One of the most common symptoms of menopause, hot flashes are not something that must be tolerated. A cure for hot flashes, hot flushes or night sweats is not that hard to find. You just have to know where to look. However, products that help relieve menopause hot flashes for some women may not work for others. So, here we look at several herbal remedies that may be beneficial. Because of the health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, natural remedies are becoming increasingly popular. Herbs and plants may not be a “new” cure for hot flashes, but they are effective, nonetheless. And we do know a lot more about them than we did at one time, so we do have “new” ways to look at them.

Hot flashes, hot flushes and night sweats are three different names for the same physical reaction to decreasing levels of estrogen. They may begin years before actual menopause and last for several years afterwards. The frequency and severity varies from one woman to the next. Researchers often describe them as “vasomotor” symptoms, because blood vessels and circulation are involved.

Typically the heat begins in a woman’s chest, travels up the neck to the face and head. When they occur at night, they may interrupt a woman’s sleep, increasing levels of fatigue and sometimes leading to insomnia. From the experiences of other women, we know that caffeine, alcohol, tobacco products and spicy foods can trigger them, as can anger, frustration and irritation. Regular exercise and drinking plenty of water seems to help.

Black cohosh has been the cure for hot flashes for many women. More research has been done concerning the effectiveness and safety of black cohosh than on any of the other herbs that can help menopause hot flushes. But, if you have tried it and it doesn’t work for you, there are other alternatives.

Scientists are still unsure why black cohosh relieves hot flashes, but evaluations of the chemical compounds of other plants have revealed an estrogen-like substance, aptly named phytoestrogens. Isoflavones are one type of phytoestrogen. If you read the ingredients on a remedy for hot flushes, you may see “soy isoflavones” or “isoflavones from red clover”. These may help menopause hot flashes because they have an estrogen like effect on a woman’s body. Some researchers have been concerned that isoflavones or phytoestrogens could have the same side effects as synthetic estrogens used in hormone replacement therapy. So, here’s what we know about the risks associated with long term use of synthetic hormones.

We know that estrogen replacement therapy can cause endometrial cancer. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus and estrogen causes the lining to build up, which, without menstruation, frequently led to cancer. Thus, doctors would prescribe an estrogen-progesterone combination therapy. The progesterone would cause the lining to be shed each month, leading to a return of monthly periods, and decreasing the cancer risk. For years, this “combination” hormone therapy was the most commonly recommended cure for hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause.

As with many medical treatments, the risks turned up with long term use of this type of therapy. The Women’s Health Initiative recently concluded a seven year study of women using hormone replacement therapies of both types. The conclusion is that hormone replacement therapy of any type increases a woman’s risk for blood clots and stroke. Combination therapy, which was thought to be safer than estrogen only, actually added the increased health risks of heart disease and breast cancer. An even longer study (more than twenty years) performed by Harvard scientists found that estrogen only increased breast cancer risks when used for more than 15 years. Typically a woman would not use hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopause hot flashes and other symptoms for many years, but when the risks are blood clots, heart disease and stroke, even short term use is rarely recommended as a cure for hot flashes.

While no long term studies have been conducted concerning women who use phytoestrogens or isoflavones to help relieve menopause hot flashes, short term clinical studies have revealed their effectiveness, lack of side effects and safety. Even the idea that phytoestrogens, which are found in soy beans, a health food, might not be safe for long term use seems silly. People eat soy all of the time and have for many, many years.

Red clover, the other most commonly used source of isoflavones, is grown for animal feed. Native Americans used the flower for tea and chewed the leaves raw. Healers used it to treat liver ailments, gall bladder ailments, ulcers, diabetes, tonsillitis, internal cancer, appendicitis, headaches and as a cure for hot flashes and other symptoms related to changing levels of hormones and aging.

Scientific research and the experiences of other women tell us that black cohosh helps relieve menopause hot flashes. Laboratory tests have revealed that black cohosh has no effect on even estrogen sensitive cancer cell lines. But, if this cure for hot flashes does not work for you, try soy or red clover isoflavones. All of our scientific and historical knowledge indicates that these are safe. For information about a woman’s supplement that contains both black cohosh and isoflavones at a reasonable price, please visit the menopause-and-pms-guide.com/ Menopause and PMS Guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for more than twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Read more about menopause-and-pms-guide.com menopause hot flashes at menopause-and-pms-guide.com menopause-and-pms-guide.com

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Tags: Heart, herbal remedies, menopause, sleep

Smoking harms every part of the body – there is no organ that it doesn’t touch. It causes many diseases. It reduces the quality and enjoyment of life and also reduces how long a smoker can expect to live.

Smoking has a devastating effect on the individual and their family and friends. And yet every day nearly 6,000 children under 18 years of age start smoking; of these, nearly 2,000 will become regular smokers. That is almost 800,000 annually. It is estimated that at least 4.5 million U.S. adolescents are cigarette smokers and approximately 90 percent of smokers begin smoking before the age of 21. Cigarette smoking during childhood and adolescence produces significant health problems. These problems include cough and phlegm production, an increase in the number and severity of respiratory illnesses decreased physical fitness, an unfavorable blood lipid profile and potential retardation in the rate of lung growth and the level of maximum lung function. An estimated 440,000 Americans die each year from diseases caused by smoking.

It has been estimated that, in England, 364,000 patients are admitted to hospitals each year due to diseases caused by smoking. This is 7,000 hospital admissions per week, or 1,000 day. For every death caused by smoking, approximately 20 smokers are suffering from a smoking related disease. In 1997/98, cigarette smoking caused an estimated 480,000 patients to consult their Medical Practitioner for heart disease, 20,000 for stroke and nearly 600,000 for chronic obstructive lung disease.

Half of all teenagers who are currently smoking will die from diseases caused by cigarette smoke - if they continue to smoke. One quarter will die before 70 years of age, losing on average 21 years of life. It is estimated that between 1950 and 2000 six million Britons, 60 million people worldwide, died from tobacco-related diseases. One in two long-term smokers will die prematurely as a result of smoking – half of these in middle age. Most die from one of the three main diseases associated with cigarette smoking: lung cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease (bronchitis and emphysema) and coronary heart disease.

In the UK deaths caused by smoking are five times higher than the 22,833 deaths arising from: traffic accidents (3,439); poisoning and overdose (881); alcoholic liver disease (5,121); other accidental deaths (8,579); murder and manslaughter (513); suicide (4,066); and HIV infection (234). World-wide, almost 5 million die prematurely each year as a result of smoking.

Smokers also face a higher risk than non-smokers of developing many medical conditions which may not be fatal but which may cause years of debilitating illness or other problems. These conditions include the following:

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (gum disease)

Angina (20 x risk)

Back pain

Buerger’s Disease (severe circulatory disease)

Cataract (2 x risk)

Cataract, posterior subcapsular (3 x risk)

Colon Polyps

Crohn’s Disease (chronic inflamed bowel)

Depression

Diabetes (Type 2, non-insulin dependent)

Duodenal ulcer

Hearing loss

Impotence (2 x risk)

Influenza

Ligament injuries

Macular degeneration (eyes, 2 x risk)

Muscle injuries

Neck pain

Nystagmus (abnormal eye movements)

Ocular Histoplasmosis (fungal eye infection)

Optic Neuropathy (loss of vision, 16 x risk)

Osteoarthritis

Osteoporosis (in both sexes)

Penis (Erectile dysfunction)

Peripheral vascular disease

Pneumonia

Psoriasis (2 x risk)

Rheumatoid arthritis (for heavy smokers)

Skin wrinkling (2 x risk)

Stomach ulcer

Tendon injuries

Tobacco Amblyopia (loss of vision)

Tooth loss

Tuberculosis

This means that the smoker has circulation, hearing, vision, joint, muscle, sexual, digestion, lung, skin and other problems – not a pleasing picture. This list doesn’t include the various cancers that smoker are prone to - cancers such as mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, stomach and leukaemia. Nor does the list include the fact that the circulation problems can lead to gangrene (death of the tissues) which necessitates amputations. There are also functions that are impaired in smokers. These include:

Ejaculation (volume reduced)

Fertility (30% lower in women)

Immune System (impaired)

Menopause (onset 1.74 years early on average)

Sperm count reduced

Sperm less able to penetrate the ovum

Sperm motility impaired

Sperm shape abnormalities increased

The life of a smoker is not an easy one. The suffering and illness caused by the smoking is severe. The only way to ensure that you don’t have this pain and suffering is not to smoke. If you currently smoke than you need to quit. Quitting is not easy –however you do not have to do undertake the quitting process alone – you can have guidance, support and assistance.

References

Cigarette smoking-attributable morbidity – United States, 2000. MMWR Weekly Report, 5 Sep. 2003.

Cigarettes: what the warning label doesn’t tell you. American Council on Science & Health, 1997.

Mortality statistics 2002., Office for National Statistics, 2002; General Register Office for Scotland, 2002; Registrar General Northern Ireland, Annual Report, Statistics & Research Agency, 2002.

Nicotine Addiction in Britain. A report of the Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians. RCP, 2000 (for percentage of smoking-related deaths).

Mortality statistics 2002., Office for National Statistics, 2002; General Register Office for Scotland, 2002; Registrar General Northern Ireland, Annual Report, Statistics & Research Agency, 2002.

Peto R. Mortality in relation to smoking: 40 years’ observations on male British doctors. BMJ 1994; 309: 901-911.

The World Health Report 2003. World Health Organization, 2003.

Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and
wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote
vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages smokers to quit and believes that the

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Tags: Heart, menopause, smoker, smoking, world health organization

Endometriosis is a medical term that is defined as the abnormal growth of endometrial cells that spread to areas in the body where they do not belong. As the menstrual period approaches, these implants swell with blood and bleed into the surrounding areas and tissues. As there is no place for the tissue and blood to flow, this condition causes considerable inflammation and pain. There are various stages and treatment methods depend on the stage.

When endometriosis is suspected, patients are advised to record their symptoms, particularly the pelvic pain in relation to the menstrual cycle. During treatment, they are asked to describe their symptoms, sites of pain and if the pelvic pain worsens during menstruation. A routine pelvic examination is required to diagnose the condition, evaluate the stage and check for abnormalities like cysts or scars. Physical examination has its limitations. A pelvic exam alone will not pinpoint exactly what stage a patient is in, the degree of implantation or the cause of pelvic pain. Other tests may be necessary to confirm endometriosis and the specific stage.

Staging is useful in tracking and treating endometriosis. It involves tracking the stages of the disease so a treatment strategy can be initiated. Tracking of endometriosis stages helps evaluate a patient’s response to treatment. Dr. Stanley West, reproductive health physician and author of The Hysterectomy Hoax, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, has categorized endometriosis into four stages. Stage one involves a few endometrial implants, most often in the cul-de-sac of a woman?s pelvic area. Stage two has mild to moderate levels of endometrial implants affecting one or both ovaries. Stage three has moderate levels of endometriosis with implants in several reproductive areas and in one or both ovaries. Stage four is the most severe with widespread endometriosis implants throughout the pelvic area. The more widespread the endometriosis, the more is the likelihood of fertility problems.

Various tools such as transvaginal ultrasound, pelvic ultrasound, trial drug period and laparoscopy are used to determine the endometriosis stage in a patient. If ultrasound techniques fail to detect endometrial implants, laparoscopy becomes necessary. Although more expensive, laparoscopy is the most accurate method for diagnosing endometriosis and confirming endometriosis stages. Laparoscopy involves minor surgery under general anesthetic.

Endometriosis ceases to be a problem after menopause. Although endometriosis is a difficult condition to treat, there are several steps that a woman can take to reduce the suffering that comes with the various endometriosis stages

e-endometriosis.com Endometriosis provides detailed information on Chronic Endometriosis, Endometriorsis And Infertility, Endometriosis, Endometriosis And Cancer and more. Endometriosis is affiliated with i-menopause.com Male Menopause.

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Tags: implant, menopause, scars

DHEA has gained popularity as a natural anti-aging supplement recently. DHEA is a hormone that is naturally made by the human body and can be converted into the hormones Estrogen and Testosterone. When a person begins to age, their levels of this hormone begin to drop. Some claim that supplements containing will slow the effects of aging by promoting the growth of muscle, burn fat, and increase the strength of bones. A study conducted by the Mayo Clinic backs some medical claims connected to DHEA, while fracturing others. The study involved eighty seven men and fifty seven women over the age of sixty for two years.

The participants had low levels of the hormone when the study began and when taking supplements the level reached a normal level. According to this study a fair level of evidence shows that DHEA supplements benefit adrenal insufficiency and that DHEA supplements may help with weight loss and lupus. Evidence for increased muscle strength, immunity, and memory was debunked. TwinLab MaxiLife is the most popular brand on the market at this time. It contains what the brand claims to be the most potent DHEA available, 7-Keto.

CoEnzyme Q10 has been indicated in many studies as an effective anti-aging supplement. CoEnzyme Q10 is made by the body and is key for the proper cellular activity and function. Aging lowers the amount of CoEnzyme Q10 in the body. Supplements have been found to assist in a number of ailments. The supplement has caused small decreases in blood pressure, reduced angina, and may slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. In a few small scale studies, CQ10 has shown a reduction in deaths, abnormal heart rhythms, and second hearts attacks when taken three days after a heart attack.

Many proponents of the supplement have proclaimed CQ10 as a wonder supplement, though more studies are being conducted to determine which diseases may be affected in a positive manner. There are a low number of side effects reported with the use of CQ10. Most are mild and brief, such as a loss of appetite, irritability, and skin itching/rash. A popular brand of CoQ10 can be found at GNC. GNC CoQ10 is strictly processed and tested to meet high industry standards and surpass them.

Green Tea, black tea, and oolong tea are all made from the same plant, Camellia sinensis and has been used in China for close to five thousand years. Scientific evidence is unclear on the benefits of green tea, though more studies are occurring every year and most, according to the Mayo Clinic, are promising in many areas. One well documented case has a popular tea for fertility, FertilityBlend, cited for helping some women conceive. There is also evidence that green tea may assist in protecting against heart attack, high cholesterol, menopause, mental alertness, prostrate cancer, and even slowing the breakdown of cartilage. The side effects of green tea are limited to adverse reactions to those with tea or tannin allergies and those sensitive to caffeine. Decaffeinated versions are readily available. Green tea can be purchased under many brand names with Lipton becoming increasingly popular for offering the beneficial supplement in a more affordable package.

Care should be taken before embarking on any change to diet and health. Carefully research any claims made by a manufacturer and consult a doctor before making changes or using any product. Natural products are a healthy alternative to synthetics, but even natural products can cause unwanted side effects if not taken as directed.

For the latest FREE anti aging information and tips please go to: antiagingbuzz.com antiagingbuzz.com

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Tags: allergies, anti-aging, cholesterol, diet, Heart, menopause, weight Loss