mahamarewes

Monday, December 18, 2006

Signs An Symptoms Of Menopause

Osteoporosis - What can I do to Prevent it?

by Barbara C. Phillips

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. You normally don't know it until something like a fracture occurs. In reality, your bones have been loosing strength for years.

There are millions of people with osteoporosis, and the vast majority of them are women. Bone is a living tissue that consistently breaks down and rebuilds. As we enter our 40's and 50's, the rebuilding is having a hard time keeping up with the breaking down...thus a net loss.

While some of the risk factors cannot be modified (family history, small body frame size, racial/ethnic makeup, surgery (removal of ovaries) and menopause), other factors can be modified, and thus prevent or delay the onset of osteoporosis.

So what can you do?

Eating a diet rich in calcium throughout life is important. What does that mean? Low fat dairy food, canned fish with soft bones such as salmon, dark green leafy vegetables and calcium fortified foods.

If you need a supplement, the current recommendations are for people over 50 to have about 1200mg per day between diet and supplementation. Studies on women with osteoporosis in nursing homes have been shown to have a reduction of fractures just from calcium and vitamin D without other interventions.

Vitamin D is necessary for your body to absorb the calcium. Being out in the sun for 20 minutes every day is usually sufficient. Foods that are high in vitamin D include eggs, fatty fish, cereals and fortified milk. Many calcium supplements and multivitamins have vitamin D as well. Recommendations include 400 IU of Vitamin D per day if you are less than 70 years of age, and 600 IU if you are over 70.

Exercise! Once again the "E" word presents itself. Weight bearing exercise actually prevents the loss of bone. The stress on bone when you walk, play tennis, jog or dance actually stimulates your bone to increase its density. Not only that, but your improved muscle strength will protect you if you should fall. Once again, the current recommendation for exercise is 30 minutes of activity daily.

Some medications can increase your risk for developing osteoporosis. For example steroids, some anti-seizure medications, some cancer medications, and long term use of Depo-Provera (birth control). If you take too much thyroid medication, or your thyroid glad is overactive your bone could be stimulated to break down faster. Talk with your provider to see if any modifications can be made.

What else? Smoking, carbonated beverages and excessive alcohol have all been implicated in increasing you risk for osteoporosis. Consider eliminating, or at least reducing these habits from your life.

Recommendations:

Get a gone density scan (DEXA). They are non-invasive and give an accurate measurement of your bone density. The heel test will only give you a ball park figure, and are not always accurate. The DEXA scan will give you a T-score which will tell you and your provider if your density is normal, if you have osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis), or osteoporosis. With that information you and your provider can decide on the best plan of action for you.

If you have osteoporosis, follow the treatment recommendation of your provider, incorporate the dietary and activity recommendation made here, and work to reduce your risk of falls in your home.

Good health practices will go a long way in preventing and treating any problems. Once again, diet and exercise play a major role in this largely preventable disease.

Women today want to live long, healthy and active lives. Prevention and early treatment of osteoporosis will go a long way towards vibrant and successful aging.

For over 26 years, Barbara C. Phillips, MN, NP has been involved in health care. Now, as the founder of OlderWiserWomen, LLC, that experience and passion is focused on Women who want to experience the freedom, magic and wisdom of successful aging. She can be reached through http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_C._Phillips

Is One Of The Symptoms Of Menopause Anxiety

Menopause Hot Flashes

by Ross Bainbridge

Hot flashes is the most widespread symptom faced by American women going through menopause - about 75% of such women suffer hot flashes.

Hot flashes makes a woman feel hot in the neck and the head. Heart palpitations, dizziness, headache, sweating, nausea and anxiety may accompany it. The face flushes so that it becomes red. When it is over, a feeling of chilliness comes. A mild attack may last only a few seconds, but a severe one can last as long as an hour. It starts just prior to menopause in most women; most of them are rid of it when they complete the process, but in some it continues well into old age.

With the onset of puberty, hormone production increases, which protects the women from many an illness. With menopause, these hormones decline. For some women the reduction is gradual, and their problem with hot flashes is mild or nil. With others, the hormonal levels fluctuate widely, and this causes most of the menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes. The processes that cause the hot flashes are well-recorded. The blood vessels on the neck and the head dilate and the blood flow increases. This gives the warm feeling and other symptoms. But why the blood vessels dilate is still a debatable point.

There is an interesting study done on menopausal women from Hong Kong, Pakistan, Mexico and Japan. Only 10% of them suffer from hot flashes. It has not been possible to pin down the factor that makes this difference.

The women getting mild hot flashes may be able to get on with their life, taking these incidences as some inconvenience. A moderate hot flash needs some management. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet and relaxation techniques can help. Over-the-counter medicines like Vitamin E and Vitamin B6, blood pressure medication like methyldopa and clonidine, and anti-depressants like epinephrine and serotonin reduce the severity of the problem.

But for women with severe attacks, medical intervention with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) seems to be the only solution. Though the effect of HRT is quite good, the side effects, particularly long-term, are very controversial.

Every women need to make a personal decision about what treatment to take, considering the pros and cons in consultation with her physician.

Hot Flashes provides detailed information on Hot Flashes, Menopause Hot Flashes, What Cause Hot Flashes, Hot Flash Remedy and more. Hot Flashes is affiliated with Bladder Infection Symptoms.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Bainbridge

What Arwe The Symptoms Of Menopause

Female Hair Loss Reasons and Treatments

by Mike Herman

Female hair loss is devastating. To women, much more so than men, their hair is very important to the physical appearance.

Unfortunately female hair loss occurs too often, however, it is not as talked about as much as male hair loss.

Female hair loss may be attributed to a variety of things knowing why hair loss in women occurs may help you in preventing it from occurring.

A major reason that women get thinning hair or even balding patches of the head is because of the hormones, or lack them.

As a woman's body slows down,or stops altogether, the production of hormones the body goes through a number of changes and his includes the growth hair.

� Menopause - The onset of menopause signals the body to begin slowing the production of hormones and due to the reduction of hormones during menopause more than two thirds of post-menopausal women end up with bald spots as a result of the hair loss. Accordingly female hair is best treated through hormone replacement therapy.

Prior to menopause women produce high amounts of estrogen, which acts as a protective barrier from the testosterone that women also produce. As menopause continues the estrogen that was being produced and countering the testosterone, slows and is eventually stops. As a result, the testosterone combines with alpha reductase along with another bodily enzyme to create a chemical called DHT which causes hair loss.

� Hysterectomy - A hysterectomy often presents women with the exact same problems as menopause, for the same reason as menopause, the body stops producing hormones. In a full hysterectomy, the uterus, ovaries and the fallopian tubes are removed, other times some of the parts can be saved and the loss of hair is not a problem.

and

� Pregnancy - Your could thin or fall out, or, ironical, it could also thicken. Your hair may not only become fuller or thinner, but may also get waves or if your hair is curly, it may become straighter. If your hair does thin or fall out during your pregnancy, it's because of not getting the nutrients your body needs. Without those essential nutrients, your body is unable to produce the amount of estrogen it needs. This is another reason to be taking prenatal vitamins.

Another reason why female hair loss occurs has to do with genetics. If either either your mother or father had thinning hair or was balding, then you are likely to have hair loss, as well.

Other factors to consider are your diet, the nutrients eat and vitamins you take, also too much protein may be behind the problem. Also coloring your hair, highlighting it, bleaching it or using a variety of extra styling products over the years may cause hair loss.

There are treatments for female hair loss that will help the body to metabolize testosterone. Rogaine works both men and women. Another similar treatment is Propecia, although it is usually not recommended for women due to birth defects that it is known to cause. However, your doctor might find that it is okay for you after menopause or a hysterectomy.

Mike Herman Is a Successful Webmaster and Publisher of
4HealthConcerns.com/Menopause and Treat-Your-Hair-Loss-Today.com He Has More For You On The href="http://www.Treat-Your-Hair-Loss.com/treatments+for+hair+loss+thinning.html"
target=_new>Treatments Your For Hair Loss and Thinning Hair That You Can Research While at Home in Your Pajamas

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Herman

Menopause Symptoms Of Pregnancy

With Low-Dose HRT Hot Flashes Are Not Relieved As Effectively, Study Shows

by Patsy Hamilton

Many women have questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT. Hot flashes and night sweats are the most common symptoms of menopause. Most women experience them. Natural relief for hot flashes has become increasingly popular, because of concerns over health risks associated with HRT. Hot flashes, alone, do not endanger a woman�s health, but can interfere with activities. Night sweats can interrupt a woman�s sleep, increasing fatigue and (in the worst cases) leading to insomnia.

In women who use HRT, hot flashes decrease, because estrogen levels are increased. The latest research concerning low-dose HRT indicates that hot flashes are reduced by 60-70%. Low dose estrogens are hoped to be somewhat safer than the traditional dosing.

Natural relief for hot flashes may include the use of herbs or dietary supplements. The most effective, according to published clinical trials, are soy isoflavones and black cohosh. In a recent study, the use of dietary supplements containing soy isoflavones reduced hot flashes by 87.8% and black cohosh was even more effective. This is about equivalent to the results achieved using higher dosages of synthetic estrogen.

Isoflavones belong to a group of plant compounds called phytoestrogens or �plant� estrogens. Found in numerous plants and herbs, they have an �estrogen-like� effect on a woman�s body. Women who are allergic to soy can use black cohosh alone or in combination with red clover, another plant used by traditional healers for symptoms associated with menopause and hormonal imbalances.

Some experts have suggested that adding soy to the diet, in the form of soy flour, tofu or other soy bean foods, may be more effective than dietary supplements containing soy isoflavones. Thus far, clinical research does not support this suggestion. In a recent study of women who ate muffins made from soy flour every day for 16 weeks, there was no significant reduction in hot flashes.

Other experts are concerned that since they have an estrogen-like effect on the body, phytoestrogens may pose the same health risks as HRT. Hot flashes and night sweats may be relieved, but is the use of phytoestrogens safe. The laboratory research conducted thus far indicates that black cohosh does not have the same effect on estrogen-sensitive cancer cells that synthetic estrogen does. In fact, there are on-going studies concerning the usefulness of black cohosh as a supplement to cancer treatment.

Studies concerning effective natural relief for hot flashes indicate that stress reduction techniques can reduce their severity by about 40%. Acupuncture can reduce hot flashes by about 28% and night sweats by 47%. Doctors suggest that alcohol, caffeine and nicotine increase the severity and frequency of hot flashes, while regular exercise, drinking plenty of water and wearing lighter weight clothing can reduce them.

It may not be possible to avoid HRT, hot flashes and phytoestrogens. But, the lifestyle changes mentioned above may help. Scientists are not yet sure why black cohosh provides such effective natural relief for hot flashes. Most assume that it contains a type of phytoestrogen, but recent research indicates that it improves the body�s ability to effectively use serotonin, a chemical that helps to regulate mood, sleep and other cyclical bodily functions. For information about dietary supplements that contain herbs and botanicals for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Read more at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patsy_Hamilton

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Need Info On Symptoms Of Menopause

Menopause and Anger

by Cathy Taylor

During Perimenopause, in the transitional period before menopause, women experience a number of emotional problems and mood swings, including anger, in addition to physical changes. According to experts, perimenopause does not cause anger and other mood swings, but fluctuations in hormone production during perimenopause trigger anger, depression and other mood swings that are already pre-existing.

Many women, at a slightest provocation, would have waves of intense emotions, such as anger go through them. Many would be intolerant of behaviors that transgressed their own limits, and limits of others. Some women would be focused on their sense of outrage and anger, and would intervene, frequently on behalf of others.

Simple changes in your life style can lessen stresses, such as, anger and other mood swings, during the period leading to menopause. Following an exercise regimen is one good way of reducing anger during menopause. Exercise, a great stress-reliever has antidepressant and anxiolytic (anxiety relieving) effects. Regular exercisers typically have fewer mental and physical health problems, and brisk walks three times a week will help you during Perimenopause to reduce the severity of anger and other mood swings.

Exercising also stimulates endorphins, hormones that reduce the sensation of pain and affect emotions, such as anger, and boosts Serotonin levels. Serotonin regulates cyclic body processes. In addition, exercise helps you sleep better, and controls weight gain, which is normally associated with perimenopause and menopause. It is far better to take out your pent up emotions and anger on the jogging/walking track and the gym equipments, than on your family, friends and colleagues!

If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before deciding on an exercise regimen. It would normally take several weeks, as much as four months, before you will see improvements in your mood swings and anger.

Effect of Diet on Anger During Menopause

For women in perimenopause and menopause, diet has a great effect on the emotional aspects, such as anger. Diets rich in protein and especially Omega-3 fatty acids, reduced intake of sugar, caffeine and carbohydrates, etc, should be highly preferred. Salmon, tuna, and other cold-water fish and flaxseed oil are the sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.

To overcome anger and other anxiety and mood swings; women in perimenopause and menopause should supplement their diet with:

� Amino acid tryptophan - a natural relaxant that reduces anxiety and depression by increasing serotonin levels.

� Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) - It works as a natural tranquilizer.

� DLPA (D, L-phenylalanine) - It bolsters mood-elevating chemicals in the brain and blocks a nervous system enzyme that amplifies pain signals. It is a more effective pain reliever in combination with GABA.

� Tyrosene - It is a natural stimulant and very appropriate to get rid of mood swings.

In comparison to pre-menopausal women, women during perimenopause and menopause have a double risk of experiencing anger, depression and other mood swings. It has been found that, it makes no difference to the above experiences whether you are taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or not.

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 26 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development as well as management of communications nad public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications; creative-com@cox.net or by vistiing http://www.everythingmenopause.com,
http://www.everythingandropause.com or http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Taylor

Facts On Symptoms Of Menopause

Menopause: HRT, ERT or Alternative Medicine?

by Michael Russell

Menopause happens to every woman. There is no way to avoid it, but there are ways to cope with the changes. Menopause is a transition in a woman's life when the ovaries stop producing eggs. This may happen over night or could take years before the process is completed. This is the time when the body stops producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Symptoms and the onset of menopause occur differently in every woman so it is difficult to say what each woman will experience and when. The normal age at which a woman begins menopause is anywhere from 40 to 55 depending on the woman. A study has been done and it has shown that woman who are malnourished tend to start menopause at an earlier age then women who are well-nourished. Another factor in when menopause will begin is when the woman began having menstruation. Women who start menstruation earlier tend to have menopause occur later in life.

The symptoms of menopause also vary from woman to woman. The most common symptoms include hot flashes, missed period, sleep disruption, mood swings (changing mood), vaginal dryness, hot flashes and a low sex drive. These changes are caused by a change in your estrogen levels.

To combat symptoms of menopause, women have many options. There are two types of hormone therapy the first being hormone therapy replacement (HRT) is a combination of progesterone and estrogen and the second, estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). HRT is an excellent way to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause, but it has its downfalls. Studies have shown that HRT does slightly increase your chances of breast cancer, heart attack and stroke. If you are at high-risk for any of these consult your health care provider before using HRT.

With ERT, there are three different types of replacement therapy. The first method is by using the hormone estrogen by itself as a cream, vaginal or oral pill. The second method is similar to the way you use the birth control pill. You take estrogen pills or use the patch daily, but you also use progesterone for a set amount of days out of the month. The final one is continuous therapy, which is estrogen plus the use of progesterone pills taken a few times a day.

ERT has risk factors and side effects including premenstrual symptoms (PMS) such as bloating and tender breasts. There also is an increased risk for breast cancer, coronary artery disease, blood clots, gallstones, uterine fibroids and stroke. There is a possibility of weight gain while on treatment.

If a woman decides against hormone therapy, there are a number of different alternative practices she can use. Some alternative methods include starting an exercise routine, staying away from beverages and foods containing caffeine, avoiding alcohol and staying clear of spicy foods, all of which will help decrease hot flashes. An alternative to hormone therapy for hot flashes would be to use Paxil or Prozac. They have been known to help also. For vaginal dryness there are several over the counter lubricants that can be used.

There are many different ways to help ease the transition of menopause. The best option is to speak with your health care provider and give them a family history of any disease or illness. This will help you make an educated decision on what treatment is best suited for you.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to href="http://menopause-treatments-guide.com/">Menopause

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Symptoms Of Pregancy During Menopause

How to Eliminate Belly Fat

by Chris Chenoweth

If a woman�s waistline is larger than 35 inches (40 inches for men), the risk for a variety of health conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, can greatly increase. Studies show that fat stored around our waist poses a greater health risk than the fat we store in other parts of our bodies. This is just another reason for both men and women to take the necessary steps to reduce unhealthy belly fat.

CAUSES OF BELLY FAT

Gender and age are the largest determining factors for where we store fat on our bodies. Men tend to store their fat around their waistline when they put on weight. Women, before menopause, store their fat around their hips, thighs, and butt. After menopause, however, the fat becomes thicker around their waistline.

Most people eat a diet high in refined sugar and other simple carbohydrates. These foods raise blood sugar levels, leading to high insulin levels. The high insulin levels cause fat to be deposited into the belly area rather than other regions of the body. Put simply, belly fat is largely due to an unhealthy diet.

LINK BETWEEN STRESS AND BELLY FAT

You exercise faithfully, doing crunches until you�re exhausted, diet until you can�t stand it anymore and still you hold onto your belly fat. What�s the problem? The problem is that excess abdominal fat can also develop from high stress levels. How can stress cause a fat belly?

Fat in the body�s abdominal area acts in a different manner from the fat elsewhere in the body. It has a larger blood supply as well as more receptors for a stress hormone called cortisol. The levels of cortisol fluctuate throughout the day but a higher amount of the hormone is released during periods of stress and remains elevated.

The cortisol hones in on the abdominal area because of the large blood supply there, thus encouraging fat to be stored there. Consequently, if you are experiencing stress on a regular basis, your body will continue to deposit fat around your middle.

Belly fat is not the only cost of a stressful lifestyle caused by work problems, health problems, family problems, etc. High cortisol levels interfere with dopamine and serotonin, leading to depression and feelings of more stress.

To reduce your stress level, try to incorporate stress relievers into your daily life like reading, taking walks, soaking in the tub, listening to relaxing music, etc. Even if you think you do not have the time, you must make the time in order to be healthier physically and mentally.

WAYS TO REDUCE BELLY FAT

EAT A HEALTHY DIET full of fruits and vegetables and foods that are loaded with omega-3 fats like olive oil, fatty fish, nuts and seeds. The omega-3 fats reduce inflammation in the body and the production of adrenaline, another stress hormone, ultimately resulting in less belly fat.

EXERCISE at least 20 minutes a day, preferably using aerobic movements. To help work your ab area, incorporate activities like cross-country skiing or kickboxing into your exercise routine.

Be patient. Whittling down that belly fat will take time especially if you have significant fat in that area. Stick to your program, the fat will disappear.

In summary, if you have a fat belly, your best solution is to follow a healthy diet program, combined with an aerobic and stomach-toning regimen to tighten your abdominal muscles. Make sure you include stress relievers in your daily life, as well, to help keep the belly fat at bay.

Chris Chenoweth, author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, writes articles pertaining to diet, exercise, health, and business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Chenoweth