Tag Archives: Adverse effect

Anxiety in Women

January 11, 2015

Low Testosterone and Anxiety in Women

AnxietyIn the body of a woman, there are hormones that are charged with very crucial functions. The most dominant hormones in the body of a woman are the estrogen and the progesterone hormones. These hormones control many aspects of a woman’s life especially the estrogen hormone which is available in the bodies of women in high levels than any other hormone. These hormones are even responsible for the way a woman looks; their skin glow and even how they age. However there is another hormone that also plays vital roles in the body of a woman yet not so dominant in their bodies. This hormone; testosterone is popular for all its much needed sexual functions that are always associated with men. In fact it is more dominant in men, where it is produced in higher levels in the testes but it is also available in women though in low quantities yet it has just as vital roles in the body of women as in the bodies of men.

Many people still think that testosterone has only one function which is to ensure a good sexual performance but the reality is that testosterone has far more functions that together make your life what it ought to be. So, to the many people who think that deficiency in testosterone hormone can only affect your sexual life, it’s time to think again. The reality is that this hormone has very many roles beyond ensuring a healthy sex life. The testosterone hormone is also crucial in production of red blood cells. This hormone also helps in distribution of fats in the body parts, increasing muscle mass, improving bone mineral density and even regulation of moods in a person. A major symptom of those suffering flooring testosterone levels is low moods.

Testosterone is derived from cholesterol just like all the known sex hormones and is a steroid belonging to the androgen group. DHEA is the immediate precursor to testosterone. Testosterone is mostly identified with males and this might not be so inappropriate (though it is) since it is in males where it is produced as a dominating hormone. This hormone is also produced in females. In the body of females this vital hormone is produced in the ovaries and the adrenal glands. The ovaries function to help produce testosterone even after menopause. This therefore means that women who have their ovaries removed are at significant risk for decreased testosterone levels and the subsequent symptoms associated with it.

Functions of testosterone in females

In women the testosterone hormone has very many functions. Just like in men, it is important for bone strength and development of lean muscle mass and strength in women too. Testosterone also contributes to overall sense of well-being and energy level. It is best known for its crucial role is a woman’s sex drive or libido. Without this hormone, women suffer low sex drive. More specifically, testosterone in women is responsible for the sensitivity of a woman’s nipples and clitoris associated with sexual pleasure. Testosterone not only enhances the sexual mood of a woman, but the experience as well. Just like in men it is also responsible for good moods in women.

However, just like other hormones as a woman is approaching menopause the production of testosterone in the ovaries will decline by at least 50%. Hysterectomy with or without removal of the ovaries will cause a more significant decline in testosterone levels. Also, high levels of stress can divert the precursors for testosterone hormone production in women over to cortisol production and create a further reduction. High stress levels can also contribute to symptoms earlier in the perimenopause when a woman is in her late thirties or early forties. This means less energy, brittle hair, less bone and muscle strength, and a diminished sexual drive. A hysterectomy and some prescription drugs can also result in lower levels of testosterone for women.

Testosterone and anxiety in women

Anxiety is one of the common health disorders. In the past it has never been easy dealing with this problem. However, scientists now know that a person’s genetics and current physical health can play a very significant role in both the development of anxiety and how it manifests. For instance, it’s known that low levels of serotonin, which is a common neurotransmitter, may lead to anxiety and depression, which is why drugs that improve the flow of serotonin are prescribed for anxiety.

AnxietyHormones have also been found to play a significant role in anxiety development. Those that feel as though their anxieties appeared over time despite effective coping strategies and a high overall quality of life may be suffering from hormonal anxiety, caused by any number of problems with hormone balance.

Anxiety is essentially a mental stress and since there are hormones that are associated with moods and stress, a fall in their level will give rise to anxiety. However cortisol which is a stress hormone may also cause anxiety when it is released in excessively higher levels. Testosterone which is known to many as a sex hormone has a purpose to quell anxiety. Studies have shown that women mostly suffer anxiety when the production of testosterone is suppressed. There have been studies on mice that have since confirmed that a drop in the levels of testosterone may cause anxiety in women.

Low Testosterone and Anxiety in Women

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Hormones Linked to Sugar Addiction

January 11, 2015

Low Estrogen, Low Testosterone, Low Progesterone Cause Sugar Addiction

Sugar addictionThe hormones above are very crucial in our bodies but most of their functions are unknown to many people. Recently, researchers have been able to point out the relationships between these hormones and sugar addiction.

Low Testosterone and Sugar addiction

Low testosterone has been found to be a cause of Insulin resistance. Even a slight amount of insulin resistance keeps your body from managing blood sugar levels normally. When there is insulin resistance, it means that the glucose that you get from foods like carbohydrates that should give your cells instant energy is blocked from entering the cells. The cells therefore become starved leading to uncontrollable craving for sugar. Low testosterone in men induces insulin resistance. Testosterone is needed in sugar metabolism, insulin regulation and fat metabolism therefore when the levels of testosterone are low then the cells will starve and this will lead to a person becoming addicted to sugary substances.

Estrogens and Progesterone linked to sugar addiction

Estrogens are hormones that play important roles in matters of sexual and reproductive development in women. In most cases they are referred to as female sex hormones. Estrogen refers to all of the chemically similar hormones in the women which are estrone, estradiol and estriol. Contrary to what many people think estrogen and progesterone hormones play other crucial roles other than the sexual purpose that they are well known for. Apart from their sexual purpose they can also be useful in performing the following purposes that are equally crucial.

The estrogen hormone helps in fighting depression in women by boosting the levels of serotonin, a boost in the levels of serotonin improves the quality of sleep. Estrogen also increases GABA which are crucial as they help in calming the neurotransmitters.

Another crucial function of the estrogen hormones is that they responsible for good mood in women. They increase the levels of endorphins that help women to feel good. When the levels of estrogen go down the feelings of sadness and hopelessness will find their way in a woman and therefore it is necessary for a woman to stress free.

Estrogen hormone is also very important in bone formation and strengthening, it works with vitamin D and other mineral calcium in developing bones that are strong enough. As the level of estrogen declines women will begin to have weak bones and that explains why women in menopause are most likely to suffer osteoporosis.

Estrogen hormone also plays a role in blood clotting, maintaining the strength and thickness of the vaginal wall and the urethral lining, vaginal lubrication and a host of other bodily functions. It affects skin, hair, mucous membranes and the pelvic muscles. The hormone also affects the brain and literally estrogen rules a woman’s life.

Just like estrogen Progesterone also plays very crucial roles in our lives. This hormone is present in both men and women but it is more dominant in women than in men. This hormone helps in promoting healthy sleep, it also balances the levels of estrogen in the body. Progesterone has a natural calming effect and is a natural diuretic and antidepressant. When the levels of progesterone drop it will cause insomnia and lead to bad moods as well.

These hormones are produced in the ovaries and are available in the highest levels in women at puberty but may also be produced in lower levels in fat cells and the adrenal glands. During menopause the production of these hormones stops and that explains why women in menopause have lower levels of estrogen.

Some women will feel sugar cravings escalating in perimenopause periods in their forties, this may be caused by a fall in the levels of estrogen and progesterone and estrogen levels. On DR. Oz show Jacob Teitelbaum, MD opines that earlier in a woman’s life the cravings for sugar are likely to manifest as premenstrual syndrome. This is often associated with lower levels of progesterone and estrogen in them that may be accompanied by severe irritability that happens in during the periods. In his article he explains that when a woman hits mid-forties the levels of estrogen will drop. The drop in estrogen and progesterone causes deficiency of the hormones in the body and this causes increased craving for sugar. Other symptoms of low progesterone and estrogen fatigue, moodiness and insomnia as well as decreased vaginal lubrication.

According to Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, it is not only progesterone and estrogen deficiency that causes increased craving for sugar but testosterone deficiency associated with andropause can also cause sugar craving along with other severe problems in men. Depression, decreased libido, decreased erectile function, high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes or high cholesterol can suggest testosterone deficiency. This problem can be solved by supplementing testosterone.

He reveals that blood testing for hormonal deficiency may not reveal the problem when still mild and manageable, it can only work in severe conditions that will leave a person debilitated for long time. He advises that it is very essential to eliminate sugar addiction that is caused by estrogen, progesterone or testosterone.

Treating Sugar addiction

There are natural therapies that can be used in restoring the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body and calm the sugar craving and break the addiction. These natural therapies may include edamane and black cohosh also known as remifemin, they are very effective in treating estrogen deficiency syndrome more effectively and naturally. In case the drop in level is more severe then prescription of natural bioidentical hormones can help.

Sugar addictionDr. Teitelbaum advices that using non-bioidentical hormones may not to be so safe and therefore encourages the use of the natural bioidentical hormones to help patients with low estrogen and progesterone levels hence break their sugar addiction and stop the craving. He advises that post menstrual syndromes characterized by increased sugar craving can be greatly reduced by taking vitamin B6 200 mg a day, magnesium 200 mg a day, and Evening Primrose oil 3,000 mg a day for 3 months. Then the dose can often be lowered. Bioidentical progesterone can also help in severe cases that persist after three months of the nutritional treatments above.

When you use the natural bioidentical hormones, your metabolism will be improved and your cravings for sugar will stop. With improved metabolism you will reap additional benefits like loss of weight hence a more satisfying life. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is committed to availing integrative care to all addicts call on her at Myrtle beach, South Carolina for help.

Low Estrogen, Low Testosterone, Low Progesterone Cause Sugar Addiction

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Food Allergies Causing Weight Gain?

January 8, 2015

Food Allergies and Weight Gain

The digestive system plays an important role in our bodies. When something goes wrong with the digestive system, the whole body is seizes to function normally. When food is digested well, it gives you the energy to continue with day to day activities.

The digestive system and weight gain go hand in hand. Your digestion might be responsible for that additional weight you are experiencing. This is hard to believe but it is true. Food allergies affect your digestive system and this may be causing you to gain extra pounds.

Food allergies vary form one person to another. Some people are allergic to proteins like peanuts or meat. Weight gain comes in when the digestive system is dysfunctional. How? You may wonder.

Normally what you eat determines how your body reacts to it. It is common belief that only fats, sugars and carbohydrates contribute to excessive weight gain. So what do people do? They cut out their intake of these foods.

What you don’t know is maybe your gaining weight is not associated with your intake of carbohydrates or fats. If you have food allergies and you are noticing a change in your weight that may be the cause. Weight gain just like food allergies is very frustrating to live with.

Food Allergies

The Food Allergies Question

The connection between food allergies and weight gain is associated with the functioning of different systems in the body. I am talking about an association of the gut, detoxification system, immune system and hormones. All these are connected and work together for normal body functioning. When it comes to allergies they all play a part in enhancing weight gain.

Food allergies are causatives for inflammation. The relationship between inflammation, food allergies and weight gain is indispensable. Inflammation leads to the hormone that controls weight becoming less effective. This is what causes weight gain.

Not all people with food allergies will become fat. Others tend to lose weight because their food allergies mess up their digestive systems. This has impact on nutrition.

On the other hand people whose food allergies impact on their organs and not the digestive system are likely to be candidates of weight gain as a result of inflammation.

Sometimes inflammation manifests itself clearly. In this case you will experience signs such as pain, redness, sudden warmth among others. Like those people who experience soreness when they eat certain foods such as peanuts. Chronic inflammation on the other hand occurs silently and you can’t notice inflammation.

In case you are already obese, you may not realize that you are having silent inflammation. As we continue adding weight, the body does not reciprocate by adding more fat cells. This is because the fat cells in the body have already increased in size due to deposit of fat in them. The fat then leaks out due to too much stretching.

The body then produces macrophages which are immune related cells to clean up the fat that has leaked out. These cells produce inflammatory chemical substances which have an impact on overweight.

The food you eat may be the source of these inflammations leading to allergic reactions. The inflammation leads to weight gain. Some foods may cause bloating which is also a cause of weight gain. This is caused by the thriving of bad bacteria in the gut which could cause the good bacteria not to function properly to cater for nutrition functions and optimum body functioning.

Food Allergies

The Diet Question

The diet you are taking may contains some food which cause allergies. Silent allergies occur without you knowing. This means you might be taking foods which are causing an allergic reaction in your body but you don’t know. On the other hand some allergic reactions may manifest themselves openly. So what do you do to deal with weight loss when having food allergies?

Cut out the suspects: Some foods automatically cause allergic reactions. Some people react in a certain way to some foods. Health experts advise on cutting out your intake of such foods for at least six weeks. Some common food allergens include peanuts, gluten, eggs, yeast, dairy and corn. Try cutting these out from your diet for some time. Studies show that weight loss will occur if you cut out these foods.

Avoid intake of polished foods: some bacteria survive in the gut. Both good and bad bacteria can affect the gut causing bloating. Eating whole meals and a diet rich in fiber will ensure the good bacteria are able to carry out their functions as they should.

Take a daily dose of probiotics: the work of probiotics is to boost the healthy bacteria thriving in the gut. When this happens they are able to boost nutrition.

At AwareMed we believe that healthy is wealth. The expertise of Dr. Dalal Akouri has led to many patients finding home and consolation in her health and awareness tips that she provides them. She has wide experience on this topic and more. To get her advice just visit www.awaremednetwork.com.

Food Allergies and Weight Gain

 

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Skin Irritants: How to Get that Glowing Look

January 6, 2015

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look – Prevention & Treatment of Irritants

Fighting Common Skin Irritants

Fighting common skin Irritants for a glowing facial look. And once you’re no longer exposed to the irritant or allergen, redness usually vanishes.

The beauty of the skin can easily be affected by a simple skin irritation and the sooner we get to serious business of fighting common skin irritants the better for a glowing and radiant looking skin. It is important to note that individuals with sensitive skin can easily trigger an irritation even by changing the kind of soap they use leading to an outbreak of redness, stinging and itching. Things that cause skin irritations are all around us even in our homes. In fact our homes harbor most of these common skin irritants including triple-antibiotic ointments, bandage adhesives, and jewelry that contains metals such as nickel. When your skin becomes inflamed after coming in contact with one of these substances or many more the condition is called contact dermatitis. People with sensitive skin can get two types of this condition:

Irrespective of the kind of dermatitis you’re suffering from doctor Akoury will be there to help you get well as well as fighting other common skin irritants for a glowing look.

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look: Irritant Contact Dermatitis

This form of skin irritants is the most common one affecting about 80% of all reported cases. Like for instance when your skin get into contact with an irritating substance, you’ll often get a reaction that resembles a burn with red, chapped, and dry skin. This skin reaction tends to be more painful than itchy. Skin irritants contact dermatitis is naturally triggered by common substances we are exposed to in our day today life like:

  • Strong soaps
  • Acetone in nail polish removers
  • Drain cleaners
  • Acids
  • Detergents
  • Plants

How this affects vary depending on the sensitivity of individual patients skin. Individuals with high skin sensitivity can develop irritation from even mild soaps and detergents they use regularly. Besides that doing house activities where your skin can be exposed to cleaning products like detergents and waxes, this can wear down the protective barriers of your skin making your skin to be vulnerable for an attack by all these irritants. Typical irritant contact dermatitis symptoms include:

  • Dry, cracked skin
  • Mild skin swelling
  • Blisters or painful ulcers on the skin
  • Stiff, tight-feeling skin

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look: Allergic Contact Dermatitis

This less common form is a true allergic reaction. In allergic contact dermatitis, the immune system responds to a substance that touches the skin. You can become allergic to the substance after one exposure or many. In fact, people can be exposed to a substance for long periods, even years, before developing an allergy. Common sources of allergic contact dermatitis include:

  • Fragrances
  • Preservatives
  • Cosmetics
  • Poison ivy
  • Topical antibiotics
  • Rubber or latex
  • Metals in jewelry, such as nickel

Some people are also allergic to over-the-counter topical triple-antibiotic ointments. All told, thousands of substances can cause allergic dermatitis. When a person who has become sensitized to an allergen becomes exposed by touching the substance, symptoms, such as itching and skin inflammation, are often delayed. They can show up anywhere from a few hours to as many as four days after contact. Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include:

  • Reddened skin
  • Darkened, leathery, cracked skin
  • Dry, scaly patches of skin
  • Burning or intense itching
  • Blisters that ooze
  • Hives
  • Sun sensitivity
  • Swelling in the eyes, face or genital area

In addition, some people get a form called photo allergic contact dermatitis. This type happens only after the skin touches certain substances and then comes in contact with sunlight. These substances may include:

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look: Finding the Source of Skin Irritnts

If you suspect that a certain product or substance is causing your dermatitis, avoid it and watch whether your rash improves.

But it’s not always easy to pinpoint a specific cause. For example, your eyelids may be chronically dry, red and flaky, but what’s to blame: your eye shadow, eyeliner, makeup remover, or overnight eye cream?

Sometimes, people have no clue at all — they get a rash, but they can’t recall the substances that have touched their skin. Or their facial skin becomes inflamed, leading them to suspect a face product. In fact, they might have unwittingly transferred a substance from their hands to their face. The substance doesn’t affect the hands, but the more sensitive facial skin will react.

If you can’t figure out the source of irritation, see a dermatologist. He or she will quiz you about your job, household chores, hobbies, drug and cosmetics use, and other factors in order to gain clues about the root of the problem.

Your doctor may also do testing. No test can be performed for irritant contact dermatitis. But your doctor may do patch testing to see if you’re sensitive to various types of allergens that are known to cause dermatitis. Small patches of these substances are placed on your skin for one to two days so that your doctor can check if a rash develops.

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look: Prevention & Treating Contact Dermatitis

To relieve itching, contact dermatitis is commonly treated with:

  • Oral or topical steroids
  • Oral antihistamines
  • Skin emollients
  • Oatmeal baths

Once you’re no longer exposed to the irritant or allergen, redness usually vanishes after a week. But itching, scaling, and temporary skin thickening may go on for days or weeks. You can also take steps to protect your sensitive skin from developing contact dermatitis. For example:

  • Once you’ve identified an offending substance, avoid it. Wear gloves or protective clothing to prevent exposing your skin to cleansers, weeds, and other substances during housework or yard work. If your skin makes contact, wash the substance off right away with soap and water.
  • Learn to recognize poison ivy and poison oak.
  • Use mild, unscented laundry detergent.
  • If you have sensitive facial skin, consider using gentle, soap-free, liquid cleansers. Or use a moisturizing soap that’s free of fragrance and dyes.
  • Don’t scrub your face vigorously with a rough washcloth or buff puff. Instead, cleanse gently and pat dry.
  • Avoid deodorant or antibacterial soaps.
  • Choose moisturizers, sunscreens, and cosmetics that are fragrance-free and don’t contain acids or botanical ingredients. Physical sun blocks that contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide are less likely to cause skin problems than chemical sunscreens.
  • Test cosmetics and personal care products before using. Apply a small amount of the new product twice a day to a small patch of skin near the inside of your elbow. If no irritation occurs in that spot after a week, you can try using the product.

Protect your skin by applying petroleum jelly or a thick, moisturizing cream two or three times a day. The objective of fighting common skin irritants may not be realized if the experts are not adequately involved. Therefore scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury an expert in skincare with over two decades experience of practice would be the starting point. The beauty of your skin is and must be your number one priority. Call doctor Akoury today for that very important appointment.

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look – Prevention & Treatment of Irritants

 

 

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Understanding Hot Flashes And It’s Treatment

December 28, 2014

Understanding Hot Flashes And It’s Treatment

hot-flashesHot flushes sometimes called hot flushes refer to a quick sensation of heat and sometimes a red, flushed face and sweating.  This is a common problem, however the exact cause of hot flashes is not known, but may be related to changes in circulation that take place during menopause. Hot flashes happen when the blood vessels near the skin’s surface dilate to cool. A woman may also sweat to cool down her body. And some women have a rapid heart rate or chills. Hot flashes with sweating can also happen at night. These are called night sweats and may make it harder to sleep. Hot flushes may also be accompanied by a red neck. When affected the period that it takes to ease vary among women who are going through menopause. In some women the hot flashes may disappear after a week while in other women it will affect them for life. Hot flashes become less severe as time goes on.

 Symptoms of Hot Flashes in Women

Women may suffer the following symptoms when hit by hot flashes

The frequency of hot flashes varies; sometimes you may have many hot flushes in a day while in other times you will have few hot flashes that may subside after few minutes. Though they can affect you during the day, they are more common in the night. When a person is affected by a hot flush it may take more than a year but most hot flashes will stop on their own within five years. Though hot flashes can subside on their own it is important to seek medical help if the symptoms become too severe.

Causes of Hot Flashes in Women

The exact cause of hot flashes in women has never been known. Not every decline in hormones results in hot flashes. It is also true that some women can go through menopause without suffering from hot flashes. However here are some factors that have been thought to have a great bearing on the cause of hot flashes.

Medications and Foods

When a drug or a type of food is introduced to the body the body will react to it in a way. There are some drugs and foods that are thought to induce hot flashes. These medications may include raloxifene (Evista) and tamoxifen (Tamoxifen and Nolvadex). There are some drugs that may also produce effects that mimic hot flashes. Spices used in preparing foods like peppers can also induce feelings similar to menopause induce hot flashes.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are some of the emotional causes of hot flashes. In reaction to external stimuli the body may release the stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which pump up blood flow and produce a warming sensation throughout the body. External stimuli such as migraine may cause heat that spreads all over your face.

Changes in hormonal balance

A change in hormonal surroundings may cause hot flashes even if it is not related to menopause. It is believed that hypothalamus plays a bigger role in occurrence of hot flashes. This is because it is the part of brain that deals with the body temperatures therefore any conditions that affects the hypothalamus can result in abnormal rise in temperatures such as hot flashes.

hot-flashes-symptoms

Other risks associated with hot flashes include;

  • Women who smoke are more likely to get hot flashes.
  • A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher frequency of hot flashes.
  • Physical inactivity. If you don’t exercise, you may be more likely to have hot flashes during menopause.
  • More African-American women report menopausal hot flashes than do women of European descent. Hot flashes are less common in women of Japanese and Chinese descent than in white European women.
  • Alcohol- Alcohol may induce hot flashes in some people. Generally it is thought that using drugs of reaction may escalate the probability of hot flashes occurring.

Treatments for Hot Flashes in Women

There both orthodox as well as natural treatments for hot flashes. The natural treatment for hot flashes may include;

  • Evening primrose oil is a botanical herb that is often used to treat hot flashes, although there is no scientific evidence to support this. Side effects include nausea and diarrhea. Women taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, should not take evening primrose oil.
  • Although there is no scientific evidence to support using flaxseed, it is thought to decrease the symptoms of menopause, particularly hot flashes. It’s also known as linseed.
  • Soy products. Plant estrogens, found in soy products, are thought to have weak estrogen-like effects that may reduce hot flashes. Soy foods, not supplements, are recommended.
  • Black cohosh. Some studies suggest that black cohosh may be helpful in the very short term (6 months or less) for treating hot flashes and night sweats. Side effects include gastrointestinal upset.

Hot flashes are just some of the known symptoms that may trouble your life during menopause. Just like any other serious disease, it is necessary that you seek medical help. Contact Dr. Dalal Akoury an expert in natural therapies on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Understanding Hot Flashes And It’s Treatment

 

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