Go Colts!!! We are very lucky to have such a great football team and quarterback and to be going to the Superbowl again. It certainly makes these 2 winter weeks more interesting. I and my family were very blessed to be at the AFC championship game, but we will not be going to the Superbowl. We will be warm and dry at home watching the game this time.
Many people have asked how my family is doing. I want to thank God for my so many blessings, especially a wonderful loving husband and great kids who are very hard working. I am so thankful and proud of them. My husband Bruce is a stay at home Dad for now and really letting God direct him in several men’s Bible studies and taking a college class in the Old Testament. My stepson Easton is making a good living in Chicago selling his artwork and will likely go to grad school in the Fall to get his Masters of Fine Art (http://www.eastonawesome.com/). Christina is a junior at IUPUI majoring in Sports Marketing and Spanish, and is vice-president of campus events for their student organization SOAR (many of you saw her interviewed on TV this Fall in their first annual IUPUI Rigatta). Nathan really likes Purdue (his mother’s alma mater!) and is a freshman majoring in Physics and Pre-med. Brendan is a freshman at Zionsville High School, and has done a great job of being a student athlete with straight A’s (plays second string wide receiver and cornerback on the freshman football team and continues to intensively work out at least twice a week in the offseason). Annika is a third grader at Union Elementary playing travel soccer, in the school play this spring, and takes guitar lessons with her Dad Bruce. The picture above is our new addition just this weekend, Penny, for a playmate for our puppy Ally! (We purchased her from another great breeder in Warsaw, Cindy Koehring , 574-269-9454. She still has 3 sibling Cavelliers from Penny’s litter for sale – all 3 are the ruby color and beautiful with great personalities – a hallmark of Caveliers.)
Hair Loss
Hair loss is a very common concern and affects up to 50% of people in their lives. It can occur anywhere on the body, but is the most cosmetic problem on the scalp. Hair loss is divided into the major categories of focal or diffuse hair loss.
Focal Hair Loss
This type of hair loss is due to an underlying problem that may cause scarring or nonscarring patches of hair loss. Scarring alopecia (lack of hair) causes permanent hair loss from destruction of hair follicles from severe immune diseases like lupus.
Nonscarring
Alopecia Areata: This is single to multiple patches of hair loss which an occur equally in men and women at any age (the most common age is young adult) and it can be from genetic predisposition in 20 – 40 percent of cases or from an autoimmune cause(such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, vitiligo, or thyroid disease). The classic finding is a smooth hairless patch surrounded by small broken hairs. Treatment is usually topical cortisone, and 30-50% of people recover within 1 year.
Tinea Capitus: Children are most likely to be affected by this fungal infection, usually presenting with a round patch of hair loss with some scaling and surrounding redness. Treatment is usually with an oral fungal medicine, though topical lamisil cream can be tried at first.
Traction Alopecia: Hair loss from pulling on hair from tight braids, curlers, bleaching/coloring, and wigs. Treatment involves eliminating the source of stress.
Trichotillomania: This is a psychiatric hair loss from repeated hair plucking.
Diffuse Hair Loss
Female Pattern Hair Loss
About 50% of women will experience this during their lifetime, and it is characterized by hair thinning over the top of the scalp but with preservation of the front hairline. Women should be evaluated for excess testosterone, anemia, or thyroid problems. Topical minoxidil 2% twice daily is the only approved treatment, but some women with a high level of testosterone can be treated with a water pill spironolactone. Treatment of any anemia and thyroid problems can improve this hair loss.
Male Pattern Hair Loss
This affects up to 50% of all white men by age 50, and a little less percentage of African American men. Hair loss starts in the temporal regions and then spreads to thinning in the vertex and frontal regions in a classic M pattern. Treatments include topical minoxidil 2% (the 5% is no better and can cause more side effects, it is applied twice daily to the scalp), oral Propecia once daily (less side effects in men younger than 40 – can cause decreased libido and impotence and erection disorders), and in some men Nizoral shampoo and Head and Shoulders shampoo 2 to 4 times per week can help. Some studes have shown increased efficacy with combined treatments.
Telogen Effluvium
This type of hair loss results when an increased number of hair cells enter the resting phase rather than the growing phase. Usually an average of 100 hairs are lost each day, but in this type of hair loss 30 to 50 percent of body hair can be rapidly lost. This can be precipitated by severe illness, injury, infection, surgery, crash diets, psychological stress, giving birth, thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, anemia, or drugs (especially can be seen with hormones, antithyroid drugs, anticoagulants, seizure medicines, blood pressure medicines - b-blockers and ACE inhibitors like lisinopril, and lithium). No cause is found in about 1/3 of cases. A hair pull test can help diagnose this (positive if greater than 10 percent of 40-60 hairs being pulled come out with steady traction). Treatment involves removing the underlying stressor and correction of any underlying medical problem.
Anagen Effluvium
This is abrupt loss of 80 – 90 percent of body hair. The main cause is chemotherapy.
Alopecia Totalis
Total hair loss on the scalp and or body presumed from autoimmune disorders or family history.
Natural Treatment:
Generally a balanced life and diet with adequate sleep, manageable stress, healthy diet, plenty of water intake (1/2-1 gallon per day), regular exercise, and general supplements (fish oil, vitamin D, multivitamin, calcium for women) will help avoid excessive hair loss. Biotin supplement has been shown to help some people with hair loss, and in some can help grow longer and thicker hair. Biotin is vitamin B7 and is water soluable, so your body will eliminate any unneeded amount. Adults require 30mg/day in their diet (found in grain, peas, nuts, vegetables), and supplements range from 1000 – 2000mg/day.
Eric’s Fitness Tips
By
Eric Walden
To start of this New Year and I want to a series for older Adults. I want to start out by going over some basic guidelines. In this mini-series I hope to help our older population to get started working out and hopefully stay healthier.
Guidelines for older Adults
American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association published the following Activity Guidelines from adults over the age of 65 (adults 50-64 with chronic conditions, such as arthritis):
- Do moderately intense aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
- Do vigorously intense exercise 20 minutes a day, 2 days a week
- Do 8-10 strength training exercises, performing 10-15 repetitions of exercises 2-3 times a week.
- If you are at risk for falls, perform balance exercises
- Have a physical activity plan
Key Points in the Guidelines for Older Adults
Although the guidelines for older adults and adults with chronic conditions are similar to those for younger adults, there are a few key differences and points to consider.
- It’s important to get started-and seek help if necessary. The general recommendation is that older adults should meet or exceed 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week; however, it is also recognized that goals below this threshold may be necessary for older adults with physical impairments or functional limits.
- Functional health is an important benefit of physical activity for older adults. Physical activity contributes to the ease of doing everyday activities, such as gardening, walking or cleaning the house.
- Strength training is extremely important for all adults, but especially so for older adults as it prevents loss of muscle mass and bone and is beneficial for functional health
- If older adults can exceed the minimum recommendations, they should do it!
- Flexibility is also important. Each day older adults perform aerobic or strength training activities, they should take an extra 10 minutes to stretch the major muscle and tendon groups, spending 10-30 seconds on each stretch and repeating stretches 3-4 times.
Many people have asked how my family is doing. I want to thank God for my so many blessings, especially a wonderful loving husband and great kids who are very hard working. I am so thankful and proud of them. My husband Bruce is a stay at home Dad for now and really letting God direct him in several men’s Bible studies and taking a college class in the Old Testament. My stepson Easton is making a good living in Chicago selling his artwork and will likely go to grad school in the Fall to get his Masters of Fine Art (http://www.eastonawesome.com/). Christina is a junior at IUPUI majoring in Sports Marketing and Spanish, and is vice-president of campus events for their student organization SOAR (many of you saw her interviewed on TV this Fall in their first annual IUPUI Rigatta). Nathan really likes Purdue (his mother’s alma mater!) and is a freshman majoring in Physics and Pre-med. Brendan is a freshman at Zionsville High School, and has done a great job of being a student athlete with straight A’s (plays second string wide receiver and cornerback on the freshman football team and continues to intensively work out at least twice a week in the offseason). Annika is a third grader at Union Elementary playing travel soccer, in the school play this spring, and takes guitar lessons with her Dad Bruce. The picture above is our new addition just this weekend, Penny, for a playmate for our puppy Ally! (We purchased her from another great breeder in Warsaw, Cindy Koehring , 574-269-9454. She still has 3 sibling Cavelliers from Penny’s litter for sale – all 3 are the ruby color and beautiful with great personalities – a hallmark of Caveliers.)
Hair Loss
Hair loss is a very common concern and affects up to 50% of people in their lives. It can occur anywhere on the body, but is the most cosmetic problem on the scalp. Hair loss is divided into the major categories of focal or diffuse hair loss.
Focal Hair Loss
This type of hair loss is due to an underlying problem that may cause scarring or nonscarring patches of hair loss. Scarring alopecia (lack of hair) causes permanent hair loss from destruction of hair follicles from severe immune diseases like lupus.
Nonscarring
Alopecia Areata: This is single to multiple patches of hair loss which an occur equally in men and women at any age (the most common age is young adult) and it can be from genetic predisposition in 20 – 40 percent of cases or from an autoimmune cause(such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, vitiligo, or thyroid disease). The classic finding is a smooth hairless patch surrounded by small broken hairs. Treatment is usually topical cortisone, and 30-50% of people recover within 1 year.
Tinea Capitus: Children are most likely to be affected by this fungal infection, usually presenting with a round patch of hair loss with some scaling and surrounding redness. Treatment is usually with an oral fungal medicine, though topical lamisil cream can be tried at first.
Traction Alopecia: Hair loss from pulling on hair from tight braids, curlers, bleaching/coloring, and wigs. Treatment involves eliminating the source of stress.
Trichotillomania: This is a psychiatric hair loss from repeated hair plucking.
Diffuse Hair Loss
Female Pattern Hair Loss
About 50% of women will experience this during their lifetime, and it is characterized by hair thinning over the top of the scalp but with preservation of the front hairline. Women should be evaluated for excess testosterone, anemia, or thyroid problems. Topical minoxidil 2% twice daily is the only approved treatment, but some women with a high level of testosterone can be treated with a water pill spironolactone. Treatment of any anemia and thyroid problems can improve this hair loss.
Male Pattern Hair Loss
This affects up to 50% of all white men by age 50, and a little less percentage of African American men. Hair loss starts in the temporal regions and then spreads to thinning in the vertex and frontal regions in a classic M pattern. Treatments include topical minoxidil 2% (the 5% is no better and can cause more side effects, it is applied twice daily to the scalp), oral Propecia once daily (less side effects in men younger than 40 – can cause decreased libido and impotence and erection disorders), and in some men Nizoral shampoo and Head and Shoulders shampoo 2 to 4 times per week can help. Some studes have shown increased efficacy with combined treatments.
Telogen Effluvium
This type of hair loss results when an increased number of hair cells enter the resting phase rather than the growing phase. Usually an average of 100 hairs are lost each day, but in this type of hair loss 30 to 50 percent of body hair can be rapidly lost. This can be precipitated by severe illness, injury, infection, surgery, crash diets, psychological stress, giving birth, thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, anemia, or drugs (especially can be seen with hormones, antithyroid drugs, anticoagulants, seizure medicines, blood pressure medicines - b-blockers and ACE inhibitors like lisinopril, and lithium). No cause is found in about 1/3 of cases. A hair pull test can help diagnose this (positive if greater than 10 percent of 40-60 hairs being pulled come out with steady traction). Treatment involves removing the underlying stressor and correction of any underlying medical problem.
Anagen Effluvium
This is abrupt loss of 80 – 90 percent of body hair. The main cause is chemotherapy.
Alopecia Totalis
Total hair loss on the scalp and or body presumed from autoimmune disorders or family history.
Natural Treatment:
Generally a balanced life and diet with adequate sleep, manageable stress, healthy diet, plenty of water intake (1/2-1 gallon per day), regular exercise, and general supplements (fish oil, vitamin D, multivitamin, calcium for women) will help avoid excessive hair loss. Biotin supplement has been shown to help some people with hair loss, and in some can help grow longer and thicker hair. Biotin is vitamin B7 and is water soluable, so your body will eliminate any unneeded amount. Adults require 30mg/day in their diet (found in grain, peas, nuts, vegetables), and supplements range from 1000 – 2000mg/day.
Eric’s Fitness Tips
By
Eric Walden
To start of this New Year and I want to a series for older Adults. I want to start out by going over some basic guidelines. In this mini-series I hope to help our older population to get started working out and hopefully stay healthier.
Guidelines for older Adults
American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association published the following Activity Guidelines from adults over the age of 65 (adults 50-64 with chronic conditions, such as arthritis):
- Do moderately intense aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
- Do vigorously intense exercise 20 minutes a day, 2 days a week
- Do 8-10 strength training exercises, performing 10-15 repetitions of exercises 2-3 times a week.
- If you are at risk for falls, perform balance exercises
- Have a physical activity plan
Key Points in the Guidelines for Older Adults
Although the guidelines for older adults and adults with chronic conditions are similar to those for younger adults, there are a few key differences and points to consider.
- It’s important to get started-and seek help if necessary. The general recommendation is that older adults should meet or exceed 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week; however, it is also recognized that goals below this threshold may be necessary for older adults with physical impairments or functional limits.
- Functional health is an important benefit of physical activity for older adults. Physical activity contributes to the ease of doing everyday activities, such as gardening, walking or cleaning the house.
- Strength training is extremely important for all adults, but especially so for older adults as it prevents loss of muscle mass and bone and is beneficial for functional health
- If older adults can exceed the minimum recommendations, they should do it!
- Flexibility is also important. Each day older adults perform aerobic or strength training activities, they should take an extra 10 minutes to stretch the major muscle and tendon groups, spending 10-30 seconds on each stretch and repeating stretches 3-4 times.
Family and Faith
Valentine’s Day – is coming soon, and think about planning some special things!
Valentine’s Day is a special time for expressing love and affection to those special to us – spouses, children, family, friends. The following are some suggestions.
Scripture – Song of Solomon (has great scripture to include in a Valentine to your very special love!), Deut. 6:5, Psalm 18:1, Psalm 116:1, Psalm 145:20, Proverbs 8:17, Romans, 8:28, and my memory verse for this week in my woman’s Bible study, Matthew 22:37-37 “Jesus replied, “Love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest Commandment.”
Decorate for Valentine’s Day – get out any saved decorations, red candles, a heart wreath of paper or fabric
Lend a helping hand – make red hearts with the words in the middle “I did it because I love you” and place it next to something you did to show your love for that person – a bed that has been made, dishes washed and put away, clothes washed and folded, carpet vacuumed, meal or snack made for a family member, bills paid, coffee or dinner made, etc!
How Mom and Dad met, dated, proposed, wedding photos – at a family dinner or time together discuss and bring out photos
Love Messages – write notes to each member of your family to tell them why you love/respect them and appreciate them (be specific) – tuck them in lunchboxes, briefcases, purses, backpacks, or on pillows, and write with red lipstick or soap on your spouse’s bathroom mirror – “I love you!”
Dinner by Candlelight – make a special family and then maybe different dinner for your spouse by candlelight with heart name cards or valentines, special dinnerware you may have or silverware, and maybe even send a special invitation a few days before (even on their pillows), then at dinner discuss how much you love/respect and appreciate each family member
Valentine treasure hunt – buy a package of children’s valentines and make a treasure hunt for your spouse and or your children, with a small love gift with the last valentine
Make a heart shaped cake or cookies
Chinese fortune cookies – take out the fortunes inside with tweezers and replace with your own love/respect or appreciation notes
Pink pancakes – on Valentine’s Day add red food coloring to pancake mix and surprise your family!
Heart sandwiches and chocolate kisses
Homemade Valentines – be creative and make for your spouse, children, and others – decorate with hearts, lace, ribbons, pictures – create a poem or use a Bible verse and write specific reasons as to why your love, respect, and appreciate them
Faith
My spring woman’s Bible study is “Experiencing God” by Blackaby. This week I was struck by the teaching about our love relationship with God. He continually pursues us, and EVERYTHING in our life depends upon the quality of our love relationship with God. Also, we need to not tell God what we are going to do for Him, but ask Him what he wants us to do for Him, and watch, listen, seek and join Him in what He is doing.
My church, Trader’s Point Christian Church just finished a sermon series on Matthew 23, entitled “The Pretenders”in us. Our minister Aaron’s messages delved deeply into the quality of our relationship and heart with God - are we truly following God to reflect His glory in our lives through guidance and learning from the Holy Spirit, or are we hypocrites and “woe to us” if we are more concerned with men’s applause, rules, and pretenses. What are my motivations, and am I more concerned about my image or my character and who I am becoming in my daily decisions and time?
My prayers and blessings for you and your families – and may we continue to see any pretending in ourselves, and help us to be what we already are in You – give us the courage to let You in!
Hugs, Dr. Lisa
