INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The Norwood/Hamilton scale is the accepted scale for assessing male pattern baldness, first introduced by Dr. James Hamilton in the 1950s.  If you suffer from male pattern baldness, being able to identify your level of hair loss as falling somewhere in one of the seven stages identified by the Norwood/Hamilton scale can help a doctor determine how the best treatment method.  There will be times when you have to explain your level of hair loss over the phone to a doctor or physician. Being able to point to a stage on the Norwood/Hamilton Scale will be helpful.  The Norwood/Hamilton Scale also protects against misdiagnosis. You can make sure your hair loss is following the pattern of male baldness and not merely the result of aging. There are 7 stages of the Norwood/Hamilton Scale used to assess male pattern baldness. Figure out which of the seven stages best reflects your hair loss.  Stage One, which sometimes goes unnoticed, is marked by a very minor recession of the hairline and does not require treatment. Unless you have a family history of baldness, you do not need to worry about Stage one.  Stage Two is marked by a triangular recession of the hair lining the frontal temporal areas. The hair around your ears will also recede by several centimeters. Baldness becomes more apparent in this stage.  Stage Three is the lowest level of hair loss needed for a person to be considered bald. Temples will be bare, only covered by sparse hair, and the hair towards the front of the head will begin to form a crown. Stage four is marked by these symptoms becoming more severe, and hair further thinning and receding around the temples and the front of the head.  In Stage Five, the band of hair that extends across the crown thins. Hair loss around the temples and the ears become larger and more noticeable. This continues into Stage Six, when the bridge of hair across the crown is totally lost.  Stage Seven is the most advanced form of hair loss. There is only a narrow band of horseshoe-shaped hair on the sides of the head and the back of the scalp. There may be some hair, forming a semi-circle, over both ears. Once you've reached Stage Seven, hair loss becomes very difficult to treat. If you want to combat male pattern baldness, seek out the advice of a doctor and physician to figure out how to best treat your hair loss before you reach Stage Seven.

SUMMARY: Learn about the Norwood/Hamilton Scale. Figure out which of the seven stages you fall into. Seek treatment before reaching Stage Seven.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Exercise is very important to maintaining a healthy body. It can enhance your cardiovascular system, boost your immune system, and strengthen your musculoskeletal system. You should try to incorporate some form of physical activity into your daily routine. This could even be something as simple as going for a half hour walk. Other types of exercise include running, swimming, cycling, and playing a variety of sports. Weight training is an excellent way to build muscle and strengthen your musculoskeletal system. You can target a variety of different muscles by bench pressing, performing squats and deadlifts, and engaging in body weight exercises such as push ups and sit ups. In order for your muscles to grow, your body needs time to rest and recover. Make sure to have at least two days each week where you do not engage in any vigorous physical activity. You can still remain active, but should not push your body too hard. For example, you could go for a short walk or leisurely bicycle ride.

SUMMARY: Engage in physical activity daily. Try weight training. Give your body a chance to rest and recover.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In other words, schedule time for casual play as well.  Even if it feels like you don’t have the time to spare, it’s important to take a break to let your mind recuperate.  You can’t always work and study!  Ideally, plan social activities with friends – the more physically active, the better.  Even on especially busy days, take breaks.  Go for a walk around the block, and leave your phone at home.  Try not to think about what you’re working on. Instead, appreciate the way the sun and air feel on your skin, the color of the leaves, the angles of a building you’ve never noticed before. Try working for about 50 minutes, and taking a 10 or 15 minute break before hunkering down for another 50 minute session of focused studying or working. Plan a trip – whether to Vegas, or a campsite just out of town – to follow an especially busy period of time.  Not only will the trip allow you to decompress, it will provide something for you to look forward to in the meantime. Your body requires maintenance to be able to run on all cylinders, and to allow your mind to stay focused throughout the day.  In particular, make a point of scheduling three to four 30 minute cardio sessions every week.  If you don’t know when to schedule them, try getting up a bit earlier and going for a jog before you start the day. Though it may be challenging to include exercise in your routine initially, stick with it! You’ll soon be looking forward to each session! It’s often tempting to stay up later, cramming in a bit more study time or a final prep session to prepare for work the following day. However, it’s often more important to ensure you’re getting enough sleep.  Specific requirements vary from person to person, but shoot for eight hours a night.  Learn the specific amount of you need by sleeping without an alarm for three days in a row next chance you get.  The amount of time you naturally sleep for on the second and third nights is likely what your body requires. Try to get at least seven hours a night. If you find yourself sleeping in on the weekends, this is a sign you need more sleep during the week. Another trap of busy work and study lifestyle is eating grab and go meals that may be quick, but are often unhealthy.  Instead of hitting a fast food restaurant for lunch, slip into a grocery store and grab some hummus with veggies or a pre-made salad.  Grab a few pieces of fruit as well, to eat later in the afternoon, both as a healthy treat and an energy boost.  Eat breakfast.  Not only will this help sustain you throughout the day, it keeps your metabolism in a healthy rhythm.  Try whole grain granola with Greek yogurt, sweetened with honey or fruit. Keep healthy snacks with you. Raw or lightly salted nuts are a great option. If you’re constantly stressed, tired, or otherwise not feeling well, you may need to slow down a bit.  Whenever you’re feeling overworked, talk to your boss about taking a week off from work. Use the time to catch up on rest and focus on your school assignments.  On the other hand, if the amount of coursework you have is detrimentally affecting your standing at work, talk to a school counselor about your options or plan to take less credit hours next term.

SUMMARY:
Take time to decompress. Exercise. Get plenty of rest. Eat with health and energy in mind. Know your limits.