Vitality - Spring 2013 - (Page 7)

THE RUMOR: Menopause means the end of everything. THE RUMOR: There’s nothing I can do to cope with menopause. THE REALITY: Being on top of your health will make a difference. “What’s important is a healthy lifestyle, which is what we know all through life,” McCray says. “Take a look—are you at the weight and fitness level where you want to be? If not, start to make changes toward that goal.” Also, sleeping enough each night, maintaining strong social ties to others, and eating a variety of food sources can all help you be your healthiest. It can also give you a sense of control, says Amy, 51. “Taking charge of your general health by exercising and eating healthy foods is a way of feeling better both physically and mentally,” she says. “Eating well has been much more effective for me than the over-the-counter estrogen-like drugs.” Also, talk to your doctor for help. “You don’t get extra points for suffering,” Amy says. “If your doctor doesn’t listen or discounts what you are feeling, go see someone else.” THE REALITY: It’s not the end; it’s just the next step. “Don’t think of menopause as an illness,” says Nan, 65. “Don’t expect the worst. As with other life transitions, a positive attitude can carry a woman through.” Meditating, keeping active and laughing can help maintain good thoughts or reframe negative ones. Francine, 48, says she looks at the positive side of experiencing hot flashes. “I don’t need to carry a sweater or coat with me all the time,” she says. And as a mother of three, Francine also appreciates that her kids, now 7, 11 and 14, are older and a little more independent, so she can spend more time focusing on exercising and on strengthening her relationship with her husband. “I love not getting my period,” she says. “While I appreciate that I was extremely regular and planned my pregnancies, I’m done with that. I can get back to concentrating on my husband and my marriage. Kids take up attention. Menstruation takes up interest. Now I can relax again and enjoy.” THE RUMOR: Taking hormones is the only thing that will help me. THE REALITY: There are other ways to cope. Talk to your doctor about what prescription or over-the-counter medications can do for you, but also consider some nonmedical advice from women who have been there. “I found that hot flashes and alcohol consumption were related,” Nan says. “I gave up my daily glass of wine and had no hot flashes.” The effects of alcohol and hot flashes can be similar: Both have the effect of dilating blood vessels, making you feel warmer. Eating spicy food and being under a bright light can also prompt hot flashes. “People can try to modify their environments so they don’t feel the flashes,” McCray says. Others gear up before bed. “Keep a stack of cotton T-shirts by your bed for quick middle-of-the-night hot flash changes, along with a bottle of ice water, a couple of extra pillowcases and a towel,” Amy says. “All of this may sound nuts, but it helps make the annoyance of hot flashes easier to cope with,” she says. What About Fibroids? Fibroids are growths in the uterus that are noncancerous. They are common in women in their 30s and 40s, with nearly 80 percent of women by age 50 developing them. They can be painless, discovered through a vaginal exam or seen through imaging, or they can cause symptoms such as abdominal fullness, heavy or painful bleeding, or pain during sex, among other problems, according to the National Women’s Health Information Center. While some ﬁbroids shrink after menopause and become inactive, others may cause abnormal uterine bleeding postmenopause. “Some women do have bleeding after a year of no periods, and any bleeding after menopause should be discussed with your clinician,” says Catherine McCray, MD, boardcertiﬁed family practice physician with Dallas County Family Medical Center in Buffalo, Mo. McCray’s practice also includes obstetrics. ANSWERS TO YOUR TOUGHEST MENOPAUSE QUESTIONS From hormone therapy to night sweats to bone density, Tara Allmen, MD, provides accurate and up-to-date information on all facets of menopause and perimenopause. Find her videos at citizensmemorial.com/vitality, and click on “Menopause Questions.” 75 percent According to research published in the journal Menopause, nearly 75 percent of women say they had mild menopausal symptoms. The other 25 percent were bothered by issues such as hot ﬂashes, moodiness, mental fogginess, pain or sleep disruption. http://www.citizensmemorial.com/vitality

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vitality - Spring 2013

Vitality - Spring 2013
Contents
CMH News
Health Beat
Welcome to the Club
On Mended Knees
Tree of Life
Heart Smart
Q+A
Calendar of Events

Vitality - Spring 2013