Free Secrets to be a Healthy Women

Osteoporosis is a worldwide problem, though mostly documented in countries with advanced healthcare systems, and affects many millions of people across all countries. Women have a higher lifetime risk of a fracture due to osteoporosis with about thirty to forty percent chance in their life, whilst men have a much smaller but still significant risk of 13%. Osteoporosis is a condition which occurs slowly and quietly with the sufferer mostly not aware there is anything amiss until it is too late and they have a problem. The assessment of risk and the preventative treatment of this condition are vital and very active areas in research and treatment.With 1.5 million fractures in the United States alone, osteoporosis is a common diagnosis and 50% of women over 50 years old suffer from this condition, rising to almost 90% of women aged seventy-five years. Osteoporosis causes fractures and this is the main clinical problem, with significant disability and pain from spinal fractures and a 5-20 percent chance of dying after a hip fracture due to the complications. Apart from the personal costs osteoporosis is also costly to health services dealing with high levels of fractures in post-menopausal women.The greatest risk factor for getting osteoporosis is passing through the menopause, when the bone-protecting hormones stop being produced or are greatly reduced. The bone density of the person can then drop steeply unless they are diagnosed and treated. Other risk factors include being female, age, having a family history of osteoporosis, a hormone deficiency, having low calcium levels, drinking excessive alcohol and smoking cigarettes. If there is the menopause plus a number of risk factors, the woman is 65 years old or older or the person has had a fracture without significant trauma then they should be investigated for low bone density.The signs and symptoms of osteoporosis are not that many. With an acute vertebral fracture on lifting or bending then the pain is extremely severe and long lasting, an indication that something significant has occurred. Back pain is common and there may be an increased thoracic kyphosis (upper back curve), an increased cervico-thoracic curve (dowagers hump) and a noticeable loss of height. Any fracture without significant trauma is suspicious and should be investigated. If the patients bones look thin on x-ray and there are compression fractures in the thoracic spine, the diagnosis may be clear, but a bone density scan (DEXA) can indicate the degree of osteoporosis and monitor change.Osteoporosis prevention encompasses lifestyle change, eating a diet rich in vitamin D and calcium, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol and engaging in weight bearing exercise. HRT (hormone replacement therapy) is used to prevent this condition in women who are past the menopause. Drugs include bisphosphonates, HRT, selective oestrogen receptor modulators and calcium and vitamin D supplements. The development of new bone rather than stopping the loss might be achievable with an anabolic drug. When we are young we lay the groundwork for our bone mass so should be encouraged to eat well and engage in weightbearing exercises to ensure a good bone density.A recent development in the treatment of hyper acute spinal fractures with their very severe and disabling pain is vertebroplasty. In this procedure a radiologist introduces a needle under x-ray control into the front of the body of the vertebra which has collapsed and then injects a cement material which mechanically bolsters the area, with great relief of pain. Falls are particularly dangerous due to the high risk of fracture and exercise can improve balance, stability, co-ordination and muscle strength to reduce the risk. As this may be a long term condition it may be necessary to provide both practical and psychological help to enable patients to cope best with their condition.Exercise and bone mass are closely linked and physiotherapists work in osteoporosis classes and clinics to educate people of all ages in the benefits of movement. Children and young people are encouraged to have plenty of exercise so their bone mass builds to a good level. Exercise can slow down the bone loss process and impact exercises which jar the bones are more beneficial than cycling or swimming. Anybody of any age can start a suitable exercise programme and make a difference, guided by a skilled physiotherapist.

A simple exercise that has been shown to improve bone density in premenopausal women and slow bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Osteoporosis is a disorder leading to fragile and weak bones that exposes the patient to an increased risk of fracture. Since this disorder makes silent inroads into a patient’s system, they are not aware until they break a bone. Individuals with a family history of osteoporosis run a 60 to 80 percent risk of encountering the disorder. Excessive amount of smoking and alcoholism also leads to bone degeneration. Low body weight, calcium deficiency, chronic medical problems like hyperthyroidism and diabetes, excess physical activity to the extent of bone damage and exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium and lead are potential risk factors leading to osteoporosis.

The primary consequence of osteoporosis is an increased risk of fracture. Since it has no specified symptoms, the diagnosis is done by measuring the BMD (bone mineral density) of an individual. Apart from this, blood tests and X-rays can also be performed for further investigation. Women aged more than sixty run a greater risk of osteoporosis. The United States Preventive Services Task Force has recommended a bone densitometry screening for all women who are 60 to 64 years old. The ORAI (Osteoporosis Risk Assessment Instrument) is probably the most sensitive strategy for selecting women who run a greater risk of osteoporosis and need an urgent bone mineral density testing.

Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis needs a mix of medication and lifestyle change. Regular exercise and proper nutrition during adolescence is important for every individual. Quality exercise and proper nutrition should not be periodic but should be carried throughout life since it delays bone degeneration. Diet should comprise of good amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Tobacco and alcohol intake should be avoided. High-risk osteoporosis cases can be treated with bisphosphonate.

Bisphosphonates belong to the class of drugs that limits the range or extent of osteoclast action (Osteoclasts are a type of bone cell that resorbs bone). Thus bisphosphonates inhibits the resorption of bones. Fosamax (Generic name: Alendronate) is a bisphosphonate prescribed to treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases as well. Post-menopausal women having osteoporosis, when treated with Fosamax have shown remarkable normalization of bone formation and a good increase in the bone mineral density thus reducing the risk of fractures.

Fosamax can be bought from either the drugstore located nearby or an online pharmacy. However online pharmacies are always a better option than the traditional drugstores. No need to go all the way to a drugstore, just log in to an online pharmacy website and fill in their order form. Since the Canadian government has imposed regulation on the price of prescription medicines, the Canadian online pharmacies charge a comparatively less than other pharmacies. Once the order is placed, the drugs are delivered with full security and confidentiality at the patient’s doorsteps. Buying Fosamax online thus saves time, money and energy.

Menopause in women brings different kind of medical complications and the hormonal changes in the body that makes them vulnerable to disease like osteoporosis. Osteoporosis decreases the density of bone mass. Fortunately there is an effective medication available for osteoporosis in the form of Evista. Evista is a medication that affects the bone formation cycle and breakdown in the body. It also reduces the loss of bone tissue and is mostly used to prevent osteoporosis in post menopausal women. It reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have osteoporosis or who are at risk of invasive breast cancer. Calcium and vitamin D should be taken along with Evista if one is not getting sufficient calcium and vitamin D from his regular diet. One can buy Evista only if it is prescribed by a registered medical health care provider. Evista is one of the best options available for the treatment of osteoporosis and is also considered as a safe drug. But since all the medications have some kind of side effects it is also the case with Evista. Some side effects are bound to occur in some women during the treatment. Side effects that can be caused by Evista are well documented and it implies that it causes birth defects in an unborn baby. Other than this some other complications that can be administered while taking Evista are blood clot formations, swelling of the legs, sudden chest pain, coughing up blood, changes in vision. If one finds any such complications during the treatment she should immediately seek the medical attention. Evista is the only second FDA approved drug, which is used to reduce the risk of breast cancer. It is commonly referred to as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Evista is currently taken by about half a million women in the U.S. to prevent and treat osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. Researchers had previously observed lower rates of breast cancer in women taking Evista than in the general population. Evista is taken once each day and it can be taken any time of the day. One should avoid alcohol and tobacco while taking Evista and should do weight bearing exercises to strengthen her bones.Evista can only be purchased if it is prescribed by a doctor. It is easily available on various drug stores. One of the best ways to buy Evista is through online drug store where one can avail fabulous discounts on the purchase. Moreover one can order this medication online by just sitting at home and the medication will be delivered at home. It has become an easy and fast process of availing best medication at the reasonable price. These online drug stores have necessary licensed for selling the drugs of all the reputed pharmaceutical companies.

Apart from taking appropriate amount of mineral supplements and getting regular weight bearing exercise, intake of a low dose of oral contraceptives during perimenopausal stage (stage immediately before menopause comprising of 3-5 years) is apparently linked to enhancing the bone density. Studies indicate that the contraceptives aid averting the acceleration of bone loss and hence the impending risk of osteoporosis that commonly occurs during menopausal/ postmenopausal years.
One of the studies revealed that among post-menopausal women, an intake of oral contraceptives led to an enhancement in bone mineral density and a reduction in the levels of blood cholesterol. Most researchers are of the belief that oral contraceptives are more efficient than the hormone therapy (HT) for menopause. Although both oral contraceptives and HT enhance bone mineral density, but with oral contraceptives, there is a better overall deceleration of bone loss. The latter also confer a larger decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is the so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol and responsible for various heart problems. Although this study needs more confirmation, but many researchers consider oral contraceptives will soon come up as an alternative for HT for keeping healthy during postmenopausal years, especially in context to menopausal/ postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, since oral contraceptives too aim at altering hormonal levels of body just like the HT, oral contraceptives too impart side-effects, most of which are in common to HT.
Side effects of oral contraceptives:
Nausea or vomiting
Breast tenderness or swelling
Weight gain
Irregular bleeding /spotting
Hormone therapy (HT) is the best option to prevent osteoporosis among postmenopausal women. The therapy involves supplementation of either estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone. Ovaries produce these hormones and they regulate various physiological processes. One of the important roles of estrogen is in bone turnout, being responsible for blocking the resorption of bone calcium into the bloodstream. However, during the onset of menopause, the ovaries are no longer able to produce sufficient amount of estrogen and following postmenopause, ovaries produce almost no estrogen. Therefore, this is the time when bone loss accelerates among women since in the absence of estrogen, calcium resorption begins from bones, increasing the risk for osteoporosis. In men, the hormone testosterone plays a role analogous to estrogen in females on the bone. Thus, when there is a decline in testosterone levels (which happen around the age 65-70), bone mineral density declines. Thus, among men too the testosterone supplementation is given to prevent bone loss. However, the conventional HT particularly refers to supplementing estrogen (alone or along with progesterone) to menopausal women. FDA has not approved use of testosterone to treat osteoporosis.
Estrogen in HT can be given in the form of tablets, cream, injections or vaginal ring. You must talk to your doctor about the form that would best on you.
Another hormone that doctors generally give along with estrogen is calcitonin. This hormone is produced by thyroid and its function is to help bones absorb the calcium. With age, the production of this hormone by thyroid declines as well. Thus, supplementation of estrogen along with calcitonin works great in most postmenopausal women to prevent the bone loss. While you are on these hormones, you must ensure adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D.
Prevention of osteoporosis by HT is its added advantage of the therapy. If you have a severe bone loss, your healthcare professional may prescribe you drugs typical to treat or prevent the progression of osteoporosis as described in the next chapter.

JOINT PAINS

Joint pains – the stiffness and swelling around joints is commonly associated with arthritis and osteoporosis, which are both conditions that weaken the bones and degenerate the cartilage between the bones. However, menopausal joint pain affects women between the ages of 45-55 or sometimes longer (perimenopause and menopause years) due to hormonal changes that the body will be experiencing during these years.

A joint is commonly defined as the meeting point of two or more bones where these bones move  or glide over each other to make movement of the body limbs and parts possible. There are three basic types of joints in the body, namely:

Synathrosis (Fiberous) joints: which are immoveable and can be found in the skull or pelvic bone. This type of joint is held together by only a ligament.

Amphiarthrosis (Cartilaginous) joints: such as the joints found in the vertebral column and the symphysis pubis, which allow limited motion.

Diarthrosis (Synovial) joints: far more common and which are freely moveable joints found in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. Among this third group of moveable joints there are 6 sub sets:

The joints allow different ranges of movements in the different parts of the body. During perimenopause and menopause, this free flow of movement in the joints is hampered by alterations in the bones and cartilages, which is caused by hormonal changes in the body. Some of these changes can cause the cartilage (which is a substance in the joint covering the bone that allows bones to glide over one another) to wear off, and the secretion of the synovial fluid which lubricates the joints can be hindered or reduced. This situation will lead to pain and swelling in the joints and, subsequently, difficulty in movement and pain. The swelling can be directly attributed to the lowering levels of hormones in the body and specifically estrogen. During menopause there could be a period of aching and sore joints, equally affecting muscles and tendons. More than half of post-menopausal women have been found to experience different degrees of joint pains. Other likely causes for sore joints could be stress, lack of exercise, weight and a poor diet, an injury of some kind and wear and tear on the joints and body generally as a result of age or lifestyle.

Early treatment of these symptoms can help to bring about relief and help to stop further development of arthritis. These are some healthy strategies that can help women effectively cope with joint pain during perimenopause as well as menopause. Having adequate rest and eating a balanced diet preferably with natural, fresh fruits and vegetables for adequate vitamin consumption, and dairy products for calcium and protein, together with sufficient levels of omega 3 nutrients. Gentle exercise not overly load bearing is good 2-3 times a week. When looking at balancing the hormones as a method of reducing joint pain or indeed some other menopause symptoms, many women in the UK and across Europe have found alleviation with a device called LadyCare. Now exclusively available in the USA, the device is thought to balance the natural hormones in the body using purely natural and drug free means. Further information can be found on http://www.ladycareusa.com

The comments on this page are for informational purposes only. We do not provide any medical advice. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health problem, or replace professional advice from a qualified medical expert.

Maintaining bone density and bone health should be an important concern for postmenopausal women. One natural alternative to estrogen and other supplements for women seeking to prevent bone loss after menopause is to exercise using a weight vest. Resistance exercises, including squats, lunges, stepping up and down, and getting in and out of a chair while wearing a weighted vest, have been show to prevent bone loss and maintain bone health in postmenopausal women.

A five-year study conducted at Oregon State University has shown that women can prevent, and some cases increase, bone density post menopause. The women in the study performed low impact versions of plyometric exercises while wearing a weighted vest. The results showed that the exercise group was able to prevent bone loss in the hip compared to the control group.

In one area of the hip, the femoral neck, the exercise group actually increased bone density by 1.5 percent compared to a 4.4 percent loss in the control group. This is significant because more than 50 percent of all bone fractures in the U.S. occur in the femoral neck of the hip. “After five years, though, the improvement was significant,” said Christine Snow, director of the Bone Research Laboratory at OSU. “Exercise was as good or better than either estrogen or Fosamax for preventing bone loss.”

Barbara Black, a Corvallis resident, was 74 years old when she began the study and has stayed with it ever since. “Before I started the program, my bone density was below average,” Black said. “And, at my age, I certainly expected to be losing more. To actually gain bone is really fantastic. It’s been a great motivation. I think you need to keep moving as you age, otherwise you won’t be able to. You don’t have to go downhill,” she added with a giggle. “This shows you can go uphill, too.”

Weight vests themselves have become more advanced over the years as well. Today’s quality weight vests will not only help with bone loss prevention and maintaining bone health, they are also slim, comfortable, fully adjustable and stylish. This weight vest is likely the best you will find for the money. It is stylish and you will love it. The company also makes a number of unique training devices such as Sandbells. Although these weight vests are marketed toward extreme athletes, creative women who are looking to prevent bone loss and maintain bone health can benefit greatly as well.

Our society is so geared toward youth that women over 50 may feel that it’s impossible for them to look good.  This just isn’t true!  And taking control of your weight is a big step in looking your best.  Read on to find the best weight loss plan for after menopause.

If you need to lose weight, you’re not alone.  About two out of three post-menopausal women gain weight.  And even if they don’t, they have a hard time maintaining their weight before menopause.  And the weight tends to gravitate around the mid-section.

 You’re not alone

One thing that you always need to keep in mind is that your health is a major concern. Avoid fad diets at all costs.  They don’t work in the long run, and they can have adverse effects on your health.  You have to accept that weight loss takes longer when you are over 50.  But the results will be well worth it.

Life style,not diet 

The key is to stop thinking in terms of just dieting to lose weight and start thinking about developing a healthy life style.  As a post-menopausal woman, you need to make sure that you are getting enough calcium in your diet, as well as essential vitamins and minerals.  Another essential element is fiber.  Fiber helps keep you regular, and also creates a feeling of fullness, which makes you eat less at meals.

How much should you eat? 

Because your metabolism has slowed down, how much you eat is just as important as what you eat.  Take smaller portions and eat slowly.  This gives your body time to send the “full” message to your brain. Eat until you’re comfortably full and then stop!  Only eat when you’re actually hungry—not because you’re bored, or nervous.  Don’t automatically put food out when you’re watching TV, or reading a book.

 Exercise

Another vital factor in weight loss is exercise.  In addition to helping you lose weight, it promotes stronger bones and a healthier heart.  It also helps prevent diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. And you don’t necessarily have to join a gym, or invest in expensive equipment.  There are ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

So now you have some guidelines on the best weight loss program for after menopause.  But where do you go from here?  Well, there is a program that will show you not only how to  lose weight , but develop a whole new healthy life style.  You will learn what foods are good for you and how to prepare meals that are healthy, yet delicious. This program will also show you how to develop an exercise plan that is both effective and realistic.  Click on http://finallyadietthatworks.com/ and get started on the way to looking and feeling better.

It is important for women to understand that menopause is a natural process and post-menopausal effects can be reduced by following some simple advises. In this article, we will discuss the common problems and effects most women face after menopause and how they should be dealt to carry on their life normally.

· Hot Flashes

It is the most common symptom that occurs after menopause due to low estrogen level. To minimize hot flashes, women should avoid alcohol, caffeine, hot and spicy food and warm environments. Diet changes and relaxation therapies like yoga and meditation can also reduce the onset.

· Facial Hair

Excessive hair growth on face is again due to hormonal imbalance after menopause. Facial hair can be removed by tweezing, waxing, and shaving or can also be bleached. Removal of facial hair by electrolysis is painful and expensive by Laser treatment.

· Vaginal Dryness

Due to drastic drop in estrogen level, the membranes of vagina thin and lose elasticity. Decrease in lubricating fluids production can make sexual intercourse painful. To reduce vaginal dryness, women should try to avoid strong soaps or using barrier creams.

· Bone Thinness or Osteoporosis

Bones tend to get thin due to low estrogen in body and lead to osteoporosis. Ample intake of vitamin D can reduce the risk of bone loss and can stimulate calcium and mineral absorption in body to make bone strong. Milk is a rich source of Vitamin D.

· Skin Dryness

Skin dryness is another problem which follows menopause. Women feel their skin getting dry and itchy due to decrease in estrogen. By adding oils in their diet, they can fight and reduce this effect. Applying moisturizer immediately after taking short shower reduces the dryness. Regular exercise can also improve complexion as body gets extra oxygen and blood supply.

· Unexplained Weight gain

The reason of gain weight after menopause cannot be explained. Weight gain can be controlled by changing eating habits. More fiber containing food like fruits and vegetables should be included in diet and fatty foods should be avoided.

Women should take menopause as a new phase in life and should be accepted as happily. Women should think positively that none of the symptoms would last forever. They can combat the symptoms and improve the quality of postmenopausal life by taking proper care of them, by doing exercise and eating nutritious diet. They should remember the life after menopause is as normal as they make it.

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Those who suffer from osteoporosis will know the constant dangers they face everyday. Extra care must be taken by the sufferer to prevent the falls, knocks and stumbles that wouldn’t bother an average healthy person, but can often result in fractures or breaks to the bones of a person with osteoporosis.

With osteoporosis, the bones of the body lose their density and strength, resulting in them becoming more brittle and easier to break. It is quite often seen as a disease of the elderly where shrinkage of the spine occurs, and the person quite literally seems to shrink, sometimes very rapidly. The typical ‘dowager’s hump’ is the excessive curvature of the upper part of the spine resulting from the collapse of the spinal column, which is caused by osteoporosis.

But osteoporosis does not limit itself to the elderly alone, as people of all ages can develop this condition through different factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, or a much reduced activity level through injury or illness, heavy drinking and smoking, eating a diet that is low in calcium, overactive thyroid gland, liver disease, or lack of oestrogen due to menopause.

Women often suffer more from osteoporosis than men, often due to the rapid reduction of oestrogen during the menopause, and the condition affects more women than strokes, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and breast cancer. About half of women aged between 50 to 75 suffer from some osteoporosis.

An injury to the spine can be extremely painful and debilitating, so what can be done to help strengthen your bones and protect your spine, and other vulnerable bones and joints?

One obvious answer to help with this condition would be to increase calcium foods in the diet, or to add a calcium supplement in tablet or powder form. But don’t just limit your thinking to just calcium containing dairy foods alone, such as milk, cheese and eggs. There are other foods like green leafy vegetables, herbs, vitamins and minerals you can include that also contain sources of calcium, and some that complement your efforts by helping your body to absorb more calcium, to slow the loss, or even hang on to it for longer.

Try to increase, or introduce the following into your diet:

Fish bones are a great source of natural calcium. Try to choose fresh or tinned fish where you can eat up the bones too.

Magnesium may be beneficial in preventing the progression of osteoporosis. Try taking a supplement, adding brewers yeast, or eating foods rich in magnesium such as nuts and soyabeans.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, so you will be getting extra by eating oily fish such as mackerel, sardines and salmon, which you are eating to get the calcium from the bones as mentioned above. Vitamin D is not called the sunshine vitamin for nothing, and by far the best way of getting a dose is by taking a walk in the sunshine. Vitamin D is produced in the skin as a natural reaction to sunlight, and the body gets most of its Vitamin D in this way.

Increasing your intake of boron is beneficial. Boron is a trace mineral, which can be found in plants. Recent research has indicated that post-menopausal women who increase their intake of boron can prevent calcium loss in bones, so tucking into extra serving of organically grow fruit and root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, beetroot, turnips and parsnips can help keep your bones healthy. (Good quality soil is rich in boron, so make sure you buy organic wherever possible).

If you have fluoride in your drinking water, this can help by stimulating new bone growth.

Tea drinkers will already know about the health benefits of this popular beverage, but if you like herbal tea too, you may be pleased to know that a cup of comfrey leaf tea can aid in healing. Calcium containing herbal teas include parsley, kelp, dandelion leaf, horsetail, and nettle. Adding or increasing these herbal teas can be very beneficial to osteoporosis sufferers.

Low or no-impact exercise is recommended for sufferers of osteoporosis, such as walking and swimming. Weight-bearing exercises such as weight training with light weights can also help to keep the muscles and tendons strong that support the spine and joints.

With back problems, keeping your core muscles strong and tight is vitally important if you want to protect your spine from further injury, so taking a regular pilates class or course would be a great way of achieving a strong core, while trying to avoid jarring exercises such as jogging and high-impact aerobics which could result in injury.