Archives for February 2014

February 24, 2014 by Wade Strzinek Leave a Comment

What Causes Hot Flashes? Ask Your Brain

If you’ve ever had a hot flash, you know the symptoms are undeniable. Your heart races, the sweat pours off your brow, and your face turns red (good-bye makeup!). While each hot flash might only last a few minutes, many women report that hot flashes have a substantial negative impact on their lives. In fact, up to 15 percent of menopausal women seek medical help because of their hot flashes.

Millions of frustrated menopausal women have spent countless days and nights wondering why they’re having hot flashes. Is it old age? Is it stress? Is the thermostat just set too high? The real reason behind hot flashes is actually quite scientific. Researchers believe they are caused by a complex interaction between a specific part of the brain and a woman’s hormones.

It all starts with the hypothalamus – the part of the brain that regulates body temperature, appetite, sleep cycles, and a variety of hormones. The changing hormones brought about by menopause directly affect the hypothalamus and its regulating capabilities. Estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and cortisol may all play a part in hot flashes. In the case of body temperature, these hormone imbalances cause the hypothalamus to go off the deep end. It mistakenly tells the body that it is way too hot. This faulty response triggers the common symptoms of a hot flash: the heart speeds up, the blood vessels open wide, the skin flushes, and the sweat glands go to work.

Because hot flashes are the result of a miscommunication in the body, scientific researchers have found several different classes of medications that can suppress the mistaken reactions. Examples include blood pressure medications, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, hormone replacement therapy, and some herbal remedies. Doctors also suggest that women employ practical tips to lessen the impact of hot flashes: dress in layers, turn down the thermostat, avoid alcohol and caffeine, practice relaxation techniques, and exercise regularly.

Now that you know what’s causing your hot flashes, do you feel better? The scientific reasoning might not give you much comfort, but rest assured, hot flashes usually subside completely in the first or second year following menopause.

Related Article: Hot Tips For Menopausal Women with Hot Flashes

Filed Under: Women's Health Tagged With: hot flashes, menopause, women's health

February 20, 2014 by Wade Strzinek Leave a Comment

3 Questions Diabetic Patients Should Ask About Their Heart

The heart pumps close to 2,000 gallons of oxygen-carrying, nutrient-rich blood through the body every day. When the heart can’t function properly, the entire body suffers.

Due to a variety of factors, diabetes impairs the heart and damages the entire circulatory system. Experts say that the damage done by diabetes is just as harmful to the heart as smoking cigarettes. In fact, cardiovascular issues are the leading cause of death among diabetics.

If you have diabetes, taking care of your heart should be at the top of your to-do list. Together with your doctor, you should be monitoring the status of your cardiovascular system and addressing any problems immediately.

Don’t know where to begin? Discussing these three questions with your doctor will give you a good start.

1. What are my risk factors?

The well-being of your cardiovascular system depends on several different factors. Being a diabetic already gives you one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Here’s a list of seven other things that can cause damage to your heart and blood vessels. Remember, the more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop problems with your heart.

Smoking cigarettes – The nicotine in cigarettes denies the heart of oxygen and makes the heart work harder. Because of this, your blood pressure and heart rate go up. Smoking can also cause blood clots and damage blood vessels.

High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) – Having too much “bad cholesterol” (LDL) and not enough “good cholesterol” (HDL) can damage the heart. High cholesterol clogs the arteries and restricts blood flow.

High blood pressure (hypertension) – Diabetics are two times more likely to suffer from hypertension than the general public. It weakens blood vessels, narrows blood vessels, and overburdens the heart.

Obesity – Obesity feeds into several other risk factors. It can cause hypertension and high cholesterol.

Stress – Excessive stress can decrease blood flow to the heart, and make your blood pressure and heart rate skyrocket.

Gender – Women younger than 55 have a lower risk of cardiovascular health issues than men of the same age. After the age of 55, both genders have an equal risk.

Genetics – Having immediate family members with heart disease increases your risk of developing similar problems with your cardiovascular system.

2. What is the current condition of my heart?

As a diabetic, you should have a frank conversation with your doctor about the condition of your cardiovascular system. Listen specifically for these medical terms:

Atherosclerosis – the hardening of the arteries caused by excess cholesterol and fat in the blood. This condition limits blood flow to the heart and other organs. Diabetics often have severe atherosclerosis that advances quickly and causes damage throughout the body.

Microangiopathy – damage to the capillaries and small blood vessels that is caused by chronically high blood sugar.

Autonomic neuropathy – damage to the autonomic nervous system, which controls the nerves of the heart and blood vessels. Blood flow, pulse rate, and blood pressure may be affected.

Endothelial dysfunction – damage done to the inner lining of the blood vessels. The vessels may lose their flexibility.

3. How can I keep my heart healthy for the future?

By knowing your risk factors and the current condition of your heart, you can make a comprehensive plan to keep your heart in good shape. Here are some preventative steps you may want to discuss with your doctor.

Quitting smoking
Eating a healthy diet
Maintaining a healthy weight
Staying physically fit
Taking medications to control blood sugar, lower cholesterol, control blood pressure, and treat any other symptoms

Maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system is a critical part of any diabetic treatment plan. Make sure to discuss these questions with your doctor at every checkup. If you feel any unusual cardiac symptoms, alert your doctor right away or call 911.

Enjoyed this article? Try reading these as well . . .
Why Diabetics are at Risk for High Cholesterol
Low-Stress Meals For Diabetics
Diabetes: Control Your Blood Sugars through Smoking Cessation

Filed Under: Diabetes, High Cholesterol

February 17, 2014 by Wade Strzinek Leave a Comment

Opioid-Induced Constipation: 10 Ways to Make Yourself Go

The pain has subsided and you’re starting to feel human again but now you’re looking at the bathroom longingly. An unfortunate effect of pain management with opioids is opioid-induced constipation. Opioids increase the amount of time it takes matter to move through the digestive tract. In addition to that, they also partially paralyze the digestive tract further increasing how long it takes from “start” to “finish.” Up to 90% of opioid users experience opioid-induced constipation.

Opiates are narcotics that treat chronic pain. They attach to receptors in the nervous system and change the way the brain interprets pain. Physicians generally prescribe opiates when common analgesics have failed to manage discomfort. Opiates are especially effective because they are long acting and give the patient more reliable pain control.

Opioid induced constipation symptoms are:

Straining in the bathroom
Stomach distention or tenderness
Excessive bloating
Hard and dry stool
Loss of appetite
Lethargy and fatigue
Depression
Feeling sick
Flatulence
Cramping
Nausea
Vomiting
Heartburn or acid reflux

If you can’t already tell, opioid-induced constipation is uncomfortable and often unavoidable. While physicians can treat constipation with a number of medical routes, we do have several at-home remedies that we suggest you try:

Mix powdered bulk-forming laxatives into juice.
Load up on salads and fiber-rich foods such as oatmeal, whole grains and legumes.
Drink water throughout the day.
Schedule gym time. Regular exercise helps regulate the digestive system.
Add a stool softener to your daily vitamin regimen.
Abdominal massage can stimulate the colon and speed things up.
Eat yogurt! Probiotics promote healthy “gut bacteria” and may assist digestion.
Add supplemental magnesium (>500 mg per day) or red tea.
With cold water, hydrotherapy can increase blood flow and motility in the stomach. Spray your abdomen with cool water after your shower.
Attempt bowel movements every day.

Let us know what you have found to help your constipation!

Learn more about opioid-induced constipation by reading Pain Relief with a Side of Opioid-Induced Constipation.

Filed Under: Opioid Induced Constipation

February 7, 2014 by Wade Strzinek Leave a Comment

What’s The Matter With My Bladder?

Do you immediately scope out the bathroom in unfamiliar places? Have you ever watched a movie straight through without stopping? Do you know the location of every restroom between your home and work? Overactive bladders (OAB) are nothing to sneeze at (literally!). For clinical purposes, eight or more urinations per day is the hallmark of an overactive bladder. Nerves and muscles in the bladder are the major players in bladder dysfunction. The nervous system is responsible for regulating the contraction and relaxation of bladder muscles. The constant urge to urinate all the time is the result of inappropriate contractions. Common causes of inappropriate contractions are:

Spinal cord injuries
Diabetes
Parkinson’s Disease
Dementia
Multiple Sclerosis
Urinary tract infections
Anxiety

Along with medication prescribed by a physician, OAB patients can also manage their symptoms with behavioral therapy, electrical stimulation, pelvic floor exercises, fluid management, urination schedules and bladder training. Avoid caffeine and alcohol because both substances are diuretics and stimulate the bladder.

An estimated 15% of the United States population will suffer from overactive bladders. Worldwide, 200 million people are affected. Although prevalence increases with age, young people are not immune. OAB occurs twice as often in women than in men. Roughly, one in five adults over the age of 40 experience overactive bladders. It takes women about 6.5 years to seek treatment after the first episode. Unfortunately, there is a stigma associated with overactive bladders and embarrassment may prevent treatment. The number of adults with overactive bladders is likely underreported because of failure to seek treatment.

The Urology Care Foundation has launched a public education campaign to reduce the stigma and shame of frequent urination. If you’re experiencing frequent or excessive urination, talk with your doctor about the possibility of treatment. Ask about symptoms, testing and treatment. Writing down questions beforehand may help you feel less uncomfortable about broaching the subject. Don’t accept this as a way of life. Take control.

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How to Talk to a Doctor about Your Overactive Bladder
Overactive Bladder: What’s Going Wrong with your Urinary System?

Filed Under: Overactive Bladder

February 3, 2014 by Wade Strzinek Leave a Comment

Hot Tips For Menopausal Women with Hot Flashes

If you’ve ever experienced sudden and profuse sweating, you’ve probably had a hot flash. If your family is wearing sweaters indoors mid-summer, you just might be experiencing “nature’s change.” Can’t unload the dish washer without burning up? Yep, hot flashes.

Hot flashes, often referred to as vasomotor symptoms, are a short but extreme sensation of heat. They can last just a few minutes or up to an hour. They will leave you splotchy, red-faced and covered in sweat. So much for today’s make-up and good luck finding an anti-hot flash antiperspirant! In most cases, hot flashes are associated with menopause and perimenopause.

Perimenopause, also called the menopause transition, is the period of time when a woman experiences noticeable shifts in her cycle and/or hormone levels. Perimenopause is the precursor to menopause. Menstrual cycles become longer or shorter. Fertility decreases and mood swings are common. LDL cholesterol may rise with the decline of estrogen. Interest in sex and sexual function may drop off. Night sweats may cause sleep disruption.

The normal menstrual cycle includes hormone surges and as such, a woman’s hormone levels change as she moves through her cycle. In the later stages of life, the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. The end result is a stable hormone level but in the interim, women experience difficulty with the body’s ability to regulate temperature, called thermoregulation. It is a thermoregulation disorder that is primarily responsible for the flinging off of clothes at potentially inappropriate times, marital arguments about the temperature of the bedroom and the temptation to cool down via the refrigerator.

Hot flashes are just one of several symptoms of menopause, but they will affect nearly 75% of all women. Menopause (and consequently, hot flashes) is unavoidable. Nevertheless, there are things you can do to keep cool-headed and cool-bodied.

Dress in layers that you can peel off without offending anyone.
Keep fans at home and work. Keep a personal fan in your purse for stuffy/warm places.
Note any specific triggers that precede your hot flashes (spicy food, caffeine, sugar, etc.).
Wear cotton nightclothes and keep breathable cotton sheets on the bed.
Sip iced beverages throughout the day.
Upgrade your bed to a king for less heat transfer from your bedmate.
Try a cool shower.
Keep fabric ice packs in freezer for a quick cool-down.
Exercise can ease the frequency and severity of hot flashes.
Reduce stress levels with massage, meditation or yoga.
Go for a swim.
Try supplementing with black cohosh. There have been mixed opinions about its efficacy but it’s worth a try.
Increase your consumption of phytoestrogen-rich foods such as, lentils, soy, and chickpeas.

It’s important to remember that your hot flashes WILL end. Perimenopause and menopause are simply stages of life. You just have to keep your cool. Related Article: What Causes Hot Flashes? Ask Your Brain

Filed Under: Women's Health