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Living March 2003 Issue > Midlife Is a Time
for Women to Take Charge of Their Health
Midlife Is a Time for
Women to Take Charge of Their Health
Midlife is often a time
to reflect on accomplishments, renew commitments or
set off in a new direction. It is also a good time to
think about physical health and make changes to prevent
illness and improve quality of life for years to come.
A healthy diet, routine exercise and regular check ups
are important as the body begins the menopausal process
and a woman's risk of cancer and other disease increases.
A woman's body usually
begins transitioning toward menopause when she is in
her 40s or 50s. It is a gradual and natural process
when the balance of hormones changes. "It takes time
for the body to adjust to these changes. It could take
a few months or a few years," said Tony
Lu, M.D., a specialist in internal medicine who
also practices acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal medicine
at Loyola's Family Health Center at LaGrange Park. He
serves as director of Loyola's Center for Integrative
Medicine.
The conventional approach
to relieving menopause symptoms on a short-term basis
is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women should discuss
the factors involved in the decision to take HRT with
their primary care physicians. The risk-benefit ratio
is different for each woman based on her health and
history. As an alternative to HRT, primary care physicians
can prescribe a natural compound that has similar effects.
Some women may prefer an
alternative approach to traditional medicine. Loyola's
Center for Integrative Medicine offers a variety of
scientifically proven therapies from both Western and
Eastern medical traditions, such as Chinese herbal medicine
and acupuncture.
Common menopause symptoms
often can be controlled with routine exercise, a healthy
diet and home remedies.
Lu recommends some simple
and natural approaches that have helped relieve menopausal
symptoms. Vitamin E can help relieve hot flashes and
vaginal dryness, but it is not safe to take more than
400 IU to 800 IU per day. Talk to your doctor first
before taking vitamin E if you are on aspirin, Coumadin
or an anti-inflammatory drug. Bioflavonoids and vitamin
C have been found to control hot flashes. Foods containing
phyto-estrogens (a compound similar to estrogen) such
as celery, parsley, nuts, seeds and soy can help relieve
symptoms.
Some foods that increase
body heat can aggravate hot flashes: alcohol, chocolate,
spicy foods and caffeine. Drinking plenty of water helps
cool the system as does a morning soak in a tepid bath.
Lu cautions that shifting
hormones during the menopause process also can affect
a woman's bones and heart. The incorporation of calcium
into the bone is dependent upon estrogen, so when the
amount of estrogen decreases prior to menopause, bones
become less dense and osteoporosis may develop. It is
important for women to do weight-bearing exercises that
strengthen bone, get enough calcium in the diet and
get a bone density scan at about age 50 to evaluate
bone health.
The risk of heart disease
increases as estrogen decreases. Aerobic exercise, a
low-cholesterol diet and routine blood pressure and
cholesterol checks are needed.
Cancer screenings also
are important as the risk of cancer increases with age.
"The earlier the better
to start healthy habits, but if you haven't already
done so, midlife may be a good time to eliminate bad
habits and start good ones," Lu said.
To make an appointment
with Lu at the Loyola
Family Health Center at LaGrange Park, call (708)
485-1020. To find a primary care physician at Loyola,
call 1-888-LUHS-888.
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