|
Handbags
"Super Size My Handbag"
Large handbags have been the hot trend, this has led to another hot trend; increased doctor and chiropractic visits.
Super sized handbags, or small heavy bags, can cause a variety of problems. People are experiencing neck pain, headaches,
stiff shoulders, pain running into the hips, and even one shoulder being higher then the other. The symptoms are like those
suffered by kids with heavy backpacks.
As if the oversized bag is not enough we as women will add a gym bag to the same size, and talk on the cell phone - raising
our shoulder with all of that weight.
Some ideas for prevention were:
*Don't let your bag become as Tiffany F. said "a black hole". Empty your bag often.
*Only keep the necessities. Do you really need a full make up bag with you all the time, or would lipstick and a compact
be enough for a hour trip in the mall?
*Keep some things in your desk or car.
*Have a seperate gym bag.
*The smaller the bag, the less you will put in it. Kind of like the smaller plate theory. I find myself throwing things
in my bag if it has room - a book, papers, food, water etc. They all add up quickly.
Some other strategies:
*Employ the correct while carrying your bag - keep it toward the center of your body
*the strap should rest close to the neck
*switch sides
*soak the pain away using Epsom Salt (which is natural muscle relaxer)
*if carrying more then one bag even out the weight by placing one on each side (which I am terrible at doing!)
*We unconsciously lift the shoulder that the bag is on, so it is important to try to keep your shoulders square. *Other
ideas include trying to carry your bag in front of you, use carts, or strollers to support your bag (careful not to leave
bag unattended!)
*or find a cute backpack purse for those long shopping trips.
|
 |
Premenopause
Are you Pre-Menopausal?
Symptoms include-
*Hot Flashes
*Irregular periods that can be heavy, light, short or long.
*Difficulty sleeping either getting to sleep or staying asleep
*Mood Changes, anxiety depression,irritability
*Heart palpitations
*Dry skin, or hair loss
*Loss of or decreased sexual desire
*Vaginal dryness
*Incontinence
*Unexplained weight loss
*Headaches
*Mood Swings
*Inability to handle stress
*Fibrocystic breasts
*Uterine fibroids
*Endometriosis
*Low Metabolism
*Instable blood sugar
*Water retention
*Pain in the joints or stiffness
Why does it start so early? Somewhere in the 30's or 40's women begin to experience a gradual slowdown of their reproductive
cycle. as a consequence, their hormonal balance can begin to change, resulting in having premenopause symptoms.
Hormone balance, in turn, is very much related to stress levels, poor nutrition and environmental toxins (we discussed
xenoestrogens found in plastics, fertilizers, preservatives, etc.) found in our daily living. Plus, without ovulation, your
body does not produce progesterone. The lack of progesterone can cause premen. symptoms. Finally, besides the deficit of
progesterone in the body, most premenopause women experience higher then normal levels of estrogen.
Lifestyle changes to make:
Drink 8-10 glasses of water
Exercise at least 5 hours/week
Nutrition is a key factor
Increase consumption of cold water fish
Avoid Xenoestrogens (false estrogens)
Here are some links to web sites with some great information. If you are really to get deep into the topic check out
Dr. Lee's book What Your Doctor is NOT Telling You About Premenopause"
Cyberparent - women's health
Dr. Lee's website (It is working now!!!!)
Women's Health- lots of links on this site
Wise Geek - what is premenopause
Safe Solutions - premenopause
About.com - premenopause
Is Male Menopause Real?
|
