Restoring Balance

Millions of men and women suffer from hormonal imbalance.  For women, this is often associated with menopause or perimenopause.  For men, its andropause.  With these imbalances comes a myriad of negative symptoms that can be misdiagnosed or missed in routine physical evaluations, but through proper evaluation and management, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, balance can be restored and that youthful feeling returned.

What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormones are powerful substances in our bodies which regulate numerous functions.

Hormones affect energy, emotions, mood, sex drive, sleep, thinking ability, confidence, weight, and numerous other body functions.

In today’s society, people are living in a state of insufficient hormones.

This has resulted from stress, toxicity, and natural aging. This depletion of hormones has lead to many chronically ill people which are taking a dozen or more prescription medications just to exist and feel “okay”.

BHRT stands for Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy.

The goal of BHRT is to replace the most important hormones in our bodies with similar natural hormones (not hormones from horse urine) to levels that would be expected in a healthy young adult before most people develop chronic illnesses.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy often leads to overall improved body function, a new sense of well being, and a disappearance of the symptoms which took over everyday life.

Why should you use bioidentical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones have been successfully used by men and women for decades. In well known medical journals, researchers have reported that the bioidentical hormones, estrogen and testosterone, are not only safe but also have a positive impact on some diseases like osteoporosis and prostate cancer.

Why should women & men replace their hormones?

As women and men age their hormones decline. This decline creates hormonal imbalances which cause negative side effects. For women, they may suffer from hot flashes, weight gain, night sweats, fatigue, loss of libido and much more.

Although a man’s losses of hormones are less obvious, he is still losing them. Testosterone loss will show itself through symptoms such as low energy, loss of muscle mass, a slower metabolism resulting in weight gain and decreased strength in erections.

When should I consider Bioidentical Hormone Replacement?

Don’t wait if you are experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance. In general, hormones begin to decline after the mid-20s and hormone imbalance symptoms are frequently present by the mid-30s. A good time to start replacing hormones is between 35 and 40.

Playing In The Snow

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!....   The Northeast got hit with another snowstorm yesterday and while it looks beautiful this morning, don't forget that single digit temperatures, along with wind, create a risk for developing frostbite quicker than you may realize. **Frostbite times are below on NOAA's Windchill Chart.

Hands, feet, nose and ears are most likely to be affected.  If your skin looks white or greyish-yellow, is very cold and has a hard or waxy feel to it, you may have frostbite.  Other symptoms include itching, a "pins and needles" sensation or burning.

Gradually warming the affected skin is key to treating frostbite. To do so:

  • Protect your skin from further exposure. If you're outside, warm frostbitten hands by tucking them into your armpits. Protect your face, nose or ears by covering the area with dry, gloved hands. Don't rub the affected area and never rub snow on frostbitten skin.
  • Get out of the cold. Once you're indoors, remove wet clothes.
  • Gradually warm frostbitten areas. Put frostbitten hands or feet in warm water — 104 to 107.6 F (40 to 42 C). Wrap or cover other areas in a warm blanket. Don't use direct heat, such as a stove, heat lamp, fireplace or heating pad, because these can cause burns before you feel them on your numb skin.
  • Don't walk on frostbitten feet or toes if possible. This further damages the tissue.
  • If there's any chance the affected areas will freeze again, don't thaw them. If they're already thawed, wrap them up so that they don't become frozen again.
  • Get emergency medical help. If numbness or sustained pain remains during warming or if blisters develop, seek medical attention.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill/images/windchillchart3.pdf

Flu Update

FLU UPDATE: Well, the flu is here in full force!  If you received the flu vaccine already the good news is the 2013-2014 flu shot is a good match for the influenza that is circulating. If you are still unvaccinated, it is not too late!  The flu season typically runs through the fall and winter, peaking in January and February, and can last as late as May.  The most common strain this year has been the H1N1, which is the same virus that caused the large outbreak in 2009.

What To Do If You Think You Have The Flu

  • Symptoms of flu include high fever, cough, cold symptoms, body aches and sometimes nausea. Stay home to prevent it from spreading! Stay hydrated by drinking at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water/ day.   Use Tylenol or Ibuprofen  for fever and/or body aches.
  • If you are concerned your infant is ill or infected with influenza, see your doctor. Infants are at higher risk for serious infections from flu.
  • If you or your children have underlying medical conditions, things like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, chronic medical problems, neurologic challenges or immune troubles, call your physician if you suspect you or your child have flu.
  • Anti-virals (e.g. Tamiflu) can be used, if started within the first 48 hours of illness, and can reduce the duration of flu by 1-2 days.

Summer Heat

High heat and humidity can lead to heat related illnesses! Be alert to symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness/weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps/pain, paleness and heavy sweating. Remember to drink plenty of water or sports drinks, wear loose clothing, stay in the shade or A/C and eat salty snacks.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-exhaustion/basics/definition/CON-20033366