Dealing with Hair Loss from Alopecia Areata
Women dealing with alopecia have a variety of considerations to take when shopping for a wig. There are so many options available. The whole process can be overwhelming. Some wigs are made of human hair, and others are synthetic. There are fashion wigs and medical wigs. The options are seemingly endless for women with alopecia. Here are a few things to take into consideration before deciding on a wig.
Budget
The wig shopping process doesn’t have to be difficult. Deciding on one’s budget is an important first step. The budget may determine what options are available. Many women will consider a wig something to splurge on. It is something they will spend every day with. Most women feel their best, when they look their best. Living with alopecia is difficult for women who may be struggling with self-esteem issues. There are fantastic budget friendly options for women with alopecia too. It is important to first decide on how much to spend. The next step is discovering what options are available.
Medical Wigs
Medical wigs are the best choice for women with alopecia. These wigs are often designed with alopecia in mind. There are different cap styles and fit types for women with partial and full hair loss. Many women find medical wigs to be amazingly comfortable. Unlike fashion wigs, medical wigs are designed on smaller caps with a more comfortable breathable structure. Many medical wigs are also designed with a lace front. The lace front gives the appearance of a natural hairline. Medical wigs are made with the needs of a woman who is experiencing hair loss in mind. These wigs are often much more secure and comfortable for wearing over long periods of time.
Fashion Wigs
Fashion wigs are typically a poor choice for women with alopecia. Fashion wigs for women are typically large, as they are meant to fit over a full head of hair. This can make stability an issue on blustery days. Although fashion wigs may look like fantastic affordable options, they are not the right choice for women who are suffering with alopecia. Fashion wigs tend to be hot and uncomfortable too.
Synthetic
Synthetic wigs are typically low-maintenance and budget friendly. High quality synthetic wigs are often hand-tied. The most economical option is going to be the machine-made, synthetic wig. They come pre-styled. If the wig is curly, it will remain curly. Hand-tied synthetic wigs do look very natural. Synthetic options are generally light weight and easy to care for. A hand-tied synthetic wig is a great choice for women who want the natural look at a more affordable price.
Natural Hair
Natural hair wigs are usually of the highest quality. Some companies offer wigs made of European virgin hair. These are typically the most expensive wigs. These wigs are absolutely gorgeous. The hair has not been processed or color-treated. These wigs are hand-tied and look as natural as any beautiful head of hair can look. Many natural hair wigs have had the cuticles removed from hairs. This makes the wig more manageable and less prone to tangles. Human hair wigs are easily styled. These wigs can be curled and crimped just like real hair. Special care should be taken not to use excess heat or damaging products. This hair can be mistreated, just like a natural head of hair.
Styling
Many synthetic wigs come pre-styled. Natural hair wigs are usually made without a style. Many women prefer to get their wigs styled by their professional stylist. This is a great way to get one’s usual hair cut. Synthetic wigs aren’t quite as versatile as natural hair wigs. Natural hair wigs can be easily styled for any occasion.
Partial Hair Loss with Alopecia
Most women with alopecia are dealing with partial hair loss. This can make shopping for wigs difficult. Some manufacturers make wigs just for women with partial hair loss. There are a variety of cap styles to choose from. Some of these wigs have areas to pull one’s own hair through. This gives hair a thicker more voluminous appearance. Shopping for wigs for women with alopecia doesn’t have to be difficult. There are great varieties available to fit nearly any woman’s budget and situation.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
While we may never forget about the dangers of breast cancer, October is a time not only to remember and raise awareness but to involve as many people as possible in the fight. Anybody who’s suffered at the cruel hands of breast cancer knows the benefits of awareness for treatment, just as anybody who has lost a loved one knows how overwhelming the grief can be. With raised awareness comes raised funds and hope; the more research that is funded leads to more treatments and help for those stricken by the disease. Besides the search for the cure, breast cancer awareness involves people in helping those that need it most. Wigs for women are made more readily available and funding is obtained to help the sick with their bills and their treatment while they’re unable to take care of it themselves. The fight for the cure leads to many beautiful people reaching out to one another for a cause bigger than any one person.
When they say Think Pink, they mean it. With pink ribbons, packaging and even food becoming all the rage during October people are able to recognize what products and companies are helping the cause. Typically if someone spends money then they’d prefer to spend it in a philanthropic way that helps their fellow man. Searching for a cure is of the utmost importance when it comes to breast cancer awareness month but it is about more than that. It’s about coming together in solidarity for all the victims not just to put a stop to it, but to help them cope with the huge burden on their shoulders. There’s more to helping then funding wigs for women; there’s treatment, research, and above all the message that breast cancer strikes those from all walks of life. Everybody needs to learn how to recognize changes in their own body and keep themselves up to date with doctors’ visits for preventative care. The best way we have right now to battle breast cancer is to nip it in the bud with early detection.
October ushers out summer and brings in the new season of fall. Perhaps this is a fitting metaphor for breast cancer awareness; it’s time to sweep away the old and continue to find new and innovative ways to battle a disease that human kind hopes to one day eradicate. This month is one that raises not only money, but also morale and support for a cause everyone can get behind: the cause of the right to life. The diagnosis of cancer is not an easy one, but the burden can be made lighter through a network of people coming together to battle as one. This is the spirit of breast cancer awareness month. Research, assistance, morale and more are things sought after by a month dedicated to finding a cure. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of all people and is a shining way that to prove time and time again that we are one and will stand together even in the face of something as frightening as cancer.
Advances in Prosthetic Limbs
In the year 2000, archaeologists in Cairo, Egypt discovered the mummified remains of a noblewoman. The 3,000 year old remains had a prosthetic toe made of wood and leather. During the Second Punic War, Roman general Marcus Sergius lost his hand in battle. He had a prosthetic hand fashioned from iron so that he could hold his shield and return to battle. In the Dark Ages, knights had prosthetic limbs fashioned from iron which were designed by the same people who made their armor. In the 16th and 17th centuries, more advances came along, such as hinged mechanical hands, locking knees and specialized harnesses. After World War II, the Artificial Limb Program was started in response to the great number of soldiers who had lost limbs in the war.
So how have prosthetics advanced in modern times? Like many technological advances, the past century has seen incredible growth in prosthetics. In 2012 at the Summer Olympic Games in London, South African sprint runner Oscar Pistorius became the first amputee to compete at an Olympic Games. His prosthetics were ‘blades’ designed for running. Also in 2012, Amy Purdy entered The Amazing Race game show on CBS. She is the top ranked adaptive snowboarder of 2011. And activist and amputee Heather Mills appeared on both Dancing with the Stars and Dancing on Ice.
Prosthetic Limb Materials and Designs
For the past several centuries, prosthetics have been made from wood, leather and metal. Recently, plastics and carbon-fiber composites have been used. These more flexible materials have allowed for advancements making prosthetic limbs lighter and stronger.
Prosthetic limb design also can look realistic or be specialized for different tasks. The basic design elements are the same for most limbs:
- The pylon – this is the internal frame and structure of the prosthetic limb. In the past these were made from wood. Later, metal rods were used and today carbon-fiber elements can be used to provide more flexibility. The pylon may them be covered in a foam-like substance which can be dyed to match skin tone.
- The socket – this is the part of the prosthetic limb that joins with the patient’s residual limb. Fit is critical in developing the socket in order to avoid irritation or damage to the residual limb. Many patients use padding or prosthetic socks to make sure the fit is comfortable.
- The suspension system – this is the method for attaching the prosthetic limb to the residual limb. Originally leather harnesses were used. Today, in addition to harnesses, there are simple attachments that rely on suction with the residual limb.
Prosthetic Limb Control
Perhaps the greatest advances have happened in prosthetic limb control. There are cosmetic prosthetic limbs called cosmesis that are designed solely for appearance. These prosthetic limbs do not have the functionality that many patients require. Functional prosthetic limbs can be controlled in several ways:
- Body powered prosthetic limbs – these are controlled by wires connecting to other parts of the body. A prosthetic arm, for example, may then be controlled by movements in the opposite arm or shoulder.
- Externally powered prosthetic limbs – these are controlled by switches which activate motors in the prosthetic limb. The patient uses other body parts or the residual limb to toggle the switched in different combinations to achieve the desired motion.
- Myoelectric prosthetic limbs – these are attached to muscles with electrodes. The myoelectric prosthetic limb ‘listens’ to the muscles which tell the prosthetic limb what to do.
- Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) prosthetic limbs – these cutting edge prosthetic limbs were invented by Dr. Todd Kuiken at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. When a limb is lost, the brain still functions as if the limb is there. So if a patient wants to move a lost arm, the brain will send the signals through different nerve endings up to the point of amputation. The signal dies there. With TMR, surgery is performed to redirect signals through nerve endings to another part of the body. For example, if a patient loses their arm, then the surgeon would redirect the path from the arm to a spot on the chest. This would cause movement in the chest. Electrodes are then placed on the chest and whenever the patient want to move their arm, the prosthetic limb is triggered through the chest. The patient is quite literally moving the prosthetic limb with their brain.
Prosthetic Limb Senses
Finally, the most recent project is being worked on by mechanical engineer Jeremy Fishel and involves prosthetic hands. These hands have 3 fingers with sensors on the tip of each finger called BioTacs. The BioTacs sense pressure, temperature and vibration. This allows the hand to adjust. Scientists are currently working on ways to send the touch feedback to the patient. An excellent article detailing their progress can be found here http://the-scientist.com/2012/09/01/missing-touch/
Contributed by www.Interfysio.com