Tag Archives: Hormone

Dihydroepiandrosterone Replacement, DHEA -The Mother of All Hormones

January 27, 2015

Dihydroepiandrosterone Replacement, DHEA -The Mother of All Hormones)

Dihydroepiandrosterone or as commonly referred to as DHEA is the most abundant hormone that occurs naturally in the human body. It is referred to as the mother of all hormones because it is responsible for all metabolisms in the body. The hormone is manufactured in the brain and adrenal glands.

The levels of DHEA are highest in the fetus stage and continue to increase until a person is at the age of 30. Afterward, the level begins to drop rapidly as the person continues to age.  This decline is the one that enhances the aging process. Studies show that by the time we are 70 the level of DHEA production reduces to around 10% less of what we used to produce when we were younger. The work of this hormone is to support as well as to regulate the functioning of other hormones in the immune system.

Dihydroepiandrosterone Replacement, DHEA

Given that DHEA is very critical for the normal functioning of other cells, if anything goes wrong with the hormone all other hormones are affected. If the level of DHEA declines, it means that its functions cease to balance. In this case, this imbalance brings about an imbalance of all other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol and testosterone. Hormonal imbalances lead to medical conditions like depression, low sex drive, and anxiety among others.

Facts about DHEA

DHEA is used by the body to produces sex hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, estrogen and cortisol. In addition to this, the hormone is also responsible in regulating the levels of insulin and cholesterol in the body. If the levels of insulin and cholesterol increase beyond normal, then there is bound to be inevitable damage in the body leading to health conditions like obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. It also decreases the risk of cancer and diabetes in addition to enhancing the immune system.  It also prevents the breast cancer in women in premenopausal stage and in men prostate cancer.

DHEA is probably the most important hormone in the body. It plays a crucial role in metabolism and is the foundation of sex hormones in both women and men. It is basically responsible for the normal functioning of our bodies. It is a precursor hormone which means that it is responsible for the production and normal functioning of other hormones in the body. It is surely the mother of all hormones because without it, the other hormones would be useless or they would not even exist.

DHEA is responsible for maintaining a balance in the metabolism process. It does this by enhancing loss of excess fats, increasing tissue mass, and enhancing formation of new bones as well as inhibiting their degeneration.

DHEADHEA replacement therapy is performed on patients with low levels of the hormone. When this level declines as we have seen the balance of other hormones is offset. Mostly patients will come in with symptoms of hormonal imbalances.  The test is performed by an expert who runs a couple of tests to find out the level of DHEA.  When done correctly, the replacement therapy helps restore the hormonal imbalance and reverses symptoms associated with this condition. When combined with the right diet and regular exercises, DHEA is crucial in restoring hormonal balance.

It is also effective in reversing conditions caused by hormonal imbalances such as impaired memory and concentration ability, loss of lean muscles, depression and reduced focus which most people take as conditions associated with old age and therefore inevitable.

Factors that may cause DHEA levels to decline

Diet: First of all our diet plays a major role in our well-being. What you eat translates to the health of your body.  Eating a balanced diet works miracles in preventing hormonal imbalances. Lack of exercise will also increase your chances or hormonal imbalance.

Toxics: toxic compounds such as pesticides and herbicides find their way into our body systems either through the food we eat or the water we drink. These compounds are known to offset hormonal imbalances like DHEA.

Stress: this is one of the major factors that may throw your hormones completely off balance. When DHEA is affected by stress that means that the production of cortisol that is supposed to help you deal with the situation is not produced efficiently.

Importance of adequate levels of DHEA

When the hormone DHEA is in adequate levels, it leads to restoration of lean muscles, improved memory, increased stamina, improves the fat ratio, increased testosterone levels, increased concentration and focus among others. All these functions make DHEA the ultimate mother of all hormones because it has direct effect on the production and functions of other hormones.

Find out more about DHEA by visiting www.awaremednetwork.com today. Get your healing through the expert advice of Dr. Akoury who has helped thousands of patients get back on their feet. She has years of experience in the field of medicine. AwareMed provides you with not only information about illnesses but we also help you solve them.

Dihydroepiandrosterone Replacement, DHEA -The Mother of All Hormones)

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Low T linked to Depression in Women

January 12, 2015

Low T Levels Causing Depression in Women

DepressionTestosterone is needed by the women just like men need it. In case of a drop in its level below the optimum a woman may experience such symptoms as Low libido, fatigue and depression among other symptoms of low testosterone in women. Of the many symptoms, depression is a call for concern as it leads to even other bigger problems. Depression leads even to suicide among other health risks that can be directly linked to it. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for muscle and bone development. Obviously males have a higher level of testosterone than women during adolescent years, which lead to a more muscular stature. This continues into adulthood and is the main reason why males have a bigger muscle mass than women. the fact that women have low testosterone levels as compared to men does not mean that they do not have much to do with the hormone, this hormone is crucial in the body of females and when the levels fall far below the optimum then the woman will suffer the symptoms already mentioned above.

Depression is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry. Researchers have found out the other factors contribute to the onset of depression, including genetics, changes in hormone levels, certain medical conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances. Any of these factors alone or in combination can precipitate changes in brain chemistry that lead to depression’s many symptoms. According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the most disabling disorders in the world, affecting roughly one in five women and one in ten men at some point in their lifetime. It is estimated that 21% of women and 12% of men in the U.S will experience an episode of depression at some point in their lifetime. These statistics show that depression is here with us and so we need to do much to save our women from its adverse effects.

Major causes of low testosterone

Low Progesterone Levels- when the levels of progesterone reduce then the levels of testosterone will also reduce. This is because it is progesterone that converts into androstenedione from which testosterone is produced. Therefore when there is an insufficient level of progesterone in the body then the production of testosterone will equally be insufficient. However as women approach menopause the production of progesterone hormone falls which in turn induces a fall in the production of testosterone hence this explains why women who are over 40 exhibit the symptoms of lower levels of testosterone fatigue and even depression.

Oral Contraceptive– there are contraceptives that causes low production of sex hormones in women. The contraceptives especially the oral contraceptives affect the production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Using oral contraceptives for a long time can alter the body’s ability to produce the sex hormones naturally leading to dwindling levels of testosterone in women. According to a study in the January 2006 issue of the “Journal of Sex Medicine,” women who used the pill may be exposed to long term problems with low testosterone. A protein called sex hormone binding globulin is found in the pill and binds with testosterone to stop it being used. Users of the pill have shown continued high levels of sex hormone binding globulin in their body after stopping use.

Age- naturally as a woman grows older the production of hormones become slowed, at menopause the ovaries will stop producing testosterone and even the adrenal glands will stop producing hormones that are often converted to testosterone and this leads to low testosterone levels.

Organ failure- just like any other organ of the body, the organs that are charged with responsibility of failure producing hormones like testosterone may fail to work properly. When the ovaries become dysfunctional which is often referred to us premature ovarian failure. This problem can also be caused by an illness such as cancer that results in removal of ovaries hence no more production of testosterone. The pituitary glands may also fail to regulate the amount of testosterone that is to be produced in case they malfunction.

Low T and depression in women

It is known fact that women suffer more often from depression than males and this is a clear indication that hormones might be involved in the etiology of this disorder. Low as well as high testosterone levels is related to depression and well-being in women, Lower levels are related to depression, osteoporosis, declining libido, dyspareunia and an increase in total body fat mass.

DepressionThere are also scenarios when the levels of androgens may be excess in the body of women. This is referred to as Hyperandrogenic. Its symptoms include hirsutism, acne and polycystic ovary syndrome. Through social research it has been suggested that high androgen levels cause aggressive behavior in men and women and as a consequence may cause depression. Higher androgen values are more pronounced at young ages and before and after delivery of a baby. It has also been found that depression in pubertal girls correlated best with an increase in testosterone levels in contrast to the common belief that environmental factors during the time of growing up might be responsible for mood swings in girls.

Dr. Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Center has dedicated her life to helping patients restore their lives by use of integrative medicine. She also holds many conferences in which she offers training on how integrative medicine can be used to fight addiction and mental disorders among other conditions. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Low T Levels Causing Depression in Women

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Low Testosterone Levels Causes Depression

January 12, 2015

Low Testosterone Levels Linked To Depression

low testosterone levelThe importance of hormones in our bodies can never be underestimated. The hormones are the chemical messengers that help our bodies to accomplish most of its functions. Without hormones, there is nothing that can be accomplished in our bodies, think of it as a chain that is cut in the middle, that means that the wheel cogs has nothing to hold onto so as to power the wheels to initiate movement. These chemical messengers travel in your bloodstream to tissues and organs. The hormones affect such crucial processes as growth and development, metabolism, Sexual function, Reproduction and Moods among other crucial functions.

In men the most dominant hormone is referred to as testosterone. This hormone is known to many as the sex hormone but in reality it has more than just function. It does much more. It is produced in the testes in men and it’s responsible for the physique of a man as it responsible for masculinity. It does other vital functions like production of red blood cells, increasing bone mineral density, distribution of fats in the body and even regulation of moods in men. Low testosterone denies a person a chance to enjoy some of the good feelings that are associated with optimum levels of this hormone. Those who have low testosterone levels suffer bad moods and may find it difficult maintaining relations in social circles.

Low testosterone levels may come as a result of age, as people grow the production of hormones become slowed. an aging person will exhibit symptoms of low testosterone levels and these may include; fatigue, hair loss, low moods, loss of muscle mass, increased body fats, decrease in bone mass, irritability, loss of focus and depression.

Low testosterone levels linked to Depression

In the past researchers have been able to establish the relationship between high levels of testosterone hormone to good feelings and reduction of chances of developing anxiety and depression. Researchers have also been able to link low testosterone levels to depression.

Today many men are suffering from symptoms of low testosterone levels, in the United States alone, the numbers of men who have fallen victims to depression have doubled the number of women suffering from the same. This can be attributed to the many roles that this hormone plays in men. Scientists have proved that maintaining an optimum level of testosterone hormone is an effective way of fighting depression. In a study that was published in 2005 in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, a team of researchers from the US Department of Veterans Affairs examined the connection between low testosterone levels and future depression risks in more than 700 men who were at least 50 years old. The report concluded that men aged below 50 years with low testosterone level were more likely to become depressed than men within the same age but have optimum level of testosterone hormone. The finding from this study is enough to tell prove the link between low testosterone levels to depression.

However this is not the only study that has established the connection between testosterone and depression. Another study that was published in 2003 in the American Journal of Psychiatry also examined the connection between these two phenomena. The research done by Harvard University worked with 56 men who had developed major anxiety and depression but had failed to respond to antidepressant treatments. The researchers found that 40 percent of the men had low testosterone levels.

How to treat depression caused by low testosterone levels

There might other ways of treating depression induced by low testosterone levels but the most common and effective method that has been used is to supplement the levels of testosterone. This is majorly done through the testosterone replacement therapy.

Testosterone replacement therapy is one of the most common solutions to depression induced by low testosterone levels. It only makes sense that when a person has low levels of testosterone then he ought to have the levels of testosterone in his body supplemented so that the normal levels can be restored.

Testosterone replacement therapy involves supplementation of testosterone in the body. This can be done in form of injections, pellets, patches or gel in order to treat conditions in which the testes do not produce enough testosterone. It is also available in IV forms. Just like the estrogen replacement therapy in women, this ought to be done by an expert as the dosage is important for better results and to mitigate on the side effects. This therefore cannot be done without the help of an expert. This therapy has been found to be effective in fighting hypogonadism and all other major symptoms associated with low testosterone levels. It is also good as it improves energy levels, perfect body mass, sex functions and muscle strength among other benefits.

Low testosterone levelAfter testosterone replacement therapy most depression patients break free from the bonds of depression. Depression is major problems that men deal with today. The number of men held victims by these two conditions increase rapidly with low testosterone levels being a major contributor to these conditions.

It can therefore be concluded that going for testosterone replacement therapy can help an individual fight against depression and restore good health in men.

Finally

Dr. Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Center has dedicated her life to helping patients restore their lives by use of integrative medicine. She also holds many conferences in which she offers training on how integrative medicine can be used to fight addiction among other conditions. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Low Testosterone Levels Linked To Depression

 

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

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

 

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

December 25, 2014

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)The estrogen hormone plays crucial roles in the life of a woman. Among other things this hormone is responsible for the maintenance of human skin. They improve collagen content and quality, increase skin thickness and improve blood supply to the skin, maintaining good moods in women. Estrogen has effects on other hormones too as it increases cortisol and Sex hormone binding globulin. Estrogens increase melanin and pheomelanin and reduce eumelanin.

The known basic roles of estrogen hormones in women is that it promotes the growth and health of the female reproductive organs and keeps the vagina moisturized, elastic and well supplied with blood. Moisturized vagina is safe for sex as it will not allow for bruises that may be a source of pain during sex. This hormone also makes the vagina elastic hence making it able to accommodate a good size of penis during intercourse without pain.  When this hormone declines all its functions will become unattended to making sex a rare practice for those in post menopause.

Despites its benefits, after menopause the ovaries of women stops producing certain hormones and this lead to lower levels of these hormones in the body. The hormones; progesterone, estrogen and testosterone plays certain crucial roles in the body of a woman.

The decline in the levels of this hormone leads to low sex drive among other problems. The person loses interest in sex and sexual intercourse becomes a once in a while indulgence as opposed to a regular activity that it was before menopause.

Low Estrogen Symptoms

Low estrogen levels are low moments for every woman. During this time women will suffer varied symptoms that lasts for varied length of time however few women will be able to know that they are suffering the symptoms as a result of decline in the levels of estrogen hormone. It is advisable that every woman should have her levels of estrogen hormone checked frequently to shun the chances of being debilitated by these symptoms. Symptoms of low estrogen hormones include the following

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Loss of libido
  • Mood swings
  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Anxiety
  • Thinning hair
  • Weight gain
  • Arthritis
  • Difficulty concentrating

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) 

During menopause the production of estrogen hormones stops but the need for estrogen hormone still stands therefore the need to supplement this crucial hormone sets in, besides with low levels of this hormone women suffer such symptoms as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis among other conditions. Going for estrogen replacement therapy may help fight against the symptoms of menopause in women.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy has helped many women to win fight against post menopause symptoms. Here are some benefits of Estrogen Replacement Therapy.

  • Help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis by slowing bone loss and promoting some increase in bone density.
  • Reduce the risk of dental problems, such as tooth loss and gum disease.
  • Maintain the lining of the vagina, reducing irritation.
  • Reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.
  • Improve moodiness and sleep problems related to hormone changes.
  • Increase skin collagen levels, which decline as estrogen levels decline. Collagen is responsible for the stretch in skin and muscle.

Risks associated with ERT

Despite its many benefits there are also risks associated with ERT. These risks may include;

  • Vaginal discharge.
  • Fluid retention.
  • Weight gain.
  • Breast tenderness.
  • Spots on skin may appear
  • In rare cases, an increased growth of preexisting uterine fibroids or a worsening of endometriosis.

Natural Estrogen Replacement

There are some risks associated with ERT, however the good news is that both diet and the right supplements provide some of the safest and most effective hormone balancing remedies. One of the favorite and best-researched foods for menopausal symptoms is flaxseed. Flaxseeds offer a high content of essential fatty acids and large quantities of a natural hormone-balancing substance known as lignins. Lignins are very potent anti-cancer agents for cancers that are hormone sensitive and extensive studies on both colon and breast cancer show that as little as 2 tablespoons per day is highly effective in reducing tumor growth. The best news of all: Lignins possess both anti-estrogen and estrogenic properties. With regard to menopausal symptoms, they are as effective as traditional HRT in lessening hot flashes and sweating. Grind up a couple of tablespoons a day and put it in your smoothie, yogurt, or cereal. You’ve then got one of the best sources for health, healing, and taking charge of your menopausal symptoms naturally.

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)

Another nature given remedy for low estrogen symptoms is the evening primrose oil, which is a source of GLA, an essential fatty acid has been found to be mostly helpful for getting rid of cramping, irritability, headaches, and water retention that are so common with PMS. But its benefits don’t just stop with PMS. It can also be used in a natural hormone replacement therapy in menopause. It works to suppress hot flashes and triggers the production of serotonin, the feel good hormone in the brain. Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and plain old dry skin are marvelously helped with evening primrose oil and other GLA-containing botanicals. It is one of the most potent inner and outer menopausal and skin care treatments known.

Dr. Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed wellness and resource center is an expert in integrative treatment and has helped many women fight menopause symptoms naturally. If you’re struggling with menopause or dealing with low estrogen symptoms like hot flashes, joint pain and depression, estrogen hormone replacement therapy (ERT) may be the answer. Please call (843) 213-1480 to contact her.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

  • Recent Posts

  • Blog Categories