Archives for August 2020

Hormones do the body lots of good. But, their effects are not always convenient. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, your brain knows exactly which hormones to send and when. Unfortunately, in the case of stress, this can leave you feeling on edge and can have an unhealthy effect on your body. Keep reading for a few quick answers to common questions about stress and hormones.

Q: What triggers feelings of stress?

Marla Ahlgrimm: The answer to this question is unique for every person. Some people feel stressed out because of money, others because of family obligations. However, most people experience the natural stress response when faced with a sudden or extreme situation. An example would be a large dog running at you with its teeth showing while barking loudly. This would instantaneously trigger your adrenal glands to release a surge of cortisol and adrenaline.

Q: What happens when adrenaline and cortisol are released?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Each of these hormones works to elevate your heart rate and can give you a seemingly unnatural boost of energy. As the primary stress hormone, cortisol increases the amount of glucose (blood sugar) flowing through your veins. Cortisol has an effect on a few of your non-essential systems – suppressing digestion, for example. When these hormones are present, you likely feel fear, your heart rate will increase significantly. and your senses are heightened.

Q: Is the body’s response to stress self-limiting?

Marla Ahlgrimm: In most cases, yes. When you are faced with the threat, and that threat is no longer present, your hormone levels return to normal. Unfortunately, many women are under chronic stress, living with factors such as financial struggles, tumultuous relationships, and social pressures. This can lead to a chronic stress response, which can then in turn result in digestive issues, depression, sleep problems, and weight gain to name a few.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women can reduce everyday stress through a combination of meditation, eating well, and getting enough sleep. While not all stressors can be eliminated, taking care of your mind and body is one of the best ways to be prepared to effectively deal with life’s issues.

Do women have more headaches than men? Not surprisingly to women everywhere, the answer is yes. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, this is due to everything from stress to hormones. Keep reading as the author and women’s health advocate answers a few questions on the topic.

Q: Are hormones the cause of headaches?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Often, yes. Estrogen, especially, can contribute significantly to headaches in women. Fluctuating levels of this female hormone can trigger tension headaches and even migraines.

Q: When are headaches most common for women?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Unfortunately, headaches are prevalent and sometimes frequent for women beginning at the onset of puberty. When a woman is getting ready to menstruate, her estrogen levels drop. This triggers migraines. Similarly, after giving birth, a woman’s estrogen levels dip dramatically as there is no longer a pregnancy to support. During pregnancy, and especially in the first trimester, estrogen levels soar significantly and quickly, which can also lead to headaches.

Q: What about menopause?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Menopause can also lead to fluctuating hormone levels. As the ovaries begin to say sayonara to their child-bearing years, the body can react in many different ways. Headaches are one of these.

Q: Hormones aside, what are some other headache triggers common in women?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Many of the most common include dehydration, taking certain medications, poor eating and sleeping habits, and anxiety. Similarly, women can also experience headaches due to both overexertion and living a sedentary lifestyle. It is also not uncommon for both genders to notice tension between their temples after consuming things like alcohol, Parmesan cheese, aspartame, caffeine, and chocolate. Poor posture, noise, and glare are also culprits women who experience frequent headaches should consider exploring.