Get Well Soon: A balanced diet essential to prevent hair loss

I am just 18, undergoing coaching for NEET 2017. I suffer from severe hair loss for the past two years and right know I am afraid of becoming bald. I lose more than 100 hairs per day which is a matter of concern. Even after visiting a doctor, the hair loss has continued. Please help me out with a better solution. Priyanka A, Chennai

Stress along with low haemoglobin, low vitamin b12, low vitamin D3 levels, hormonal issues are some of the causes of loss at this age. Since you have been experiencing hair loss for two years now, it needs some investigation. Treatment will include vitamin supplementation and correction of the above along with topical applications such as minoxidil and peptides. Oral biotin supplementation is also part of the treatment. Procedures like platelet rich plasma therapy will also help. Above all a nutritious and well balanced diet is a must. - Dr Deepika Lunawat, Consultant Dermatologist, Fortis Malar Hospital

I weigh 84 kilos and my height is 5 feet six inches. Am I at risk of fatty liver disease? Vivek, Chennai 

Thyroid, high cholesterol and obesity increase the risk. People with a body mass index above 30 have fatty liver. I have been seeing a number of cases with the condition and the key point here is that they are not alcoholics. A lot of it also depends on your diet. In the south, there is high intake of carbohydrates in the form of rice and other variants, like idli and dosa. As a result, excessive carbs convert into fat and are deposited in the liver. - Dr Joy Varghese, Hepatologist, Gleneagles Global Health City