Male Pattern Baldness and Tele-Health

Telehealth is an easy way to consult a doctor about your concerns with male pattern baldness, also called MPB. Telemedicine, another name for telehealth, is an effective and safe way to obtain an online prescription to halt the balding or regrow new hair. Find out all about MPB and how to use a virtual doctor to get solutions to your balding problems.

Online Medical Consultation

Telehealth is a type of “long distance” communication between doctor and patient. By gathering necessary symptom and diagnostic information, the healthcare provider can used computer technology to generate treatment options. You and the doctor will communicate through the computer using a microphone and a webcam. This works the same way as if you were to drive to the doctor’s office and see the provider in person, except an online medical consultation is less expensive.

Hair Loss in America

Each and every day, adults lose approximately 10,000 scalp hairs, and millions of men in the U.S. face this troubling condition. Normally, hair lives for about five years, but with male pattern baldness, there is a gradual appearance of bald areas, as the hairs do not regenerate to replace those lost. The process can take a while, and you cannot determine when you will go bald. According to most sources, an estimated 30 million American men have MBP.

Men begin to go bald for numerous reasons. There is a 95% chance that you are having male pattern baldness if you begin to lose hair between 20 and 45 years of age. Just as the name suggests, there is a typical pattern or sequence to male pattern baldness. While the loss of hair can begin in different areas, it is typically at the crown of the head or the temples that show loss. It can take a number of years for complete baldness to result with initial hair thinning, but hair is usually lost from the top aspect of the head.

Male Pattern Baldness Causes

There is a genetic predisposition to male pattern baldness in most men, a condition physicians call androgenetic alopecia. The condition is a result of the hair follicles being affected by hormones, called androgens (hence, the name). Males will have the hormone testosterone present in high amounts after puberty. The hormone is converted by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The production of hair is slowed, and the hair becomes weaker and shorter as the hormone receptors on the hair follicle respond to the high levels of DHT. The follicle can sometimes stop growing hair completely. This is a normal loss of hair that occurs gradually as the stock of hair is depleted.

Hair Loss from Disease or Illness

Certain disorders and conditions cause hair loss that is not normal. The hair loss is sudden, coming out in clumps. Also, the loss is noticeable in large amounts on items such as clothing or when your hair is washed. This type of hair loss is not the result of MPB. There are numerous reasons for hair loss, and there are successful treatments available. Many men have to adjust to the loss of hair and going bald as they age. If these diseases and illnesses are treated, the loss of hair can be reversed. Common culprits include:

  • Problems with pituitary and thyroid
  • High temperature that comes with the flu or an infection
  • Medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy
  • Side effects to medications such as steroids and interferon
  • Trichotillomania where a person pulls out their own hair
  • Scalp fungal infections
  • Ringworm
  • Dangerous chemical exposure such as to thallium acetate
  • Burns
  • Ringworm

Alopecia Totalis

The entire scalp becomes bald with alopecia totalis. The entire body is affected by alopecia areata universalis. Other symptoms typically come with the loss of hair when a disease is the cause. Check with a doctor is you think that the hair loss is the result of a disease, as this warrants careful consideration and evaluation.

New Treatments Offered by Online Virtual Healthcare Delivery Services

If you decide you want to try a medication for your male pattern balding, using telehealth is simple. At quickrxrefills.com, a virtual doctor gives you an online prescription, which you have sent to the pharmacy of your choice. You will not have to go searching on the internet for an expensive overseas prescription dispenser. New medication therapies include latanoprost, minoxidil, and finasteride. Consult the caring providers online with the easy three step process. MBP and alopecia treatment is made simple with telehealth.

References

  • Blume-Peytavi U et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study to assess the efficacy of a 24-week topical treatment by latanoprost 0.1% on hair growth and pigmentation in healthy volunteers with androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 27 2011
  • Headington JT, Novak E. Clinical and histological studies of male pattern baldness treated with topical minoxidil. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 1984;36:1098-106
  • Magro CM et al. The role of inflammation and immunity in the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia. J Drugs Dermatol. Dec 2011;10(12):1404-11.
  • Olsen EA et al. A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sep 2002;47(3):377-85.
  • Rossi A et al. Finasteride, 1 mg daily administration on male androgenetic alopecia in different age groups: 10-year follow-up. Dermatol Ther. Jul 2011;24(4):455-61.
  • Stough D et al. Psychological effect, pathophysiology, and management of androgenetic alopecia in men. Mayo Clin Proc. Oct 2005;80(10):1316-22.