Archives for April 2015

Q: How does progesterone typically affect the female body?

Marla Ahlgrimm:  Progesterone is one of the body’s major hormones, helping to regulate and stimulate various functions. In women, it plays an important part in maintaining pregnancy. This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands, the ovaries or the placenta during pregnancy. It  also prepares a woman’s body for pregnancy and conception, as well as regulates her menstrual cycle.

Q: What are the effect of a decreased level of progesterone?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Decreased progesterone is often believed to be responsible in part for PMS symptoms such as mood swings and breast tenderness. Be aware that many of these symptoms can coincide with symptoms of other issues, however.

[Read more…]

A growing number of medical professionals have warned patients against the habit of sitting at their desks for lengthy periods of time. As a benefit for today’s cubicle dwellers, pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm provides a few recommendations for people who are often sedentary throughout the day.

Q: How does leading a sedentary lifestyle affect a person’s health?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Sitting for hours on end has been associated with heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and other troubling conditions and ailments that may lead to premature death. By introducing activity breaks into a daily routine, people have the opportunity to increase blood flow and create good habits that last a lifetime.

Q: Are there certain suggestions that have worked for your friends and colleagues?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Set a timer on a cell phone or computer that makes a sound every hour. When this alarm goes off, complete the task and then enjoy a brisk five-minute walk around the building or down the street. Even for those who are active outside the office, a short timeout every once in a while is necessary to ward off unwanted health complications.

[Read more…]