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Vaginal Yeast Infection, or Bacterial Vaginosis? How do you tell the difference?

Posted by admin on April 19, 2012 None comments

Is it Bacterial Vaginosis, or is it a Vaginal Yeast Infection?
Almost all women have experienced these undesirable symptoms from time to time; smelly vaginal discharge, itching around the vaginal area, at times a burning sensation. So, how can we tell whether it is a vaginal yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, since both conditions have similar symptoms, yet require different medications to treat?

Vaginal Yeast Infection:
A yeast infection is a fungal infection. Yeast or Candida as it is referred to, is a fungus that is present in human skin, especially in moist areas such as the mouth and the vagina. All women have a small amount of yeast in the vaginal area; but when this amount of yeast increases substantially, you can get a yeast infection. Vaginal yeast infection is also known as Vaginal Candidiasis. It can be caused when the normal protective bacteria in the vagina are destroyed by antibiotics, or as a result of chemotherapy, or as a result of certain cortisone based medications, or oral contraceptives. It can be caused by eating large quantities of sugar. Badly controlled diabetes or having HIV/AIDS can lead to a yeast infection as well. And stress can also cause this infection. The most common symptom of a yeast infection is extreme itching around the vaginal area. This is accompanied by a thick discharge without any bad smell. A rash, swelling and burning in the vaginal area is quite common, along with pain while passing urine and during sex.
Yeast infections are treated with topical anti-fungal creams, and if necessary anti-fungal medicines that are to be taken orally. Anti-fungals used to treat a vaginal yeast infection include Clotrimazole (cream or oral), Miconazole (cream or oral), Terconazole (cream or oral), Fluconazole (oral), and Nystatin (oral).

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV):
Bacterial Vaginosis or BV is caused by bacteria. All healthy women have different kinds of bacteria and organisms in their vagina. Most of these are the ‘good’ bacteria, and some are ‘bad’. But when this balance is upset, and the bad bacteria become larger in number than the good, the result is Bacterial Vaginosis. It is not properly known what exactly causes BV. Any woman can get BV. Some of the things that can contribute towards an imbalance in the vaginal bacteria include using an IUD for birth control, douching, and having multiple sexual partners, or consecutively new partners. Many women who get BV may not have any signs or symptoms. Women with BV may have an extremely stinky vaginal discharge. It has a very strong fishy odour, especially after intercourse. Discharge if present is usually grey or white. BV may also cause itching around the vaginal area, and a burning sensation while passing urine.
Although BV can clear up without any treatment, it is always recommended that the condition be treated with medication to avoid further complications. Treatment is especially important for pregnant women, and for women undergoing a hysterectomy or an abortion. Since BV is a bacterial infection, it is treated with antibiotics. The two most commonly prescribed antibiotics are Metronidazole and Clindamycin. BV can recur even after treatment, and may need another course of antibiotics.

So, to sum up, while both Yeast Infections and Bacterial Vaginosis do have a lot of common symptoms, they are two different conditions requiring different kinds of treatment. Yeast Infections are caused by an overgrowth of yeast, which is a fungus, and are treated with anti-fungal medicines. BV on the other hand, is a bacterial infection and is treated with antibiotics. It is always important for a woman to have some knowledge of the issues affecting her health. After all, who knows your body as well as you do?

Hepsera can save your liver – and your life!

Posted by admin on April 9, 2012 None comments

Did you know that Hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer? Did you know that Hepatitis B is often called the ‘silent killer’ because it can cause liver damage without noticeable symptoms?
We all know about Hepatitis A which is spread through contamination of food and water by the Hepatitis A virus. And we have all heard about the dreaded Hepatitis C. But how much do we know about Hepatitis B, and what we can do to help treat this condition?

Hepatitis B is irritation and inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus. More than a million people die each year from this viral condition. It is spread through contact with the blood and bodily fluids of people infected with the Hepatitis B virus. It is also spread through blood transfusions with infected blood, sexual contact with an infected person, sharing needles for drug use, sharing needles for accupuncture and tattooing or instruments for dental work. This virus can also be passed into an infant during childbirth if the mother is infected.
If you get infected with the Hepatitis B virus, you may experience the symptoms immediately, be sick for a period of a few days or few weeks, or be extremely ill for a while. This is known as Acute Hepatitis. If your immune system is strong enough to fight off the virus, the symptoms will disappear within a few weeks or months. However, if your immune system cannot control the virus, you may have Chronic Hepatitis B. Chronic Hepatitis B may not show strong symptoms, but the virus will keep damaging the liver. Over time, this can lead to liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver and even cancer in the liver.

So, how can we treat this deadly virus and save the liver? Acute Hepatitis requires only plenty of rest, plenty of fluids, and a good healthy diet. Regular blood tests are required to monitor the liver for damage.
However, patients suffering from chronic Hepatitis B who show active liver damage require some medication to stop the liver from further deterioration. The most prescribed medication for Hepatitis is Hepsera (Adefovir Dipivoxil). Hepsera is an antiviral medication that works by stopping the Hepatitis virus from reproducing. This in turn reduces the number of viruses in the blood, which means less damage to the liver. Bad liver damage can lead to cancer of the liver and cirrhosis.
If you have tested positive for Hepatitis B, please talk to you doctor to find out whether Hepsera is the right medicine for you. Adefovir Dipivoxil may end up saving your liver, and your life!

Acute Hepatitis requi

Free Methotrexate

Posted by admin on March 20, 2012 None comments

Westcoastdrugs’ Latest Social Initiative – Providing Free Methotrexate To US Cancer Patients Suffering This Drug Shortage

Since past few weeks, Methotrexate has been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons. The United States is facing one of the worst Methotrexate

shortages and patients are facing uncertain future due to lack of alternatives. One of the most important cancer drugs, Methotrexate has been the main medicinal option in some of the most dreaded diseases. There are various ailments apart from Cancer as well that are treated by this medicine. The latest crisis began due to shutting down of a major Methotrexate manufacturer. Due to lack of proper alternatives and inability of other manufacturers to make up for the shortfall, the US government had to take drastic measures in making up the gap. One of the most significant moves is the import of generic Methotrexate from other countries like India. Realizing the gravity of this situation, Westcoastdrugs decided to stand up and start this social cause to tackle Methotrexate scarcity. Accordingly, Westcoastdrugs has started providing Methotrexate sample for free.

There are various diseases that are treated by Methotrexate. Chief amongst them is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) that is one of the most common cancers affecting children. When the young patients suffering from ALL start Methotrexate use at an early stage and take it consistently, the chances of recovering rise to almost 85%. Considering that this disease was incurable a few decades back, it is a huge survival rate for patients. Hence it is really frustrating that patients are not afforded their chance at life especially due to a reason like lack of productivity. The situation is really disturbing when there have been indications of this scenario coming true for a few years now.

The incident that triggered this occurred in late November last year, when the Bedford, Ohio based Ben Venue Laboratories was shut down. The facility failed to clear FDA quality checks and had to be closed to protect patients against spurious medicines. The other manufacturers couldn’t upgrade their production capacity and this led to the overall shortage of Methotrexate availability in the U.S. markets. Seeing the situation deteriorating, the U.S. government stepped in to take some strong measures such as allowing import of Methotrexate from other countries like India was allowed. Realizing the situation might turn worse, Westcoastdrugs, which already has presence in U.S. and can provide medicines very quickly, decided to take up this social initiative.

Westcoastdrugs is providing Methotrexate medicine for free. A patient / user is being allowed to order one Methotrexate dose for free. A limit of 20 ml (150 – 300mg) has been set for each free order. Patients will have to provide valid prescriptions to authenticate their need for Methotrexate and prevent misuse. Patients can turn to Methotrexate webpage to get more details about the social cause. Westcoastdrugs also implores its readers to forward this information with their friends and family so that maximum possible users can avail this opportunity. Users can also visit Westcoastdrugs Facebook page to share this on their account and increase the exposure to help out patients in distress.

This offer is valid until April 15, 2012.

Is Depression a Disease? Can it be ‘cured’?

Posted by admin on February 20, 2012 None comments

I’m sure you have heard thousands of songs about depression. The singer generally sings about how his heart is breaking, how he is feeling melancholy, how unbearable life has become, how he is contemplating suicide; the list is endless!

So, how real is depression? A deep debilitating condition or just a passing mood? A subject for songs, or something to treat seriously?

Ask anybody who has been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and you will be shocked to learn how depression can completely take over your life; destroy your health, family, work, until you really and truly want to cease to exist. Scary, isn’t it?

 

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Of course, we all feel depressed, sad, melancholy, blue, miserable, from time to time. These are all natural feelings and very much a part of our life. I mean, seriously, you cannot expect to go through life with a smile on your face and a spring in your step every single moment. But, when these depressed feelings take over your life, when they interfere with your quality of life, when they seem to go on forever to the point where you cannot function anymore, you have a major problem. In fact, you could have Major Depressive Disorder.

The exact cause of MDD is not known. It could be genetic. But many people who have no family history of depression may also suffer from it. It could be caused by alcohol or drug abuse, use of certain medications like steroids, certain medical conditions, sleeping problems, or even major stressful events. Events that could lead to MDD include a break-up of a relationship, death of somebody you love, loss of job, a failed business, financial problems, childhood neglect, childhood abuse, etc.

But whatever the cause of your depression, it is certainly not something you want to live with all your life. Depression generally distorts the way you perceive your life, the people around you, and your ability to cope with general situations. It puts you in a very negative frame of mind, making solutions even more difficult to find.

Depression can also manifest itself as anger, discouragement or hostility.

 

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Anxiety too is a part of our life. We feel anxious about our relationships, our jobs, how our kids are faring, our finances, and a host of other things. But again, as with MDD, if this anxiety is exaggerated to the point where your daily life becomes a thing of constant fear, worry, and dread, you very possibly suffer from general Anxiety Disorder (GAD). GAD is characterised by extreme, exaggerated worry and anxiety over everyday situations, even when there is no reason for this feeling. It so dominates thinking, that it completely interferes with normal daily functioning.

The exact cause of GAD is not known. It could be genetic, but not necessarily so. It can be caused by alcohol or drug abuse; use and withdrawal of addictive substances like caffeine and nicotine can also lead to GAD. General Anxiety Disorder is also believed to be caused by an imbalance in the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. And of course, stress and stressful events can cause or worsen anxiety.

 

MDD is the leading cause of disability in the US. It can affect people of all ages, including the elderly. GAD mostly begins in childhood and adolescence, but may begin in adulthood as well. It affects women more than men.

Extreme depression and extreme anxiety are not a normal part of life. If you feel you suffer from either, go get yourself checked out by a doctor.

Suppose you find that you do suffer from MDD or GAD. What next?

 

Enter Lexapro (Escitalopram)!

Today, MDD and GAD can be quite easily controlled with a class of drugs known as anti-depressants. Lexapro (Escitalopram) is an anti-depressant belonging to a group of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs. It works by balancing the neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for causing extreme depression or anxiety. Lexapro (Escitalopram) is a safe and effective way to treat adolescents and adults suffering from MDD and GAD. A recent study has deemed Lexapro (Escitalopram) one of the best treatments for MDD and GAD.

Lexapro (Escitalopram) must be used only if prescribed by your doctor, and only under your doctor’s supervision.

Use the medication exactly as prescribed. Do not use more or less than has been prescribed for you, and do not stop this medicine abruptly without your doctor’s knowledge. If you do so, you may suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms.

Remember that most anti-depressants can increase the risk of suicide and suicidal feelings in children, adolescents and young adults, especially in the first few weeks of starting treatment. So, if a young person in your family has been prescribed Lexapro (Escitalopram), make sure you monitor him or her very carefully and inform the doctor right away if you notice a worsening of the depression. Lexapro (Escitalopram) must not be used by children under 12 years of age.

 

Some people should not use Lexapro (Escitalopram) to treat their MDD or GAD. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, make your doctor aware of it:

  • Epileptic Seizures
  • Heart attack
  • Allergic reaction to Serotonin
  • Heart disease
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Bleeding from the stomach, duodenum or aesophagus
  • Low blood sodium
  • Increased risk of bleeding
  • Thoughts of suicide

 

Do not take Lexapro (Escitalopram) if you are using an MAO Inhibitor. There must be a gap of at least 2 weeks before switching from an MAO Inhibitor to Lexapro (Escitalopram) and vice versa.

 

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

 

As with most anti-depressants, Lexapro (Escitalopram) too has side effects.

Less serious side effects of Lexapro (Escitalopram) are:

  • Nausea
  • Heavy sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Drowsiness and fatigue
  • Decreased libido
  • Dry mouth

More serious side effects which must be reported to your doctor include:

  • Severe changes in mood, such as wild energy swings, confusion, nervousness, extreme high energy, or thoughts of suicide
  • Aggression and hostile behaviour
  • Changes in sexual ability, anorgasmia
  • Change in urination
  • Easy bleeding and bruising
  • Cramps and muscle weakness, and very stiff muscles
  • Fainting, seizures
  • Black tarry stools
  • Loss of co-ordination
  • Memory problems
  • Confusion
  • Shallow breathing
  • Hallucinations
  • High fever

If you are worried or concerned about any other possible side effect, please consult your doctor.

 

Other medicines you take can interfere with the way Lexapro (Escitalopram) works, so make sure your doctor is aware of any pharmaceuticals, over-the counter meds, herbal preparations, nutritional supplements or other meds you use. Use of alcohol, recreational drugs and tobacco must also be reported.

 

Remember to continue using Lexapro (Escitalopram) exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and for the complete course of treatment.

Join a support group, indulge in talk therapy, spend quality time with people who care about you, get a pet. These, along with your meds will help you get your life back on track.

Think of how wonderful it will feel to reclaim your quality of life; to feel happy, relaxed, and in control. Isn’t it just terrific how modern medicine can help you do just that?

I think that ultimately all we want is to be content, healthy, loved, and happy. Depression and Anxiety can destroy these feelings in us. Happiness does not have to be ‘the interval between periods of unhappiness’ (Don Marquis); it should be a constant in your life. So, if your unhappiness is caused by MDD or GAD, take Lexapro (Escitalopram) and bring the sunshine back into your life.

Anti-depressants. Should you use one?

Posted by admin on February 6, 2012 None comments

Today, we have come to rely on medicine to solve all our problems. Feeling tired? There’s a pill for that. Need to lose weight? There is a pill for that. Going bald? Impotent? Too much acne? Need longer eye-lashes? There is a pill for that and that and that and that. You get the picture, right? But what about happiness? When you are feeling blue, have an achy breaky heart (sorry, Billy Ray Cyrus), when you are down in the dumps; is there a pill for that?
Actually, there is. An entire group of medicines known as anti-depressants. The question is should you use them? Do you really need them?
Today, anti-depressants are grossly misused. Millions of Americans and people all over the globe pop an anti-depressant every day, even when they are not clinically depressed. Bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) which was originally formulated to help people with nicotine and other substance addictions, is now being used by many as a ‘feel good’ pill. Escitalopram (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Sertraline (Zoloft) are among the most prescribed medicines in the world. They are even advertised on TV along with headache remedies and cough syrups. So, should you use an anti-depressant?
Well, if you are clinically depressed, or diagnosed with MDD (Major Depressive Disorder), or GAD (General Anxiety Disorder), or any other clinical disorders, an anti-depressant may be the best way to go. Your doctor alone can make that decision.

Major Depressive Disorder.
We all go through depression many times in our lives. But when these depressed feelings take over your life, when they interfere with your quality of life, when they seem to go on forever to the point where you cannot function anymore, you most probably suffer from MDD.

General Anxiety Disorder.
Anxiety over many issues in our lives is very natural. But when extreme, exaggerated worry and anxiety over everyday situations, even when there is no reason for this feeling dominates you to the point that it completely interferes with normal daily functioning, you most probably have GAD.

Supposing you have been diagnosed with MDD or GAD. How do you know which anti-depressant is right for you? This is a question only your doctor can answer. Your doctor will take a number of issues into account before prescribing an anti-depressant, and may keep adjusting the dose or change the product altogether depending on your response to the medicine. It can take a number of weeks before your doctor can find the right anti-depressant that works best for you.

There are many different kinds of anti-depressants available today. Three main groups are

1. The Tricyclics.
The Tricyclic group of anti-depressants is the first group of anti-depressants to be widely used. Although most doctors today prefer to prescribe the newer SSRIs and SNRIs, they may prescribe a Tricyclic anti-depressant depending on the individual case. Commonly used Tricyclic anti-depressants include Amitriptyline (Elavil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), Doxepine (Adapin), and Imipramine (Tofranil).

2. SSRIs
SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors include Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Citalopram (Celexa), and Paroxetine (Paxil).
SSRIs are preferred by doctors, because they work as effeciently as tricyclic anti-depressants, but with fewer side effects and lower toxicity. The most common side effects of this group include nausea, somnolence, and sexual side effects. If SSRIs are stopped suddenly, serious withdrawal symptoms may occur.

3. SNRIs.
SNRIs, or Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors include Venlafaxine (Effexor) and Duloxetine (Cymbalta). SNRIs have been developed more recently than SSRIs, and are supposed to have fewer side effects. Male patients prefer them because they do not cause negative sexual side effects. Unlike SSRIs, they are actually supposed to have increased libido as a side effect.

Your doctor will choose the right anti-depressant for you based on a number of factors like the condition to be treated, your medical history, your family history, your current state of health, any other medicines you use, etc.

If your doctor feels you need an anti-depressant, please take it. Clinical depression is a very serious and real disease, and you will need serious help to deal with it.
However, if you are just plain down in the dumps, get together with your friends, take a dance class, exercise your way to good mental health, listen to upbeat music, join a support group. Whatever makes you feel better, and able to cope with your problem. But do not use anti-depressants to just to get that high, upbeat feeling.

So to recap, do not use anti-depressants unless your doctor prescribes them for you. But, if you have been diagnosed with clinical depression, MDD, GAD, or any other problem that requires medication, take your anti-depressant, and let the good times roll!

To your good (mental) health!
Sonia.

Why Buy your meds from an Online Pharmacy?

Posted by admin on January 31, 2012 None comments

This is a question that I am asked over and over and over again!
Although a lot of people buy their meds from online pharmacies today, there are still so many who are very wary about the whole idea. Especially when they hear that their meds will be shipped from other countries – countries like India! They feel they are going to get cheated, that they will receive sugar pills, or worse yet, some horrible fake stuff that could kill them, or make them very ill! They feel that the products will be pretty sub-standard, that western manufactured pharmaceuticals are somehow ‘better’, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

Well, let me debunk all these myths right here.
First of all, today most online pharmacies (at least the ones shipping from India) are quite genuine. It is not possible to stay in business for very long if you are shipping sugar pills, or fake chemicals. Really! Of course you may find the odd shady site, but that holds true for any business.
India is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of legit pharmaceuticals. Many well established pharmaceutical companies from the west have opened production facilities there to take advantage of cheaper labour, and better government policies. So most of the products that you purchase from an online pharmacy will be manufactured by the same companies that produce the pills you buy at your local drugstore.

Companies like Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Aventis, Merck India, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Abbott, German Remedies, Organon, Lundbeck, Galderma, Ranbaxy, Wyeth, Glenmark, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Zydus Cadila, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Intas, Wockhardt, and many many more. And India is home to Cipla, Dr. Reddy’s Labs, Ajanta Pharma, and many more local pharmaceutical companies that have won international awards through the years. Plus all these companies have to adhere to strict ISO (International Organisation of Standardisation) manufacturing standards.

So when you buy your meds online, you can expect to receive top quality international meds. Still, why not just get the meds at your local drugstore? Well, because you will be paying almost twice as much at your local drugstore. Since the pharmaceutical companies pay much less for labour, licensing fees, taxes, etc. overseas, your online pharmacy will sell you the meds at a much cheaper rate. Plus no ‘dispensing’ fee, no tax, and no big prescription cost! It all adds up, and you, the consumer benefit from all this!

Again, most online pharmacies ship the meds in their original factory sealed foil strips with the date stamped right on the strip so you know the medicines have not been tampered with, and that they are from a fresh batch. More security for you, right? Plus any good online pharmacy will give you a 100% money back guarantee. Will your local drugstore take back meds you are not satified with? I don’t think so!
Way lower prices, reputable meds, safety-sealed packaging, money-back guarantee, good customer service – Well, what do you think? Where will you buy your pharmaceuticals, wellness products, beauty and skin care products or pet meds? The answer to that question should be ‘WestCoastDrugs’!

To your (affordable) good health!
Sonia.

I’m back!

Posted by admin on January 31, 2012 None comments

Sorry everybody; I know I have been away for quite a while. But now I am back and raring to share my views on all things health related. So, if there is any particular topic you would like me to cover, just let me know. I am right here, and totally at your service.
And of course, Happy 2012 everybody! Have a great year filled with much happiness, love, laughter, peace and prosperity. And of course, great health!

To a fantastic 2012!
Sonia.

Male Menopause – Fact or Fiction?

Posted by admin on November 29, 2011 None comments

The other day I was looking through our family album, and was shocked to see old pictures of my father. Right next to pictures of him at age 40, a   vibrant, active man, smiling broadly into the camera were pictures of him at 55 looking old, tired, and crabby. Since the change seemed very gradual in real life, it gave me a jolt to see the before and after photographs. What a difference just a few years can make. Think about your favourite male rock star or movie actor, and you will notice this very same change. Of course time changes everybody, but somehow in men this change seems very noticeable around a certain age. And that is mainly due to ‘andropause’ or the male menopause.

Andropause generally begins to occur around 40+ years of age. It is characterised by the loss of testosterone, which is the principal male sex hormone. Testosterone is the hormone that gives a man all his masculine qualities like a deep voice, facial hair, and Adam’s apple. Most importantly, it is also responsible for sperm production. Unlike menopause in women, where the estrogen levels suddenly drop, andropause can creep in gradually with testosterone levels declining over quite a few years. Thus the symptoms of andropause are not noticed suddenly, and many men consider andropause to be just a myth.

Symptoms of Andropause.
If you are a male around age 45, expect any or all of these symptoms to gradually occur:
1. Reduced libido, and inability to maintain a strong erection (this is the one that all men dread)
2. Fatigue
3. Mood swings
4. Irritability
5. Aches and pains
6. Insomnia
7. Depression
8. Weight gain
9. Decreased self-confidence
10. Anxiety
11. Cognitive decline (forgetfulness)
12. Loss of muscle mass
Andropause can lead to a higher risk of heart problems and osteoporosis.

So, what can a man do to improve the quality of life after 50?

Some men prefer to go in for Testosterone Replacement Therapy, which when carried out under a knowledgeable doctor’s supervision is excellent. But the doctor must be informed of all present medical problems and medications being used before treatment is prescribed.

For most, a healthy diet, physically active lifestyle, and good social realtionships go a long way in keeping a man healthy and happy. There are many supplements available that will help.
Maca Extract can help with libido problems; and erectile dysfunction meds are very effective.
Calcium and Vitamin D supplements can help strengthen bones, and prevent osteoporosis.
St. John’s wort is quite effective against depression and cognitive problems.
Creatine can increase muscle mass.
A good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement can boost general health.
Yoga, weight-lifting, and aerobic exercise will help improve the quality of life at any age.
Having a relaxing good time with family and friends is one of the best ways to help emotional and mental well-being.

A good and happy attitude towards all the different stages in life is probably the best medicine against feeling older.

“I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything till noon. That’s when it’s time for my nap.”
BOB HOPE.

“The complete life, the perfect pattern, includes old age as well as youth and maturity. The beauty of the morning and the radiance of noon are good, but it would be a very silly person who drew the curtains and turned on the light in order to shut out the tranquillity of the evening. Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth.”
W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM, The Summing Up

Here’s to a pleasurable, exciting, and fulfilling older age!
Sonia.

Osteoporosis and the post-menopausal woman.

Posted by admin on November 21, 2011 None comments

Here is something else to add to the list of horrors we women should expect after menopause. Dowager’s hump! How does that sound? Well, it is one of the symptoms of advanced Osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. But before you start altering your clothes to fit the hump, take a deep breath, and read on. With the right meds, Osteoporosis is easily prevented and treated.

What is Osteoporosis?                                
Osteoporosis is derived from the Greek words ‘osteon’ (bone) and ‘poros’ (pore). Together they denote ‘porous bones’ or a loss of bone density. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. Over time, bone tissue thins out and bone density decreases. The main cause of Osteoporosis is a drop in estrogen levels in women at menopause, and a drop in testosterone in men around the age of 70! However Osteoporosis can occur due to other reasons as well. These include long term use of corticosteroids or certain antiseizure drugs; malnutrition; vitamin D deficiency; hyperparathyroidism; physical inactivity or being confined to bed for a long period of time.
If Osteoporosis runs in your family, you are definitely more susceptible to it. Smoking, large alcohol intake, and insufficient calcium in your diet also contribute to Osteoporosis.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis.
The early stages of Osteoporosis are relatively symptom-free. Later on, Osteoporosis can cause:
bone pain
bone tenderness
loss of height over time
fractures occurring very easily
neck pain or back pain due to fractures of the spinal bones
dowager’s hump

Treatment for Osteoporosis.
In the early stages, Osteoporosis can be prevented with simple diet and lifestyle changes, and the use of supplements. But if the doctor has diagnosed Osteoporosis by a bone density study, medication is required.
Bisphosphonates drugs like Alendronate, Ibandronate, and Risedronate are the main medicines prescribed for Osteoporosis. They prevent as well as treat Osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.
Raloxifene is also prescribed to both prevent and treat post-menopausal Osteoporosis. However, while this drug greatly reduces the risk of spinal fractures, it does not have much effect on other kinds of fractures. This medicine is being studied for the protective effects it may have against heart disease and breast cancer.
Surprisingly, although post-menopausal Osteoporosis is caused by a drop in estrogen levels, Hormone Replacement Therapy is not recommended as treatment.
Post-menopausal women with severe Osteoporosis are prescribed daily injections of Teriparatide.

Naturally, prevention is always the best option. So, eat well, get plenty of calcium in your diet, use a vitamin D supplement, and exercise (weight training is especially beneficial). However, it is nice to know that should you get Osteoporosis after menopause, there are so many treatment options available. See, I told you there was no dowager’s hump in your future!

To your good bone health!
Sonia.

Wonder cream for Youthful gorgeous skin!

Posted by admin on November 7, 2011 2 comments

Ladies, have I got some wonderful news for you!
It is generally the case that as we women move into menopause, our skin loses its elasticity, its firmness, its naturaly youthful contours. We go and

Evalon Cream (Composition : Estriol)

spend hundreds of dollars on every cream, lotion, and potion that promises ‘younger looking’ skin, right? Are we completely pleased with the results? Of course not!
Estrogen, which rapidly diminishes as we enter menopause, is what keeps skin young, fresh, and prevents it from sagging. The more Estrogen, the better the skin, hair, and nails. But at the same time, we do not want to take high doses of systemic estrogen in our bodies. Natural BHRT is excellent, but must be done correctly and safely under the care of an endocrinologist. But not all of us have the resources or the desire to go in for Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy. So how can we get the dermal benefits of Estrogen without increasing systemic levels drastically?
The answer is quite simple. We can apply a Topical Estrogen Cream directly to our faces.

Topical Estrogen Cream.
Topical Estrogen Creams are available in two formulations. Estradiol and Estriol. Applications of both will show visibly dramatic results; however, Estriol is the ‘good’ estrogen, and will have no undesirable side effects. So here, I am going to tell you a bit more about Topical Estriol Cream.

Topical Estriol Cream is generally sold as a vaginal cream to reverse vaginal atrophy after menopause. Please do not confuse this Bio-Identical Hormone cream with a conjugated estrogen topical cream like Premarin, etc. Estriol is a Bio identical Cream; ‘estriol’ is the milder, good estrogen; estriol vaginal cream does not stimulate the endometrium nor does it convert to estradiol in the body.
You can use a tiny amount of this cream on your face every other night and voila!

How does Estriol help the skin?
The time around menopause is associated with more rapid aging of the skin. Estriol is required to:
* increase collagen production leading to a thicker dermis and epidermis
* bring more oxygen and nutrients to the skin due to greater vascularisation
* fill in wrinkles (even in the neck!)
* increase dermal hydration by increasing the production of hyaluronic acid and mucopolysaccharides.
* protect the skin against free radical damage
* inhibit excess sebum production
* provide better structure of elastin fibres
* lessen facial hair, and not allow it to get coarse and dark.
Studies published in the mid to late 1990s demonstrated that estriol, applied as a skin cream directly to the face, remarkably reversed wrinkling and other problems of skin aging associated with the onset of menopause.
And of course, when used vaginally, the Estriol reverses vaginal atrophy (drying up and degeneration of the vaginal lining). So this cream is a safe and natural therapy for women after menopause. But please, as with any hormone therapy, make sure you get the green signal from your doctor before you start using Estriol Topical Cream. Never use this cream if you are pregnant, or if you have any health problems associated with Estrogen.
Estriol has been widely used in Europe for many decades. It is not much used in the US, because pharmaceutical companies in the US have no interest in a medicine that cannot be patented, no matter how safe and effective it is.
Please talk to your doctor about what Estriol can do for you. It is truly another miracle of modern medicine.

As Jean Kerr puts it, “I’m tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That’s deep enough. What do you want — an adorable pancreas?”

To your beautiful skin! At any age!
Sonia.