Which Hormones can Cure Insomnia?

The concept of sleep to anyone who is suffering from insomnia may seem like a distant dream. If you are tired of waiting to fall asleep, but can't seem to cross over into this, then looking into insomnia cures can help you to find the solution you need. There are several natural solutions that you can consider to help with your desire to sleep, all which can help you to stop your insomnia from occurring. One of the approaches to take if you are suffering from this condition is to look into the natural hormones that can be produced in your body so you can rest easily.

When we are first born, our bodies contain a balance of hormones, vitamins and nutrients, all which are continuously distributed through our bodies naturally. However, as we grow older, our bodies begin to lose balance. This can be related to psychological changes that may distract us from our ability to sleep or could be linked to the environment that is around us. These can lead to problems with stress, anxiety and an over production of the wrong types of hormones in our body, which eventually leads to the inability to sleep. As this builds up, it becomes more difficult to sleep, and leaves you tossing and turning at night.

If you are experiencing this problem, then re-balancing your body with the correct hormones is the only solution you need. This option for insomnia cures can easily assist you in gaining back your overall wellbeing while helping you to get a good night's rest. The first type of hormone that you want to consider for this is known as serotonin. This is a hormone that is located in the brain and is released to stimulate a mood of relaxation and a 'feel good' mood. If you simply need to relax, then stimulating this hormone is the answer. Exercise, taking a bath, breathing deeply and other small steps can all release this hormone and help you to get a good night's sleep.

Another hormone used for insomnia cures is melatonin. This is also used for those that are suffering from jetlag and can directly influence our ability to sleep. As this hormone is produced, there are more capabilities to feel drowsier and to rest. You can find this hormone in a natural pill form, which provides you with an invitation to sleep. It is also possible for serotonin to release this specific hormone so that you can introduce yourself into a world of relaxation and sleep.

These two different hormones are one of the main keys to enter into the world of sleep. Understanding how they work and making sure you take essential steps to sleeping can help you to begin to get your nights back to normal. By introducing yourself to these specific, natural hormones, you will have the ability to re balance your body into wellbeing, while working toward complete insomnia cures.

Ursula is an author and a person that benefited from applying natural insomnia cures. For more information on insomnia cures visit http://www.insomniacureskit.com to find out how You can break free from having restless nights as well as bringing your life back on the right track.

Balance Your Hormones With Food

Have you been dieting for years? Has skipping meals become a regular habit? Do you eat a lot of FAT-FREE foods? Are you on the No-Carb Diet? Are you exercising regularly and still not able to lose a pound? You may have triggered some hormone imbalances by going on these crazy, strict diets.

Unfortunately, these unhealthy eating habits can shift your body into starvation mode which does a major number on your hormones. It has become epidemic in this country. Add toxins, chemicals, pollutants, plastics, pesticides, medications, antibiotics, and stress to the mix and no wonder it can be hard to lose weight. Your body does not know how to get back into balance.

Here are some foods to add to your day that can help bring you back into balance:

1. Walnuts - they contain selenium which can help your body manufacture the active thyroid hormone T3. Other sources of selenium include salmon, tuna, pork, whole grains and wheat germ.

2. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage - they contain Indole-3 carbinol which stimulate enzymes that help detoxify the body.

3. Olive oil - helps elevate HDL (good) cholesterol which is a building block for testosterone.

4. Citrus fruits and strawberries - they are full of Vitamin C which helps de-stress the body.

5. Spinach, Black Beans and Whole Grains - are full of magnesium which regulates insulin production in the blood.

6. Fish - Omega 3's (fish oil) reduce inflammation throughout the body helping to reduce pain in the joints and they are great for the heart.

What else can you do?

CHEAT! Have a high-calorie meal once a week because this will cause your body to increase LEPTIN levels in the body, increase your metabolism and prime your body for fat loss. My clients always lost a pound or two after a high-fat, high calorie meal the night before. Eating a decadent meal once a week helps ease your body down to lower, daily Leptin levels without feeling starved or deprived. As you lose weight, your body adjusts and realizes the lower Leptin levels are normal.

Do what you can to get enough sleep. When you go to sleep, Leptin levels rise naturally, after all, you want to go to sleep, not eat - right? Your body knows to naturally cut down on hunger while you rest. If you cut your rest or sleep time short, your body tries to adjust by making you hungry again, hence, hunger pains can wake you up and make you want to snack in the middle of the night. Who needs that?

Eat from the earth. Our bodies are build to understand and process WHOLE FOODS from the earth. When you eat whole foods, your body know what to do with them and you can help your body balance itself. Whole foods will help your metabolism work for you instead of against you. I wish you glowing good health - always!

Sherry L. Granader, ACE, AFAA, NETA, ACSM, BBU, is a Nutrition Consultant, National Speaker and Spokesperson, Author and Writer. She teaches Yoga, Pilates and Group Exercise classes. Download her FREE "Eat Right, Feel Good, Lose Weight, Have Fun" Cookbook at http:// www.sgtotalhealth.com

A Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women

By by Anju Mathur, MD

What is Bioidentical?

Understanding the word bioidentical is important. The word Bio is defined as life; living organism. Identical is defined as being the same. Put the two words together and it means any thing that consists of the same substance that is found in the living organism. The reference of bioidentical is used especially for any natural hormone with the same cell structure as that found in a human body.

Synthetic hormones have been created and are used in this modern day. It is the popular thinking of this day and age that synthetics are used because a human body is incapable of using natural substances to create the hormones it needs - but look at how long mankind has survived with natural substances from mother earth compared to the problems that synthetics cause.

Why replace hormones?

We are what we eat has been a common saying, there is some truth to that because hormones are chemical substances that are produced in the body from the sustenance that we give our bodies. Once manufactured, the hormones are delivered via the blood to different organs to get the functional activity to occur.

After turning 35 years old, the production of hormones lessens each year. There are nearly 40 different hormones that are produced and utilized for different functions in the human body.

For women, during the menopause years, including the time prior to menopause when irregular periods and other symptoms occur is when the first hormone Prosgesterone starts to decline. Indications of the decline can start 15 years before menopause occurs with symptoms that can include being irritable,anxious, etc. The next hormone to dwindle is estrogen which causes hot flashes, vaginal dryness and other symptoms that can last 2 or 3 years and sometimes longer. Following those two hormones, testosterone starts diminishing and with that goes physical stamina, sex drive and tissue degeneration.

Should we just let nature take its course and suffer through? NO!!

What does an imbalance of hormones have to do with cancer?

Estogen hormones come in three different forms: Estrone, Estriol, and Estradiol. One of the forms, Estrone, causes clots and is the one that stimulates the breasts, causing cancer. Estriol is the most beneficial of the three as it has anti-cancer characteristics. The synthetic hormones used in this day and age are derived from horse urine, have no Estriol and has nearly forty percent of equine estrogens which are not compatible with human female hormones.

The natural female cycle in which progesterone is created occurs only 15 days of every month. The usual synthetic progesterone prescription that is given is for each day of the month. A long list of female body problems occur from the synthetic hormones while on the other hand, the natural bioidentical hormones are created from natural sources such as soy or yam and modified to match the human hormones exactly.

Bioidentical progesterone gives improved mood, less irritability, less bloating, a relief from hot flashes, plus a decrease of other symptoms such as digestive problems, flatulence, and loss of memory. Bioidentical progesterone also reduces breast tenderness and reduces vaginal bleeding.

To conclude, synthetic progesterone has adverse affects on the female body creating other problems. The bioidentical hormone replacement therapy naturally brings a balance once again to the hormonal production which creates a higher quality life with happiness with improved cancer, brain and bone protection.

Why is cancer a concern in menopause?

During menopause, the cancer protective hormone, progesterone, drops while the cancer causing hormone estrone rises. Replacing hormones naturally with bioidentical hormones in women brings about the balance once again. Doing so creates a better quality of life that can be enjoyed, one that a women is happy, strong and vibrant.

About the Author:

You can live healthier, longer - find out how by going to Angel Longevity Medical Center

Andropause What It Does To A Man's Self Worth And Can It Be Reversed

For too many years to count, men have been accused of going through mid life crises; and it is true, many of them do. However, quite a few of the hormonal changes men go through when they reach middle age are much more serious. You may have heard of male menopause, although that phrase is an oxymoron. Men cannot go through menopause because they do not menstruate; there are no periods for them to stop. But they can go through andropause, which is the correct term used to describe what some of us recognize as male menopause.

As both names suggest, the symptoms are very similar to those experienced by women who are going through menopause and pre menopause. A man going through andropause may not experience these symptoms as severely as a woman will, but for him, they are just as serious. For instance, during this stage in his life, a man will begin to go through inexplicable mood swings. His moods will change on a dime, taking him from depressed to happy to frustrated to sad and back again. He may also begin to put on weight and lose muscle strength and definition. His libido may decrease significantly, leaving him disinterested in sex, or even unable to perform the way he did before. Depression is also a risk during andropause. Insomnia, a lack of energy, and even a less functional immune system are all symptoms as well.

For quite some time, as mentioned, most of these symptoms have been discounted. Understandably, the problems women go through during menopause. You see, despite the fact that it has been happening to women for millennium, not a lot is understood about menopause. We do not know why some women go through it earlier than others or why it does not happen to other women until very late in life. All we really know is that it is relegated by hormones. It is thus easy to see why no one know a lot about andropause.

However, we do know that it, too, is relegated by hormones. Where women's bodies are ruled by estrogen, men's are ruled by testosterone. Andropause occurs when the levels of testosterone produced by a man's body begin to decrease. In its way, this wreaks just as much havoc as fluctuating estrogen levels do in women.

Despite this lack of understanding, the effects of andropause can be devastating. However, also in spite of how little is known about it, there are things which can help men deal with their own version of menopause: human growth hormone supplements. Human growth hormone is responsible for aging. It is a naturally occurring protein. When its production begins to decrease, we start to look and feel older due to the symptoms above: weight gain, loss of muscle, fatigue, loss of libido, loss of energy, et cetera.

Human growth hormone supplement are designed to stimulate the pituitary gland. By taking it, you are not pumping your body full of synthetic HGH. On the contrary, your body is simply encouraged to produce more of a hormone that it naturally produces. When you take HGH, your metabolic rate increases and you have more energy, which makes it much easier to lose weight and rebuild muscle. You can sleep better, your memory functions better, and, quite simply, you feel better.

I enjoy writing about Anti-aging issues, fitness and natural health Supplements. http://www.hghhelp.info

Melatonin Helps Your Rest

By Mark Sanderlix

For as long as I can remember, Ive had a difficult time falling asleep anytime before 12 midnight. Even when I was a kid it was a struggle to get to bed at a decent time. This always left my tired and not at my peak when I should be trying to learn as much as I can. This bad habit, or condition, has followed me through my adult life. If I have an important meeting in the morning I know it is going to be critical to get good sleep the night before, but I just cant talk my body into falling asleep at a reasonable time. So, at the meeting, instead of being refreshed and ready to go, I have to fake it. Ive tried many different options for getting to sleep; over the counter drugs, drinks, mixes, and a change in the surroundings, but nothing worked as well for me overall as melatonin.

Many people who have sleeping issues turn to Nyquil or Theraflu to help them fall asleep quickly and easily. While both of these solutions are effective, they just werent for me because I didnt feel that they were good long term solutions. Neither were made for just falling asleep, so I felt like I was taking a bunch of extra drugs that I didnt need. There are some over the counter drugs that are made specifically for falling asleep, such as Tylenol PM, but that did not feel natural to me either. As effective as these options are, none of them seemed like effective solutions to me for the long-term.

Some experts advise that where you sleep should be designed solely for the purpose of sleeping, nothing else. That meant you had to remove TV from your bedroom and all other forms of entertainment and to buy a comfy bed and center the room around sleeping. After trying this (it was hard to give up the TV), I found that it just didn't help me fall asleep. I found myself just laying there, staring at the ceiling or thinking about work instead of falling asleep.

Then, one night at a party, I overheard something that changed everything. Two ladies were talking and one of them mentioned that they are taking a prescription drug to fall asleep early. The other said, Oh, really? Have you tried Melatonin? and they went on to talk about the supplement for a little while. I admit, I was eavesdropping on them, but that little bit of information really appealed to me. I didn't know that there was a supplement that you could buy, that already existing in your body anyway, that could help you fall asleep. I immediately thought that I had to try it.

I went to the drug store to find this Melatonin product. I walked up and down the aisle looking for it with the other OTC sleep drugs but I couldn't find it anywhere. I asked a store employee and she pointed me to the herbal supplements section, and there I found the Melatonin. I purchased a bottle with the intent of trying it out that night. That evening, about an hour before I wanted to fall asleep, I took a pill. As if my magic, 60 minutes later I was ready to go to bed. I wasnt knocked out tired, but I was sleepy, and sleepy enough to fall asleep. I considered Melatonin a success. Ever since that night, Ive had exactly the same experience. The melatonin has been very effective in getting me to sleep, and I have no problems with waking up in the middle of the night. Also, in the morning, I don't wake up groggy or tired. As long as Ive gotten at least 7 hours of sleep, I wake up rested and ready to start the day.

Since melatonin was working so well for me, I decided to do a little digging online to make sure it was safe. The first tip I have is to take a small dosage, the smallest you can find. In my case, that is 3mg. Many experts believe even 3mg is too much at once, so be very careful before ever using a dosage larger than that. Next, ensure that the melatonin you take is 'created in a lab' and not 'harvested naturally'. The natural stuff may actual contain bacteria or toxins that you shouldn't put in your body. Finally, it is very important that you consult your doctor first before taking melatonin.

As you can see, I am have great results from taking Melatonin. I think that Melatonin can be very helpful for people with mild sleeping problems such as falling asleep. Its important not to rely to heavily on it as you don't want to become dependent or addicted, but for the occasional use, I reach for it every time now!

About the Author:

To learn more about using Melatonin, visit my website where I detail how it has worked for me an others, as well as some of the negative aspects of it.

Premenstrual Syndrome - Medical Treaments Versus Natural Aromatherapy and Herbal Remedies

Once you have been diagnosed with PreMenstrual Syndrome (PMS) there should be a discussion between you and your doctor regarding how to best relieve your symptoms. There are several options of care including self-care at home; medical treatments including medications, and alternative care techniques.

All of these options have had success in relieving many PMS symptoms. It is best to experiment with several different methods until you find what works for you, or you may decide on a combination from each of the options.

Medical Treatments:

Your doctor may prescribe medications to bring relief from symptoms of PMS. Some of these may include an anti-inflammatory which can be used to reduce the amount of prostaglandins in a woman's body which, in turn, reduces symptoms such as headaches, breast tenderness and welling - all of which are caused by inflammatory reactions.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as the new type of NSAID with Cox-2 inhibitors which are available by prescription only. These Cox-2 inhibitors do cause as much stomach discomfort or aggravate stomach ulcers like the NSAIDs have. There is always a risk of potentially dangerous side effects when using any prescription medication.

Other medications which may be prescribed include hormones such as Synarel and Lupron, or Danazol or anti-anxiety drugs such as Benzodiazepines and Xanax. Benzodiazepines can be addictive, so discuss the use of this drug thoroughly with your doctor before beginning this treatment. Anti-anxiety and antidepressants are also used in the treatment of PMS as are diuretics.

Self-Care at Home:

There are many home remedies to try which have been successful at relieving symptoms of PMS. Dietary changes to lessen the effects of bloating and water retention can include avoiding foods which contain salt, limiting salt used as seasoning, avoiding candy and other sweets, and avoiding sodas (especially the sugary ones).

Vitamin and mineral supplements have been shown to be effective in reducing several symptoms of PMS. These include taking Vitamin E (300 - 400 IU) per day, calcium (1,200 mg) per day, magnesium (200 mg per day) and Vitamin B6 (50 mg per day) to reduce anxiety and moodiness. You can also find good sources of Vitamin B6 in foods such as dark green, leafy vegetables, seafood such as oysters, meats, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.

Exercise has also proven to be beneficial in relaxing taut muscles with the added benefit of improving your mood. Muscle relaxation techniques such as progressive relaxation and massage therapy can also be beneficial.

A soothing cup of chamomile tea, a soak in a warm tub and a heating pad can also do wonders. Just be careful not to use high heat and don't fall asleep with the heating pad on. It's also important not to use Ben Gay muscle rub along with a heating pad.

Here are several natural remedies using herbs and essential oils which can help naturally alleviate many of the most aggravating symptoms of PMS:

Menstrual Cramps Blend

* 1 ounce Carrier Oil such as sweet Almond
* 15 drops Peppermint
* 10 drops Cypress
* 5 drops Lavender

Directions:

Mix oils well in a clean, dark-colored glass container. Gently message a small amount into the abdominal area.

PMS Bath

* 3 d. Lavender oil
* 3 d. Clary Sage oil.

Add to 1/4 C epsom salts or baking soda; add to bath with water running; soak 15-20 mins.

Tea for Bloating

Ingredients:

* 1 cup boiled water
* 1 tablespoon ground Cinnamon

Directions:

Combine ingredients and drink while still warm. You can sweeten with a little honey.

PMS Symptoms Blend

Fennel can help with those horrible menstrual cramps. And....it has been shown to reduce the emotional impact of PMS that leaves us apathetic, tired & listless. Fortunately, Aromatherapy offers a safe, natural and effective solution for a wide variety of PMS symptoms with the following blend.

Ingredients:

* 8 drops Chamomile
* 7 drops Clary Sage
* 7 drops Fennel
* 2 tablespoons Carrier Oil

Massage the blend in a V pattern up from the vaginal area, over the lower abdomen & hips, back towards the buttock and end right at the V above the butt. The research on this suggests that to gain the greatest benefit you should massage every day of the month. It takes between two and three months of continual use to notice a substantial effect.

Another PMS Bath

* Grapefruit 4 drops
* Clary Sage 4 drops
* Ylang-Ylang 4 drops
* Geranium 3 drops
* Massage oil 1 teaspoons (5 ml)

Swirl mixture in bath to disperse oil evenly. Relax & enjoy for at least 30 minutes. (This Recipe is From "500 Formulas for Aromatherapy" by Carol & David Schiller)

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Cert. Aromatherapist and natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Mom's Blog at http://www.Moms-Blog.com/ where you'll find articles and information on natural ways of improving the health of yourself, your family and your childrens health.

Treating Health Problems with Chaste Tree Berry

By Susannah Singer

In ancient times, it was called Monk's pepper. This is because chaste tree berry (also known as Vitex and by the trade name Femaprin) was said to have an anaphrodisiac quality, that is, its ability to decrease sexual drives. Other sources indicate it was used as an aphrodisiac, in other words, for the opposite effect. How can both be true?

Though it grows to a height of twenty-two feet, chaste tree is just a large shrub native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe. Naturally it grows on moist riverbanks, but it can be grown in ornamental gardens in America as well. Look for its blue-violet flowers to blossom in midsummer. Chaste tree berries are only used to treat female problems today.

The above seeming contradiction isn't the only one related to this herb. In history it has been used to inhibit excessive milk flow after birth, and to encourage it. It is used to treat post menopausal symptoms by some, and others say it exacerbates them. Some have used it to encourage conception, but others say that it does nothing for infertility.

The reason for contradictory results from chaste tree berry is that it is an adaptogen. This means it works through the adrenal glands, in this case the pituitary, to produce adjustments in the body that normalize hormone imbalance. In other words, it constrains hormonal excesses and encourages deficiencies. Other herbal examples of adaptogens are garlic, ginseng, echinacea, ginkgo, goldenseal, and taheebo.

To accomplish this balancing act for the body, chaste tree berry increases the production of certain hormones which reducing the production of others. In this way it may help overcome infertility by shifting the body's hormonal balance in favor of the gestagens which are used by the body to condition it for pregnancy.

Chaste tree berry encourages production of progesterone. This is why the herb is especially effective in balancing the female reproductive system. It is taken to help restore menstruation, to regulate heavy periods, and, as mentioned above, to restore fertility caused by hormonal imbalance. Some using it have found relief from PMS tension, and eased the changes during menopause. Premenstrual breast tenderness, linked to excess prolactin, is helped with chaste tree berry.

Other uses include relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, and neuropathic muscular weakness, all treated with chaste berry tincture. Chaste berries are even used to treat acne in men and women. The berries can be ground in a pepper mill and used as a mild substitute for black pepper. The spicy aroma of the leaves and flowers are used for flavoring.

Dose: Take 20 to 40 mg of the herb, or its equivalent daily. If using a tincture, 20 drops one or two times a day is normal. Capsules or tea (one cup) may also be used. Taking chaste berry shortly before bedtime may improve sleep. Chaste tree berry is slow acting and it may take two or three months to know if it is helping.

Warnings will vary but some say pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take chaste tree berry. Also women with hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g. breast, uterus, pituitary, etc.) should avoid it. Chaste tree berry should not be taken with exogenous hormones such as oral contraceptives or menopausal hormone replacement therapies. Some experience an itchy allergic rash, mild nausea, or headaches from taking it. A few women have complained that the length of their cycle changed.

About the Author:

But there are more benefits of whole Chaste Tree Berry to be discovered. Visit More Than Alive, a trusted online source about bulk herbs where you can also learn the benefits of Chaste Tree Berries for horses.

Facts about Gynecomastia

By Caleb Lee

Meaning

It is a medical problem particular to men which results in excess growth of breast, similar to women. The term gynecomastia comes from words of Greek origin ?gyne? and ?mastos? which mean ?woman? and ?breast? respectively. It is the medical term for commonly known ?man boobs?. Some males may develop pseudo-gynecomastia due to excess fat on their body or their being overweight or excess workouts.

Its occurrence

Men of various age groups suffer from this disease. Due to unnatural share of mother hormone in male, the infants can suffer from it. For hormonal alterations at puberty, adolescents may also suffer from it. This is seen in aged people as well, though it occurs more among adolescents.

Reasons for Gynecomastia

Although exact root cause of this is not knon, it is believed to be genetically oriented. The more common cause of it is unbalanced sex hormones like estrogens and testosterone. Other reasons can be use of drugs or steroids or certain medication too.

Symptoms

The main symptom is unnatural development of chest muscle in men, looking like women breasts. In few cases, the development may also cause tenderness of the chest tissues. It is generally painless. However, the severity is judged by the magnitude of extra fat.

Gynecomastia: General Problems

The condition of gynecomastia is not as painful as it is embarrassing. Thus, the problems faced by patients are psychological and social, not physical. The patients feel lack of confidence in social environment. It is more difficult for teenagers who get laughed at by peers and friends.

Gynecomastia: The Diagnosis

Gynecomastia can be diagnosed by performing certain medical tests and physical examination by a doctor. Blood tests and urine tests can mostly confirm existence of this disease. A mammogram can also help do so. It is advisable to consult a endocrinologist i.e. a specialist in hormonal disorder treatments for better results.

Treatment and Cure

In newborns and teenagers, this hormonal disorder gets cured naturally within a couple of years. They do not require any external treatment. Proper chest fat burner exercises and proper diet can also reduce chest fats.

However, for those who need external medication there are gynecomastia supplements like Ultimate gynemax and gynexin alpha formula. Difference after usage is usually evidently noticeable in 2-3 weeks without any side effects. Although there are no harmful effects of these chest fat burners, it is important to make sure that you buy them from reliable sources so you do fall for fake gynexin.

One can also opt for direct operation instead of using these supplements. The surgery generally operates by reducing the excessive tissues on the chest. There are two types of operations ? (i) Lipectomy suction and (ii) Endoscopy. Though these surgeries generally persist not more than few hours, but it does not become painless. Moreover it can leave visible marks on chest.

Associated diseases

Gynecomastia may not be harmful but in some cases it appears as a symptom for other diseases like breast cancer, adrenal gland tumours, liver diseases, and cancer related to lungs or male organs. In such cases, gynecomastia can be cured only by curing related diseases. Thus you must consult your physician in order to eliminate these possibilities.

About the Author:

About The expert: Caleb Lee is a popular fitness expert who can help you get rid of your man boobs. Go to his site for more information on ways to burn your chest fat and reviews of products like gynexin, gynemax and other gynecomastia supplements.

Curing Panic Attacks when you're pregnant

By Millicent Feraux

When women are pregnant, they often find themselves not only dealing with their pregnancy but also with anxiety and panic. There is a reason for this happening.

During pregnancy, the hormones in a pregnant woman's body are all working overtime. It is these hormone changes which often cause the panic and anxiety. It is during pregnancy that every part of the woman's body is involved and working differently than normal.

Pregnancy is a naturally stressful time for many women, particularly where the pregnancy is unexpected or unplanned, or where there are health concerns surrounding the pregnancy. When combined with these hormonal changes, pregnancy becomes a common time for panic and worry.

When I was pregnant, I seemed to be most worried about what was going to happen during the birth process and I was also worried about being a good mother. I was lucky as my extra anxiety and panic was considered by my doctor as being normal.

Anxiety and panic attacks are more common in the last months of pregnancy. Some women find however that if they had attacks before pregnancy that they lessen while they are pregnant. No one knows why this occurs. They think it is due to the fluctuating hormones.

If you find you are one of the women to have anxiety and panic attacks while pregnant there are things you can do to help stop them from happening. Medications can be harmful to your developing baby. One of these natural methods of treatment will be more suited for you.

* Relax - your baby and your health come first. Take time out from your day and find somewhere peaceful to rest. Forget the stresses in your life and focus on thoughts you find soothing.

* Relaxation - When you feel yourself getting stressed or anxious, you need to relax. Lie down in a place you think is quiet and cool and try to just relax. You should try to forget about the anxiety or worrying about other things - concentrate only on relaxing. You will find that once you totally relax that the feeling of stress and anxiety can go away.

* Breathe deeply - you will be surprised by how effective focused breathing can be. Try lying down and breathing deeply. Breathe in through your nose; blow out through your mouth. Take your time and keep breathing deeply and slowly until you feel better.

If you suffer repeated panic or anxiety attacks it is important that you seek aid. You are not the first person to be in this position and there are many services standing by to help you promote the health of yourself and your baby.

Men can have anxiety and panic attacks during your pregnancy too. They are about to become a father and that can be scary to them. They may be worried how they will be able to afford a new baby. They may have worries about taking care of the baby.

Men are notorious for not admitting when they are bothered about anything. And it is these un-admitted fears that can lead to anxiety and panic.

If you notice your husband or partner being more anxious or having panic attacks, try talking to him. This should be an enjoyable time for both of you, so help him to deal with his feelings or to get treatment if his attacks are out of control.

About the Author:

Millicent Feraux writes on methods to take control of and cure panic attacks and anxiety at all times at http://www.panic-calm.com .

Home Remedies for Menstrual Cramps!

By Shanna Abraham

Most women suffer pain in their lives and sometimes it may feel as if they are being punished for being female. Even if you have irregular cycles, you can still get hit with menstrual cramps, though some women get them worse than others.

The condition of endometriosis (which affects 1 in 10 women) can also increase the pain a woman will feel during this time. There are a few women that seem to suffer no pain at all, whereas many have them so bad they can barely get out of bed for days during their cycle.

The problem is getting a menstrual cramp relief remedy that you can guarantee will work every month. Often the easiest way to help stop this is complaint to just take a pain relief tablet.

You can try any pain relief remedy and they should work but many women swear by Pamprin which was designed just for this reason. Even if you don't like taking pain medication and have always steered clear of pain relief, this may be a time to reconsider.

There should be no guilt about wanting to live a normal life each month so why put up with pain? Often the cramps are just one aspect of the discomfort because they can also be accompanied by nausea and the feeling of eating a very large meal.

After some time of enduring these pains I realized that I was only hurting myself and looked into other menstrual cramp relief remedies. Of course when the complaint is irregular it can be even more annoying because there were some cycles where I felt almost no discomfort at all!

I have tried all sorts including quite recently a heat pad which seems to work but I do have to vary where I position it for it to be effective. If you have tried pain relief pills and don't always find they work then it may be worth you trying a heat pad to relieve your discomfort.

When you have painful and long lasting menstrual cramps each month, you may have to take more action. The problem really arises when time has to be taken form work; no employer likes this every month.

Of course you could try speaking to your doctor to see what thoughts he or she has on menstrual cramp relief remedies, especially if it causing you problems in addition to pain. Quite often it can be a simple case of being prescribed one of the birth control pills as these are effective for many women and this might be something your doctor recommends.

Your doctor will probably have a number of available options to talk to you about because if you are trying for a baby you can't use the pill now can you? Just remember to talk about your health matters with your doctor to see if it is safe for you to be on the Pill, and remember, this isn't an option if you are trying to get pregnant and in that case, you may just have to grin and bear your discomfort. It may take some trial and error but you will find a remedy eventually.

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As you become older the pain associated with PMS can get worst. at the age of menopause, the condition can become worst unless you take step now to minimize the possibility of more severe cramps during menopause.

Diagnosing Thyroid Problems

Every human being has a thyroid gland. It is located above the trachea. It looks like a butterfly in the middle of our throats. This incredible yet small organ plays an important role in our body, because this is where our hormones are produced. Which obviously means the thyroid gland regulates the amount of energy and vitamins the body absorbs and excretes.

But like any normal body organ a thyroid gland also may cause sever damage to the body. Thyroid problems happen when there is a huge amount of irregularity in the production of the hormones. This may lead to serious repercussions to the rest of the human body. There are two types of thyroid problem; they are called hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism happened when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones for the body. People suffering from this condition experience slow metabolism, fatigue and goiter. Hyperthyroidism is exactly the opposite, the metabolism is faster and the body excretes too much energy.

You may not know it but you might be suffering from a thyroid problem unknowingly. So how do we as common people diagnose a thyroid problem? Here are some simple steps you can follow to help save lives:

Step 1: Look for symptoms

Hypothyroidism – symptoms include: fatigue, constipation, easily feels cold, dry skin, lack of appetite, deeper voice and sometimes hair fall and depression.

Hyperthyroidism – symptoms may appear as: insomnia, nervousness, unusual sweating, increase lost of weight, frequent bowel movement and difficulty in concentrating similar to confusion.

Step 2: If you feel the symptoms, study your medical history. Finding the root cause of the disease will make it easier for you to find the appropriate treatment.

Here are some causes of thyroid problems:

Hyperthyroidism – Graves disease, pituitary gland problems, toxic adenomas and subacute thyroiditis.

Hypothyroidism – Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, removal of thyroid gland, too much iodide in the body and exposure to lithium.

Step 3: Be sure to seek medical help especially if the condition have worsen. Look out for these symptoms as well: shortness of breath, vomiting, abdominal and chest pain, high irritability level, confusion and coma.

Step 4: As soon as you seek professional care, make sure you are ready to take a series of test that will determine the status of your thyroid problem.

Step 5: Prepare to know the results of you test. There are two distinct ways to diagnose if a patient has hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. For hyperthyroidism, your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) serum is lower compared to the standard. While for hypothyroidism, the TSH is higher than the normal rate.

Step 6: If your result matches any one of the two types, you better seek medication or treatment. Treatment will depend on how severe the problem may be. There are different treatments available so you don’t need to fret.

Thyroid problems may cause harsh damages to the body, but it is one of the easiest diseases to cure. We recommend that you research and consult your doctor regularly, to avoid abnormalities in the body.

Author Resource: Andrew Smith is webmaster of a site with guides on how to do things. http://www.howtoall.com http://www.howtoall.com/Healthfiles/Healthfitnesshowtos.htm http://www.howtoall.com/Healthfiles/howtotreattuberculosis5.htm

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