I've experienced several periods of depression throughout my adult life, and while prescription drugs have proved helpful, I've been keen to explore drug-free ways to manage and treat my depression. I started this blog to share my personal experience battling this illness and the alternative treatment options I've tried, including dietary supplements, talking therapies, meditation, relaxation exercises, massage and acupuncture. I also post about current research on the effectiveness of holistic therapies at treating depression, and the blog contains guest posts written by others with depression who have tried drug-free treatments. I hope you find the information on this blog useful.
For many women, the end of the menopause can come as a relief. Bothersome symptoms, such as hot flashes, dry skin and sleep disturbances, tend to disappear, but changes in your hormone levels can leave you more susceptible to certain health conditions. Here's an overview of two health conditions postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of developing:
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is characterised by weak bones, which can leave sufferers vulnerable to fractures and breaks. Simply twisting your ankle or wrist can be enough to cause a crack in your bone if you have osteoporosis. Oestrogen levels drop during the menopause and remain low thereafter, and as oestrogen is an essential component in the building of new bone, your bone density tends to diminish after the menopause.
Women who have not yet entered menopause can reduce their risk of developing postmenopausal osteoporosis by focusing on building their bone density through a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and regular exercise. Postmenopausal women can work on retaining the bone strength they have by engaging in some form of weight-bearing exercise each day, such as walking, playing tennis, dancing or hiking. Additionally, strength and balance exercises, such as squats and practicing tai chi, can reduce your risk of falling as you age. It's also advisable to stop smoking, as smoking can contribute to bone density loss.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term for a number of heart health problems, including angina, atherosclerosis and heart attack. Cardiovascular disease is more common in men than women, so some women don't think they have to worry about their heart health. However, hormonal changes brought on by the menopause can cause your levels of bad cholesterol to increase and your levels of good cholesterol to decrease. Over time, this can cause your arteries to harden and put you at risk of developing heart disease.
Maintaining a healthy weight, giving up smoking, eating a diet low in fat and rich in wholegrain foods and exercising regularly can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. However, some women will require medication to control their cholesterol, and their cholesterol levels will be monitored at regular intervals to ensure their medication is working as it should.
If you have concerns about your bone or heart health in the postmenopausal stage of your life, schedule an appointment with your bulk billing doctors. They can organise a bone density scan to check the health of your bones and create a lifestyle modification plan with you to keep your heart healthy. If you would like support to give up smoking or reach a healthy weight, you can be referred to a smoking cessation nurse or dietician.
Share28 June 2017
