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Hair loss from Chemotherapy

You might not think about how important your hair is until you face losing it. And if you have cancer and are about to undergo chemotherapy, the chance of hair loss is very real. Both men and women report hair loss as one of the side effects they fear most after being diagnosed with cancer.

 Whether or not you have hair loss from your chemotherapy depends mostly on the type and dose of medication you receive. But whether you can maintain a healthy body image after hair loss depends a lot on your attitude and the support of your friends and family.

Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that attack rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells in your body — including those in your hair roots.

Chemotherapy may cause hair loss all over your body — not just on your scalp. Sometimes your eyelash, eyebrow, armpit, pubic and other body hair also falls out. Some chemotherapy drugs are more likely than others to cause hair loss, and different doses can cause anything from a mere thinning to complete baldness. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the medication you`ll be taking. Your doctor or nurse can tell you what to expect.

 Fortunately, most of the time hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. You can expect to regrow your hair three to 10 months after your treatment ends, though your hair may temporarily be a different shade or texture.

Hair usually begins falling out one to three weeks after you start treatment. It could fall out very quickly in clumps or gradually. You`ll likely notice accumulations of loose hair on your pillow, in your hairbrush or comb, or in your sink or shower drain. Your scalp may feel tender.

Gingivitis

Smoking does more than cause lung cancer. The chemicals in cigarettes interact with bacteria in the mouth, causing gum disease, and also affect how the body heals. The result is an increase in gingivitis as well as gingivitis periodontal disease and a greater chance of tooth loss.

Definition and Causes of Gingivitis

Gingivitis disease is a bacterial infection that affects the gingiva or gums. It is caused by a wide variety of bacteria that are found in the mouth. The bacteria interact with the starches and sugars in food. Within hours, the bacteria turn into sticky plaque deposits around the teeth and gums.

 Without proper dental hygiene – brushing and flossing – it only takes two to three days for the plaque to harden into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove. As the tartar builds up under the gumline, it becomes a reservoir for additional bacteria. Over time, this buildup, with its colony of bacteria, set