Education & Career Success Guide: menopause
Showing posts with label menopause. Show all posts
Showing posts with label menopause. Show all posts

5 surprising facts about cholesterol

01:53
5 surprising facts about cholesterol
As result of this, we always consider it to be bad and harmful to heart health in particular. Yes, it is true, that high cholesterol isn't good for your heart. But, there are some other important facts about cholesterol that are just as important. Let's take a look...

Some symptoms of high cholesterol are visible to the naked eye

Generally, you come to know about high cholesterol through your doctor. But many a times reddish bumps show up on the body. They are known as xanthomas, and are caused by high cholesterol.

Exercise can increase good cholesterol

Daily exercise is very beneficial for healthy living; more so if you want to control cholesterol. Regular exercise can help lower bad cholesterol and increase the density of good cholesterol naturally.

Cholesterol rises after menopause

Before menopause, estrogen helps to keep cholesterol levels in check. But after a woman's last menstrual cycle, the level of estrogen falls, making the bad cholesterol rise sharply. As the level of cholesterol rises, it also increases the risk of heart problems in many women.

Low cholesterol can be bad as well

Though we all know that high cholesterol is bad for health, on the other hand, very low cholesterol is also associated with health problems. It is important to have a steady level of cholesterol, because if the cholesterol level drops below 160 mg/dL it may increase the chances of certain types of cancer, depression and early delivery.

Kids can have cholesterol as well

Due to obesity or family history of heart disease, kids as young as two can have high cholesterol. Hence, it is important to have a medical checkup done as early as possible and keep your diet in check.
Read More
Read more No comments:
No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , ,

Menopause It’s just a transition

05:08
Menopause It’s just a transition




 Although women undergo multiple body changes in their lifetime, the hormonal changes occurring after cessation of the menses can be truly vexatious. Termed menopause, many women dread this partly because it signals the onset of ageing. But menopause is simply a transition between two major phases of a women’s life; not a disorder. 


How it happens
 
If one year passes without menstrual periods, menopause is confirmed to have occurred. The transition phase after the last menstrual cycle may last for years. During this time many women experience various symptoms due to hormonal changes. Bone density often diminishes and blood cholesterol levels may rise.
In most women, menopause occurs around the age of 50. In some cases, it can set in before 40. Premature Menopause is more likely to occur in women who smoke, have never been pregnant or live at high altitudes. In cases where none of these reasons apply, the doctor may advise a check-up to rule out other problems. For most women, menopause normally occurs between 45 and 55 years. If menopause occurs after 55, it is considered to be late menopause. 

Menopausal symptoms vary in intensity from woman to woman. With the onset of menopause, the ovaries dramatically reduce production of oestrogen — the main sex hormone in women, which is essential for the menstrual cycle — and progesterone. Although oestrogen occurs in both males and females, it is present in higher levels among women. Since it affects many parts of the body its loss is thought to cause many menopause symptoms. During menopause, production of testosterone, the ‘male’ hormone involved in libido or sexual drive, also decreases. As a result, women’s sexual responses may also change. But this could also be due to vaginal dryness and the thinning of vaginal walls, which may make sex uncomfortable. This can be remedied through adequate lubrication. 

Treatment options
 
Since many symptoms are associated with lower oestrogen levels, oestrogen replacement could reduce some symptoms. Since hormone replacement therapy carries the risk of vaginal bleeding and is linked with higher risk of breast cancer, stroke and heart disease, it should only be considered under expert medical supervision.
Treatment could also include lifestyle changes. Dietary changes involve avoiding caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods. For those susceptible to heart diseases, a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet is advised. Foods or supplements with calcium and vitamin D also help. Eating soy foods is also good, since soy contains oestrogen. Plenty of exercise is recommended; especially Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic and vaginal muscles. Strength and resistance training strengthens the bones.
If women follow these guidelines, the menopause years will bring minimum discomfort and maximum well-being. 

Common symptoms
 
Hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, anxiety and headaches. 

Rapid bone loss causing osteoporosis and increasing bone fracture risks. 

Urinary incontinence and burning during urination. Changes in the bladder and urethra may cause higher frequency and urgency of urination, including increased risk of urinary tract infection after menopause. 

Pain during sex and changes in vaginal discharge. 

Changes in breast shape. 

Increase in cholesterol levels heightening heart-disease risk; irregular heartbeats and weight gain. 

Pubic muscles can lose tone, and the vagina, uterus or urinary bladder could prolapse causing stress incontinence. 

Changes in levels of normal microorganisms in the vagina may increase the risk of vaginal yeast infections.
Read More
Read more No comments:
No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , ,