"I'm Not Having a Heart Attack!": The Hot Flashers of Menopause

Are you feeling like your body is betraying you? Do you sometimes feel like you're having a heart attack when all you're experiencing is a hot flash? You're not alone. Millions of women go through menopause every year and they all share your pain.

Hot Flashes: Why Menopause Means More than Just Change of Hormone?

When we think of menopause, we often associate it with the changes in hormone levels that women experience. However, menopause is so much more than that. It's a time of change for your whole body, both physically and emotionally.

The most noticeable change is the hot flashes. Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of warmth that can last for several minutes or even hours.

If you're one of the millions of women experiencing hot flashes, you know they can be more than just a little uncomfortable. In fact, hot flashes can cause long-term problems, including trouble sleeping and anxiety.

At What Age Does Menopause Usually Begin?

Menopause is the permanent end of menstruation and fertility. It's a natural biological process. Although the average age of menopause is 51, the age range is wide, with some women experiencing menopause as early as their 30s or 40s, and others not until their 60s.

The process of menopause doesn't happen overnight. It's a gradual process that can begin several years before menopause, when the ovaries start to produce less estrogen. This transition phase is called perimenopause.

During perimenopause, you may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, and sleep problems. These symptoms are usually most severe during the final two years leading up to menopause (ages 49 to 51). But they can begin earlier and last longer.

Menopause: It's Not Just Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

While hot flashes and night sweats are common menopausal symptoms, there are other less talked about changes that can occur during this time:

• Vaginal dryness

• Mood swings

• Weight gain

• Thinning hair and dry skin

• Loss of breast fullness

• Sleep problems

• Irregular periods

Additionally, the risk of developing coronary artery disease increases during menopause. This is because the drop in estrogen levels can cause changes in cholesterol levels and the hardening of the arteries.

Life After Menopause: What to Expect

After menopause, women can expect to experience a variety of changes in their bodies. These changes can include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and weight gain. Additionally, women may also notice a decrease in their sex drive and an increase in urinary problems.

Although these changes can be challenging to adjust to, there are many ways to manage them effectively. With the right support and lifestyle changes, post-menopausal women can still enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life.

From Relief to Management: How to Minimize Post-Menopause Effects

There are a variety of treatments available to help manage the symptoms of menopause. Some women may need just a few simple lifestyle changes, while others may require more aggressive treatment. However, with the right approach, most women can effectively manage their symptoms and enjoy a healthy, active life.

1. Maintain a healthy weight:

Weight gain is common during menopause. This could be due to a combination of hormone fluctuations, ageing, lifestyle, and genetics.

Excess body fat, particularly around the waist, raises the risk of developing diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Furthermore, body weight may influence menopausal symptoms.

2. Avoid trigger foods:

What are trigger foods? They’re different for everyone, but there are some common ones to be aware of. caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and spicy foods are all known triggers for menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Keeping a food diary can help you identify your own personal triggers so you can avoid them as much as possible.

3. Exercise regularly:

There is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether exercise is effective in treating hot flashes and night sweats.

Regular exercise, on the other hand, has been shown to improve other menopausal symptoms such as relieving insomnia, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. It can also help to prevent weight gain and a variety of diseases and conditions.

4. Drink enough water:

During menopause, the body goes through hormonal changes that can lead to dehydration. This is because the body sweating more to cool itself down. Drinking plenty of water can help combat this by keeping the body hydrated and healthy.

In addition to helping with menopause symptoms, drinking water has many other benefits. It helps improve skin health, promotes weight loss, and flushes out toxins from the body. So if you’re going through menopause, make sure to drink plenty of water!

5. Reduce intake of refined sugar and processed foods:

A diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar can cause blood sugar spikes and drops, leaving you tired and irritable. This may aggravate menopausal physical and mental symptoms.

Diets high in processed foods may also have an impact on bone health, particularly if these foods replace the nutrients you require from a daily balanced diet.

6. Natural supplements can help you:

There are many natural supplements that can help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Fenugreek is a herb that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of issues. Recently, it's been gaining attention as a possible treatment for menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and lacking of energy.

Early Menopause: The New Normal for Millennial Women?

Early menopause is when a woman experiences menopause before the age of 45. This can be due to a variety of factors, including genetics, health conditions, and certain medications. However, the causes of early menopause is unknown.

Early menopause can have a significant impact on a woman’s health. It can cause problems with fertility, as well as an increased risk for osteoporosis and heart disease. There is also a higher risk for depression and anxiety in women who experience early menopause.

Summary

In conclusion, menopause is a normal part of a woman's life. It is not a disease, and it is not something to be ashamed of. Menopause is a time of transition, and it can be an opportunity for women to learn more about their bodies and how they work. There are many resources available to women who are experiencing menopause, and it is important to seek out support if needed.

Related read:

1. FemmeGuard - Fenugreek and Maca extract to the Menopause Rescue

2. How Libifem works to improve menopause related conditions?

3. Menopause causing sleeping problems? Maybe you are lacking melatonin

Anxiety Medications Lorazepam, Alprazolam and Diazepam May All Increase Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease

If you or a loved one suffer from anxiety, you are probably all too familiar with searching for ways to ease the symptoms. Whether trying different techniques to relax or looking for the perfect medication, it can be a difficult and long journey. Unfortunately, some of the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications may do more harm than good in the long run.

Anxiety Medication: Good For Short-Term Use, But Not Prolonged!

While anxiety medications are often prescribed for short-term use, some people end up taking them for much longer. Prolonged use of anxiety medication can have a number of negative side effects, including an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

According to a study published in The BMJ by researchers from France and Canada, taking the drugs for three months or longer may significantly increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease years later. The drugs have been linked to short-term cognitive impairment, but the link to Alzheimer's disease has been less clear. The new study discovers a convincing, and seemingly strong link between benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's disease.

Example of benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines work by binding to GABA receptors in the brain. This increases the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve cell activity. This action makes benzodiazepines effective at reducing anxiety and inducing sleep. Some benzodiazepines example:

• alprazolam

• chlordiazepoxide

• clorazepate

• diazepam

• halazepam

• lorazepam

• oxazepam

• prazepam

• quazepam

Anxiety Attacks Can Be Triggered By Many Things - Here's What You Need To Know

For many people, anxiety is a normal and even healthy part of life. But for some, anxiety can become so overwhelming that it triggers an anxiety attack. These attacks can be extremely frightening and may even feel like a heart attack or stroke.

It's important to understand what can trigger an anxiety attack so that you can be prepared to manage the symptoms. Anxiety attacks are often caused by a combination of environmental, and internal life stressor factors. Common triggers include:

Internal factors:

Stress is the most common internal factor that triggers anxiety attacks. People may experience anxiety as a result of a variety of life stressors. These are not universal and can have different effects on different people.

When you are under a lot of stress, your body produces more adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can cause your heart to race and your breathing to become shallow. This can lead to an anxiety attack.

Extreme fatigue & lack of sleep is another trigger for anxiety attacks. When you're tired, your body is more vulnerable to stress and anxiety. This can create a vicious cycle - you're anxious because you're not sleeping, and then you can't sleep because you're anxious.

Medical problems. Some heart, lung, and thyroid conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to or worsen anxiety symptoms.

Environmental factors:

Environmental factors, such as noise or a change in routine, can also be a trigger of an anxiety attack.

People who suffer from anxiety often live in fear of having another attack. They may avoid places or activities that they associate with the attack. This can make it difficult to go about their everyday lives.

Hidden Signs of Anxiety: What You Should Know

You may feel like you're doing just fine, but what if there's something going on behind the scenes? Something that's affecting your work, your relationships, and your day-to-day life? Many of us suffer from hidden anxiety. It's a sneaky condition that can creep up on us slowly and take hold before we even realize it. But there are warning signs. If you're aware of them, you can get help before anxiety takes over.

Here are some hidden signs of anxiety that you should know about.

1. Feeling restless or on edge: If you find yourself feeling wound up and unable to relax, it could be a sign of anxiety.

2. Difficulty concentrating: An anxious mind can be a wandering mind. If you’re having trouble focusing on tasks or conversations, it could be due to anxiety.

3. Changes in sleep patterns: Anxiety can cause insomnia or make it difficult to fall asleep. It can also lead to daytime fatigue.

4. Muscle tension: Do you find yourself clenching your jaw or shoulders? Or maybe you get headaches more frequently than usual? Muscle tension is a common symptom of anxiety.

Anxiety Treatment at Home

There are several ways to treat anxiety at home that can be very effective.

One way to treat anxiety at home is to exercise regularly. Exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment for anxiety and can help to reduce stress levels. Exercise can also help to improve sleep quality, which can be helpful for people with anxiety.

Another way to treat anxiety at home is to practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises. These activities can help to calm the mind and body and can be very helpful in reducing anxiety symptoms.

Finally, it is important to make sure that you are getting enough sleep each night.

If You Are On Anxiety Medications Such As Lorazepam, Alprazolam and Diazepam

If you are currently taking anxiety medication, you should be aware that some research has found that these medications may be linked to Alzheimer's disease. However, it is important not to stop immediately. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.

If you are concerned about the potential link between anxiety medication and Alzheimer's, talk to your doctor. They can help you weigh the risks and benefits of continuing your medication.

Related Read:

1. Improve sleep and reduce stress hormone with ReszGuard

2. Why you should always put sleep first!

3. How Maizinol realigns your body rhythm for better sleep and mood?

How does Melatonin Influence Your Body's Internal Clock?

The hormone of darkness - Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain that helps you fall asleep by triggering feelings of drowsiness. Melatonin levels rise in reaction to darkness, coordinating with the circadian rhythm (a 24-hour cycle that governs physical activities) to prepare your body for the first stage of sleep, awake. Sleep quality can be harmed by low melatonin synthesis, making it difficult to fall asleep. Night shift workers, those with sleep disorders, and frequent travellers may have sleep disruptions and poor sleep quality, which can be connected to melatonin deficiency.

What regulates melatonin production?

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain's hypothalamus regulates melatonin release by coordinating the timing of biological activities. The SCN, which is located above the optic nerves that connect your brain to your eyes, determines however much melatonin it secretes based on the amount of light entering your eyes. When it gets darker outside, your body produces more melatonin, which makes you sleepy. If your circadian clock is out of whack, your body may produce irregular melatonin throughout the day, causing sleep-wake cycles to be disrupted or sleep disorders to develop.

The consequences of melatonin deficiency in the human body

Poor sleep quality

When it comes to enhancing your performance and concentration, sleep is one of the most significant components. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, plays an important role in your sleep. Restlessness, a poor stress reaction, sleeplessness, and waking up too early in the morning can all be indicators of a deficit.

Stress & anxiety

Cortisol (a stress hormone) levels are at their lowest around midnight, according to research. They will begin to rise two to three hours after you go to bed and will continue to rise throughout the night as you wake up. This demonstrates an inverse relationship between melatonin production and release and cortisol:

• The levels of cortisol in the body decrease as the levels of melatonin in the body rise.

• As the body's melatonin levels fall, the body's cortisol levels rise.

Thus, a person with a low melatonin level will tend to have a higher stress response & have a risk of an anxiety incidence.

Besides that, Melatonin also aids in the physiological stress response. During the stress response, the body's temperature, blood pressure, and hormone levels all rise. Melatonin is important in the regulation of these physiological factors, which assists the body in relieving stress.

Weaker Immune

Melatonin sends signals to the immune system, and the immune system "talks" back, according to researchers. This "cross-talk" helps to fine-tune and coordinate healthy immunity. It strengthens innate defences against a wide range of pathogens, including viruses and cancer cells.

Melatonin enhances the body's immunity in several ways:

• Improving the responses of antibodies that "tag" specific viruses, bacteria, and other invaders to be attacked by various immune system components,

• Reducing chronic inflammation, which is the root cause of nearly all age-related chronic diseases

• Increasing T cell activity, which aids in the more efficient destruction of pathogens.

Accelerated ageing process

Melatonin aids in the slowing of the ageing process in tissues such as the brain. It protects all tissues in the body because of its' powerful antioxidant property.

Is synthetic melatonin supplement your preferred option?

Melatonin supplements are not authorised for sale over the counter in countries like the UK, Ireland and also in Malaysia. Melatonin is a prescription-only medicine in these countries due to the fact that melatonin is a type of hormone. Even though in some other countries it is available to buy in health food shops or online.

When you supplement a hormone (melatonin), you are interfering with your own body's biosynthesis process, which many people cannot tolerate, resulting in a lot of dreams and dizziness in the morning. The common side effects of synthetic melatonin include:

• feeling sleepy or tired in the daytime

• headache

• stomach ache or feeling sick (nausea)

• feeling dizzy

• feeling irritable or restless

• dry mouth

• dry or itchy skin

• pains in your arms or legs

• strange dreams or night sweats

Maize-derived ingredient, a safer alternative to synthetic melatonin

Maizinol, a natural ingredient derived from corn leaves (Zea mays), acts via the melatonin pathway. Its active compound is structurally similar to melatonin, binds with the receptors and boosts the body's own melatonin biosynthesis, without having adverse effects like synthetic melatonin.

Maizinol was found to assist with sleep & stress-related symptoms. A clinical study showed the ingredient significantly increased deep-sleep time by 30 minutes when taken before bed. It has also shown a significant reduction (~30%) in cortisol levels in the early morning.

Maizinol is marketed under the brand The PrimAGE ReszGuard in Malaysia.

Learn more

Related read:

1. ReszGuard with Maizinol corn leaves extract- improves your melatonin levels.

2. Your body clock disruption can suck the life out of you!

3. Signs of a misaligned body clock system.

4. Sleeping Late: How Does It Affect Our Health?