MEDICAL CHECK-UPS AND PHYSICALS

After the initial shock of hitting 40, every woman should be conscious of certain steps that need to be taken, that were not so crucial earlier in life. It is not to say that the age of 40 is a tangible threshold – different people have different family medical histories, and so, certain routine check-ups may be recommended by the doctor earlier than the 40th birthday. The crucial check-ups to add to the overall physical would be an annual gynecological examination as well as mammogram. For recommended schedule of check-ups for women in their 40s look at the following:http://www.healthywomen.org/decades/40s/index.html

The 40s are also a good time to look ahead and be conscious of issues like weight and exercise, body-mass index, being “heart-healthy” (heart disease is a huge health risk not just for men but also for women) and a generally healthy lifestyle that will reap you rich rewards and stave off health problems later.

PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE

For women, different points in the 40s will herald the advent of perimenopause, and then menopause. Periods will become more irregular, as the body undergoes hormonal changes, accompanied sometimes by mood swings and depression or irritability. These can be confused with PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), so it is good to be aware of that transitional period into menopause. For more information on perimenopause, see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/perimenopause/DS00554

Much continues to be written and said about menopause – its symptoms, its various treatments, the physical discomfort of hot flashes and emotional discomfort of depression, the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy (dependent on the individual’s family medical history and risk of cancer). For a refresher or an overview, check http://www.menopause.org/default.htm

Also look at http://www.families-first.com/hotflash/news/symptoms.htm

There are, however, alternatives to traditional treatment, or even in addition to traditional treatments. There are choices to be made, and they can only be made with appropriate knowledge. Here are alternative remedies or changes:

Diet

Certain foods can exacerbate symptoms like hot flashes, including spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol.

Conversely, certain foods like soy products are purported to help, and proponents for a diet with more soy argue that women in the Far East complain less of issues associated with menopause. Whether or not this springs from their overall tolerance of the aging process or is directly attributable to the difference in the diet (namely, the preponderance of soy products) is for the individual to decide. There is also a risk to those already at risk for breast cancer. But it is an interesting factor, nevertheless, and certainly worth investigating. See http://www.medicinalfoodnews.com/vol02/issue4/soyabean

A natural herb called Black Cohosh is also seen as an alternative treatment, as written up on http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030701/114.html

Exercise and yoga

A lot has been said about the benefits of exercise. Weight-bearing exercise has long-lasting effects on bone loss or osteoporosis, and other aerobic exercise improves one’s stress level and helps maintain weight. But exercise also positively affects the symptoms of menopause. See http://www.webmd.com/content/article/120/113742.htm

For the benefits of yoga and eastern philosophy in conjunction with menopause, see http://www.yoga.com/

Check this site for more information on diet and nutrition:

LOSE10kilos.com: Lose the weight, not your mind!

Acupuncture

The Chinese practice of acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. Master acupuncturists have been known to succeed where traditional medicine has failed. Although sometimes marginalized in western cultures, it is a very valid choice and not surprisingly, is used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms: http://www.yinyanghouse.com/chinesetheory/etiology-menopause.html