June 14th, 2007 at 09:24am
Under Menopause
Have you recently noticed that you have difficulty concentrating?
Do you walk into a room only to forget why you even came in?
Do you feel disorientation, or just mentally confusioned?
This sort of absentmindedness plagues a huge percentage of women and men going through menopause. It can be very frustrating, and so you should try to do your best to keep an alert mental state. There are many ways to do this, and if you are not taking advantage of any of them then you should start today.
Here are some of the most common and ways to maintain mental alertness:
- Do regular exercise. It is easy to get caught in a rut of going to work and then coming home and relaxing. Instead of sitting in front of the TV all night, why don’t you lift some weights or go for a brisk walk? Exercise releases just the right chemicals into your brain to make you more alert, not only during the exercise, but for the rest of the day until you go to sleep. This is why so many people like to start off their days with walk through the neighborhood. The type of exercise you choose will depend on what options are available to you.
- Stimulate your mind at least once per day. It is very healthy to always teach yourself new things. Whether you sit down and read a science fiction book with interesting scientific theories, or you read a college textbook and discover new things about biology, do a crossword or learn to use a computer, there is everything to be gained from learning new things. Not only do you get to keep the great knowledge, but you also will sustain higher levels of alertness due to the effort that it takes to learn all of those things. So go to the library today and find a book that sparks your interest.
- Sleep is crucial to being mentally alert. Your mind needs enough time to recuperate, so it needs adequate sleep to function properly. If your job requires you to get up early, then go to bed earlier. If you have too much to do, then all you need to do is plan your days out better so that you get things done more efficiently and leave more time to sleeping.
Ultimately the best thing to do is to combine these three methods to remain as mentally alert as possible. If you start to utilize all 3 of these, you should start seeing improvements in a matter of days. Hopefully you will stop losing things, stop forgetting important dates, and generally stop being so absentminded. If the problem persists, then you should talk to a doctor about ways of dealing with this symptom of menopause.
Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but you shouldn’t ignore the possibility.
By admin
June 7th, 2007 at 10:50am
Under Female Menopause
During menopause women may put on weight, loose fitness and bone density, so here are 7 great tips on how to be fit and stay fit during menopause
1. Find a program that will best suit you. Every woman is different, so always consult a qualified trainer or your doctor to make sure that the fitness program will not hurt you. If the fitness program is not for you, it will only be a cause of frustration and injuries.
2. Set realistic targets. You can change a things overnight, make sure your fitness goals are achievable and realistic. You have to learn to walk before you run. Don’t over do it, other wise you will just cause yourself injury and set your fitness goals back even further.
3. Exercises your muscles. When you develop muscles, you burn more calories and then you lessen the fats in your body. Multi-joint exercises and weight lifting are recommended. Learn what exercises work on certain parts of your body. Multi-joint exercises are also said to be effective but time saving.
4. Be systematic on working on your muscles. Your muscles should be working harder over time. Repeating the same sets of exercises and same weight without getting your muscles to work harder will not give satisfactory results. You can record your daily results and make the progression based on your previous data. A daily log will also motivate you since you are able to track how far you have gone.
5. Perform a set of exercises in 10 repetitions. Every number that was accomplished is called a repetition. Try to make every repetition with less momentum as much as possible. The lesser the momentum, the harder your muscles work. And the harder they work, the bigger they become. To check if there is much momentum when lifting, see if the arm is floating. If the arm does float, then there is much momentum.
6. Be flexible and perform a variety of exercises. Every exercise program should have a variety. You can change your exercises, goals and sets every day, week or month to keep you motivated and on the go. Doing this will help you prevent being bored and losing energy physically and mentally.
7. Stay Motivated! The best way to keep the energy levels high is to excerise with a friend or group and have some healthy competition.
There is no workout that is best for everyone. Stay active and healthy.
By admin
May 30th, 2007 at 02:37pm
Under Female Menopause
Perimenopause refers to the time preceding menopause, during which the production of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone diminish and become more irregular. Perimenopause means “around the time of menopause. Symptoms of perimenopause can begin as early as age 35, other definitions start perimenopause at age 40, under the assumption that the average age of menopause is around 50. Factors that may bring on an earlier perimenopause include:Family history of early menopause (before age 48).
Signs of perimenopause have similarities to signs of toxicity including, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, allergies, coughing, rashes, digestive problems, and irritability.
Symptoms, Then again, many women have no “perimenopausal” symptoms at all, and many others have mild symptoms that are not troublesome.
You have survived your period starting and you’ll make it through your period ending. It’s all a natural part of being a woman. Although the symptoms of perimenopause, menopause and post menopause can be annoying, embarrassing and inconvenient they are treatable.
By admin
May 27th, 2007 at 09:50am
Under Female Menopause
Including these foods in your diet can help to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, maintain your memory power, and prevent osteoporosis. These foods are delicious to eat, easy to prepare, and very good for you!
These foods are:
1. Tofu is an alternative protein source to meat. Along with other soy products, tofu can be beneficial for lowering your cholesterol and preventing heart disease. Soy products like tofu may also reduce the side effects associated with menopause, including the dreaded ‘hot flashes.’
2. Navy beans are loaded with fiber, which can help reduce your risk of color and other forms of cancer, as well as relieve the symptoms associated with diverticulosis. Women need 30 grams of fiber each day, so include them in your favorite chili recipe, or try them as a side dish alternative to pasta or rice.
3. Yogurt is packed with calcium and can help prevent osteoporosis. It has also been shown to boost your immunity and help with weight management. Additionally, yogurt contains high amounts of good bacteria such as acidophilus, which helps to prevent yeast infections and urinary tract infections. It also contains protein, which may help your body battle the fatigue and weariness that follows a hot flash.
4. Blueberries, Recent studies show they may actually help with short-term memory loss. They’re also loaded with antioxidants. Pair them with some low-fat plain yogurt for a top-notch way to protect both your brain and your bones.
5. Avocado also contains antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which can help to protect your vision and skin, which can suffer as we age. The monounsaturated fat found in avocados has also been shown to improve the condition of hair and skin. They’re great on a turkey sandwich, or mash up a few ripe ones and whip up a quick side of guacamole to have with some low-fat baked tortilla chips.
And as always, it’s important to make low-fat and low-sodium choices when menu planning. . Avoid smoking or alcohol, drink lots of water and get plenty of rest, and you’ll soon find your menopause symptoms are easily managed.
By admin
April 25th, 2007 at 11:23am
Under Menopause
Here are the 35 menopause symptoms compiled by Judy Bayliss and Dr. Brown:
1. Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
2. Bouts of rapid heartbeat
3. Irritability
4. Mood swings, sudden tears
5. Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
6. Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles
7. Partial or complete loss of libido
8. Dry vagina, resulting in painful intercourse; a general drying-out that can include eyes, mouth, joints, skin
9. Crashing fatigue
10. Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
11. Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom – thoughts of one’s own death, picturing one’s own death
12. Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
13. Disturbing memory lapses
14. Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence, where leakage occurs when one needs to urinate
15. Itchy, crawly skin – feeling of ants crawling under the skin
16. Aching, sore joints, possible carpal tunnel syndrome
17. Increased muscle tension
18. Breast tenderness
19. Headaches increase or decrease
20. Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea
21. Sudden bouts of bloat
22. Depression that can become overwhelming; feeling of loss of self that has been dramatically relieved with hormone therapy
23. Exacerbation of existing conditions
24. Increase in allergies
25. Weight gain, especially around waist and thighs, resulting in ‘the disappearing waistline’
26. Hair loss or thinning on head, in pubic area, or on whole body; increase in facial hair
27. Dizziness, lightheadedness, episodes of loss of balance
28. Changes in body odor
29. Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head – “the feeling of a rubber band snapping in the layer of tissue between skin and muscle…the precursor to a hot flash.”
30. Tingling in extremities, which can also be a symptom of B-12 deficiency, diabetes, or depletion of potassium or calcium
31. Gum problems, increased gum bleeding
32. Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, dry mouth, change in breath odor
33. Osteoporosis (after several years)
34. Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break more easily
35. An additional symptom some report: tinnitus, a ringing in the ears or sounds of whooshing, bells, or buzzing.
This list was compilied by Judy Bayliss and Lucy L. Brown, Ph.D. at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
By admin
April 17th, 2007 at 10:09am
Under Female Menopause
Menopause: What’s after?
Post-menopause is what comes after menopause and it is hardly ever discussed.
So what the good news about post-menopause?
*No more heavy bleeding
*Hot flashes are thing of the past,
*No more mood swings or irritability,
*night sweats; menstrual pads and Tampons are thing of the past
*Pregnancy becomes a non issue. (Safe sex is still advisable for STD prevention)
Post-menopause enables a woman to seek new challenges; with the children grown and independent, it is the perfect opportunity to go back to college; or take a trip to a place they’ve never been. To be able to have the time to spend on what you enjoy.
It takes time and thoughtful consideration to determine, out of all the possibilities, what you might choose. The ability to rediscover who you are is uplifting and invigorating.
Once you are in the post-menopausal stage, your passions and desires will be heightened. In addition, you will not look upon this time as the golden years, as some would suggest, but will simply continue in the circle of life with a renewed sense of passion, purpose and freedom.
By admin
April 14th, 2007 at 05:38pm
Under Female Menopause
One of the most asked questions about menopause revolves around the loss of one’s sex drive, so let’s discuss sex after menopause; fact versus fiction.
While both men and women think that menopause is synonymous with the loss of sexual desire, it definitely is not the case. In fact, most women will tell you the sex just gets better. Perhaps because there are no preconceived worries about becoming pregnant, both men and women can pursue their passions with wild abandon. Another fact is that while aging can slow down the process, it is considered normal if sexual desire decreases just a bit. This by no means indicates that sex is no longer an integral part of your life after menopause; far from it!
Other causes can play havoc with your sex life after menopause they are:.
* Certain medications can change the way you feel.
*In addition, certain diseases can affect your sex life such as heart disease; diabetes and arthritis.
* More importantly, the way you see yourself can be just as important a factor in your decreased sex drive as the aforementioned conditions.
Scientific studies have shown that estrogen is not related to changes in sexual response in postmenopausal women. Researchers found only one issue related to decreased estrogen production during menopause; and that is, painful sexual intercourse. Another finding asserted that the only women to experience loss of sexual desire during the postmenopausal period “were those women who believed that loss of interest in sex is a normal part of the aging process.” This theory asserts that the facts surrounding loss of sexual desire are based solely on fictional assumptions and not factually based.
While some women have taken certain drugs to increase their sexual desire, studies have shown that these hormonal drugs can greatly increase the incidence of breast cancer. It is advised to seek medical assistance to determine the best course of action regarding loss of sexual desire. Hormonal replacements such as testosterone may not be the answer.
The facts of sex after menopause are:
• Loss of sexual desire is not experienced by the majority of menopausal women.
• Loss of sexual desire is not associated with decreased levels of estrogen.
If you are experiencing decreased sexual desire after menopause, talk to your doctor to determine what type of treatment he can prescribe that is safe and effective. More importantly, talk to your partner in an honest and open manner so that he or she is aware of your feelings. Perhaps there are alternatives you can both use to arouse the sexual desire in each other.
By admin
April 12th, 2007 at 03:19pm
Under Female Menopause
For some woman, menopause can be a blessing; or you may see it as a continuation of the curse.
How to accept menopause in a positive way is the subject of this discourse.
While menopause is another stage in the cycle of a woman’s life, each and every woman reacts differently to it. While some view it as a “new lease on life,” encompassing all of the physical, emotional, and sexual freedom associated with it, others may see it as an end to that part of life which is fulfilling and nurturing. Depending upon the harshness of the menopause symptoms, one can look upon menopause in a positive manner, while simply dismissing the associated drawbacks as just a part of the overall process.
Menopause, can viewed as a positive benefit, is most likely associated with these immediate benefits:
* No longer do you have to deal with monthly menstrual cycles which include the cramping, the bloating, and the mood swings.
* You can have sex as often as you like without having to worry about becoming pregnant. Reportedly, sex is even better than before!
* Menopause is the quintessential sign you have reached an emotional and physical maturity to be able to handle anything that life throws at you. Your relationships may even reach an entirely new level of communication.
You can accept menopause in a positive way by embracing life and living it to its fullest. While most women accept the changes their bodies will undergo over time, menopause allows you the opportunity to embrace your body and the changes it is going through.
During menopause there are some periods of awkwardness as you learn to adapt to your changing body, both physically and emotionally. However once you have passed through this emotional and physical upheaval you will blossom into your mature self, an empowered women filled with wonder and excitement.
This is an important milestone in your life which should be embraced with positive mental and emotional thought. Loving relationships, intimacy, and communication are parts of the circle of life after menopause.
Enjoy menopause, but if it become too much, seek help from your doctor, pharmacist and friends. There are always other women you can talk to and discuss what you are going through. Their comfort and reassurance will guide you to a path of immeasurable freedom and joy.
By admin
April 12th, 2007 at 10:32am
Under Female Menopause
Are you having trouble sleeping at night? Or waking up in a sweat? Are you feeling depressed or irritable?
You could be going into menopause.
What most people refer to as menopause is actually a pre menopausal stage called perimenopause. Menopause doesn’t start until a year after your last period. During menopause, you are more susceptible to serious problems such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. In order to prevent serious conditions during menopause, it is helpful to recognize symptoms of perimenopause so you can start treatment early and stop problems before they start.
So what are some of the common and not so common symptoms of menopause?
Some of the physical Symptoms are:
* Hot flashes. They are probably the most common physical symptom of menopause. They occur when you feel like it is terribly hot when the room is at a reasonable temperature.
* Night sweats. This is simply a hot flash that occurs during the night. Nights sweats can generally wake you from a sound sleep (often covered in sweat) and feeling cold.
* Heart palpitations. Your heart feels like it racing or beating strangely. Heart palpitations are more rare and serious than other symptoms. You should go to a doctor if you experience any heart related problems.
What are some of the other symptoms?
Some other symptoms may include:
* Incontinence (inability to control urination)
* Dry skin and hair loss.
* Changes in the Menstrual Cycle. This is usually the first sign that you’re entering perimenopause, although menstrual changes can be caused my other problems or even just stress. You may experience a lighter or much heavier flow, early, late or irregularly spaced periods. You may even miss a few.
* Changes in Mood. You may find yourself experiencing various emotional changes ranging from increased irritability, anxiety or simple mood swings, to more serious problems such as depression.
* Changes in Sleep Patterns. Even if you’ve always been a good sleeper, you may stop being able to fall asleep at night or wake up repeatedly and not get back to sleep. Sleep problems can also be caused by other perimenopause symptoms such as depression and night sweats.
* Sexual Changes. Many perimenopausals have a decrease in sex drive. You may also notice other symptoms including vaginal dryness.
While these are not the only symptoms of early menopause, they are the most common. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is recommended you visit your doctor. This way, you can not only treat any symptoms that are too severe, but also take steps, such as dietary changes, to prevent complications.
By admin
April 11th, 2007 at 12:52pm
Under Female Menopause+ Male Menopause
St. John’s Wort grows in dry areas in temperate climates throughout the world. It is a shrub-like weed that spreads rapidly. It was believed to have bloomed on the birthday of St. John the Baptist, June 24; hence the name St. John’s Wort.
It can be used as a mild antidepressant, and is also being studied for its possible affects on other mood disorders such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. People taking St. John’s Wort show an improvement in mood and ability to carry out their daily lives.
St. John’s Wort seems to be able to relieve mild depression, and also makes is useful in treating chronic fatigue syndrome and the mood swings associated with menopause and PMS. It is also considered a mild sedative and when used in the treatment of insomnia. St. John’s Wort increase the time spent in deep sleep by helping to produce melatonin, a sleep-regulating hormone.
St. John’s Wort can be found in most health stores, chemists, and pharmacies. The recommended dosage for St. John’s Wort extract, when taken for mild to moderate depression, is 500-1,000 mg per day. Results may be varied from individual to individual. You should consult with a health care professional to determine how long to use this supplement.
Pregnant women should avoid this product, and those who are photosensitive may experience an allergic reaction when exposed to sunlight. Some people may experience stomach upset, restlessness, mild allergic reactions or fatigue when using this herb. It should not be taken by those who have chronic or clinical depression, and should never be used with prescription anti-depressants or any medication that interacts with MAO inhibitors. A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted before taking this herb in combination with any other medications.
By admin
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