healthy living tips by Dr.Vina

By Anita, California, USA

Did you know that a form of rhubarb-extract has actually been relieving menopausal symptoms for women is some parts of the world?

Apparently it has been in the form of a special extract from the rhubarb root called ERr-731. Studies have been going on for some time in Germany, where the root is actually listed and approved there as a remedy for constipation.

The rhubarb extract study took 109 women who were perimenopausal and experiencing frequent hot-flashes and night sweats. They were divided into two groups, with one group taking a pill containing ERr-731 in the rhubarb-extract. The other half of the women were given a placebo. These ladies participated in the study for three months.

Of this group, the ladies taking the extract clearly reported fewer hot-flashes within the first month. The ladies taking the placebo reported no change in their condition. There appeared to be no negative side effects.

The special extract does not contain any estrogen or other type of hormone. There is no clear reason for what reduced the night sweats and hot flashes, so researchers feel that further study is required. All they know is that it seems to work.

For more info about the benefits of rhubarb go to http://www.savor-the-rhubarb.com/index.html


Photo by Yarik

One of a good preventive practice is seeing your doctor regularly. What can your doctor do for you to stay healthy? First of all, in addition of treating sick person, doctors are trained to encourage and promote healthy living practices. A preventive service from your doctor can cover counseling or test, including the following:

• Consultation regarding healthy practices: healthy diet, quit smoking, practicing safe sex and exercise program
• General check up: a series of tests to screen your general health status or specific part of your body (heart, kidney etc)
• Measurement of body weights, blood cholesterol level or blood pressure
• Special test at certain schedule such as pap smear test
• Immunizations for prevention of certain illness both for children and adults (TB shots, Varisella shot etc)

Women have different level of health requirements than men do due their more complex body functionalities. Accordingly preventive health program for women is so designed. Here are some general guidelines for women preventive practices:

• Adult women should have a general medical check-up once a year
• They should check their weight, blood pressure and blood cholesterol level regularly
• Pap smear test is recommended every three year to screen for cervical cancer
• Over the age 40, the women should be screened for breast cancer using mammogram once every year or other year
• The women also need to be checked for colorectal cancer
• Consultation regarding calcium needs to prevent osteoporosis or bone problems
• Advice regarding hormone replacement therapy for post menopause period

The way we live our life will determine the quality of our health. Factors like, whether we drink or smoke, can strongly affect our health and well-being. So, indeed in the end of the day, it is all about choice. We can lead a healthy living if we want to. Here are some preventive measures for you to stay healthy:

• Eat a balance and healthy diet
• Do not smoke any form of tobacco
• Build regular exercise or workout
• Never use illegal drugs
• Drink moderately, if at all
• Have enough quality sleep
• See your doctor regularly for preventive care

Loss of sexual desire is common for both men and women for different reasons. For women, sexual dysfunction syndrome is defined as difficulty in becoming sexually aroused or achieving orgasm. One of typical causes is simply inadequate sexual prolog or foreplay. The problem can also sometimes be triggered by exhaustion. Other causes are more complex including: anxiety (preoccupation and worry about other important areas of life), psychological problems (stress, depression and poor self-esteem), feelings of shame or guilt about sex due to religious belief, and fear of pregnancy. All these causes can strongly affect women's mental readiness for responding to sexual stimulation from her partner. From medical side, chronic illness can also a major cause for sexual problem.

As sex is basically a mutual activity between man and woman, beyond the above causes, the treatment for sexual dysfunction problem for women should consider the quality of relation between a woman and her partner. In this aspect, sometime the problem is caused by inadequate experience or insight about sexuality on the part of either partner. More intimate communication regarding the matter should help ease the problem. A more intricate problem is when the root-cause is the basic aspect of relationship e.g. lack of intimacy, fears of disloyalty, physical or emotional abuse, and feelings of being used as sexual object. The repressed emotion toward the sexual partner coming from those kind of problem might result in sexual dysfunction.

For most of the cases, the communication between sexual partners is the key. Talk with your partner about your sexual needs and feelings. When that does not help, it is wise to seek professional help from a doctor.

Photo by Corey