:::
for him
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focus on health
U R IC ACI D I S waste fi ltered by the kidneys
and expelled from the body in urine. If too
much uric acid accumulates in the blood due
to overproduction, inadequate removal by
the kidneys or overconsumption of certain
foods, it forms thin shards that collect in the
joints, often beginning in the big toes. Over
time, the crystals can cause excessive warmth,
tenderness, stiffness and swelling in the
joints, as well as painful attacks that can last
for days.
Men between ages 40 and 50 are
particularly at risk for gout, according
to the National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Additional risk factors include:
• Certain medications, such as diuretics and
those containing niacin and salicylates
• Excessive body weight
• Family history of gout
• Kidney insuffi ciency
• Overconsumption of foods laden with
purines, compounds that break down
into uric acid
• Overindulgence in alcohol
Acute gout is a short-lived condition that
often affects a single joint, while chronic gout
involves repeated episodes affecting multiple
joints. Medications, including nonsteroidal
anti-infl ammatory drugs and corticosteroids,
make managing gout possible, but the longer
you wait to speak with a physician about
diagnosis and treatment, the tougher it is to
rein in attacks .
TH E MOST COM MON cause of baldness is androgenetic
alopecia, also known as male-pattern baldness or hereditary hair
loss. But what if baldness doesn't run in your family? Or what
if your hair loss occurs suddenly and differs from the normal
balding pattern your relatives experienced?
Here are a few less common triggers of hair loss to consider:
Over-grooming. Washing or drying your hair too often or
too vigorously can contribute to hair loss.
Physical or emotional stress. Everything from the loss of a
loved one to a high fever can lead to hair loss. According to the
National Institutes of Health, it can take up to eight months for
shedding to decrease after a traumatic event.
Vitamin A overload. Hair loss is a common symptom of
excessive Vitamin A intake.
Weight loss. According to the American Academy of
Dermatology, losing more than 15 pounds can trigger temporary
hair loss, which often occurs up to six months after you've
slimmed down.
Medications. If you take prescription medications for high
blood pressure, arthritis, gout or depression, hair loss could be a
hidden side effect.
While no cure for baldness exists, medications containing
fi nasteride or minoxidil have been shown to combat
it. Hair loss is especially important
to discuss with your doctor
if it occurs in atypical
patterns or is accompanied
by itching or skin irritation.
CRYSTAL CONCERN
When are crystals ugly? When
they're composed of uric acid and
make themselves at home in your
joints — a condition called gout,
the most common infl ammatory
arthritis affecting men.
Genes aren't the only cause of hair loss in
men. Don't accept thinning hair before you've
investigated all the possible culprits.
REASONS YOU MAY BE
5
Going Bald
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