 A monthly period is a part of a woman’s life from puberty to menopause. For many, it’s also monthly misery. Leading up to a period, many women experience premenstrual symptoms that can affect their daily life, such as mood changes, headaches, bloating, and cramps. Once their period begins, the symptoms continue or sometimes worsen for a large proportion of the population.
Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and birth control pills may provide relief for some, but they may not be appropriate or effective for everyone. Fortunately, new research presented this week at the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) conference confirmed what Dr. Taketa-Wong has been saying for years: Dietary changes can significantly reduce the severity of menstrual cramps. Menstrual cramps occur when prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract to expel the lining of the uterus. Some people barely notice this happening, but it can cause intense discomfort for others. (Prostaglandins are compounds with hormone-like effects. They control processes such as inflammation, blood flow, the formation of blood clots and the induction of labor.) Prostaglandins also cause inflammation, and it is this inflammation that can lead to more severe menstrual cramps. It is well documented that some foods cause inflammation and others relieve it. This latest research shows that the foods which relieve inflammation may also alleviate menstrual cramps. When Dr. Taketa-Wong helps women upgrade their food choices and make individualized supplements, herbs, and other recommendations, their menstrual cramps and other symptoms often significantly improve or resolve completely. Click to read the article
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Insomnia is the name for a sleep disorder where people can have trouble falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or often wake up too early and are unable to fall back to sleep. Because good quality sleep is so important to our health, Dr. Taketa-Wong breaks down the most common causes of insomnia and reveals what can be done about treating them.
At one time or another, half the American population deals with insomnia for a time. And, for some, the condition resolves without doing anything. However, for all the rest, insomnia can make life miserable. In fact, according to the CDC, chronic insomnia that does not go away affects 33% of the adult population. Insomnia can be rooted in many different causes, so it’s vitally important to understand what’s going on if one wants to enjoy consistent good quality sleep. Some of the more common reasons include poor sleep environment, such as a room that’s not dark enough or sufficiently cool, uncomfortable bedding, and loud noise, such as neighbors blasting their TV’s or music and those early morning trash trucks. Other contributing factors to insomnia include work and/or family stress, frequent long distance travel, a work schedule that disrupts one’s circadian rhythm, conflicts at work, and financial difficulties. Aging causes many changes in the body that can result in disrupted sleep patterns. Certain medications can disrupt normal sleep. So can mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Medical conditions affecting sleep include chronic pain, cancer, diabetes, thyroid or adrenal problems, sleep apnea, and being overweight. Food and beverages definitely play an important role when it comes to consistently good quality sleep. Learn which ones are most important to avoid. |
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