If you feel nervous or on edge during normal situations that never used to bother you, or if you get the sensation of being unable to easily breathe and think your fears might push you over the edge, you could be suffering from panic attacks or general anxiety disorder, says pharmacist and women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm.

Panic attacks are sudden, brief episodes of intense fear or panic accompanied by symptoms like racing heart beat, dizziness, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, feelings of choking, or chest pain. This is why many people report that a panic attack feels like they’re having a heart attack and fear of dying. In the United States, roughly 12 percent of people suffer from panic attacks, and they are usually triggered by some sort of outside cue.

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According to women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm, most women go through the perimenopausal transition before reaching menopause. Perimenopausal women are usually somewhere in their 40’s,   still having menstrual periods. But their cycles are changing, as are their estrogen levels. Sometimes they are high, sometimes too low, and sometimes just right. In fact, says Marla Ahlgrimm, during this time women may feel like they’re on a hormonal roller coaster ride. Perimenopause can last for a few months to a few years. Women may have physical as well as psychological complaints. Symptoms are very much like those of menopause, and women may experience one or more symptoms during perimenopause.

Common symptoms of perimenopause include the following:

• Changes in the menstrual flow
• Lumpy or tender breasts
• Bloating
• Problems with sleep
• Difficulty concentrating
• Anxiety, mood swings, depression
• PMS
• Hot flashes, night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Unexplained weight gain

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Q: What are phytoestrogens?

Marla Ahlgrimm: These are weak estrogens that occur naturally in plants. They are chemically similar to the estrogens found in a woman’s body. Phytoestrogens are considerably less potent than natural estrogens produced by the body.

Q: How do phytoestrogens affect the body?

Marla Ahlgrimm: There is very little definitive evidence that they have any major impact on the body. However, it’s accepted that plant estrogens may affect hot flashes, breast and heart health and bone strength. Phytoestrogens may be beneficial in helping to prevent heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol levels.

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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.

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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.

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Many American women devote much of their day to sedentary activities like working at a desk or watching television, and that can pack on the pounds. For a woman to maintain a healthy body weight, women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm, encourages a regular workout program to get the blood pumping. Vigorous exercise in the form of jogging, swimming and dancing and other physical activities can all reduce disease risk and body fat. Since so many women are juggling responsibilities at work and home,  pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, recommends walking around the block during lunch hour as a suitable alternative. Using the stairs instead of an elevator can also produce results.

The location of body fat has been shown to be a key factor in health conditions, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Extra fat located in the stomach area has been linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, early heart disease and several forms of cancer. It presents a greater health risk than extra fat in the thighs and hips. Focusing on the abdominal region during workouts can help to keep a woman slim and trim while boosting her energy levels.

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