Boomer Magazine: February 0220
I just turned 65. It sounds so much older than 64. I guess because it’s associated more with Medicare, Social Security, and retirement. Not that those are bad things, but they are always “old people’s things.” I need to change my perspective on 65—yes, I know it’s just a number, but it’s still a milestone, and people 65 and older are perceived a bit differently. Luckily, no one has yet said “Ok, boomer” to me. I do find that there are concerns I need to think about more than I did even just a couple of years ago. And this issue of Boomer covers many of the things that keep me up at night. My husband just turned 70, and although he’s as healthy as can be, I do think about mortality. Luckily for us, our mothers are both still alive and active—both in their 90s—so that bodes well for us. But if you have suffered the loss of a spouse, you know there are many stages of grief that you navigate. Everyone is different and although there’s no right or wrong way to deal with grief, we do offer some guidance (page 41). If you are going through the loss of a spouse, I do hope some of the info on these pages help you to cope and take comfort. Something else much less sad but still keeping me up at night is the subject of hair loss. I have been losing hair lately, and it’s extremely concerning as it can be a symptom of an underlying medical issue. Read the causes and some treatments in “Hair Loss 101” on page 26. I learned that I need to talk to my dermatologist! I may have to add another treatment to my regimen of serums, facials, and Botox! I am 65, but I don’t have to look 65 (is 65 the new 45?). Vanity is my middle name and although people say I should embrace my wrinkles because I’ve earned them, um, no. There’s Super Bowl Sunday (for you football fans) and Valentine’s Day (for you romantics) to enjoy this month. Even though it’s our shortest month, it’s a leap year, so we get an extra Saturday in February. There’s lots to do this month, so get reading….then get going!
I just turned 65. It sounds so much older than 64. I guess because it’s associated more with Medicare, Social Security, and retirement. Not that those are bad things, but they are always “old people’s things.” I need to change my perspective on 65—yes, I know it’s just a number, but it’s still a milestone, and people 65 and older are perceived a bit differently. Luckily, no one has yet said “Ok, boomer” to me. I do find that there are concerns I need to think about more than I did even just a couple of years ago. And this issue of Boomer covers many of the things that keep me up at night. My husband just turned 70, and although he’s as healthy as can be, I do think about mortality. Luckily for us, our mothers are both still alive and active—both in their 90s—so that bodes well for us. But if you have suffered the loss of a spouse, you know there are many stages of grief that you navigate. Everyone is different and although there’s no right or wrong way to deal with grief, we do offer some guidance (page 41). If you are going through the loss of a spouse, I do hope some of the info on these pages help you to cope and take comfort.
Something else much less sad but still keeping me up at night is the subject of hair loss. I have been losing hair lately, and it’s extremely concerning as it can be a symptom of an underlying medical issue. Read the causes and some treatments in “Hair Loss 101” on page 26. I learned that I need to talk to my dermatologist! I may have to add another treatment to my regimen of serums, facials, and Botox! I am 65, but I don’t have to look 65 (is 65 the new 45?). Vanity is my middle name and although people say I should embrace my wrinkles because I’ve earned them, um, no.
There’s Super Bowl Sunday (for you football fans) and Valentine’s Day (for you romantics) to enjoy this month. Even though it’s our shortest month, it’s a leap year, so we get an extra Saturday in February. There’s lots to do this month, so get reading….then get going!
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“When diagnosed<br />
and treated early,<br />
many types of<br />
hair loss can be<br />
slowed, stopped,<br />
or even reversed,”<br />
and Hair Disorders Clinic at UC Davis<br />
Health. “In men, a receding hair line<br />
could be one of the first signs. In<br />
women, it may be a widening part<br />
line at the crown of the scalp,” she<br />
says.<br />
In general, hair loss can mean<br />
different things, and it’s worth<br />
consulting your doctor to get to the<br />
root of the cause. “It’s important to<br />
be evaluated by a board-certified<br />
dermatologist if you’re experiencing<br />
hair loss, because certain medical<br />
conditions and nutritional<br />
deficiencies could be causing it,” Dr.<br />
Agbai says.<br />
The most important thing is to<br />
communicate with your doctor<br />
about your hair loss as soon as<br />
you notice any changes. “When<br />
diagnosed and treated early, many<br />
types of hair loss can be slowed,<br />
stopped, or even reversed,” Dr.<br />
Agbai says.<br />
Following a check-up, what are the<br />
typical treatment options to possibly<br />
slow or stop your hair loss? You can<br />
use over-the-counter treatments<br />
with minoxidil five percent foam or<br />
solution, which Dr. Agbai says can<br />
be applied once daily to the areas of<br />
hair loss for women and twice daily<br />
for men. “Minoxidil can take months<br />
to work, and some patients might<br />
be allergic to it. Also, it’s important<br />
to live a healthy lifestyle with a<br />
nutritious diet and exercise, as this<br />
can promote healthy hair. A doctor<br />
can discuss additional therapies<br />
for hair loss, such as prescription<br />
medications and even scalp<br />
injections,” she says.<br />
Dr. Raithel says, “Seeing a<br />
naturopathic doctor will provide a<br />
broad spectrum of testing to help<br />
identify the cause and [course] for<br />
treatment,” she shares. She also<br />
recommends identifying nutritional<br />
or hormonal imbalances as the<br />
first course of action. “If P. acnes is<br />
involved, an antibacterial regimen<br />
can help. Peptide therapy and PRP<br />
or injections with biological allograft<br />
containing stem cells can also be<br />
an option for some,” she says. “Hair<br />
loss is difficult to treat and should<br />
be addressed as early in the process<br />
as possible.”<br />
Hair treatment photo courtesy of ©photoguns - stock.adobe.com. Other<br />
photo courtesy of its respective companie or organization.<br />
28 Sac<strong>Boomer</strong>.com | <strong>February</strong> 2020
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