22page

COluMN By DR. LEE MOON WON J ust as the clusters of gingko and persimmon ripen on the autumn trees outside, our bodies also experience physical evolution throughout the year. While some of our bodily changes occur subtly and are barely noticeable, there are others that are easy to observe, with the most significant often being hair loss. At Lee Moon Won clinic, we continue to notice an increase in the number of new patients during the autumn season. Like a tree Losing its Leaves Compared to spring and summer, the fall months will cause the average person to lose hair at a rate about 1.5 times what they might normally expect. Is there a reason why everyone loses their hair in autumn? An easy analogy is to take a look at the natural phenomenon of trees losing their leaves the fall; it’s just part of a natural process that happens when some living things prepare for winter. During summer and spring, the abundance of sunlight and water make it possible for leaves to grow; during the autumn season, however, the most important minerals get redirected from the leaves to the branches, trunk and roots, which need extra nourishment to withstand the winter. As a result of this shift, the leaves to dry out, change colors and fall from the tree. The human body can be said to undergo a similar process. The body draws energy from skin, hair, nails and other nonessential body parts and reorganizes it into fat masses, which will be used during the colder months. For this reason, many people find that they gain weight more easily during autumn, as well as having dry skin and losing their hair. When it comes to adapting the human body for winter survival, there are also other changes — namely, those connected to male hormones — that increase the likelihood for hair loss during the fall. stopping autumn hair Loss In Korean traditional medicine, hair loss problems are of- ten attributed to a patient having weak lung or heart func- tion. In order to improve the activity of these body parts, we need to support our overall immune system. Fortunately, practitioners of Korean medicine can prescribe appropriate treatment that will improve your total condition and fix hair loss problems. Beyond this, as far as personal care goes, it is strong- ly recommended that patients make sure they’re getting enough sleep every night, as well as maintaining a diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. The Korean medi- cine prescribed by our clinic is made using Korean organic herbs, is easy and safe to use and has an effect that can be seen throughout the entire body. It is a largely accepted fact that, at the beginning of autumn, most people will experience some degree of in- creased of hair loss. However, if one’s average amount of lost hair is more than 1.5 times what one might typically experience, it is strongly recommended to take action as soon as possible to help prevent one’s present condition from worsening. usefuL tips to prevent hair Loss in the coLd seasons Get enough sleep Fresh fruit and vegetables Improve the activity of lung or heart function