Healthy Body

Many women accept PMS as a fact of life. They think that the have to deal with the crabbiness, moodiness, cramps, bloating, and other painful and annoying symptoms over and over with no relief. Many women never even mention their PMS symptoms to the doctor for this reason. But there is help and you don’t have to live with these symptoms month after month until you reach menopause. In fact, it’s important that you talk to your doctor and get treatment as soon as possible.Â

The most obvious reason you should get your PMS symptoms treated is if you’re experiencing depression as one of your symptoms. Women who experience depression normally may have an increase in symptoms shortly before their period. If you are being successfully treated for depression, you also may have breakthrough symptoms with your PMS. It is vitally important not to let depression go untreated even if it is only periodic. Untreated depression symptoms can escalate to suicide and destructive behavior.

We used to think that women either got PMS or they didn’t. Now we are aware of a more serious form of PMS called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or PMDD. While the symptoms of PMS are painful, annoying, and bothersome, the symptoms of PMDD are so severe that they cause you to alter how you live your life. It is important that PMDD be recognized and treated immediately before it causes serious damage to your psychological health. That’s another reason why it’s important to see your doctor about your symptoms. He or she will be able to help you tell the difference between the two disorders and offer you treatment options.

Another reason to get treatment for your PMS is that it might not be PMS at all. There are a lot of other disorders that have similar symptoms. It is important to have these symptoms diagnosed and treated in case there is a serious problem.Â

If your symptoms are not serious and you are not having suicidal or dangerous thoughts, you might want to start keeping a journal of your symptoms for a few months before you see your doctor. This way, she can pinpoint if your symptoms are caused by PMS, PMDD, or some other problem. This will help you get treated properly and have you feeling better in no time.Â

Once you go to the doctor and find out you do have PMS or PMDD, there are treatment options that can help, including; dietary changes, herbal remedies, and hormonal birth control. Just remember, you do not have to live with these symptoms.

If you’re approaching menopause, you’ve probably experienced the heat, chills, flushing, sweating, and heart palpitations associated with hot flashes. These experiences can not only be terribly uncomfortable, with some lasting up to thirty minutes, they can severely distracting in your life. There are medical treatments that can help with hot flashes, but most are extreme and will not be used unless there is a problem. You can always turn the heater or air conditioner to “really cold”, but other people who live in your house may not be as willing to make this change. If you’re under the impression that you just have to live with hot flashes, then think again. Soy beans have been used for a long time to help relieve some or all of the symptoms associated with hot flashes.Â

Soy has chemicals in it called isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen (plant estrogen). These compounds are similar to estrogen and act like human estrogen in your body. Not only have studies shown that women countries with higher soy content have fewer hot flashes than women in cultures that eat less soy, many women who begin getting more soy in their diet report fewer and less severe hot flashes. While soy does have the benefits of acting like human estrogen, its effects are fairly weak. Many women with mild to moderate hot flashes report decreases in their symptoms, but women with more severe symptoms will probably not experience much relief.

Soy can be found in many different forms. Not only can you get it in supplement or food, there are also various types of soy food products. As with any supplement, you should only take soy isoflavone supplements if it is impossible for you to get enough soy (or other isoflavone sources) in your diet. While taking a pill is probably easier, food is the natural way to absorb chemicals and it’s generally more effective.Â

As with any supplement or dietary changes, there are concerns associated with soy. One is that because it acts as an estrogen in the body, it could result in an increased chance of breast cancer. This is why it’s important to have regular mammograms and self exams, you may already be doing this. You should also monitor your soy intake. More than 50 grams per day may increase the associated problems. Consult your doctor before making major dietary changes; they can help you figure out if soy is right for you.Â

While you can’t avoid going through menopause, there are breakthroughs that can alleviate some of the symptoms. If you have problems with hot flashes and night sweats, eat right, get exercise, and add some soy to your diet.Â

We all know that getting enough exercise is a vital part of staying healthy. What you may not know is that the older you get, the more important it is for you to work out regularly. As your body starts to change, you not only may experience hot flashes and mood swings, you’re also at a higher risk for dangerous diseases. The good news is that many menopausal symptoms can be helped or even stopped through regular physical activity.

One of the biggest concerns for women approaching menopause is the loss of bone mass. This can lead to osteoporosis and other serious consequences. Many doctors suggest getting plenty of calcium to help prevent bone deterioration, but this is just the first step. Getting regular, weight-bearing exercise is also essential for maintaining good bone health. If you’re not in very good shape, walking or other light exercise can be enough to get started. You should eventually work yourself up to resistance training. This is the best way to slow or even stop loss of bone mass. You should also consider adding flexibility training; being limber will keep you from getting injured sometime down the road.Â

Along with osteoporosis, women who have reached menopause are also at an increased risk of developing heart disease. Many women assume that only men are at risk, but heart disease is a top killer of women as well as men. Plus, women are less likely to know they’re having a heart attack, so they don’t get treatment as quickly. Regular aerobic exercise can do wonders for keeping your heart in good shape. Even if you aren’t going through menopause yet, getting regular exercise is a great way to keep your heart healthy for a long time.  Â

Another common symptom of menopause is mood swings. As estrogen levels fluctuate, so do your emotions. And unlike mood changes due to your menstrual cycle, menopausal mood fluctuations are much less predictable. Exercise can work to ease symptoms of depression, decrease mood fluctuations, and decrease irritability. Exercise helps you to be more emotionally stable so you can worry about more important things.

With the onset of menopause, many women gain weight. While it’s usually not a substantial amount, it can increase the risk of certain weight related diseases. Regular exercise can help you keep your weight in check, reducing the risk of serious health problems in the future.Â

If your biggest concern about menopause is the immediate physical symptoms, exercise is a great cure for you too. Many women notice a decrease in hot flashes and other physical symptoms when they go on a regular exercise program.Â

Sure, exercise takes some planning and work, but your health is worth is, so go out and get moving.

Mankind has always been searching for the Fountain of Youth. From the Egyptians believing that the Tigris River had healing powers, to Ponce de Leon and his famous explorations in Florida, and finally to modern day “miracle cures” and surgeries that promise to turn back the clock, people have always wanted a quick fix to looking and feeling younger. Nothing can truly make you younger, but there are many things that can improve the quality of your life, give you more energy and increase your potential for a long, healthy life. It won’t happen overnight, but you will notice an improvement over time.

Stay on your diet. You may be on a diet to lose weight, but it has other benefits too. While carrying around extra pounds causes extra wear and tear on your system, a healthy diet also makes all your systems work right. If your organs are properly nourished, they’ll operate more efficiently and won’t get worn out as fast. It’s also a good idea to take a daily multivitamin. You might find other supplements beneficial; just be sure you’re getting enough of the right nutrients and not too much of the wrong ones. Dieting doesn’t just mean eating less, it means eating a more balanced diet.

Don’t forget your skin. An important part of feeling young is keeping your organs healthy. Well, your skin is the largest organ of your body. Having healthy skin can make you look younger, which in turn can make you feel younger. In addition to using anti-aging skincare products, be sure to eat a diet that helps improve skin quality. Good choices are fresh fruits and vegetables and foods rich in protein. Keep your skin (and the rest of your body) hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Don’t smoke. If you don’t smoke, you’re ahead of the game. But, if you do, the sooner you quit, the younger you will look and feel. Smoking can cause extra wrinkles in the face, stained teeth, not to mention the obvious health problems caused by smoking to the rest of your body.

Get Exercise. Everyone’s heard the old adage “if you don’t use it you lose it”. Well, you’ve probably heard it so much because it’s true. Regular exercise keeps your body working properly. It can also strengthen your heart and help you lose excess pounds that are weighing you down. And remember, exercising your mind is just as important for staying young as exercising your body.

Feel good about getting old. It may seem silly, but people who have a positive view about getting older tend to live longer. Instead of worrying about how hard it will be to get around or do normal things, concentrate on the fun of retirement or other benefits to getting older.

Even though no one has found a real fountain of youth, taking care of yourself is the next best thing. Changing your life won’t happen over night, but if you focus on one change at a time, gradually you’ll discover a whole new younger feeling you.