Female Care

by Stephanie Moore

A menstrual cramp is like a heart attack in the uterus. The pain is caused by the uterine muscles constricting in order to stop the loss of blood.  This condition is called dysmenorrhea. Since many women get excruciating menstrual cramps before and during their monthly period, it is important to know. The pain can be a mild annoyance or it can be crippling, with back ache, nausea and even vomiting.

Pain medications can bring relief, of course. Which medication actually works depends on the individual.  Some women only respond to ibuprofen. Others find that acetaminophen or aspirin works just fine. A doctor may even recommend beginning daily medication a few weeks before a patient’s period begins.

Such measures may not be necessary for mild cramps, in fact, simple alternatives may be just as effective as medicine, without any adverse side effects. Ibuprofen, for example, has been known to cause stomach damage over time.

A hot water bottle or heating pad is the best ‘homemade’ method for relieving menstrual cramps, headaches and backaches. Exercise also makes a great pain reliever. The trick is to get the blood flowing. A brisk walk or some yogic stretching will get your heart pumping. However, sit-ups, crunches and other abdominal exercises are bad for cramps.

Another way to deal with mild menstrual pain is to change what you drink. Caffeine makes pain worse, causing the uterus to constrict even more. Alcohol can also aggravate uterine contractions by depleting important nutrients in the body. A switch to decaffeinated coffee and some teetotaling might eliminate mild cramps altogether. They can also lessen with vitamin supplements, as doctors say calcium helps maintain normal muscle tone.  Niacin, another important nutrient,  is also effective but, only when taken seven to ten days before the flow starts.

Menstrual cramps can also be caused by constipation, so fiber is important. Valerian, a medicinal herb is also effective when taken in doses of 300-500mg per day. It also can help with insomnia. Other herbs that work for dysmenorrhea are: cramp bark, yarrow, black and blue cohosh and ginger.

Whatever method she chooses for dealing with premenstrual symptoms, a woman should always know her own body.  In the end, this knowledge is the best defense against terrible period pain.

People diagnosed with Fibromyalgia often experience difficulty sleeping at night.  This lack of sleep can add to or prolong the symptoms that afflict Fibro patients.  There are various steps that a person suffering from this chronic condition can take to achieve a better quality sleep and reduce the intensity of Fibromyalgia.

First, let’s look at the definition of sleep.

Webster’s Dictionary defines sleep as, “the natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored.”

Sleep is where the mind lets go of the normal daily concerns and the physical and emotional stresses of everyday life.  It replenishes and restores the physical and mental abilities through the restorative process acquired during REM sleep. .

Fibro patients normally have a difficult time sleeping because of a combination of circumstances.  There is muscle pain, restless leg syndrome, stress and anxiety.  These conditions prevent the mind from going into the second stage of sleep called REM.  This is the sleep cycle that assists the human body to restore the chemical balance within the brain that is needed to repair muscle tissue and prevent what is called brain fog: the lack of concentration and the inability to think clearly, recall or remember.  Fibro patients awaken easily and find it difficult to go into deep REM sleep.

So how can a Fibromyalgia patient attain a better quality sleep? Doctors often prescribe sleep medication to help with sleep disorders like the ones endured by Fibromyalgia patients.  Unfortunately these do not always work or at times work ineffectively.  Restorative sleep is difficult to achieve.  But there are other methods that can be used by the patient to help them overcome the effects that this lack of sleep can produce.

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About 80 percent of breast cancer patients have no family history of breast cancer. Their cancers are called “sporadic” breast cancers. Another 15 to 20 percent of breast cancer patients have some family history of breast cancer, called “familial” breast cancer, that may indicate a genetic susceptibility.

Between 5 and 10 percent of breast cancer patients have a very strong family history of breast cancer. Their cancers are considered “hereditary.” This term could apply to the occurrence of breast cancer in closely related family members on one side of the family across generations: for example, breast cancer in a combination of one’s mother, aunt, daughter, grandmother, and great aunt. It could also apply to more than one occurrence of early-onset (under age 50) breast cancer or the incidence of cancer in both breasts in an individual family member; or to the presence of male breast cancer in the family.

Mutations in two particular genes — named BRCA1 and BRCA2 — account for most hereditary breast cancers. To illustrate the power of these mutations, consider these statistics: The general population has a 7 percent chance of getting breast cancer; those with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have a 55 to 87 percent chance. Risks for some other types of cancer also increase for those with either gene mutation, male or female.

Although genetic, or gene, testing can be done on a sample of blood obtained the same way as for the diagnosis of illness or for routine blood work-ups, much thought and discussion with one’s oncologist and a genetic counselor on his or her professional team should precede testing because of the complicated DNA testing process that is done only at specialized medical laboratories and its resulting high cost.

Testing results are considered very reliable. A genetic counselor is specially trained to understand and explain the statistical probabilities that can be derived from testing and clarify the result obtained, because it isn’t as simple as “you have it” or “you don’t have it.” It is one of four possibilities: positive, ambiguous, or one of two types of negative. Along with a personal consultation, the genetic counselor uses simple graphs, charts, and layman’s terms to make the process understandable.

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By Annetta Holmes

Depression comes in many guises which have spawned a plethora of labels.  You may have recently started to feel depressed having never experienced this condition before. It may scare you to feel this way and the thought of your emotions being out from under your control is indeed a daunting prospect. If you go and see a medical doctor you may be prescribed powerful psychotropic (mind altering) drugs. Besides being addictive these drugs have terrible side effects, behave as toxins to your system and deplete sorely needed vitamin and mineral.

Before looking at purely psychological problems with drugs as the only solution first examine physical factors that could affect your mental heath. You will be surprised how a diet high in refined carbohydrates and low in protein and vegetables can attack your normally cheerful disposition. Most people don’t connect nutrient deficient food with adverse effects in their mental faculties. They believe that as they are feeling sad, anxious or tearful these reactions are psychological in nature and only psychotropic drugs will help. Not true.

Food, the quality of, and nutrients have a huge impact on your well being. Do you eat very little breakfast or none, have a sandwich and a sugary drink for lunch then eat an enormous dinner when you get in at night because you’re starving. Does your blood sugar level yo-yo continuously? Additionally if you’re very hungry when you get home at night chances are you don’t try and eat a square meal. When hunger– the most powerful of urges — is the impelling force then food that is very quick to get at wins over better quality. Low blood sugar can cause headaches, mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiousness and apprehension. These factors aside, to build blood and bone you need to eat food that supplies the bricks and mortar of the body. Junk foods supply nothing. If you exclude the nutrients your cells need then your body will tear itself apart to get those building blocks. Below is an example of how your body does that and what effect it has on your mental health.

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By Nicole Harms

Understanding osteoporosis means understanding what the disease is, what its risk factors are, and what can be done to prevent it. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a decrease in bone density. This leads to fractures and other bone problems. One of the first things to do to prevent osteoporosis is determining if you are at risk for developing the disease.

Identifying Your Osteoporosis Risk Factors

There are several things that can determine the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. Being female, for example, is a common osteoporosis risk factor. Women, particularly Caucasians or Asians, are the people the most likely to get osteoporosis. Few males will develop the condition. If you are a woman, chalk up one risk factor in your count.

Osteoporosis often runs in families. If your mother or grandmother had osteoporosis, you are likely to develop the condition unless you modify your lifestyle. Along those lines poor nutrition is also an osteoporosis risk factor. Women who do not eat enough calcium and vitamin D are going to be at risk for bone loss.

Some people have a condition known as malabsorption. This condition causes them to not absorb nutrients properly from their digestive system. If you have this condition, it can cause you to not absorb the calcium you need correctly. This is also a risk factor for osteoporosis, and many patients with this condition are surprised because they have a healthy diet yet still develop osteoporosis.

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By Brandy Stoner

Most women are apprehensive about the pre-menopause period, and rightly so. There are a lot of changes that take place in the body during that time and most of them are highly unpleasant. A few changes in your daily schedule and food choices can do wonders in combating most of these dreaded symptoms.

There is plenty that can be done to prevent and circumvent most of the unpleasant effects. Here are some simple ways to ease the transition.

Introduce exercise in your daily routine.

Exercise is a must for anybody – young or old. However, for pre-menopausal women, regular exercise is even more important because it eases their mood swings, increases restful and restorative sleep, fights depression, and improves digestion. This is a good time to practice yoga and other such exercises that combine meditation (mental relaxation) along with body fitness for overall health and a sense of wellbeing.

Avoid coffee and caffeine.

This is a time when coffee, carbonated drinks, tea and other such drinks should be avoided as these promote hot flashes. Avoid consumption of alcohol for the same reasons. Carbonated drinks decrease the ability to absorb calcium and may leave you more vulnerable to osteoporosis and tooth loss. Have plenty of fruit juice, vegetable juice, and water. You need plenty of hydration to counter the dryness of the mucus membranes of the body, and juice will replenish some of the vitamins and minerals your body so greatly needs right now.

Consider HRT.

Hormone replacement therapy involves literally putting hormone levels back in balance and sustaining that balance. Though some studies show that this therapy sometimes increases the risk of breast cancer, this method is still the fastest way to get relief from many of the pre-menopausal and menopausal physical symptoms.

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Vaginal dryness is typically a topic that is taboo around the water cooler. No one wants to talk about their vagina or how wet or dry it is. However, vaginal dryness effects millions of women. It is a very common problem that can be fairly uncomfortable. If you are wondering why you were once adequately lubricated down below, and no longer are, there can be several reasons. Vaginal dryness can be caused by a number of different factors.

Medications that Cause Vaginal Dryness

There are millions of people who suffer from vaginal dryness. Many of these people have symptoms because of certain medications they take. Certain over-the-counter medications such as cold and allergy medicines work to dry out mucous membranes. This may help your cold symptoms, but they also dry out the mucous membranes of your vagina. Also, antidepressant medications have been known to cause vaginal dryness as well.

Vaginal Dryness Due to Lower Estrogen Levels

Decreased estrogen levels is a major cause of vaginal dryness. Most people know that menopause decreases estrogen levels, but there are so many other times during a women’s life when estrogen is lower. Breast feeding, childbirth, cancer treatments, cigarette smoking, and immune disorders can all adversely effect the levels of a woman’s estrogen.

Vaginal Dryness From Douching

Douching was very popular 20 years ago. It was thought to cleanse the vagina thoroughly after a menstrual period. Research has shown that douching actually is no better, and is even worse than letting the vagina clean itself naturally. The chemicals in the douche effect the natural balance of the vagina. Vaginitis is caused by douching and can also cause vaginal dryness.

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Breast cancer survivors who are obese have an increased risk of lymphedema according to a study by the University of Missouri. In a news release dated December 16, 2008, the MU researcher reported that the risk of lymphedema is 40 to 60 percent higher in women with a body mass index, or BMI, that is classified as overweight or obese.

Worldwide, there are 10 million breast cancer survivors who have a lifetime risk of developing lymphedema. The chronic condition is the swelling of limbs. In the case of a breast cancer survivor the swelling would most likely affect the arms.

The abnormal swelling of the limbs is an emotionally upsetting side effect of cancer treatment. Lymph glands carry fluids throughout the system. Surgery and radiation damages the lymph system, so that the fluid is not carried through the system as it should be. This causes an abnormal swelling in the extremities

Any woman can get lymphedema, but women who are overweight are at a higher risk of the uncomfortable condition. According to information on the Sinclair School of Nursing website, as estimated two million women in the US are at risk of developing the abnormal swelling. This new report indicates that women who are obese have a much higher risk of lymphedema compared two women of normal weight.

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By Christine Bude

Osteoporosis is a progressive condition in which bones become brittle and weak. Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones”. Bones can become so brittle that even a mild stress on the bone can cause a fracture. Fractures are painful injuries that can cause disability.

Bones are the important support structure of the body. Many people, especially young people, tend to take their bone health for granted.

In most cases the bones are weakened when the levels of minerals in the bones are low. Important bone minerals include calcium, phosphorus and other minerals. Osteoporosis can also result from endocrine disorders and excessive use of certain drugs, such as corticosteroids.

People with signs of bone loss can take steps to reverse the damage with some lifestyle changes such as taking calcium, Vitamin D and by weight bearing exercise.

Osteoporosis commonly results in fractures, or broken bones. The fractures are often in the spine, hip or wrist. Osteoporosis is considered a woman’s disease, but also affects men.

Bone loss, in early stages, does not usually cause pain or symptoms. As bone loss progresses, symptoms may include back pain, loss of height and fractures of the vertebrae, wrists, hips or other bones.

We tend to think of bone as unchanging, but that is not the case. Bones are a living part of the body that changes constantly. When bones do not have enough minerals, they lose strength and density. In young people, bone is constantly breaking down and making new bone. As the body ages, the process of making new bone is slower. Estrogen production decreases and bone loss increases dramatically.

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If you’re a ‘depressed housewife’, and are determined to fight this disease and regain the happy life that you once had, then try making these ten easy changes and feel the difference!

1)    Bright Colours – Keeping up with the latest design trends can not only be stressful, but with a lot of neutrals becoming the popular choice, you can end up waking up in a dungeon everyday without even realizing it. It’s time to do away with those dark, drab colours and spice it up a bit! Go to your paint store and pick out the brightest colours you can find in shades that you love! Try replacing brown shades with peach, dark green with a bright citrus green, and steer clear of greys, burgundies, and any other drab colour you may be inclined to choose. Sometimes depressed women will automatically be drawn to depressing colours, so it may be a good idea to take someone along with you who will step in if you start slipping into this habit.

2)    Lively Plants – Get rid of any fake plants or plants that are half dead. You need to breathe new life into your home! Find yourself some tropical trees and plants. Throw in some colourful flowers to make it fresh. Maybe you’re like me and have a problem forgetting to water your plants, but have no fear! Most tropical plants and trees do not need a lot of watering or attention…so there are no excuses!

3)    Heavy Drapes – Heavy drapes and curtains can be overwhelming. Lighten up your home by choosing bright sheers. Long, sheer, white panels can make any window look brighter and bigger. Make sure you open your curtains everyday no matter how tempting it is to keep them closed…let the sunshine in!

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