Tips To Help Women Keep Their Cool

(NAPSI)-Making a few lifestyle changes can help millions of women prevent or minimize the effects of hot flashes.

Women may experience hot flashes for several years, with some women feeling just a little warmer than usual on occasion and others experiencing several uncomfortable episodes throughout the day and even night sweats.

Here are a few steps you can take to reduce them:

• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

• Dress in layers so it's easy to cool yourself off.

• Try to pinpoint what triggers your hot flashes. For some women it's coffee, spicy foods or alcohol.

• Soy might help. According to The North American Menopause Society, 40 to 80 mg of isoflavones daily may help relieve symptoms.

• Be sure you get enough sleep. If hot flashes disturb your sleep, talk to your doctor about ways to get adequate rest.

• Don't smoke. Smoking can increase hot flashes.

• If hot flashes are really uncomfortable and nothing you do helps, talk to your doctor.

"If hot flashes are severe and interrupting your life and you are not responding to common remedies or lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, then perhaps it is time to discuss with your physician prescription options such as low-dose estrogen therapies," says Dr. James Simon, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at George Washington University.

Low-dose estrogen therapies are recommended by many experts in the fields of gynecology and estrogen therapy, including The North American Menopause Society and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

"Most physicians recommend that estrogen should be prescribed in the lowest effective dose and for the shortest amount of time to manage a patient's symptom," Dr. Simon adds.

One of the newest ways to deliver estrogen is a fast-drying colorless gel that can be applied to a woman's upper arm or shoulder. One low-dose, prescription-only gel indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe hot flashes is called Elestrin.

Another problem associated with menopause is a lack of interest in intimacy. Currently, clinical trials are being carried out on a product called LibiGel, which, if it's approved, may be indicated for low sexual desire in women.

Visit www.BioSantepharma.com for more information on both these medications.

If lifestyle changes do not help alleviate your symptoms, talk to your doctor about the possibility of treatment.

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Women Focus On Controlling A Common Problem

(NAPSI)-According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, one in four women suffers from some type of bladder weakness. Many women think that bladder weakness is an inevitable reality of pregnancy or getting older, but by building a strong pelvic floor-the group of muscles located on the underside of the pelvis that are responsible for bladder control-women can stay in control of their bodies and live an active lifestyle.

Having strong pelvic floor muscles improves posture and tummy tone and is an integral part of preventing bladder weakness and improving bladder control. Through a program of simple, gentle exercises, women can vastly improve the symptoms of a weakened pelvic floor.

"Little time is spent explaining to women the role of their pelvic floor and the impact of neglect or damage," says Kari Bo, an international expert in exercise science and physiotherapy. "Even more important, women don't realize that they can train these muscles to prevent future problems or reduce current symptoms."

Bo is the designer of the PELVICORE Technique, an at-home program that helps women of all ages and levels of ability improve the tone and control of their pelvic floor muscles. The quick and easy 20-minute routine is produced by Core Wellness, an international pelvic fitness campaign sponsored by TENA® (formerly known as Serenity®), a leading provider of incontinence management products and services. The PELVICORE Technique is proven to both prevent and, in 60 to 70 percent of women with stress incontinence, cure bladder weakness.

Following are some tips from TENA for achieving optimal pelvic health:

• Don't Sweat It: More than 70 percent of mild bladder incontinence can be improved through simple muscle exercises that contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises require minimal effort and can be done anywhere-in the office, on the subway or while at home watching TV-no gym clothes required.

• Maintain a Normal Weight: Carrying excess weight increases the likelihood of weak pelvic floor muscles and can also worsen bladder weakness.

• Let Someone Else Do the Heavy Lifting: Lifting heavy objects incorrectly can weaken your pelvic floor. Lift heavy objects carefully by bending your knees and using your leg muscles.

• The Pelvic Health Diet: Certain foods, such as those that are spicy or tomato based, can irritate the bladder. Caffeine and alcoholic beverages can also contribute to leakage, so stick to bladder-friendly liquids such as water, apple juice, grape juice and cranberry juice.

• Don't Let Bladder Weakness Hold You Back: Bladder weakness affects one out of four women. You are not alone in this condition and it doesn't have to control your life. Pelvic floor exercises can greatly improve your pelvic health, but if you're still hesitant to stray too far from a bathroom, consider a discreet liner or pad to help give you confidence through the day. Visit www.tena.us for more tips and to check out all your available options.

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Fit Or Fooling Yourself?

(NAPSI)-The good news: Baby boomers are living longer and leading more active lives.

The not-so-good news: There's still room for improvement when it comes to long-term health. According to a recent survey of baby boomers, the majority are feeling young, eating healthy and putting less focus on age-related health issues such as hearing loss, elevated blood pressure and declining eyesight. The findings are in stark contrast to those of the National Center for Health Statistics, which reports that half of Americans in the 55 to 64 age group have high blood pressure and two in five are obese.

So are boomers fooling themselves into a false sense of security when it comes to their overall health?

Quite possibly, says Dr. Stephen Sanders, diabetic expert and Internal Medicine specialist at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. "A recent Energizer Keep Going. Live Healthy survey uncovered the disconnect between health perceptions and health realities among this age group," says Dr. Sanders. "That's why it is so important for boomers to be proactive, to take charge of their health and to undergo routine screenings for all common age-related health issues."

Dr. Sanders also stresses the connection between these health screenings and maintaining a high quality of life. For example, untreated hearing loss could mean the difference between living independently and requiring assistance, says Dr. Sanders. "If you can't hear the phone, doorbell, fire alarm, etc., it's going to be extremely difficult to maintain your independence. If you have a hearing issue--and one-third of boomers think they do--get a hearing screening to determine if you need a hearing aid," he advises. "If not, you put yourself and others at risk."

For those ready to improve their lifestyle, Dr. Sanders has six tips:

1. Routine health screenings are extremely important preventive efforts and the key to healthy living and disease management.

2. Diabetics must work to keep their blood sugar as near to normal as possible--one of the best ways to do so is the regular use of a glucose meter.

3. Be sure to maintain all your vital devices. People who use blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors and insulin pumps should have backup batteries available for all their medical devices.

4. Get up to speed on the latest technologies. From discreet hearing aids with wireless technology to hearing aid battery dispensers, such as the Energizer® EZ Change, it's easier than ever to remain active.

5. Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice--anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster.

6. Utilizing devices such as pedometers, calorie counters and MP3 players can help make exercising fun and enjoyable.

Dr. Sanders urges everyone--and especially boomers--to make health a priority. By incorporating these six simple steps, people of all ages can achieve better health and meet their health and fitness goals.

For more tips from Dr. Sanders or to learn more about the Energizer "Keep Going. Live Healthy" program and specialty batteries that power important health and medical devices, visit energizer.com/livehealthy.

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Tips To Take The Pain Out Of Cold Weather

GBB Note: Cooler mornings have arrived in Fayette County. The weather is just perfect for getting out and walking the cart parts in Peachtree City, Here are some tips in case the morning stretch makes you stop and pause.

(NAPSI)-If you're one of the estimated 27 million Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis, many cold weather sports and activities can seem overwhelming. In fact, colder weather often intensifies arthritis pain.

By following a few simple tips, people with arthritis can reduce the impact that pain has on their lives:

• Maintain your exercise program-It's not just the cold weather that causes joints to stiffen, but inactivity. People who are normally active in the summer can become sedentary when it's cold.

Lack of exercise raises the risk for cardiovascular disorders and other chronic illnesses and can also make the muscles of the body less efficient and increase fatigue, stress and anxiety.

If the weather outside is prohibitive, find an indoor activity such as mall walking, dancing, swimming at an indoor pool or yoga. Be sure to warm up before and cool down after your workout to help prevent strains, muscle soreness and other injuries. Talk to your health care provider before beginning a new exercise routine.

• Try hot and cold therapy -Both warm baths and heating pads help ease the pain while ice packs reduce inflammation and swelling. Try starting with cold therapy to help with inflammation and then switch to heat therapy for stiffness.

• Layer your clothing-By wearing multiple layers of clothing, you can avoid rapid temperature transitions between indoors and out.

• Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever-Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aleve work to relieve everyday aches and pains. Aleve has also been shown to provide 24 hours of relief with just two pills-something not found with other OTC brands.

For more information on how to effectively manage pain, visit the Osteoarthritis Resource Center at www.aleve.com.

When the weather outside prohibits outdoor exercise, consider an indoor activity such as yoga.

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