increased blood sugar levels damage small blood vessels (diabetic microangiopathy) for years. The supply of the scalp and hair follicle with energy and oxygen as well as proteins to keratization of the hair comes to a standstill.

Lack of energy

If the transport of glucose inside the cell, where the glucose is then used for energy generation (glycolysis), as a result of the lack of insulin, the hair follicles must adjust the growth of the hair.

Autoimmunstungen

High blood sugar disturbs the function of the immune system. The body is more susceptible to infections. If defense cells attack hair follicles, if they lose their immune privilege, alopecia areata occurs. The hair is practically overnight.

Dry scalp

With high loss of fluid due to an increased urine excretion (glucosuria), skin and scalp tend to drain. A permanently dry, irritated and inflamed scalp makes it difficult for the hair follicles to maintain the growth phase of the hair.

stress

The life change in a type 2 diabetes disease-for example the regular intake of medication or injecting insulin-means stress. The cell follicle is disturbed by distributing stress messenger substances and inflammatory reactions.

Medication

Certain pharmacological substances hinder cell metabolism on the hair roots, for example the structure of hair ceratin, and interrupt the growth of the hair.

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus (ancient Greek For "honey -sweet flow") is a collective term for numerous metabolic disorders of the organism. The term diabetes mellitus describes a main symptom, namely the excretion of sugar with the urine. How does diabetes mellitus come about?

The carbohydrates recorded with food in potatoes, rice or grain, for example in the form of bread, are broken down into glucose (glucose) in our gastrointestinal tract and released into the blood over the intestine. The metabolic hormone insulin, which is generated in the pancreas, causes the transport of glucose to the cell interior, where glucose is consumed in so -called glycolysis for energy generation.

If the glucose no longer gets into the body cells as a result of an insulin disorder or an insulin resistance of the cells, the organism (hyperglycaemia) of the organism and the blood sugar levels are increasing. Therefore, diabetes are also called diabetes. Too low sugar value (hypoglycaemia), on the other hand, can occur as a result of treatment with insulin medication.

Only the carbohydrate metabolism is not always disturbed in diabetes. Again and again it can be seen that the fat and protein metabolism do not run smoothly. This also has consequences for hair growth. But thinner hair is no indication of hair loss. The hair grows when the cell metabolism of the hair follicle gets back into balance.

Treat diabetes hair loss

People who are affected by hair loss may learn from their dermatologist that hair loss is the symptom of a diabetes. Now it's time to set priorities: only get diabetes under control, then tackle the hair loss.

Set blood sugar

The most important measure after the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is a treatment of hyperglycemia because it can lead to diseases of heart and circulation, eyes and kidneys, nerve disorders, not least to a diabetic foot. Type 2 diabetics also have a higher risk of developing arteriosclerosis. A well -set blood sugar level helps to mitigate secondary diseases, delay or not to arise in the first place. The treating doctor has non-drug and medication.

Non-drug treatment

Especially in overweight patients, reducing body weight by healthy eating and physical activity is an effective measure. Healthy eating means diverse and balanced diet. The food should be low in fat, carbohydrate and fiber-rich. Recommend internists Around 50 % carbohydrates, 30 to 35 % fat, 15 to 20 % protein. Sugar substances do not go into the sugar balance.

Drug treatment

Depending on the reaching of the therapy goals, the extent of the metabolic slope and the stage of the type 2 diabetes, medication for reducing blood sugar (antiabetics) such as insulin preparations are used. The doctor selects the appropriate drug, defines the dosage and coordinates the right diet with the patient.