Treat her like a Queen those five days- Part II
(Last week the author spoke about the causes and effects of pre-menstrual tension. This week remedies for the malady are narrated.)
The menstrual cycle-the regular process of preparation for pregnancy is repeated every month, from the beginning of maturity except when a woman is pregnant, to the end of the childbearing years (menopause). The process is continuous each cycle lasting approximately one month. It varies from one woman to another between about 21 to 35 days, followed immediately by the next one. The measures to be taken to manage pre-menstrual syndrome or tensions (PMS) successfully may be dealt fewer than two heads: natural and medical.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a health problem that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but is more serious. PMDD causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in a week or two before the period starts. Symptoms usually go away two to three days after the period starts. Victims may need medicine or other treatment to relieve the symptoms.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a health problem that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but is more serious. PMDD causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in a week or two before the period starts. Symptoms usually go away two to three days after the period starts. Victims may need medicine or other treatment to relieve the symptoms.
Among the remedies are: one has to cultivate to understand the upcoming problems, and the symptoms of premenstrual tensions to distinguish normal routine and serious maladies. The woman who feels that pre-menstrual tension is hampering her has to use discretion to decide do’s and don’ts during that period.
Simple remedies such as limiting fluid intake, salt-intakes, and an increase in potassium in-takes by eating potassium-rich foods such as bananas, tomatoes, and oranges would help. Eating foods that are natural diuretics such as cucumber, black coffee watercress, and watermelon will help to relieve symptoms associated with water retention. The weight gain, feeling of bloatedness, swelling of the abdomen, sometimes fingers, ankles, and legs, and edema can be managed with the above foods and mild diuretics.
Potassium-rich foods are encouraged as salt and potassium, affect each other in the body. Where conventional drugs are not preferred, usage of herbs such as Roseberry leaf, dandelion, and chameleon besides yoga practices, transcendental meditation, and a well-balanced diet is recommended.
Remedies include tranquilizers and anti-depressants may have to be taken under the supervision of a physician. Diuretic, these drugs encourage urination. Contraceptive pills for some women give reasonable relief. Progesterone is a hormone that helps to relieve premenstrual tension. Bromocriptine is the most recent drug advocated for the treatment of pre-menstrual tension.
Self-care: One can sometimes manage or reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome by making changes in the way of eating, exercising, and approaching daily life. Sufferers have to eat smaller, more-frequent meals to reduce bloating and the sensation of fullness. Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose foods rich in calcium. For those who can’t tolerate dairy products or aren’t getting adequate calcium in their diet, a daily calcium supplement may help. Better to avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Incorporate exercise: Engage in at least 30 minutes of brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or other aerobic activity most days of the week. Regular daily exercise can help improve overall health and alleviate certain symptoms, such as fatigue and a depressed mood.
Reduce stress: Get plenty of sleep. Practice progressive muscle relaxation or deep-breathing exercises to help reduce headaches, anxiety, or trouble sleeping (insomnia). Do yoga or massage to relax and relieve stress.
For those symptoms that are troubling, they have to record symptoms for a few months and keep a record to identify the triggers and timing of symptoms. This will allow intervening with strategies that may help to lessen them.
Alternative Therapies: Few complementary remedies are used to soothe the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome: Vitamin supplements. Calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, and vitamin B-6 have all been reported to soothe symptoms, but the evidence is limited or lacking. Some women report relief of PMS symptoms with the use of herbs, such as ginkgo, ginger, chaste berry, evening primrose oil, and St. John’s worth. However, few scientific studies have found that some herbs are effective for relief of PMS symptoms.
Acupuncture: A practitioner of acupuncture inserts sterilized stainless steel needles into the skin at specific points on the body. Some women experience symptom relief after acupuncture treatment.
Menstruation is not an illness but a normal and integral part of being a woman. For some women, whose symptoms are severe, several health clinics are opened to help enumerable sufferers. Unfortunately, many social service organizations and fellow doctors have failed to recognize the establishment of this sort of clinic in our country. I strongly feel that voluntary organizations and Government also should come forward to work on this subject to help millions of unfortunate women who have been crippled due to this syndrome. (Concluded)
