Menopause Symptoms Report

About Bipolar Depression

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:08:06 PDT

You may not understand much about some mental disorders, but they are something that can happen to almost anyone. Even those that have gone through most of their lives with no issues what so ever may end up with something wrong. When this happens, they soon learn that there is no way to truly understand a disorder like this without having gone through it. That does not mean someone cannot understand some of it, but it does mean that the patient must do their best to help someone understand at least some of it. Those with bipolar depression may have a hard time doing this because the condition can be very complex.

There are two parts to a bipolar disorder. Someone with this condition has moments of mania and then periods of depression. That is why this disorder is sometimes called ‘manic depressive’. The two states are the total opposites of each other. The mania period is usually short while the bipolar depression state can go on for months at a time. This depression can be very bad, and can lead to thoughts of suicide. These thoughts and this state of mind should never be taken lightly. If someone you know has bipolar depression, you should take everything they say very seriously, even if things don’t make sense. It could be a cry for help.

There are many great medications for those that are suffering from bipolar depression. The problem with these is that some start to feel better and more normal and evened out so they stop taking their medications without talking with their doctors first. Someone with bipolar depression may need to see a doctor/psychiatrist once month for a few years to be sure the medications are working as they should. When the patient feels a shift into depression or mania, they should make yet another appointment for stopping their meds or taking more.

If you have bipolar depression, you can’t expect those around you to understand it completely, but that does not mean they should not learn all that they can. If they make no effort to do so, take the time to give them the resources they need to learn about bipolar depression. The more the can understand, the more they can help you when you need it the most. There may not be much they can do to help, but just knowing they have some understanding and that they are there for you can make all of the difference in the world.

Want to partcipate in a Hot Flash study?

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:07:16 PDT

Software company is interested in interviewing women experiencing hot flashes/night sweats and other cognitive/memory issues. We will provide access to new iPhone/web software for monitoring these symptoms and their response to treatments and then conduct an interview about usability and suggested changes. You will have free access to the software for as long as you want it and will be paid for your interview time. We will only provide this offer to ten women experiencing flashes from either peri-menopause or from cancer treatments. Please contact me directly at the phone or email below.

Minna Levine, OTR/L, PhD
SymTrend, Inc.
mlevine@symtrend.com
617-484-7510

Dermatologists tips for having soft feet after Menopause

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:25:05 PDT

Women start getting rough scaly feet after menopause. Scientists aren’t exactly sure why, but it’s pretty common. The problem usually starts first on your heels. Your heel skin becomes rough, dry thick and may crack. Gradually your entire foot can become elephant skin thick. Wearing sandals in the summer really thickens up the skin. As we go into winter, this thick skin dries out and cracks. Fall is a great time to soften your feet back up and that’s easy to do if you have the right tools for the job.

Reclaiming your baby soft feet after menopause isn’t so hard. All it takes is good exfoliation. But a pumice stone won’t cut it for most of us. It takes chemical exfoliation and physical exfoliation, done regularly, to get your feet back into shape.

• Chemical exfoliation means using a skin care product that softens and dissolves the thick skin so that you can actually get somewhere when you try to file it off. In my experience, the best skin care product to exfoliate and soften feet is Glytone Heel and Elbow Cream. This is a seriously strong glycolic acid cream and it’s a miracle for rough feet! (In spite of the name, I don’t like it used on the elbows because it’s just too strong for all but the thickest elbow skin.)

• Physical exfoliation is what you do when you file or scrape off your rough thick foot skin. The best foot scraper is the PedEgg, which you can get at www.PedEgg.com. You could also use a foot file like the pedicurists use, or a pumice stone.

Dermatologist’s Step by Step Treatment for Rough, Thick Scaly Feet after Menopause:

1. Soak your feet in warm water, or take a warm shower for 10-15 minutes.
2. While your feet are wet, use the PedEgg, a pumice stone or a foot file to rub the skin off your feet as much as possible without hurting the skin.
3. Towel dry your feet, but while they are still damp, liberally apply the Glytone Heel and Elbow Cream to the thick areas, including the toes and nail beds if needed. Put on a clean pair of cotton socks and leave them on for at least 8 hours.
4. Depending on the severity of the skin, this process can take between one week and several months to get all the thick foot skin off.
5. If irritation develops, let the skin heal before you resume the treatment
6. Once you have soft, smooth skin on your feet, repeat this process as necessary to maintain the results. Some people find that once their feet are soft again, they can maintain the results by switching to my Anti Aging Body Rejuvenation Kit products (http://www.otbskincare.com/anti-aging-body-skin-care-kit.shtml) and treat their feet when they treat the rest of their body skin in the shower.

Having baby soft feet after menopause is possible with the right exfoliation products! My previously soft post menopausal feet have just started getting rough, cracked heels. With a treatment about once a month I’m able to keep them soft.
We all want baby soft feet that invite a foot massage. After menopause it takes a little extra work, but it’s possible at any age and any time of the year with my exfoliating foot treatment.

Glytone Heel and Elbow Cream is available by calling my office and ordering it. I don’t have it on my web site www.otbskincare.com because it is so strong that I want to be sure people don’t misuse it. By reading these instructions, you have good information on how to appropriately reap the benefits from this extremely effective and strong product. During business hours you can reach my front office receptionist Maria at 707 829-5778, or you can reach Kara at 707 829-0937.

You can also get it from your dermatologist if they carry Glytone products, or on web stores like dermstore.com.

Chip May Detect Breast Cancer

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:23:55 PDT

In his left hand, Aaron Wheeler holds a petri dish bearing a lump of breast tissue that resembles, in size and appearance, a piece of chewed gum.

In his right, the University of Toronto chemist holds a microchip array, about the size of a credit card, bearing a drop of red liquid about a thousand times smaller than the glob of mutilated flesh. The drop represents the minute amount of cells that Wheeler's tiny board needs to accurately gauge estrogen levels in a woman's breast tissue.

Read more

World Menopause Day October 18

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:18:07 PDT

Mark October 18th on your calendar – it’s World Menopause Day! That’s right! It is a day devoted to hot flashes; a time to celebrate those raging hormones.

World Menopause Day started all the way back in 1984, though it is relatively unheard of. Instituted by the International Menopause Society and the World Health Organization, World Menopause Day was designed to bring increased awareness to menopause. Every woman will experience menopause in her lifetime, whether by natural onset or due to a hysterectomy or some cancer treatments. Yet very few of us feel comfortable talking about the changes we are going through because so many attitudes about ‘the change’ still remain.

World Menopause Day is a chance for the members of the Council of Affiliated Menopause Societies around the world to address the many issues women face during menopause. Moreover, healthcare professionals can raise awareness of the need to introduce research strategies and options that lead to better and more advanced treatments for conditions related to menopause.

As our world’s population ages, it makes sense that more women than at any other time in human history will undergo menopause over the next few decades. Menopause affects a woman’s quality of life and more importantly puts her at increased risk for osteoporosis, breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Understanding how the risk factors associated with these conditions relate to menopause can only help lead to providing quality health care.

read more

Hormone Harmony: How to Balance Insulin, Cortoisol, Thyroid, Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone to Live Your Best Life

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:16:54 PDT

Is your lifestyle disrupting your hormones?
What are bioidentical, or natural hormones?
Are they safe?
Do you need them?

Hormone Harmony answers these and many other questions for women of all ages, and includes a special section for men.

Today, hormone imbalance is an epidemic that is upsetting countless lives with symptoms such as these:

-lack of energy
-loss of zest for life
-weight gain
-mood swings
-loss of sex drive
-sleep disturbances
-fuzzy thinking
-forgetfulness
-hot flashes

Traditionally, menopause is viewed as the chief trigger of hormonal problems but evidence shows this is not entirely true. While menopause is a natural transition during which hormone levels change, its discomforts are fueled by imbalances created earlier in life. This fact is widely unrecognized in today’s health-care system, leaving millions of women whose medical tests are “normal” in dire need of help.

Hormone Harmony reveals how to take control, in life and in the doctor’s office. In simple terms, it explains how lifestyle commonly disrupts six key hormones—insulin, cortisol, thyroid, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone—and how to remedy the situation. A practical lifestyle plan that costs little or nothing lays the foundation to restore and maintain balance. And, when medical help is needed, information about the options provides the tools to get effective treatment.

Find out more at www.hormoneharmony.org

The "M" Word

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:01:49 PDT

Menopause. There, I said it.

Truth be known, I’m not there yet. I am actually an anomaly in my family: the women in my family for the last two generations started at 40, and here I am in my mid-40’s with an 18 month old. But still, I know what happens and I’m not looking forward to it.

All that being said, the thing that I’m most concerned about is my skin. This might stem from the fact that I’ve been in the skin care industry for over 20 years, or maybe because I’m just plain vain (or a little of both). All I know is that what my aunt warned me about: “You’re going to dry up from the inside out and then your face is going to fall in your lap.” Nice.

During menopause, the lack of estrogen being produced in the body causes skin dryness and in some cases, acne, never mind the fact that once menopause starts, collagen production decreases dramatically (hence, the face falling in your lap comment).

In fact, once you hit 40, your collagen diminishes by 1% per year. I was really starting to panic about the dryness (my skin already has the moisture content of the Sahara and I am prone to eczema in the winter) and the sagginess (I hate gravity) until I started working on the Striking Skin Care line (www.strikingskincare.com).

I had been using another product with peptides that I was completely satisfied with when I came to work for Helix BioMedix (the manufacturers of Striking). Not one for change once I find a combination that works for my fussy skin, I switched over because we kept getting incredible feedback from customers about the quick and positive changes they had seen in their skin after using the product. They were right. I started by adding the Multi-Peptide Serum at first.

This product contains Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 and Heptapeptide-7. These peptides encourage keratinocyte proliferation and migration as well as collagen production, which make the skin look and feel firmer while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I literally saw a change within a week. My skin looked more hydrated, felt firmer and those pesky lines that keep cropping up around my eyes seemed softer. I added the Restorative Moisture Crème as soon as I ran out of my favorite peptide cream from another company and I’ll have to say, my skin hasn’t looked this good in years.

Striking Skin Care was originally developed for women with menopausal skin, but we’ve found that we have a large following with women in their 30’s and 40’s who haven’t yet reached that milestone in their lives. I’m thinking that prevention and maintenance is better than having to do an entire overhaul.
What do you think? What did changes in your skin did you experience when you went through menopause? What advice can you give to others about what to expect and how to manage the changes?

About the author:
Brigette Lemos-Norman is a 43-year old veteran skin care industry professional who has worked with retail, direct sales, spa and medical skin care companies. In her 20+ years she has worked in all facets of the business from sales and marketing to training and product development. She’s also a part-time blogger and mother of 5 children (3 bio and 2 step ranging in age from 14 to 1). She loves leading women to the right products for their skin and readily admits her overwhelming addiction to lip gloss (for which, she notes, there is no 12-step program).

Twitter account http://twitter.com/StrikingSkin

Read Jed Diamond's Book Chapters FREE

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:52:37 PDT

In each newsletter I will post chapters from my new book, Mr. Mean: Saving Yourself and Rescuing Your Relationship from the Irritable Male Syndrome. You can read each one as I post them. You can even download them and save them for future reading. The book will be published next year, but I don't want you to have to wait.

In return I just ask your help as follows: Rate the chapter (1 to 5 stars) and leave a comment. This will help in two ways. It will let me know which chapters seem most valuable to you and give me feedback that I can use to revise the chapters. Secondly, it will help show the articles popularity on Scribd and attract more readers. This will help me show the publisher that there is interest.

There are 31 short chapters with specific information you can use to improve help yourself and rescue the relationship.

Chapter 1: My Man Has Changed From Mr. Nice to Mr. Mean, What is Going On?

Chapter 2: Why Do I Need to Save Myself Before I Can Rescue the Relationship?
Additional New Articles That You Can Access for Help Now! Here are some of the specific resources people have told me are most helpful. Check out the ones you find most interesting. If you like you can rate them with stars and leave a comment (this helps let others know it's worth reading).

Be Stress Free Forever
7 Secrets for Making Money and Making a Difference Is It Love or Love Addiction?
Lazy Person's Guide to Relationships
The 25 Most Helpful Things Ever Said About Love, Marriage,and Relationships Male Menopause: What Every Man and Woman Needs to Know

Chronic insomnia is more common than you might think: causes and solutions

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:32:37 PDT

Modern life forces so many of us to live life in the fast lane, mentally and physically. Almost every one of us has more on our plate than can be accomplished in a 24-hour day. As a result, we try to offset the lack of available time with less relaxation, less sleep and very little exercise. The rationale is usually that, if we get everything on our to-do list accomplished, we'll have less worry, less stress, be more 'successful' and not have to feel guilty over tasks uncompleted. Can you relate to this scenario? Do you also suffer from chronic insomnia?

The unfortunate fact is that this 'always running' strategy has a boomerang effect and is a good recipe for chronic insomnia. First, we'll take a look at some of the subsets of patterns that foster chronic insomnia and suggest a variety of solutions that may help you get out of this vicious circle.

The 'busy mind' syndrome is characterized by worry and anxiety over situations or problems that won't let your mind stop rehashing them. You may be sitting in bed watching a movie, but your mind keeps drifting, focusing on work, financial problems, issues with your kids or just thinking about what's on your schedule for tomorrow. When you finally lie down and try to go to sleep, you find it impossible. Eventually, you may dose off into a restless sleep, only to waken a few hours later, unaware of what it was that woke you up. Again, it may be hours before you can again fall asleep. When the alarm goes off, you wake up groggy and not feeling rested, but fatigued.

Another culprit in the chronic insomnia syndrome is eating too much food late at night. People who have problems sleeping should eat a light meal in the evening. Irregular sleeping patterns can also contribute to insomnia. If you have difficulty sleeping, try to establish a regular 'bedtime', just as most parents impose on their kids. This is one method of retraining your body to 'expect' sleep at a particular hour. Lack of exercise may also be hindering your efforts to get to sleep. Try taking a brisk walk after dinner as your regular habit. This can help expend nervous energy and make your body amenable to the idea of sleep.

People who work night shifts often have trouble sleeping during daylight hours. Natural light triggers your natural circadian rhythms, which tell you it's time to be awake. Using a sleep mask and window treatments that effectively block natural light can help relieve chronic insomnia.

Remember when Mom or Grandma would fix you a 'nice cup of hot chocolate' before bedtime? This traditional comfort beverage has a basis in science. It's well known that calcium helps relax muscles and nerves, signaling your body that it's time to relax – and fall asleep.

Vitamin D helps regulate your circadian rhythms. If your typical day doesn't involve much exposure to sunlight, you may suffer a deficiency of vitamin D which contributes to your chronic insomnia. Ask your doctor to test your vitamin D levels. You may need a supplement. Vitamin D3 is the form which your body interprets as natural sunlight.

Biofeedback therapy is another effective approach to alleviating insomnia. Biofeedback techniques employ strategies that teach your body to respond to certain stimuli in a particular way. For example, if you play a tape of ocean sounds, the sounds tend to induce a state of relaxation. When used repetitively, your body begins to respond automatically to the sounds you hear.

There's no question that regular exercise helps you get to sleep. However, in the here and now, try this trick. When you awaken at 2 am, tossing and turning isn't going to help much and only serves to increase your frustration. Instead of tossing and turning in a futile effort to get back to sleep, get up and clean the tub. Haul the vacuum out of the closet and get to work. Clean the kitchen counters or tackle the oven. Put some elbow grease into these boring tasks. You may quickly be delighted to get back in bed and get some sleep!

Suffering from chronic insomnia doesn't have to drive you crazy! Now, get some sleep!

Femibion for Healthy Bones

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:07:58 PDT

A woman’s life has many stages, and menopause is simply another step on the journey. Unfortunately, one aspect of the ‘change’ is that your oestrogen levels will fall, which can have consequences for your general health.

‘Oestrogen’ is actually made up of three different types of oestrogen which, together, control just about every stage of your life from your menstrual cycle to your sexual development, and contribute to the wellbeing of your brain, heart, blood vessels, skin and bone. At menopause, because your oestrogen levels can plummet, all of these areas can be affected, particularly your bones. Femibion® Menopause Healthy Bones from Seven Seas helps you to maintain a healthy bone structure by providing a valuable balance of essential vitamins and minerals.

Due to fallen oestrogen levels, one in two women over 50 are now being diagnosed with osteoporosis, Femibion Healthy Bones has been designed to work in conjunction with the body and is formulated with ingredients required for strong, healthy bones including Vitamin D, essential to prevent bone thinning, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper, Phosphorus and Sodium Borate.

Menopause Thyroid Solution: Overcome Menopause By Solving Your Hidden Thyroid Problems

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:16:55 PDT

Watch this video in a new windowThe Menopause Thyroid Solution: Overcome Menopause By Solving Your Hidden Thyroid Problems

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:15:25 PDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCjHosn0Aqc

Acne and Pregnancy

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:59:44 PDT

There are many surprising things that women go through when they are pregnant, and some that are not quite as shocking. What each woman finds out is that they are going to have some things that others have in the way of symptoms, and at the same time, they may have things that they were not prepared for simply because no one else reports those problems. For most, acne and pregnancy go together. This is one of the more common symptoms that women have to put up with when they are expecting a child.

Acne and pregnancy comes from the same place that acne at any other time comes from. Though there are some that believe that acne comes from eating greasy foods, this is not the case. It generally comes from the hormones that are going through the body. Not washing the face and neck area enough can contribute, but it is often a combination of the two. When it comes to acne and pregnancy symptoms, this generally comes from the surge of hormones that comes with expecting a new addition to the family.

One big problem that women have with acne and pregnancy is that there are only so many medications that a pregnant woman can take. What means some of the more aggressive medications for acne are not going to be an option. Acne during pregnancy is not always that bad, however, so it is rare that a medication would be needed. For most women, acne and pregnancy is more of an irritation than anything else, but that does not mean that she can not do something to minimize how much she has on her face during this time.

Because medications are out of the question, those with acne and pregnancy have a few options. For the most part, these are going to help, though they may not completely take care of the problem. As with other types of acne problems, you would want to step up your facial cleaning habits. You may have to clean your skin with the right products a few times a day rather than just in the morning or at the end of the day. Most topical remedies can be okay, but you can always ask your doctor before using anything if you are worried.

If you are concerned about your acne and pregnancy, but you want to stay away from anything strong, just use things that you feel comfortable with. That means finding a mild cleanser and a facial scrub that you can use in the shower each morning, and at the end of the day. Remember that some acne is the result of dirt, and if you use a scrub, you can clear out those pores to avoid both pimples and blackheads. Some with acne and pregnancy simply dab some white toothpaste on each blemish to get them to disappear.

Jed Diamond Offers Help to the Irritable Man

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:55:22 PDT

Join Scribd and Get Help from Me for Free.
Here’s how it works:

1. Go to my personal profile section of Scribd by clicking www.scribd.com/JedDiamondPhD. You can sign up quickly and easily. You’ll see three sections on my profile page. On the left is a description of my work and me. The center section has running summary of my Scribd activities – new works I’ve uploaded, interesting documents I’ve added to my “Reading List,” etc. The section on the right has a listing of all my help resources.
2. Click on the link that says “subscribe to Jed Diamond” and you will receive notice each time I upload something new, including excerpts from my new book, Mr. Mean: Saving Yourself and Rescuing Your Relationship from the Irritable Male Syndrome.

3. Next to Jed Diamond’s PhD documents, click the link that says “See all.”

4. You’ll see the title of all my resources and how many people have read each one. (Most are free, the most expensive e-book is $4.99).

5. If you click on the title, you’ll be able to read the article and download it to your computer for future reference.

6. You’ll also be able to leave comments and ask me questions, which I’ll respond to.

7. I’ve also set up a “Group” (Irritable Male Syndrome and Male Menopause) that addresses these issues, and which I invite you to join. You can access it here.

What’s great about the group is that we can do a number of things together including the following:

You can read articles I’ve posted.
You can comment and ask questions.
I will post discussion topics where we can interact together.

You can even upload your own documents and resources to share with others.
If you find other useful resources on Scribd that you think the community would like we can add them to the resource section.

If this sounds interesting to you, I hope you’ll check it out. If you have problems getting connected on Scribd or have questions, let me know and I’ll try and answer them. E-mail me at: Jed@MenAlive.com

Introduction to Ayurvedic Medicine

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:45:11 PDT

As the world becomes more dangerous, new and more terrifying health conditions rear their ugly head at every juncture. Modern medicine often doesn’t seem to be up to the task of dealing with these diseases, which have root causes that may be nutritional, environmental, or even psychological.

Many people have started turning to the ancient ways of curing diseases, with herbal, natural, and Ayurvedic medicine. In this article, I will describe the principal tenets of Ayurvedic medicine so you can decide if it is right for you. As always, consult a doctor before embarking on a course of treatment on your own.

Ayurvedic medicine was first documented in the Vedas, the ancient texts that describe life in pre-colonial India. Ayurveda literally translates as “the science of life,” and remains an influential path of treatment in much of Southeast Asia to this day. The essential concept of Ayurvedic medicine teaches that the body is composed of seven principal substances, and a healthy individual maintains a balanced composition of three of those substances - vata (air), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm). This balance helps regulate metabolic and digestive rate and ensures continued health.

Many people make the mistake of considering Ayurvedic medicine to be a primitive, non-invasive form of medicine, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Documents of the practice reveal patients being operated on with a variety of surgical instruments to address illnesses such as bone fractures and intestinal blockages. However, most modern Ayurvedic treatments concern themselves more with the dietary, metabolic and physical conditioning aspect of the practice.

As with many alternative medicine practices, the scientific proof of Ayurvedic medicine’s effectiveness has yet to be revealed. Peer-reviewed studies have not provided an improvement outside of the common bounds of the placebo effect. However, some of the main herbs used in the composition of Ayurvedic medicines are being found to have legitimate health benefits – cardamom and cinnamon, for example, can stimulate the production of digestive enzymes. Turmeric and its chemical derivative curcurmin are used in many places as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent.

If you are currently considering a treatment of Ayurvedic therapy, there are a few health and safety concerns to be aware of. A recent study revealed that up to 20% of Ayurvedic medicines are potentially contaminated with noticeable amounts of heavy metals and other minerals. There are serious toxicity risks involved with consuming these metals, so please make sure that your supplier and practitioner can assure you that your supplements are pure.

Women's Hair Loss

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:06:02 PDT

For the longest time, I thought I was dealing with women’s hair loss because I would find what looked like gobs of hair in my brush when I brushed my hair each day. It seemed like a huge amount of hair, but as time went on, I realized that it must not be as much as I thought because I have thick hair and it remains that way. There is no thinning or balding to be found. I wondered how I could lose so much hair without finding a bald spot or two, so I did a little research.

As it turns out, we lose hundreds of hairs each day. To lose one or two hundred hairs a day is normal women’s hair loss. That is completely normal, but for most people, it is something that happens without notice. I notice my hair because it is blond and very curly. The pieces that fall out stay caught in the curls, and they all come out at once when I brush. Otherwise, I might not even notice what was going on. I do not have abnormal women’s hair loss, but that doesn’t mean there are not women who do.

Women’s hair loss becomes a problem when you notice thinning and/or bald spots. This might be something you want to talk to your doctor about. While we are use to men losing hair, it is not as common in women. In many cases, women’s hair loss signals something more serious going on. There could be an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed. Women who have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) have a tendency to lose hair.

There are other things that can cause women’s hair loss, and if this is happening to you at an age younger than fifty or sixty, you may want to make sure there is no underlying cause. It might be a disease that you have to take care of, and your women’s hair loss might just be one of many clues. Remember that some women’s hair loss is normal, but bald spots are not.

You may never notice when you are losing hairs, but you may know when it is getting worse with you when you spot more and more stray hairs falling out and lying around. Keep an eye on your brush, pillow, jackets, and your shower drain. If you find that the amount of hair you are losing seems to be much more than usual, have a visit with your doctor.

The Signs of Miscarraige

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:24:32 PDT

When you are trying to start or add to your family, you may or may not have a hard time conceiving. For some, this is the easy part. There are times when women have miscarriages of which they are not aware. Others know that they are having a miscarriage and it can be very hard for them to deal with it. If you know the signs of miscarriage, you can tell when you are having one, and then you know what you can do about it. You can not save that pregnancy, obviously, but it may help you keep a good one in the future.

What every woman should know before she starts thinking about the signs of miscarriage is that there is often a good reason why a miscarriage is going to happen. These are the ones that are natural and are actually for the best. At times, the body produces or rather releases a substandard egg. That egg may get fertilized, but it is not viable. That means you would have huge problems if that baby were to be born - if it made it that far. The body will have a miscarriage because of the bad egg. This does not mean there is anything wrong with the woman as it happens quite often. It’s a part of nature.

The signs of miscarriage in this case may not be important. When this type of miscarriage happens, it happens very quickly. In fact, the woman in question may not have had any idea that she was pregnant, and the miscarriage would seem like a normal period. If for some reasons she had tested and knew she was pregnant, the most obvious of the signs of miscarriage in this case would be spotting that starts near when the period would have been due or up to a week or two later. After that time, something else may be the issue.

Some miscarry a bit later on for reasons that can be avoided. The problem is that it may take a few of these miscarriages for the person to know they have a problem. One common thing could be that a woman has low progesterone levels. If that happens, the body has a hard time keeping the pregnancy intact and a miscarriage will happen. There are remedies, and if you have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) you should be aware that this is a possibility. Talk with your doctor about what you can do for this.

The signs of miscarriage can be hard to spot. Spotting is the most obvious, though not all spotting means a miscarriage. When the flow turns heavy, this usually means a miscarriage is in progress. Before that spotting begins, there are some signs of miscarriage that can be mistaken for signs of pregnancy, but are going to be more severe. A very dull but pronounced ache in the lower back and rather hard cramping are two of the most common. Some also find that their signs of pregnancy go away without warning.

Belly Dancing As Exercise

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:17:29 PDT

One of the latest crazes in exercise and losing weight is dancing. There are programs out there for almost any type of dance you can imagine, and it is tailored towards helping someone learn the basic moves so that they can get the exercise they need in a very fun way. The reason these are so successful is because they are so much more fun than sitting on a exercise bike or sweating away on an elliptical machine. Belly dancing is one of the more interesting types of dance you can do, and it goes a long way towards developing your core muscles.

You have probably seen belly dancing in movies if you have not seen it in person. Not matter how fit you may be, this dance is not as easy as it looks. In fact, if you take it up as exercise, you may find that you are very sore for a few days after your very first lesson. This works the core muscles in your torso that you use all day long, but it also hits many of the ones that you may not be using. That leads to you feeling like you can go all day long with belly dancing, but you end up feeling pretty beat up if you overdo it.

You don’t have to start out with a flat belly to do belly dancing, though many who are a little plump in that area don’t want be seen doing this type of dance in public. That is understandable, and is also why there are some good programs that you can get to use in your own home. You will have an instructor but it will not be as interactive as it would be if you were taking a real class. You should not worry though, as you don’t have to wear a skirt to do belly dancing if you won’t wish. You can wear what you want until you are comfortable with your own body.

If you aren’t sure that belly dancing is right for you, don’t sweat it too much. There are plenty of other types of dances that you can do for exercise, even if you make them up on your own. You can watch any type of dance and mimic what you see. You will find that you get a good workout if you push yourself. You may also find that you have more fun than you ever thought you could have while exercising, and that you want to make dance a permanent part of your daily exercise routine.

Aromatherapy for Oral Hygiene

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:08:45 PDT

Clove bud essential oil is used for the symptomatic relief of toothache: the oil is applied directly without pressure on the carious tooth with a small piece of cotton. It is also extensively used as a major component in preparations for the treatment of postextraction alveolitis (dry socket) and in dental cements and fillings.

Myrrh is reported to have astringent properties on mucous membranes as well as antimicrobial activities in vitro. It is used as an astringent in certain mouthwashes and gargles. Traditionally it has been used for bad breath, weak gums, gingivitis and loose teeth.

Encyclopedia of Common Natural IngredientsUsed in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics - Leung and Foster.

Other essential oils that have been used in this field include Ammi Visnaga, traditionally the plant has been used as toothpicks; Cardamom Ancient Egyptians used to chew on this to whiten their teeth and freshen their breath; Cinnamon for periodontal disease; Mastic combined with Myrrh for periodontal disease or combined with Spikenard as a tooth whitener; Tea Tree as a germicidal.

Vinegar has been used for dental hygiene for many years and has been found to be helpful in reducing bacterial plaque. You can use vinegar diluted down 1:1 with water or unsweetened Cranberry Juice as your mouthwash base and as with any mouthwash just swirl around and spit out. Don't swallow. Essential oils or hydrosols can certainly be used effectively in mouthwashesIf you choose to use essential oils as part of a mouth wash routine make sure that they are in a low dilution and don't swallow.

Oral Care Blend
First make up the blend and store in a dark bottle
5 parts tea tree
1 part cardamon
1 part clove
1 part fennel
1 part myrrh
1 part peppermint

Store in a dark bottle.

Add 1 drop of the blend to a glass of water, swirl around your mouth, and spit out. Don't swallow.

For more informationon aromatherapy contact
Beverley Hawkins
West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy
http://www.westcoastaromatherapy.com http://www.wciablog.com/http://www.deltamassagetherapy.com/

Dealing with Anxiety Attacks

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:27:48 PDT

If you have ever had a panic attack, you know that these are absolutely without a doubt no fun. In fact, they can make you feel as if you are about to die and you have no idea what is happening.

Even if you have gone through a string of them, you may still have no idea that one is coming on. Once you have had one, dealing with panic attacks is not going to be easy, but if you pay attention, there are some things you can do when you feel another coming up - once you realize you are prone to them, of course.

Before you get begin dealing with panic attacks, you have to know what they are. There are many definitions, but one way you can look at it is rather simple and can be helpful when you feel another one forming. Your body is having a physical reaction to an irrational fear that is overcoming your mind. You may know your fear is irrational, but that does not stop it from happening. That does not make you crazy either, as some people fear. If you understand that when dealing with panic attacks, you can get them to stop much more quickly, or you can stop them from happening all together.

You have to think about triggers when you are dealing with panic attacks. There is always something that triggers you to have one, but you may not know what that is and why it bothers you so much. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to write down where you are, what you were thinking, what you saw, and how you felt right before you had your attack. If you do this for a few times, you are going to find dealing with panic attacks is easier. You will be able to go back through your notes and pick out what was constant with each one.

I know that dealing with panic attacks is hard because I have gone through periods of them twice in my life. The first was life circumstances as a whole, which I got over by making some changes, and the other was one specific thing that happened. Each time when I got to the root of why they were happening, dealing with panic attacks was much easier. I knew what triggered them and how the early physical feelings were going to affect me. I haven’t stopped them, but they do not scare me as much because I know why they are happening.

You can do the above to help with handling panic attacks, but you may not be able to stop them on your own. You may need help, and that is okay. Even when you are sure that you know why you are having them, and you can predict when they are going to happen, you may not be able to stop them and you may not handle them as well as you wish you could. They can be downright frightening, even when you know what they are. Don’t be afraid to get some books to help you out, or to find a good doctor that might know about dealing with panic attacks and what you can help you right away.

Pure Intimacy wins best small business at the WEBAs

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:33:55 PDT

Women in Ethical Business Awards say Yes to changing women’s lives from the inside

The women behind the world’s purest intimate lubricants are celebrating this week, having won a prestigious award recognising true entrepreneurs who are blazing a trail for doing business in a way that benefits people and the environment.

Yes Pure Intimacy founders Sarah Brooks and Susi Lennox received the winning prize in the Small Business category at the Triodos Women in Ethical Business Awards (WEBA) in association with The Times. The Awards celebrate the best of ethical business and the inspiring women driving it.

Sarah and Susi set up Yes Pure Intimacy to create the world’s purest intimate lubricants and moisturisers using pioneering plant-based formulations. They have been responsible for every aspect of the company’s operation, from designing and formulating the products to handling marketing and sales.

Sarah and Susi said “We are euphoric about winning this high profile WEBA, sponsored by Ecover. It justifies our commitment to not compromising our ethics, will make a real difference to our business and confirms the importance of our mission to ‘change the world from the inside’.”

Yes lubricants have helped to restore the sex lives of thousands of women whose bodies stopped responding in the way they used to as a result of hormonal changes related to menopause, stress, pregnancy, medication or one of many other causes.

Susi continues: “This national award endorses our achievement in dignifying and elevating the category of intimate lubricants. It will help to raise awareness of Yes Pure Intimacy and empower women to make choices about using organic plant based products, rather than those containing synthetic chemicals, skin irritants and hormones. The heartfelt and moving feedback we receive from our customers across the world, confirms that we are putting the smile back on their faces, and improving the quality of their intimate lives.”

In today’s challenging economic climate, this inspirational business is expanding: Yes Pure Intimacy now exports to more than 44 countries, including 200 stores in Australia and New Zealand. They are breaking new ground in Japan where Yes will be the first product of its type to be made available in five star hotels.

Yes Pure Intimacy is also enjoying increased success closer to home, where products are stocked by independent pharmacies and health food stores, including Holland & Barrett, Whole Foods Market and Fresh & Wild, and can also be bought directly from the website at http://www.yesyesyes.org/.

Sue Cooper from Triodos Bank added, “We are delighted to reward the hard work of the remarkable women behind Yes Pure Intimacy. Everyone profits from the work of Yes and the other inspiring enterprises highlighted through the Awards, because they’re as focused on their impact on people and the planet as the money they make”.

Drug Free Alternative for Menopause Symptom Relief

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:31:15 PDT

A growing number of women are taking responsibility for their health during menopause in a DRUG FREE and NATURAL way that does not involve taking prescription drugs for something that is perfectly normal and natural in a woman’s life.

LadyCare is a discreet, but powerful, non-invasive magnetic device that simply attaches to the front of your under garment. Its patented static magnetic technology is backed by an Extensive National Consumer Surveys and years of successful use by over 250,000 women across the world in countries like Great Britain, Ireland, France, Norway, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, USA and many more. It is available in many pharmacies plus….Harrods of London.

LadyCare is believed to stimulate blood flow – thereby improving the body's ability to self heal and restore natural hormone balance.

Users of LadyCare have reported:
Less hot flashes
Decrease in night sweats
Weight loss
Reduced bloating
More restful sleep
Improved confidence
Increased energy
Enhanced libido

“Most symptoms were reduced and the results were significant. There is no doubt that menopause can be a challenging time both psychologically and physically for many women. I would be bold enough to say that the LadyCare device referenced here, may prove to be one of the greatest natural solutions for the alleviation of menopause symptoms”.

Dr Nyjon Eccles BSc MBBS MRCP PhD. Harley Street, London.

* Harley Street enjoys a worldwide reputation as a center for private medical excellence and technological advancement.

http://www.ladycareusa.com/images/reduction.gif

http://www.ladycareusa.com/

Caring for Elderly Parents

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:32:43 PDT

It can be a rewarding mission, a two-way street filled with joy!

When your parents grow old and are no longer able to adequately take care of themselves, there are a number of ways to deal with this natural development of aging. Too often, their grown children opt for a nursing home solution, even when they know their parents would prefer to stay in their own home, or perhaps move in with you. It's easy to rationalize this choice. Some kids of aging parents feel they're not qualified to give the proper time and care required in caring for elderly parents. Others feel that such an arrangement will eventually result in discordant relations among family members, or that their own hectic schedules will become unmanageably disrupted. What most people in this position fail to realize is that, instead of being a burden, caring for elderly parents can be a wonderful blessing.

Many children of the elderly also end up feeling guilty, believing they just don't really want to provide the necessary care. In fact, it's usually more a case of feeling fearful. After all, your parents raised and nurtured you until adulthood, continuing to provide support, good advice, a shoulder to cry on and sharing the good times long after you were out of the nest. Now, it's your turn to give some of that nurturing back.

If you feel beset by fears of caring for elderly parents, which is typically the basis of any reluctance to take on this responsibility, here are a few facts you should know.

First, as for being able to provide competent care, there are many avenues by which you can become educated in care giving for the elderly. Your first stop should be at your parent's doctors office. Make an appointment to discuss the sort of care the doctor feels your parent needs. Ask about community-sponsored classes in care giving as well as caregiver support groups. Such venues can boost your confidence tremendously and acquaint you with common problems encountered in a care giving environment. You might also investigate online support groups and forums which focus on caring for elderly parents. You'll learn everything you need to competently and compassionately provide care for seniors.

If you fear that having your parent move in with you will disrupt your family life, schedule and activities, think again. Elderly people still enjoy their privacy, too and likely have a circle of friends they remain in contact with and arrange outings, visits and activities on a regular basis. They want to maintain an independent life of their own as well. It's just that, at this point in their life, they need to rely on you to do certain tasks they're no longer capable of performing for themselves. Perhaps you need to remind them to take medications, drive them to doctor's appointments, or help them in and out of the bath.

One most important element of caring for elderly parents is giving them a sense of a warm and loving environment. Sitting with the family at dinner helps ward off loneliness, creating a sense of belonging, which a nursing home, no matter how lovely, simply doesn't provide. Remember how enjoyable it was for you, as a child, to share conversation and laughter around the kitchen table? Don't make the mistake of thinking that your parents have now outgrown this simple pleasure.

When you are caring for elderly parents, you'll soon see that the arrangement is a two-way street. You'll derive as much pleasure as they, recalling times past, reviving old, but pleasant memories. You may also be surprised to learn about your parents' younger years, events and thoughts they never previously discussed. Indeed, you may find their lives to be fascinating, in a way you never imagined, when your Mom was always busy cooking, cleaning, helping you with your homework and dispensing love galore. Dad might have been always working, but also managed to squeeze in a ball game and grill your dates for suitability.

Caring for elderly parents is a wonderful opportunity for you to get to know your parents in a fuller, richer way. Embrace this blessing! The rewards may well astonish you.

Smart choices for a colesterol reducing diet

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:28:26 PDT

We all know that too-high cholesterol levels spells trouble for your heart health, especially during menopause. If your doctor has advised you of a high cholesterol condition, it's wise to take immediate steps to bring those numbers down. While there are cholesterol lowering medications you can take, there's so much you can do to accomplish your objective through dietary changes.

Here are some of the best cholesterol reducing foods, herbs and spices to work into your cholesterol reducing diet program. Including plentiful amounts of these foods and nutrients can whip those numbers into shape within as little as three months. These healthy dietary inclusions also offer an array of other benefits to your general health. Let's take a look.

Garlic is a top notch ingredient for any cholesterol reducing diet program.

Many studies have found garlic equally effective in reducing cholesterol readings, when compared with pharmaceutical medications. Garlic also lowers your blood pressure, is an anti-cancer agent and effectively wards off colds and flus by enhancing your immune system response. Garlic is also a natural antibiotic, proven effective against 27 specific pathogens, including streptococcus. Douse your salads and entrees with garlic and save some cash on the meds!

An apple or two a day is another smart choice for your cholesterol reducing diet plan. While lowering cholesterol, they're loaded with vitamin A, warding off cancer and those nasty colds. Replace that candy bar with an apple for a healthful snack.

When you make salads, use raw spinach instead of lettuce. Packed with antioxidants and fiber, you'll reduce your risk of cancer while getting those cholesterol numbers down. Fresh spinach is most effective. You can add a side of lightly steamed spinach as a side dish to an entree of cold water fish, such as salmon, for a power dinner of a cholesterol reducing diet menu. A sprinkling of garlic in your meal certainly doesn't hurt!

Dress that salad with olive oil. Olive oil dissolves cholesterol deposits and is certainly an essential in any cholesterol reducing diet program. Don't forget the garlic! Incidentally, olive oil is good for your nerves and digestion.

Make broccoli a frequent snack or side dish. Pair raw broccoli florets with a spinach dip and eat to your heart's content. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, you can protect your body from cancer while simultaneously reducing cholesterol. Broccoli is a great food for diabetics, regulating blood sugar levels.

Soy products significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels. Try substituting a glass of soy milk for your afternoon soda. Tofu is a chameleon food, taking on the flavor of any food or broth it accompanies. Soak some sliced, extra firm tofu in chicken broth and fry lightly. Combine in a chef's salad of spinach, garlic and mushrooms for a tasty treat and a premium cholesterol reducing diet dish. Soy is an undisputed anti-cancer agent as well.

Speaking of mushrooms, Shiitake mushrooms are a powerful addition to your cholesterol reducing diet plan. Available fresh or dried, not only do they reduce your cholesterol, but simultaneously reduce HBP and reduce your risk of cancer.
Make cold water fish a regular part of your cholesterol reducing diet.

Salmon, halibut, sea bass and tuna are all high in the Omega-3 fatty acids. While improving your cholesterol readings, you're decreasing cardiovascular risks, such as heart attacks by a whopping 50%!Explore curry recipes. Turmeric is the main ingredient, a spice which lowers cholesterol, aids digestion, reduces blood sugar levels, as well as your risk of cancer. If you suffer from arthritis, turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

It's interesting to note that foods which regulate cholesterol levels are most often potent anti-cancer agents. These foods are also easily combined into tasty recipes that make it easy to create a cholesterol reducing diet plan that's a pleasure to consume. Go for it!

Testosterone and Women

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:48:07 PDT

Review study shows many benefits and few risks with a commonsense approach to testosterone replacement for women.

Although sex drive or libido in women is multi-faceted, it’s often closely tied to testosterone levels, and a new review study from researchers at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, published in the journal Maturitas, shows that testosterone replacement can bring many health benefits and few risks.

Women with low testosterone often have little or no desire to have sex. Using testosterone replacement therapy may seem like an obvious solution, but some doctors and researchers have been concerned that supplemental testosterone may convert to estrogen and thus create an increased risk of breast and uterine (endometrial) cancers. There has also been concern that testosterone replacement may increase a woman’s risk of heart disease, because men have a higher overall risk for heart disease than women do.

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