Critical Medicine and Treatment

Posts Tagged ‘Menopause’

Women’s diet must be based on climacteric fruits, vegetables, fatty meats, fish and nonfat dairy products and rich in vitamin D, not forgetting, of course, foods rich in carbohydrates like rice, pasta and legumes.

1. Saturated and unsaturated fats
Fat. The Omega 3 unsaturated as reduce levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Saturated fats, which come mainly from animal foods (beef, chicken and whole milk and derivatives), and some types of industrial pastries made with coconut oil and palm oil, should be avoided by submitting a high content of LDL-cholesterol ( “bad”, which is deposited on the walls of the arteries).

However, unsaturated fats, those of plant origin (olive, sunflower, corn, soybeans, etc.). And from fish, should abound in the diet, and lowering total cholesterol.

In addition, olive oil increases HDL-cholesterol ( “good”, which “cleans” the walls of the arteries) which, as we know, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases.

2. The fiber
The fiber is present particularly in plant foods. It is indigestible, that is, our body is not able to process and digest, so it is eliminated via faeces, with practically the same structure with which it was ingested.

However, it has many advantages: it increases what we call the “fecal bolus and decreases constipation. By reducing the contact time stools help with the colon, it also reduces colon cancer. Moreover, the fiber is capable of carrying some fat during digestion, thus reducing slightly the levels of blood fat. Perhaps one of its disadvantages is that there are people you increase the sensation of flatulence.

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The anxieties, difficulty concentrating, overreacting to minor problems, easy irritability, forgetfulness and mood swings are typical psychological problems. Studies indicate that many cases of depression relate more to the circumstances of menopause it self. Other events, such as care for elderly relatives, retirement, divorce or widowhood, children growing and leaving the house occur around the time of menopause. Also, some problems may be caused indirectly due to the disruption of sleep. To address emotional symptoms you should exercise regularly. This will help maintain your hormonal balance and preserving bone strength. Talking with other women, who are going through menopause, can help with emotional symptoms. Women approaching menopause often complain of memory loss and inability to concentrate.

Menopause is the period that ends a woman’s reproductive phase. Menopause begins at the end of menstruation. Over time, the ovaries gradually lose the ability to produce estrogen and progesterone, hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. As estrogen production decreases, ovulation and menstruation occur very often, and eventually stop. Menstruation can be stopped early due to illness or a hysterectomy. In these cases we speak of induced menopause. In Europe and North America, menopause usually happens when a woman is around 51-52 years old. Menopause can happen but sometimes as early as 40. The age and menopausal symptoms also have a strong genetic influence. As a rule of thumb, women who began menstruation early is more likely to experience menopause earlier.

Many things increase your risk of heart disease:

• Men in their 40s have a higher risk of CHD than women, but as women get older (especially if it comes to menopause), the risk increases almost to equal that of men. (See: Heart disease and women)
• Bad genes (heredity) can increase the risk. In fact, one is more likely to develop the condition if someone in your family has suffered, especially if it was before 50 years, and the risk increases as you get older.
• Diabetes is a potent risk factor for heart disease.
• High blood pressure increases the risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure.
• Abnormal levels of cholesterol: LDL ( “bad”) should be as low as possible and HDL ( “good”) should be as high as possible.
• The metabolic syndrome refers to high triglyceride levels, hypertension, excess body fat around the waist and increased insulin levels. People with this group of problems are more likely to develop heart disease.
• Smokers have a much higher risk of heart disease than nonsmokers.
• Chronic kidney disease may increase the risk.
• The fact already have atherosclerosis or atherosclerosis elsewhere in the body (examples are stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm) increases the risk of CHD.
• Other risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, not enough exercise and excessive amounts of stress.

Levels above normal inflammation-related substances such as C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, are being studied as possible indicators of increased risk of heart disease. Elevated levels of a chemical called homocysteine, an amino acid, are also associated with an increased risk of heart attack.