muxobexusux: December 2006

Monday, December 18, 2006

Menopause The Musical Sydney

Ovarian Cancer and Hysterectomies - Becoming Informed About Your Options

by Jackie L. Harvey

A hysterectomy is not often a procedure that needs to be performed urgently, except in the case of cancer. Therefore, a woman considering the procedure should take time to investigate all her options, including other possible treatments. There are now new treatments for conditions that previously would have required a hysterectomy. Women advised to have a hysterectomy for a non-cancerous condition before being offered more conservative treatments may find it beneficial to seek a second opinion.

Deciding whether to have a hysterectomy can be a difficult and emotional process. By becoming informed about the procedure, women can confidently discuss available options, concerns and wishes with their doctor, and make a decision that is right for them.

If you, too, have been questioning the necessity of a surgery for fibroids, prolapse, incontinence or any "cele" repairs, you will be reassured to know you have every right in doing so. The decision to undergo surgery of any kind is often difficult, so it is often useful to explore other alternatives before moving forward. Women, especially around the time of menopause, are too often advised to have major gynecological surgery for minor conditions that can be significantly improved with natural alternatives

Every 10 minutes, 12 hysterectomies are performed in the United States. That is over 600,000 per year, of which only 10% are due to cancer. This surgery most often does not correct the diagnosed problem and instead results in new afflictions. And, argues Dr. Stanley West, author of The Hysterectomy Hoax, nine out of ten hysterectomies are unnecessary.

We need to ask �How have these surgeries impacted the quality of life for women?" Nowhere in the gynecological literature did the study address the number of women for whom sex had become painful or impossible. Nowhere were there studies to track the number of marriages that failed or were severely compromised as a result of these post-surgical complications or alcoholism or drug addiction resulting from debilitating chronic pain.

Women who have been hysterectomized experience a myriad of negative side effects, including chronic pain and fatigue, depression, and pain during sex. These are only a fraction of the long list of unwanted symptoms reported by women after surgery.

So, if you decide, or have already decided, that surgery is not an option, you are probably asking yourself, "Now what?" I have asked myself this same question. But, I will tell you, there is no quick fix. As women we must understand our bodies to care for them in a positive way.

The more I review this subject the stronger I feel about informing women before they make this important decision. Prevention is the key and hormone balance is the answer.

For the most part those who are encouraged to have their uterus�s removed are likely suffering from estrogen excess which is explained well by Dr. John Lee.

Balancing hormones involves working on a few fronts using simple strategies.

1. Evaluate your hormones using a saliva test � determine what is happening in your body � ask your self the question � are you estrogen dominant? Use a saliva test to find the answer.

2. Optimize your diet by lowering your insulin levels. Over 2/3 of North Americans are overweight. This extra weight increases insulin levels causing estrogen dominance to increase. EAT 40/30/30

3. If the saliva test shows the need, use a natural progesterone cream in the process of rebalancing your hormonal system

4. Exercise to reduce excess estrogen and to eliminate toxins

5. Drink more water

6. Supplement with wisdom using our hormone balancing program of fiber, indoles, efa, multi � fruit & veggi essence, calcium

This Article Is Copywright 2006 Jackie L. Harvey & Saliva Testing com

Jackie Harvey is a nutritional speaker who shares her interest and information on hormone health and hormone saliva testing throughout North America in her popular "Let's Talk About Hormones" seminar. Visit her website SalivaTesting.com for a schedule of events in your area and for more information about her Best Selling 1-hour DVD "Let's Talk About Hormones with Jackie Harvey". Click For More information on Women's Hormone Saliva Testing and Saliva Test Kits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_L._Harvey

Menopause The Musical Song Lyrics

Melatonin, Sleep Enhancement, and ADHD

by Anthony Kane, MD

Overview

Melatonin is a natural hormone, which is produced and secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin plays an important role in the regulation of many hormones in the body. Among its key roles, melatonin controls the body's circadian rhythm, an internal 24-hour time-keeping system that controls when we fall asleep and when we wake up.

Melatonin is also a very powerful antioxidant. In one study, melatonin was 60 times more effective than Vitamin C or water-soluble Vitamin E in protecting DNA from damage. Preliminary evidence suggests that it may help strengthen the immune system.

There are numerous claims and theories concerning all the things that melatonin may do and as a result it has become one of the popular life extension and life enhancing supplements that are currently available on the market today.

Uses

The most accepted function of Melatonin is it role in sleep regulation. Melatonin supplements help induce sleep in people with disrupted circadian rhythms. Melatonin is significantly more effective in decreasing the amount of time required to fall asleep, increasing the number of sleeping hours, and boosting daytime alertness.

Melatonin is purported to be one of those miracle substances that has a hand in everything. This may be due to the fact that during the height of the antioxidant craze, Melatonin was found to be a more powerful and more universal antioxidant than both vitamin C and vitamin E. Whatever the reason, Melatonin ostensibly plays a role in numerous health conditions.

Here is a partial list:

Insomnia
Osteoporosis
Menopause
Depression
Eating Disorders
Breast Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Cancer-related Weight Loss
Sarcoidosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Epilepsy
Sunburn
Viral Encephalitis
Heart Disease

Since a lot of evidence for many of these claims is rather light and since I am not trying to sell you melatonin supplements, I am going to focus only on its role in sleep enhancement.

Insomnia

As many parents realize, drugs like Ritalin are not without side effects. One of the major complaints that parents have is that their children who take Ritalin can't fall asleep at night. Many parents report that their children, who may be only five or six years old, are wide awake until 11 pm or later.

Melatonin may be able to help these children. Since it is the primary chemical in the body that helps to induce sleep, children who suffer from insomnia often find that Melatonin restores their normal sleep cycle and helps them to be more awake and alert during the day.

How to Take It

There are currently no guidelines as to how to take Melatonin. Sensitivity to Melatonin is an individual thing and doses that are ineffective in one person may be too much for someone else.

The best approach for any condition is to begin with very low doses and slowly add more until you get the effect that you are seeking.

In children, it is best to start with a dose of about 0.3 mg/day or less. Although current research suggests that even doses as high as 10 mg are perfectly safe, it is best to proceed with caution.

In adults, 3 mg is usually a safe starting dose and you can increase it or decrease it as you see fit.

Availability

Melatonin is readily available in most health food stores in the United States and it is very cheap. In Europe it is a controlled substance. Most Europeans who wish to use Melatonin find it cheaper and easier to have it shipped from the US.

Adverse Effects

Melatonin is one of the least toxic substances known. In one extensive clinical trial, a high dose of 75 milligrams of melatonin per day was given to 1400 women in the Netherlands for up to four years with no ill effects.

The only consistent side effect of high doses has been drowsiness and a slower reaction time.

Other common complaints include:

Vivid dreams or nightmares
Stomach cramps
Dizziness
Headache
Irritability
Decreased libido
Breast enlargement in men
Decreased sperm count

These side effects were in healthy people. We also don't know how melatonin may affect people suffering from disease.

Possible Drug Interactions

Melatonin may interact or interfere with other drugs.

These include:

Antidepressant Medications
Antipsychotic Medications: many of these medications are now being used in treating children with ADHD and Bipolar disorder
Benzodiazepines
Blood Pressure Medications
Blood-thinning Medications, Anticoagulants
Interleukin-2
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Steroids and Immunosuppressant Medications
Tamoxifen

If your child is taking any of these things, you should consult with his doctor before giving Melatonin.

Also, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can all diminish levels of melatonin in the body while cocaine and amphetamines may increase melatonin production.

Conclusion

Often children with ADHD have a great deal of difficulty falling asleep. This can be due to the medications that they are taking or just be one component in the spectrum of their problems. When used properly, melatonin may be a safe and effective way to handle sleep problems in ADHD children.

Anthony Kane, MD

ADD ADHD Advances

http://addadhdadvances.com

Attention Publishers:
This article is available for your website or ezine.
For an ezine, send an email to: melatonin@addadhdadvances.com.
For a website send an email to: melatoninhtml@addadhdadvances.com

Anthony Kane, MD is a physician and international lecturer. Get ADD ADHD Child Behavior and Treatment Help for your ADHD child, including child behavior advice, information on the latest ADD ADHD medication help, and help with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Sign up for the free ADD ADHD Advances online journal. Send an email to subscribe@addadhdadvances.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Kane,_MD

Menopause The Play Musical

Early Menopause Symptoms - Are You Suffering From First Symptoms of Menopause?

by Olinda Rola

Early menopause symptoms - every woman at some point in her 30's or 40's will wonder if what she is experiencing is really the first symptoms of menopause. Menopause is defined as the cessation of menses or the end of menstrual cycles for a period of 12 months or more. Menopause is a natural process for a woman, not an illness. It is quite common for a woman's hormone balance to begin shifting in her early 30's to 40's, resulting in early menopause symptoms. Why? There are several reasons why.

Women often demand much of their bodies. Stress exists in many forms for an active, involved woman today. Women have demanding and stressful careers. Women have family responsibilities. The relationship with the spouse or partner may not be the best. Aging parents can add to the burden. These and other responsibilities add up in the toll they take on the body, health and well-being of a woman.

And at the same time, the woman�s body may not be getting the support it needs to function as it was designed. Obesity, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, excess caffeine and alcohol add to the problem instead of helping the body cope with what is demanded of it. This stressful, demanding lifestyle, coinciding with inadequate support given to the body, contributes to experiencing many of the early menopause symptoms.

Common first symptoms of menopause for women are:

� Irregular menstrual cycles
� Light or heavy menstrual flow
� Lumpy or tender breasts
� Fibroid tumors
� Endometriosis
� Mood swings
� Water retention and bloating
� Sleep problems
� "Foggy, fuzzy" thinking and memory lapses
� Anxiety and depression
� Inability to handle stress
� PMS
� Hot flashes and night sweats
� Vaginal dryness
� Weight gain

Then there are the hormones, the menstrual cycle and hormone production in the body. In the normal menstrual cycle and a healthy woman, estrogen is the dominant hormone that is produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. Ovulation then signals the female body to produce progesterone, which happens for the next 12 days or so. If there is no pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels will drop at around day 28, allowing menstruation to begin. However, if there is no ovulation, progesterone will not be produced by the body that month. This event, called an annovulatory cycle, is a typical occurance today for women in their 30's and 40's - no ovulation, no progesterone. This leaves the woman with an excess of estrogen and a deficiency of the hormone progesterone.

Many women in their 30's and 40's are actually having fewer ovulations which creates hormone imbalance, resulting in many of the early menopause symptoms. And once ovulation ceases at menopause, progesterone levels fall to virtually zero. At the same time, estrogen is still being produced, again leading to hormone imbalance and the resulting first symptoms of menopause. If a hysterectomy has happened, surgical menopause means the woman no longer produces progesterone. Besides the problems created by missed ovulations or hysterectomy, excess estrogen is regularly obtained from other sources. Birth control pills, household chemicals and pesticides, certain foods that have been sprayed or given chemicals and many construction materials used in homes are all sources of estrogen which leads to excess in the body.

Doctors call this hormone imbalance condition of excess estrogen in the body "estrogen dominance". What are the symptoms of estrogen dominance? The symptoms include low sex drive, bloating and weight gain, headaches before the menstrual period, mood swings, irregular periods and excessive menstrual bleeding. If the amount of unbalanced estrogen in the female adult increases beyond what is desirable and healthy, you will definitely experience early menopause symptoms. On the other hand, when your hormones are balanced, you feel more alert, energetic and ready to take on the challenges of life.

How can a woman tell if the first symptoms of menopause being experienced are because of hormone imbalance? An easy and effective way is to take the online test provided by a leading womens health clinic for early menopause symptoms. It takes just a few minutes and the test is free. Find out more about your health, premenopause and menopause symptoms, what the symptoms are telling you and what to do about it based on your answers to important questions. Read more about hormone imbalance, estrogen dominance symptoms, side effects of a hysterectomy and physician-recommended natural treatments for eliminating the early menopause symptoms.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of physician-recommended natural treatments for a variety of health problems. Visit the website and learn more about early menopause symptoms and ways for improving your health.

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

Menopause The Musical Theatre Show

Weight Loss During Menopause IS Possible!

by Lorraine Weston

Menopause: an unloved but unavoidable time period in every woman�s life, during which hormones act up and many unwanted symptoms show up. One of the hardest to deal with is weight gain.

There are a number of different issues that can contribute to weight gain during the pre- and post-menopause time frames. It is important to understand this, as it is easier to combat several smaller issues than to fight one big issue. As you deal with each issue, you will eventually destroy the overall problem: menopausal weight gain. Let�s look at some of these issues:

An inactive lifestyle � Our culture contributes to this daily. Most of us spend the day sitting down at our jobs, and when we are at home we have many time-saving devices which, unfortunately, also save us from having to move around and get exercise. This lifestyle, combined with menopause, causes weight gain to accelerate. This can be combated by making some small changes in your habits. Walk or bike to work or in the evening. Join a fitness club or class. Get a pass to the local pool. Even going up and down stairs instead of taking the elevator helps to get your heart rate up and burn off calories.

A slowing metabolism � Unfortunately, with age comes a slower metabolism. While it is easy to write this off as a hopeless issue, since we all age, it is one that can still be fought by adding exercise into daily routines.

Inherited weight problems � If people you are related to struggle with their weight, take this as a warning sign: you are probably prone to weight problems as well. Just knowing this can help you to prevent weight gain, as you can be on the lookout for any signs of obesity and be ready to make changes in your lifestyle or eating habits to counter it.

Thyroid troubles � As you approach menopause, please take the time to visit your doctor and have your thyroid tested. Often, people are not aware that their thyroid is not working properly, and just attribute their weight gain to menopause. Medication is available to help get the thyroid working properly again.

Don�t be overwhelmed by these changes, and don�t be afraid of what menopause will bring. Be informed and be ready to combat unwanted symptoms. If you do, you will be making yourself healthy and your life more enjoyable.

Learn more about weight loss during menopause at http://menopause.factsandnews.com/

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

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Menopause The Musical California

Menopause and Blood Sugar Imbalance

by Cathy Taylor

As a woman, you go through profound changes during menopause, and this affects your emotional and physical health. At that time, you go through a series of metabolic changes that could lead to blood sugar imbalance, and other serious health associated problems. A study that tracked metabolic changes in women as they progressed through menopause found that one out of six women developed blood sugar imbalance. Estrogen creates blood sugar imbalance and increase in body fat storage, whereas progesterone normalizes blood sugar levels and helps use fat for energy.

During perimenopause and menopause, fat often starts to accumulate around your midriff and insulin levels start to rise. This triggers a drop in Sex-Hormone-Binding-Globulin (SHBG) levels. With the reduction of SHBG (a substance that attaches to the sex hormones in the blood to make them inert), androgens such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - the bioactive 'male' sex hormones - begin circulating inside your body. This makes you seem more 'manly' in appearance and adds to your fat around your stomach.

If left unchecked, these imbalances further stimulate weight gain and metabolic dysfunction, increasing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and such. If you develop blood sugar imbalance during menopause, you will show increased body fat around the stomach, higher insulin levels and lipid imbalances. You will have lower levels of the good cholesterol (HDL) and higher levels of triglycerides. A way to prevent this is to ensure that there is no weight gain during menopause and unhealthy increase in glucose and insulin.

Preventing Blood Sugar Imbalance During Menopause
Blood sugar imbalance, especially low blood sugar, is pronounced in women experiencing early menopause. Such women have a craving for sugar, carbohydrates or alcohol. Some of the signs of early menopause are:

� Menstrual cycles become unpredictable

� Menstrual flow becomes heavier or lighter

� Low blood sugar

� Fatigue for many days before menstrual cycle

� Weight gain and decreased sex drive

� Headaches that could become migraines

� Inability to concentrate

� Mood swings, irritability, or feeling depressed

Liver helps to process excess hormones to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels. You can help prevent blood sugar imbalance by:

� Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and fatty acids from fried and processed foods.

� Avoiding pollution.

� Eating food, such as, artichoke, beets and beet greens and burdock root.

� Exercising to sweat for at least 15 minutes daily.

� Replacing lost fluid by drinking at least 1/3 of your body weight in ounces of water everyday.

The right kind of food works as medicine. A right diet promotes good health during menopause, assists the body to adjust itself to change, keeps the hormones more balanced and supports the endocrine system. There is a need to stabilize blood sugar levels, a need to correct blood sugar imbalance. To increase blood sugar levels when the glucose levels fall too low, the adrenal gland releases adrenalin and the pancreas releases glucagons. A quick sweet snack is an easy way to boost sugar levels.

Cathy writes frequently on mid-life issues for women and men particularly
menopause and andropause. A copy of her book can be found at
http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com

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

Gem Theater Menopause The Musical

Menopause And Osteoporosis

by Kevin Stith

Estrogen is an important hormone that is required to maintain bone strength. During menopause, the ovaries stop producing estrogen. Over the next several years, bones become progressively weaker. A woman may lose up to ten percent of her total bone mass in the first five years after menopause. If this weakening of the bones continues unchecked, it may progress to osteoporosis and to fractures. Osteoporosis is diagnosed by using a specialized x-ray technique, DEXA, which measures the extent of bone loss that has occurred.

It is estimated that as many as half of all women over the age of 60 have at least one bone fracture due to osteoporosis. Sometimes, such fractures may cause prolonged periods of immobilization or require surgical treatment, both of which are associated with an increased risk of further health complications.

There are several ways a woman can act to reduce the bone loss that follows menopause. It is recommended that women take at least 1 gram of calcium every day, either in the form of calcium supplements, or increased servings of dairy products. Calcium is absorbed more efficiently in the presence of sufficient vitamin D; up to 30 minutes of exposure to sunlight each day can ensure that the skin will produce vitamin D.

Bones remain stronger for longer if the muscles attached to them are exercised regularly. Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or dancing, is recommended at least several times a week. High-impact activities should be avoided.

There are several treatments, including hormone replacement therapy, which can be taken to limit bone loss. However, hormone replacement therapy may not suit everyone and has side effects. There is no residual protection against future bone loss once such therapy is discontinued. Several other treatments are currently being evaluated to treat menopausal symptoms and to slow down bone loss.

Menopause provides detailed information about menopause, early menopause, male menopause, menopause and osteoporosis and more. Menopause is the sister site of Chronic Insomnia.

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

Ticket Information For Menopause The Musical

Importance Of Human Tears In Relieving Dry Eye Syndrome

by Jill Kane

The definition of dry eye syndrome is that it is a common condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable. Dry eye cases have nearly doubled over the last seven years and the list of lifestyle factors that can dry out your eyes is pretty long.

It can be caused due to central heating, air conditioners, hair dryers, car windscreen demisting, air travel, altitudes, dry climate, saunas, use of contact lenses, spicy foods, alcohol, smoking, activities decreasing blinking rate like driving, reading a lot, working on the computer for a long time, etc.

The main cause is that of normal aging where the volume of the lubricating background is less than half. People with wider eyes and those taking dehydrating medicines are more at risk. Older women going through their menopause are also susceptible due to hormonal changes. Medicines like antidepressants, tranquillizers, oral contraceptives or those taken for blood pressure also increase the risk of dry eyes. Parkinson�s disease too can be cited as a cause.

While we are awake, our eyes produce a mixture of antibiotic lubricants. Blinking spreads these over the eye�s surface before draining into the two tear ducts openings. If the eye cannot make sufficient tears or the tears are too thinly spread or are chemically imbalanced, then they evaporate easily before the next blink. This causes dry spots causing sore eyes.

There are three layers of tears � the first is the mucous layer which serves as a bio-glue. It is formed by the secretion of tiny conjuctival cells in the white of the eye and inner lid. The second layer is called the aqueous layer which is produced by the lachrymal gland below the eyebrow and produces tears according to environmental conditions. When there is an irritant, extra tears are made in a reflex action to combat injury. Hence it is ironic to know that those suffering from dry eye syndrome experience watery eyes. The last layer is called the lipid layer which is oily and seals the tear film by preventing evaporation. The oily substance is derived from a gland along the edges of the eyelids. Blocked glands cause deficiency in tear lipids and dry eyes by excessive evaporation.

Usually, people understand that they are suffering from dry eye syndrome due to redness of eyes, itchiness, etc but it�s better to get it confirmed by the doctor as he is able to measure the tear production and how soon the tears evaporate.

This condition can be treated through artificial tears but it�s a temporary and short term cure that can actually worsen the dry eye condition in the long run. A more permanent cure would be to inject collagen or silicon plugs that can be inserted easily into the tear ducts which work like a plug in the drainage sink in the kitchen. These plugs prevent the tears from draining and hence the human tears are preserved. These can also be removed as easily as they are inserted under local anesthesia. This takes a short time in the clinic of the ophthalmologist.

Drinking eight to ten glasses of water daily, avoiding constant rubbing of eyes and blinking often helps to relieve the pain, stinging, itchiness, burning and intermittent blurring of vision that are some of the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

To find out more about dry eyes and nutrition and vitamins for eyes visit http://www.vision-care-guide.com/index.php

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

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