According to retired pharmacist and women’s health advocate Marla Ahlgrimm, dehydration is a condition that happens when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. It can happen to anyone, but women are particularly vulnerable to dehydration simply due to biology. But what can dehydration do to a woman?

Impact On Skin Health

One of the most visible effects of dehydration is on the skin. When the body is dehydrated, Marla Ahlgrimm says, the skin becomes dry, flaky, and loses its elasticity. This can cause premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles, making women look older than they are, and none of us want that. Dehydration can also make the skin more prone to acne, psoriasis, and other pesky and uncomfortable skin conditions.

Menstrual Problems

Dehydration can also lead to menstrual problems in women. When the body is dehydrated, it can affect the balance of hormones in the body, leading to irregular periods, cramps, and even amenorrhea (Marla Ahlgrimm explains that this means the absence of periods). Women who are dehydrated during their period may also experience more severe cramps, headaches, and bloating that over-the-counter medicines won’t touch.

Urinary Tract Infections

Women are already more prone to UTIs than men, and dehydration can increase the risk of these. When you don’t drink enough water, you produce less urine, which can cause bacteria to accumulate in the bladder and urinary tract. Marla Ahlgrimm warns that this can lead to inflammation, pain, and burning during urination.

Breast Milk Production

Not drinking enough water can also hurt breastfeeding mothers as well. When a woman is dehydrated, it can reduce her breast milk production, making it difficult to provide enough nutrition to the baby. Marla Ahlgrimm laments that this can trigger a host of problems, including malnutrition, stunted growth, and developmental delays. While each of these is a “worst-case scenario” situation, women must understand the significance of drinking enough water.

Cardiovascular Health

Dehydration can have a big impact on heart health, particularly in women. A lack of water can cause the blood to thicken, which understandably makes it harder for the heart to pump throughout the body. Marla Ahlgrimm says that stress on the heart can lead to stroke, heart disease, and other issues.

Cognitive Function

Dehydration can also affect cognitive function in women, says Marla Ahlgrimm. When the body is dehydrated, it can cause fatigue, dizziness, and confusion, as if we don’t already have enough distractions when we are trying to concentrate. Marla Ahlgrimm says this might cause everything from accidents and mistakes to decreased productivity.

Kidney Function

Not drinking enough water also affects the kidneys by making them work harder to remove waste products from the body. Marla Ahlgrimm says that kidney stones are one of the most feared and painful side effects of chronic dehydration.

Preventing Dehydration 

Preventing dehydration in women is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. But Marla Ahlgrimm says it’s not enough to simply drink enough water (although that’s still important). To maintain adequate hydration levels, she suggests:

• Drink enough water. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. Drinking water throughout the day can help prevent dehydration and flush out toxins from the body.

• Eat water-rich foods. Women should also eat lots of water-rich foods, such as watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, and strawberries. These foods can help keep the body hydrated and provide essential nutrients. Plus, they go well in salads!

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Coffee and alcohol can rob the body of important water stores. Marla Ahlgrimm says there’s nothing wrong with having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine now and then, but stick to moderate amounts and always drink enough water to offset any losses.

• Exercise regularly. Exercise can help regulate the body’s water balance, so most healthy women should aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Marla Ahlgrimm says it’s best to talk with your primary healthcare physician if you have any concerns.

• Monitor urine color. While nobody wants to stare into the toilet, women who think they are dehydrated should pay attention, as dark yellow or brown urine can indicate dehydration.

The moral of the story here, says Marla Ahlgrimm, is that all women should strive to drink enough water each day, eat the right foods, and avoid bad habits that can cause dehydration. If you don’t like water, you can always flavor it with fruit or zero-cal sweeteners.

Technology has given us many advantages over the last few decades, says Marla Ahlgrimm. For those of us with disabilities or who can’t leave the house because of transportation or other concerns, telemedicine is one that has made the biggest impact. However, it’s not for everyone, and there are plenty of pros and cons to consider before you pick up the phone and hop on a video call.

Pros

Cost Efficiency

Telemedicine is cost-efficient for both healthcare providers and patients. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the average doctor’s visit can actually cost you $40 or more just in lost time. That doesn’t include your actual medical bill. Telehealth requires no wait and no drive time. Your insurance may cover it and, even if you are self-insured, it might be less expensive than going to a brick-and-mortar doctor’s office.

Engagement

One of the best parts about telemedicine is that your doctor is there for you when you need them. This means that you can engage with them on your terms. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that being able to get in touch with your doctor when it’s convenient for you means that you’re likely to be more open about your health problems. Further, you won’t feel as rushed.

Ease Of Access

The greatest benefit of telemedicine is how easy it is to access. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that if you have a mild cold, suffer from issues such as migraines or UTIs, or need help reading lab or x-ray results, you can do so instantaneously.

Cons

Provider Access

While there are many doctors and pharmacists that offer virtual services, yours may not. Marla Ahlgrimm says that you should have a conversation with your healthcare provider to find out if they do offer telemedicine services. This is important if you’re comfortable with your current provider and don’t wish to discuss your problems and rehash your history with someone else.

Regulatory Barriers

Some providers choose to forgo telemedicine because of a lack of regulation in privacy. Another potential barrier or industry guidelines in some states that may preclude practitioners from using telemedicine in all instances.

Limited Exam Capabilities

Marla Ahlgrimm says a telemedicine doctor can help to diagnose many conditions. Unfortunately, if you have something that deviates from outside the norm or needs a hands-on approach, telemedicine may not be a viable option.

Technology

The vast majority of smartphones and computers with a web cam can handle telemedicine phone calls, which are similar to online meetings. But that does not mean that everyone has these capabilities. Marla Ahlgrimm says that many older people do not have or are not comfortable using technology to access their healthcare.

Is VR The Future Of Telemedicine?

Most of us are familiar with the idea of a metaverse. Healthcare may also soon jump onto the virtual reality bandwagon. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that there are currently many different healthcare companies looking into the viability of virtual reality in a healthcare setting. These visits may include talking to a doctor in a virtual chat room.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, medicine is still personal. And although she believes that nothing can entirely replace an in-person doctor visit, there are times when telemedicine may come in handy. It’s not a perfect system, but it may be a great option for homebound individuals to get treatment of minor issues that don’t require a full physical examination.

Allergies can happen at any time during the year, says Marla Ahlgrimm. They are not exclusive to spring, although more people experience seasonal allergies than any other type. Today, we take a quick look at a few of the top causes of allergies.

An Overactive Immune System

Up to 40% of all children in the United States have some form of allergy. The immune system is usually to blame. An allergic reaction can happen when the body’s immune system sees a harmless substance, such as pollen or certain foods, as dangerous. It then jumps into overdrive trying to get rid of the offending intruder.

Pollen

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, pollen is a common allergen trigger. Pollen from weeds, grasses, and trees can trigger both seasonal allergies and hay fever. Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to keep these allergies at bay by staying inside on high pollen count days and utilizing an over-the-counter allergy medication.

Pets

While people are not allergic to animals themselves, their dander and saliva can be a big problem. Unfortunately, Marla Ahlgrimm says that animal dander/saliva allergies can take up to two years to show. This means a person can live with their pet with no signs of an allergic reaction and then, “suddenly” they may experience sniffling, sneezing, or even skin rashes.

Dust Mites

Whether you like it or not, Marla Ahlgrimm says that you sleep with dust mites each night. These are tiny bugs that eat skin cells, and they live on your mattress. If you’re allergic to dust mites, use a hypoallergenic mattress cover and keep stuffed animals off the bed.

Insect Stings

Nobody wants to be stung by a bee or wasp. However, Marla Ahlgrimm notes that some people can have a severe allergy to the venom in these flying fearmongers. Fortunately, allergies are usually mild. An unfortunate few may have a severe reaction that requires immediate treatment with epinephrine.

Mold

If your home is damp and musty, you may be living with mold. Unfortunately, in addition to causing otherwise healthy people respiratory issues, people allergic to mold may wind up with asthma or other significant issues when simply trying to breathe.

Food

Marla Ahlgrimm says that eggs, shellfish, and milk are among the top allergens in the culinary world. Peanut butter and strawberries are also common, so much so that some schools have banned these foods from being brought in at lunchtime. These types of reactions can become severe, and people with significant food allergies are typically prescribed an emergency epinephrine pen.

Latex/Plastic

Some people can experience mild to severe reactions when exposed to latex or certain types of plastics. Marla Ahlgrimm says these can range from runny nose and wheezing to anaphylaxis. People allergic to latex should wear a medical alert bracelet and never be more than arm’s reach from their epinephrine kit.

Cockroaches

Nobody wants to live with cockroaches, but some people can get sick because of it. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that fecal matter from cockroaches is a common trigger and recommends having an infested home routinely treated by a licensed pest control service.

Certain Medications

Some medicines, including aspirin and penicillin, can cause stuffiness, facial swelling, and hives in sensitive individuals. Marla Ahlgrimm says that most people can find alternative treatments, which can be prescribed by their doctor and are recommended by their pharmacist.

Allergies are no fun to live with, says Marla Ahlgrimm. However, over-the-counter antihistamines and avoidance can help. The retired pharmacist, author, and women’s health expert does suggest that people with severe allergies maintain an open line of communication with their healthcare provider and carry their emergency medications with them at all times.

We all experience a runny nose, aches and pains, and other mild symptoms from time to time. Marla Ahlgrimm says these rarely mean a significant issue with our health. However, it pays to pay attention to your body so that you can seek medical advice for small issues that linger.

Today, the retired women’s healthcare entrepreneur shares a few things to keep in mind if you experience symptoms that won’t go away.

Bloodshot eyes.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, bloodshot eyes can happen for many reasons, including a small infection, irritation, or as part of the common cold. However, if you look like you’ve been cutting onions for more than a week, especially if your red eyes are excessively watery or come with vision changes or pain, it’s time to head to your eye doctor to be checked for glaucoma or deep infection.

Skin rash.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that rashes are often caused by contact with an allergen. However, some connective tissue disorders, infections, or blood diseases may also present as a painful rash that doesn’t respond to OTC or conservative dermatologic remedies.

Dry mouth.

If you normally walk around with a dry mouth, you may have a condition called xerostomia. However, other diseases, such as Sjogren’s syndrome, are also a possibility. When drinking water doesn’t help, call your doctor.

Excessive sweating.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that affects around three out of every 100 people. And while excessive sweating is usually little more than an embarrassment, Marla Ahlgrimm says that it may also be a symptom of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which may also come with weight loss, lymph node swelling, and night sweats.

Ice cravings.

Many people obsess over ice nuggets (think Sonic’s distinct ice). However, if you find yourself constantly craving ice or other non-nutritional items, Marla Ahlgrimm says to pay attention to your body as you may have pica. This is a condition that might mean an iron deficiency.

Trouble breathing.

If you’ve been running, jumping, or playing, you may feel short of breath, even if you’re healthy. However, Marla Ahlgrimm says that you should never have trouble breathing when doing normal activities, such as walking down the hallway or bending over to pick something up. While shortness of breath may be linked to pneumonia, it could also mean COPD, especially if you’re a smoker.

Chest pain.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, chest pain actually doesn’t mean heart attack as often as you might think. Instead, it could be any number of issues from heartburn to melanoma.

Discoloration under your fingernails.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the area underneath your fingernails can become bruised because of impact trauma. However, acral lentiginous melanoma can also cause dark streaks under the fingernails, particularly in people of African-American and Asian heredity.

Fingernail separation.

Speaking of fingernails, Marla Ahlgrimm says that if your fingernails start to separate from the nail bed, you may have an overproducing thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism can also cause muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, hair loss, and trembling.

Swelling fingers or toes.

Swelling may simply be the result of intaking too much salt, but it could also indicate congestive heart failure or kidney disease. If your fingers swell for no reason and don’t go down after a few hours, call your doctor for an appointment.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, any of these symptoms in and of themselves is nothing to fret about. However, they should be temporary inconveniences. Any change in your health that does not go away with over-the-counter treatment, lifestyle changes, or routine medical care should be reported to your doctor immediately.

We often think of our body weight as simply a matter of food in, energy out. While there is science to back this up, there are many other factors that contribute to our size. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, these include genetics and hormones.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that there are four hormones/compounds that have a direct impact on how much food we want to intake. Ghrelin is the primary hormone of these. This hormone stimulates the hypothalamus and drives your brain’s desire for a snack. Motilin is produced in the intestines and signals hunger contractions during periods of fasting. Neuropeptide Y and Agouti-related protein also affect whether or not the body and brain feel hunger.

In addition to hormones that control hunger, there are several chemicals within the body that determine our satiety levels, says Marla Ahlgrimm. These include CCK, GLP-1, peptide YY, leptin, insulin, and obestatin. 

CCK affects the gallbladder and pancreas and allows the body to digest more efficiently. It’s produced in the small intestine and has a significant sway on the way the brain processes the feelings of fullness related to fat and protein. GLP-1 responds to nutrients during digestion and slows the stomach emptying process. The slower the stomach processes food, the longer it takes for the brain to get a hunger signal. 

Leptin is another significant hormone that plays a role in whether we are sated or continue to have a rumbling in our stomachs. Leptin inhibits other hormones to promote a fullness feeling. Most of us are familiar with insulin as it relates to diabetes; however, insulin also helps the brain know when it’s time to stop eating. Obestatin is a much lesser-known hormone which counteracts the hunger-inducing effects of ghrelin, and scientists aren’t 100% sure how.

Marla Ahlgrimm also points out that there are other hormones in the body that affect weight. Thyroid hormone is a great example. People with hyperthyroidism tend to be below average weight. People with hypothyroidism may be heavier. Cortisol is another hormone that can affect the numbers on the scales, and Marla Ahlgrimm says this one is directly related to stress. People with a proportionately larger gut than the rest of their body may have a cortisol overload since the stress hormone is known to trigger midsection expansion. 

Marla Ahlgrimm notes that hormone levels can change according to a person’s age, health status, weight, and other factors.

Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle

Women who are concerned that their hormones may be negatively impacting their body’s ability to regulate weight should first discuss their personal situation with their primary health care provider. Next, Marla Ahlgrimm recommends paying close attention to food intake and activity levels. While the volume and type of food we eat is the primary influencing factor on our body weight, staying active keeps our metabolism up, which can help us burn more calories and thus maintain our weight. The more a person moves, the better their body is at burning fat. The opposite is also true, and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle have more trouble losing weight. 

Marla Ahlgrimm further recommends getting enough sleep, reducing stress levels, and staying hydrated as ways that women (and men!) can keep themselves healthy and happy.

Ultimately, while we can’t always control our hormone levels and health concerns, Marla Ahlgrimm says we can all take steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Start by learning about the different hormones that affect weight, and then stay healthy by a combination of lifestyle changes that promote wellness each day.

Women’s bodies are visibly different from their male counterparts. We have more curves, we have breasts, we don’t grow nearly as much hair, barring certain hormonal medical conditions. However, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, these differences go much further. Today, the retired author and women’s health care expert offers up seven facts about women’s bodies that you may not have known.

Women have stronger immune systems than men.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it’s more than an old wives tale that women live longer than men. While some of this can be attributed to man’s inherent risk-taking nature, women may also have a genetic leg up where life length is concerned. Some researchers believe that women have a stronger inner defense mechanism thanks to the hormone estrogen. Further, evolution may have given women greater ability to fight off viruses and germs because the human body is designed to birth and care for the next generation.

Women have a better memory.

If your husband has ever asked you where he left his keys, and you knew just from a fleeting glance from the night before that they were up underneath the water bill on the left side of the kitchen island, then you already know you have a better memory. Women’s memorization skills go far beyond just knowing where things are. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that some studies indicate that women remember faces better and speculate that women simply study facial features unconsciously more than men.

Women may be able to survive injuries better.

Female sex hormones for the win again. Estrogen and others may be responsible for the fact that women, specifically those in the 13 to 64-year age group, tend to survive traumatic injuries much more than men, says Marla Ahlgrimm.

Women’s bodies go through remarkable changes throughout pregnancy.

Obviously, a woman’s stomach expands to accommodate a baby and then contracts after birth. But what many people don’t realize is that the uterus starts out about the size of a fist and grows larger than a watermelon. Another interesting fact that Marla Ahlgrimm thinks everyone should know: women’s bodies are built to accept pain better than men’s. Contractions are a great example; this process exerts nearly 400 pounds of pressure on the uterus.

Women are more flexible.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the muscles and tendons in a female’s body contain more elastin. This is a protein that gives us the ability to stretch and maintain flexibility. Women also have more flexible pelvic areas as our bodies have adapted to childbirth.

Women need more sleep.

If you’re a husband, you might want to tuck your wife in about 20 minutes earlier than you each night. Women’s and men’s internal clocks and circadian rhythm don’t necessarily sync up. Most women naturally wake up earlier than their male relatives, but we need more sleep.

Women’s muscles are built for endurance.

Marla Ahlgrimm acknowledges that men are naturally stronger than women of the same size. However, women can endure physical exercise around 75% longer than a man. Marla Ahlgrimm also suggests that estrogen is what makes us more resilient here, and also notes that our metabolism may be more efficient than men, who are traditionally larger pound for pound.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that men and women’s bodies have evolved for different reasons. Men are naturally the hunters and gatherers while women give birth and raise young. Although traditional, societal gender-based roles can change from generation to generation, biology takes thousands of years, and women’s bodies have become the perfect machines they are over the course of the last 200,000 years since the time of our Neanderthal ancestors.