Archives for December 2021

Menopause is a naturally occurring event that happens to all women. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, its symptoms, which include mood changes and hot flashes, can have a significant impact on your life. But, there are ways to take care of yourself to lessen the discomfort.

Talk to your doctor

First, Marla Ahlgrimm suggest talking with your doctor if you believe that you’re coming up on menopause. Ask them about whether or not you should continue taking birth control. Keep in mind here that even if you have taken an at-home menopause test and it has come back that you are in the middle of menopause, these are not necessarily reliable.

Is hormone treatment right for me?

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, hormone therapy can help relieve many of the worst symptoms of menopause. However, she cautions that it is not for everyone. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women with a history of liver disease, blood clots, certain types of cancer, and those who have ever had a heart attack or stroke may not be good candidates for hormone therapy.

Taking care of yourself at home

Even if you do engage in hormone therapy, you may still feel uncomfortable at least some of the time. Marla Ahlgrimm suggests doing things that prioritize your wellness each day. This includes getting enough sleep, eating fruits and vegetables, relaxing, and exercising. A few other ways that you can handle menopause distress in the moment include:

• Take a warm bath. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that warm water can help ease muscle tension and may alleviate cramping.

• Take a walk. Walking boosts the production of “happy” hormones, which may help mitigate pain.

• Talk to a friend. The physical symptoms of menopause can be mentally depleting. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that sometimes talking to a friend – bonus points if she is also going through menopause – may be enough to help you feel better about your situation.

• Ask your doctor about supplements. Before you order a supplement online that claims to alleviate menopause symptoms, talk to your doctor. Many of these are simply marketing, and they will not help your symptoms.

You may have heard it called syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, hypertriglyceridemic waist, or obesity syndrome. But, the fact remains that metabolic syndrome puts your health at risk. Today, retired compounding pharmacist, author, and women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm answers a few questions about metabolic syndrome.

Q: What is metabolic syndrome?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Metabolic syndrome is not a single condition. Instead, it is a collection of risk factors that can significantly increase a person’s risk of many serious health complications. People with metabolic syndrome may have a higher risk of stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.

Q: What are some metabolic risk factors?

Marla Ahlgrimm: There are many, but the five that are most predominant are a large waistline, high triglyceride levels, lower-than-normal HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar, even during fasting.

Q: What are some lifestyle choices that contribute to metabolic syndrome?

Marla Ahlgrimm: While there are some metabolic risks that can’t be changed, such as age and genetics, men and women alike put themselves at a higher risk of these collective symptoms when they are extremely overweight and with a sedentary lifestyle. Those with sleep apnea, gallstones, polycystic ovary syndrome, and a fatty liver may be at higher risk of metabolic syndrome.

Q: How is metabolic syndrome treated?

Marla Ahlgrimm: It starts by addressing each symptom individually, which, fortunately, is often done using the same methods. The vast majority of healthcare providers will first recommend that people with metabolic syndrome take control of their weight. This will include a combination of eating fewer calories and more whole foods and spending more time active. Doctors will likely also recommend quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.

Metabolic syndrome is a serious set of conditions. However, by knowing your risk and understanding how it’s treated, you can take better care of yourself today so that you’ll have a brighter future.