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A FACILITY/WELLNESS CENTER
The Six Goals of the Mid-Life Bible
There is a new book available to assist women in navigating through what we euphemistically term “the change”. Women have been getting increasingly knowledgeable about the effects of hormonal changes that occur just before, during and after menopause. However, it always helps to get new information in a concise form. The Mid-Life Bible: A Woman’s Survival Guide is designed to address all three areas of menopause and help women go through each of them gracefully.
The book identifies six goals that it hopes to help women achieve:
o Eliminate or drastically reduce the experience of hot flashes.
o Give women the opportunity to regain their enjoyment of sexual activity which is often lost during this time.
o Increase energy levels during and after the change in hormones.
o Limit the amount of sleeplessness which occurs during this transition.
o Minimize any memory loss that may occur during the transition and improve overall memory for women.
o Offer overall improvement in terms of feeling better.
Women may or may not be able to make natural changes to their lives to gain these improvements. Some find that they need hormone replacement therapy or other assistance to mitigate the effects of the change. But the best place to start with all of it is in increasing our own knowledge of the topic through reading books such as this one.
November 2, 2007
Celebrity Anti-Aging Tip: Gain Weight
One of the most common things that you’ll hear women complain about as they get older is that they’re gaining weight. As the years go on, our hormones change and we end up naturally packing on a few pounds. It’s one of the things that happens during menopause which drives most women crazy. And they try every trick in the book to avoid the weight gain. In today’s society, “fat” and “old” are not traits that we want to be associated with.
However, gaining weight doesn’t have to translate to being fat and it can actually diminish the appearance of aging in some women. According to “The Black Book of Hollywood Beauty Secrets”, the stunning Salma Hayek recommends putting on about ten pounds of weight as you get up into these older years. This will cause the face to look fuller instead of saggy which will diminish the signs of aging that are starting to show up in the face.
Of course, no one is saying that you should eat in an unhealthy manner or gain so much weight that you jeopardize your health. Just like with losing weight, it’s important to gain weight in a moderate and healthy manner. But if you’re starting to naturally see signs of weight gain, you shouldn’t fight it. Embrace it and make it work for you. This is your body and you should be proud!
November 5, 2007
HRT Link with Cancer Disputed by Judge
There has been a significant amount of concern in the anti-aging community about recent claims that hormone replacement therapy treatment medications may be linked with breast cancer. These concerns have caused many women to think twice about taking their HRT medication despite the fact that they often report numerous benefits from its use. Some of those concerns have been eased due to a recent ruling against a woman in a Minnesota court who claimed that the drugs caused her cancer.
The defendant in this litigation is Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. They are defending themselves against over 5,000 product liability lawsuits as a result of the scare caused by this issue. Only a handful of these cases have received verdicts. Some of these verdicts have been in favor of the plaintiff; however judges have reduced damages in many of those instances. This points to the fact that many do not believe it is possible to succintly link the cancer to the drugs.
Many women find that Hormone Replacement Therapy is the only solution to treating the symptoms of menopause which can make life so uncomfortable in middle age and later years. Working with a qualified professional to assess risks and rewards of all wellness therapy is always advised.
November 6, 2007
Early Symptoms of Menopause
You think that you might be entering menopause. However, you aren't quite sure. You feel like you might be experiencing some of the symptoms that women reportedly experience as they get older, but they aren't too intense and could be attributed to something else entirely. And you think that you might be a little bit too young to go through menopause. But you don't know for sure.
There is an article available online which breaks down the early symptoms of menopause for you so that you can get a better idea of whether or not you are entering this new stage of life. There are a wide variety of different symptoms to take into consideration and they do vary from person to person.
Irregular periods, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sudden weight gain in hip, skin irritation and itching, hair loss, hair growth in face, severe head ache, body pain, joint pain, dryness in mouth and change in the smell of the body are the physical symptoms of menopause.
There are, of course, emotional symptoms to menopause as well. And these can begin at virtually anytime during or after middle age. If these symptoms start showing up prior to the age of 45, it is considered to be early onset menopause. You should work with a doctor to determine exactly what stage of menopause (or pre-menopause) you may be in and to find solutions to any symptoms that you are experiencing.
November 7, 2007
Menopause Weight Loss due to Bone Loss
Most women find that they experience weight gain as a part of the process of going through menopause. However some women instead find that they experience weight loss. This weight loss may come right away as part of the menopause or it may be seen in post-menopausal years. A new study reports that this weight loss is likely due to a decrease in bone density caused by the transition.
The bone loss occurs at the hip and is a result of changes in bone mineral density due to hormonal changes in the body occurring at and after menopause. Women who use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may find that they are able to mitigate the effects of bone density loss but may still see a small weight change as a result of this problem. HRT in conjunction with a healthy diet and moderate weight loss tends to combat the problem.
Women who are going through menopause may want to consider getting a regular bone density scan to check for concerns about menopause-related osteoporosis. This is particularly true for women who are seeing unusual weight loss during this time of life. A doctor qualified in anti-aging or preventive imaging should be able to assist in this matter.
November 8, 2007
Benefits (and Alternatives) to Colonic Irrigation
You have heard of colonic irrigation although it may have been disguised under any number of names. If you've considered a colon cleanse, hydrotherapy or even some forms of a "fat flush", then you've probably thought about colonic irrigation. What's held you back from finding out more about this procedure? Probably a little bit of natural discomfort with the idea of going to a doctor or med spa for something as intimate as cleaning out your bowels.
But the people who have done it generally find that the benefits outweigh the potential embarassment of the situation. Colonic irrigation serves to get rid of all of the backed-up toxins that are hanging out in your body. Those toxins can be causing a number of problems to your health including fatigue, chronic illness and dermatological problems. As you age, the build-up of toxins increases. The more that you hold in your body, the more that you need colonic irrigation to help get it out.
If you remain hesitant to colon cleansing, there are alternatives which you may consider. For example, you may consider the use of herbal colon cleansers. Perhaps you might think about the options for radical diets or cleansing supplements. While these are options, they are not as efficient at getting the job done as colonic irrigation is. Don't worry; if you work with a qualified doctor, you should find that the procedure is simple and the embarassment is minimal.
November 9, 2007
Actress Jenny McCarthy Fears Chelation Therapy
Actress Jenny McCarthy has been speaking up a lot lately about the fact that her son has autism and that she believes it can be cured. She has tried a number of different treatments to assist her son in improving his condition. However, she recently admitted in an interview that she did not attempt to find out the results of chelation therapy because she is concerned about the risks that it has.
Chelation therapy is a form of treatment which removes metals from the body. It is used as an anti-aging treatment when chronic degenerative diseases which may be related to excessive metal in the body cause significant problems for the patient. It may also be used in younger patients in cases of lead poisoning.
Many scientists suggest that additional benefits include removal of metallic catalysts that causes excessive free radical proliferation. This means a reduction of the oxidation of lipids, DNA, enzyme systems and lipoproteins. It has the ability to halt the maleffects of the body's healing process, reversing the damage incurred.
McCarthy said in her interview that the treatment is hard on the liver and so she has found more homeopathic approaches to detoxifying her son from metals. It certainly hasn't been shown as a cure for childhood autism but it has been known to cure many other ailments for older folks.
November 12, 2007
HRT Lowers Risk of Heart Problems
Hormone replacement therapy has taken a lot of flak in the media recently. Despite the fact that this treatment can significantly improve the lives of women suffering from symptoms associated with menopause, HRT has been looked at primarily with a negative eye. Lawsuits from people who believe that HRT caused cancer have been in the spotlight and women have been turning away from this option as a result.
The verdict on HRT isn't in yet but things are starting to lean in favor of the belief that HRT could be a good thing. Not only does it help provide relief to aging women but it also may actually significantly reduce their risk of heart problems as they get older. A report from HealthCare Republic says that HRT has gotten attention for causing cardiovascular risk when actually it may prevent it.
"The likelihood of a major cardiovascular event was 33 per cent lower in women taking HRT after a natural menopause than those who took no HRT."
Hormone Replacement Therapy isn't right for every woman. There are risks associated with it just as there are with any medications. But it shouldn't be ruled out as an option just because the media reports on it with a negative slant. Work with a doctor to determine if it might be something that is right for treating your menopause symptoms.
November 13, 2007
Menopause Book Makes Bestseller List
The baby boomer generation is getting older. That means there are now a whole lot of people who are interested in ani-aging issues and topics related to getting older. This is proven in part by the fact that a book about menopause has made it on to the USA Today bestseller list.
The book, by author Christiane Northrup, is called The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing During the Change. That long title underscores the thesis of the book which is that you can remain healthy at all levels despite the fact that you are entering a major life transition.
More significant than the book itself is the fact that a book with the topic of menopause can make it on to bestseller lists. It's right up there with major works of fiction and books related to movies. This proves that talk about the change has come out of the kitchens and is available for discussion with the women in your life.
Education is one of the key methods of creating positive change. The baby boomer generation knows this. To be able to discuss menopause openly allows all of us the opportunity to benefit from each others' wisdom.
November 14, 2007
Aging Women Lose Sense of Smell
You expect a lot of different things to happen as you get older. You figure that your body is going to slow down some and it's going to take you longer to do things that it did when you were young. You assume that at some point you're going to get a little bit forgetful. You are aware that you'll have to cope with the various affects of menopause (or andropause if you're a man).
But did you know that getting older can cause you to lose your sense of smell?
"As we age, our ability to smell diminishes. In some cases, as much as 60 percent as we reach our so-called golden years. Our smell peaks in our late 20s or early 30s, and gradually declines after that."
The condition is called anosmia. It affects some men as they get older but it primarily seems to be something that plagues women. It is believed by some doctors that this is because the immune system is compromised during menopause, increasing the likelihood of developing anosmia.
It frequently happens after a woman experiences a bad sinus infection so that's the warning sign to look out for as you get older. Luckily, it can be treated with medication. You don't want to lose your sense of smell just as you finally get old enough to have the time to stop and smell the roses!
November 15, 2007
Skinny Women at Higher Risk for Osteoporosis
Every woman is dying to be thin. However, a new study has found that women who are thin, even those who are naturally very thin, are at much higher risk than the average woman for osteoporosis. This bone density problem is something that most women begin to worry about with the onset of menopause. For thin women, the worry may be even more valid.
The study found that constitutionally thin women had problems with bone density to begin with. This greatly increased their likelihood of continued problems as they got older. Luckily, there are very few women who fall into the category of constitutionally thin (a definition which is applied to women who have low body mass index but normal fat mass percentages). For those women who do fall into this category, preventative measures should be taken.
Skinny women should consider getting a bone density scan to assess their risk of deterioration. Working with a doctor, you can take preventative measures to assist you in avoiding excessive bone density loss. This will decrease your risk of osteoporosis even as you age. This way, you can continue to be the envy of the other women without jeopardizing your health.
November 16, 2007
Bio-Identical HRT for Women AND Men
Hormone replacement therapy is not just for the gals. Although HRT is commonly associated with treating women who are enduring the symptoms of menopause, it is something which can be used for men as well. More specifically, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (or BHRT) is increasingly viewed as something that both men and women can benefit from as they get older.
As described in a recent Lubbock Online news article, hormones are something that are unique to each individual. Whereas holistic anti-aging treatments may improve some symptoms for some people, BHRT works with your own hormones to provide the exact relief that you need. Your body already knows what it needs; BHRT just mimics that.
For women, BHRT can ease the symptoms of menopause. And for men, it can help with the effects of andropause. As men age, they experience problems ranging from sexual dysfunction to loss of muscle mass. Sure, they can pop a Viagra and ignore the problem but BHRT may be a more long-term solution to treating the effects of aging in men.
November 19, 2007
Is Menopause Funny?
Menopause is the butt of many jokes. Men and women alike turn the difficulties that it creates for individuals into a source of humor. That's how many people deal with uncomfortable topics. But is menopause really a laughing matter?
A recent news report gave an example of a menopause joke told by well-known comedienne Rita Rudner. "Millions of women are in menopause - that's about two billion hot flashes a day - and may account for global warming." Raise your hands if you're laughing.
Some folks don't find the issue quite so funny. Earlier this year women joking about menopause at the office caused an uncomfortable situation for a male co-worker.
So perhaps menopause is one of those things that is funny when comedians mention it in stand-up where all off-color topics are assumed to be allowed but not so funny in the workplace. Whether or not you want to be PC, you have to admit that there is a serious side to menopause and many women going through it don't consider it to be a laughing matter.
November 20, 2007
Can Hypnosis Help with Aging?
People are expressing an increased interest in hypnosis. It's said to be able to cure everything from obesity to depression. But how much of the hypnosis hype is true? Could it be used as an anti-aging technique or are other methods a better bet for relieving yourself of some of the negative traits of getting older?
This issue came up in a recent report on hypnosis for cancer patients. One of the things mentioned in the article is that the effects of cancer and chemotherapy on women can sometimes cause them to enter early menopause. In discussing the symptoms of menopause, the doctor interviewed for the article said that hypnosis can offer some relief.
"With hot flashes, once one occurs, it creates that physiological response, and from then on you're on high alert," Marcus said. "You're vigilant. When is the next one going to come? Hypnosis helps calm you down."
Described in this sense, self-hypnosis is simply a kind of meditation. And it's probably true that meditation can assist you in coping with the ups and downs of aging. When you need to relax and deal with your menopause (or andropause) symptoms, self-hypnosis could be a key. But when you want to actually resolve those issues, you'll probably need to find a doctor to assist you.
November 21, 2007
HRT on Doctor's List of Great Aging Tips
The wise and appropriate use of hormone replacement therapy made a top ten list in a new book called Science of Staying Young. The book was co-authored by a doctor whose number one tip for improving your health is to engage in spontaneous physical fun. In fact, most of the book's tips for having a great life as you get older simply suggest different methods of infusing your life with more enjoyment. Makes sense.
Some of the tips are just common sense. You should eat well and exercise if you want to feel good as you get older. You should schedule a regular check-up with your doctor, engage in appropriate preventive imaging to screen for problems and get enough vitamins. An important aspect of this is getting enough Vitamin D to make sure that your bones stay strong.
In addition to Vitamin D, your body may need vitamins that include estrogen or testosterone. The book reminds people that HRT isn't a cure-all but it does say that it can be used appropriately to assist in the improvement of quality of life as you get older. These ten steps lead up to a fairly easy recipe to remember: enjoy yourself but take the medical transitions of getting older seriously, working with your doctor to determine the treatments that will make you healthiest.
November 22, 2007
Seven Things to be Thankful for as you Age
Anti-aging is a topic which lends itself easily to complaints about aging. We discuss the ups and downs of menopause, the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy and the difficult transitions which naturally occur when the body ages. But getting older isn't a bad thing. This Thanksgiving, we're happy to remind you of seven great things about getting older:
1. Self-confidence. You may not like everything about getting older but you've gotten used to yourself. Childhood, adolescence and the ladder of success are all about self-consciousness but now you can concern yourself with looking and feeling better just for yourself.
2. Medical advancements. If you hate the symtpoms associated wih getting older, you can minimize them through a combination of wellness therapy and advanced medicine.
3. Preventive medicine. A lot of the problems folks used to have when they got older can now be avoided entirely through the use of preventive imaging.
4. Retirement. Anti-aging techniques (along with money obtained from pensions and reverse mortgages) help you live it up during your retirement years.
5. Relaxation. As you age, you have more time to do the things that you want to do.
6. Social life. Contrary to the traditional stereotype of an older person, many enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and mingle with old friends.
7. You're alive and well. That's nothing to be taken forgranted. Give thanks for that this holiday season!
What are you most thankful for this year?
November 23, 2007
An Intimate Look at Hormone Replacement Therapy
Do you think of hormone replacement therapy as a sexual aid? Probably not. It's a medication that some women take to relieve the negative symptoms associated with menopause. But when you think about the fact that one of those symptoms is vaginal dryness, you come to the quick conclusion that HRT may be more important in the bedroom than you thought at first glance.
Say the word "menopause" and people immediately think "hot flashes". But that's just one aspect of the change that a woman's body goes through as she gets older. There are many other symptoms of menopause. One that goes unmentioned in many conversations is vaginal dryness. Unmentioned maybe, but not unnoticed. This is a problem for many women who want to continue having a great sex life as they get older.
Of course, there are other things that you can do to lubricate for sexual encounters. You can purchase over-the-counter lubricants and apply them with your partner. You can buy products specifically designed to improve the natural lubricating function of the body. But it's important to realize that HRT is one possibility for resolving this issue. By creating hormones in the body it will allow the vaginal wall to soften up and become moist in the same way it did before menopause.
Doctors have heard everything so they aren't going to be shocked if you list this as one of the problems that you're having as you go through menopause. Find a doctor who you can speak about the issue with openly. It may or may not be the right solution for you but at least you'll know that you've covered all of the options.
Learn more about this issue from The Herald News.
November 26, 2007
Fat-Burning Hormone Linked with Longevity
Research has shown that an increased life span may be directly linked to the presence of a certain fat-burning hormone. When your fat cells secrete adiponectin, glucose production is lowered and the body burns off additional fat (instead of glucose). This change in metabolism appears to be a factor in humans who live long lives.
"The benefit of burning fats instead of glucose for energy is that it produces fewer oxygen radicals which can damage cells and exacerbate the effects of aging."
Despite the link, this doesn't necessarily mean that the presence of the metabolism change will necessarily lead to an increased life span. It does, however, give researchers a new area of aging to look at in their work. If it can be proven that this fat-burning hormone is a causal factor in longevity, then work can be done to make use of this information in creating new anti-aging technologies.
(The photo above is a scientific image representing adiponectin. Information available here.)
November 27, 2007
Minimize Post-Stroke Nerve Damage with Stem Cell Injection
Researchers have come one step closer to minimizing nerve damage caused by strokes. They have found that taking mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from the marrow and injecting them into the right area of the brain can significantly reduce and even eliminate post-stroke nerve damage in rats.
When a stroke occurs, damage is done to the nerves in different parts of the brain. This is why you lose function after a stroke. By doing this type of stem cell injection, it appears to be possible to prevent those damaged nerves from actually dying. They can re-develop to full capacity over time. This would allow humans full post-stroke function.
In the researchers’ opinion, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is practically an ideal material for cellular therapy as they can be introduced directly into the blood. This allows to avoid serious operations under general anaesthetic, which are necessary for cell injection directly into the brain.
A significant amount of additional research will need to be done before this type of medicine can be done on humans. At the current time, the researchers can't quite explain why this therapy is working. However, it's a step in the right direction for improved options for stroke patients.
Read the full report on the research at Science Daily. Learn about stem cell regrowth here.
November 28, 2007
Health Care for Women Adapts to the Times
Remember the old Virginia Slims ad slogan: "You've Come a Long Way Baby"? Times have changed. We may not support smoking those cigarettes anymore but we do support the message that the slogan represented: life for women is vastly different today than it was fifty or sixty years ago.
And it's not just the quality of life that has changed. Women are also living longer due to a variety of reasons that include the fact they are taking more control than ever before over their bodies and their medical choices. Women's health care is changing to represent these differences:
As women live longer lives, their health care is changing to accommodate. In "Women's Health in the New Millennium," Elizabeth Anne Aron, M.D. notes such changes as the availability of hormone replacement therapy, less invasive surgery like laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and uterine amoblization, better birth control methods, changes in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and advances in infertility treatment. (Source).
We have come a long way. And with improved medical treatments making it possible to continue living more active lives well into the future, we'll continuing moving forward into additional positive change.
November 29, 2007
Facial Yoga: The New Anti-Aging Exercise
It's no secret that yoga is a preferred form of exercise among older women interested in postponing the effects and appearance of aging. Now there's a new form of yoga that's particularly targeting this population of women. Facial yoga. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like, stretching for the muscles in the face.
Some women are saying that they can postpone getting skin rejuvenation treatments like Botox by engaging in healthful practices such as this facial yoga. One woman reported on by the OC Register says that this makes the most sense for overall healthfulness:
"This is our identity," she said. "This is what shows. It's seems a paradox that you would spend all this time working out and exercising your body but then for the neck up you'd go to the cosmetic surgeon."
However, the article also points out that this will not work to remove wrinkles that have already formed in the face. One doctor says that facial yoga can be used in combination with Botox to offer a full anti-aging overhaul to the appearance.
November 30, 2007
Colonic Irrigation to Fit into your Holiday Dress
Yes, you knew better than to stuff yourself last week for Thanksgiving. But you still feel like you've gained some weight lately. It's just a few pounds and it's probably not a big deal but you're not feeling your best as a result of it. In fact, come to think of it, you really haven't been feeling all that well in general lately.
Colonic irrrigation might be the answer to your woes.
This type of wellness therapy helps to improve the symptoms caused by a number of different conditions. If you've been feeling a little bit blah and don't have anything to attribute it to, this could help. By removing the toxins in your body, you free up your internal systems to begin working normally again and get rid of those icky feelings.
And as an added benefit, most people lose a few pounds as a result of colonic irrigation so you'll be able to slide more comfortably into that holiday dress even if you did eat too much turkey last week.
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About November 2007
This page contains all entries posted to Wellness Corner in November 2007. They are listed from oldest to newest.
October 2007 is the previous archive.
December 2007 is the next archive.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.
