Diabetes Prevention – Understanding Blood Glucose

Every person’s blood contains sugar that is also referred to as glucose. Blood sugar is essential for human health. We obtain glucose from the foods that we eat. The blood takes the role of carrying it into the different organs of the body in order to provide energy to the cells thus allowing the muscles to move, the brain to think and other important functions of the entire body.

Blood glucose is the fuel for normal body and brain function. But like most things in life, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing! Uncontrolled levels of blood sugar can have devastating and long-lasting, even permanent, effects on organs and tissue.

Maintaining Normal Levels of Blood Glucose

When talking about blood glucose, balance is the key. Although blood glucose is very important for the many processes that are taking place inside the body, its levels should not be too high or too low. Otherwise, the person becomes at risk of some serious health problems.

Fortunately there are many things that you can do in order to keep healthy levels of glucose in the body. Aside from regularly monitoring your glucose levels, which is a must if you have diabetes or at high risk of developing such condition, you also need to get a better understanding of how glucose behaves and functions in order to keep it functioning at an optimum level.

The Importance of Having Normal Levels of Blood Glucose

The human body has the innate ability to keep the levels of glucose high enough for the millions of cells to stay well nourished. The human body also has this natural scheme of preventing glucose from going too high to avoid it from getting in the way of many important biological processes that are necessary for keeping the body healthy.

In order to regulate the levels of glucose, the body needs the help of some other parts of the body including: the muscles, fat tissue, brain, liver, small intestines, pancreas and a variety of hormones including insulin.
However, when one or any of these glucose-regulating body parts do not function well for some reason the individual may suffer from elevated levels of blood glucose, resulting in diabetes.

If left untreated, having elevated levels of glucose may damage the person’s eyes, nerves, blood vessels, and kidneys.

How Blood Glucose Behaves Inside the Human Body

For people who do not have diabetes, their bodies are capable of keeping the levels of blood glucose within 70- 100 mg/dl. After eating, foods will be broken down for their nutrients to be used by the different parts of the body.

As the process of digesting the food is taking place, their blood glucose will temporarily increase. While the levels of blood glucose are increasing, the release of insulin is additionally being triggered by the pancreas to ensure that blood glucose levels do not get too high. Insulin is a peptide hormone produced within the pancreas. It is released into the bloodstream to help regulate fat and carbohydrate metabolism.

At this time, signals are being sent to the numerous cells inside the person’s body, especially those that are found in their fat, liver, and their muscles. Once the signals are received, these body parts will absorb the extra glucose to convert it into energy or store it in the liver as glycogen for future use.

Glycemic Index – Diet and Diabetes

What is the Glycemic Index?

The Glycemic Index or Glycaemic Index, often referred to as GI, can a useful tool for diabetics. It can be helpful for practically anyone who wishes to educate themselves on how quickly glucose levels in the blood rise after eating a certain kind of food.

This index provides numerical values for foods. You can easily use the Internet at home or on your phone to find out the glycemic index of a particular food. The GI estimates how much each gram of available carbohydrate, which is the total carbohydrate without the fiber content, in a food raises a person’s blood sugar level after they eat it. This measurement is relative to consumption of pure glucose, which has its own glycemic index of 100.

One of the things to take into consideration with the glycemic index is that it does not factor in the actual amount of carbohydrate that is consumed in the serving. The Glycemic Load however, a related measure, takes this into account by multiplying the carbohydrate content of the actual serving by the glycemic index of the particular food.

Foods that are considered to be Low GI measure in at 55 or less. Medium GI foods are considered to be 56-69 and High Glycemic Index foods measure at 70 and above. Understanding your portion size or the amount of food you are eating per serving and how fast this food will be broken down into glucose, will enable you to make wiser food choices.

If you do want that extra glass of wine or piece of chocolate cake, you will be able to calculate the rest of your daily meals to ensure you are balancing your carbohydrate intake safely.

Avoid High Glycemic Foods

We all know, or need to know, that sweets and processed foods are not healthy. Carbohydrates which break down easily during digestion and rapidly release glucose into our bloodstream are considered to be high glycemic foods. Be wary of pure fruit juices, salad dressings, condiments, health bars and cereals, white rice, potatoes, white bread, ice cream, chocolate, oranges and bananas. These foods are all considered to be on the higher side of the glycemic index.

Be sure to read labels on condiments, sauces and pre-packaged foods. Even many foods we grew up considering to be healthy can lead you astray. Proportion is everything. Also note that ingredients are listed in the order of abundance; the first ingredient being the most prominent all the way down to the least.

Oftentimes the “pure or natural” ingredient advertised on the packaging will be way down on the bottom of the list! Be a smart consumer. If you have never previously read your food labels, now is the time to start. Your blood sugar and the rest of your body will thank you for taking the time!

Examples of Low Glycemic Foods

Carbohydrates that break down slower and release sugar more gradually into the bloodstream are considered to be low glycemic foods. Wholegrain bread, oats, barley, millet, wheat germ, lentils, baked halibut, soybeans and most beans are some popular choices.

Peaches, strawberries, mangoes, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and most vegetables are also great choices.

Introduction to Diabetes

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes is a condition that results in high blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. When the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin, high blood sugar levels result.

This may occur for one of two reasons: either the pancreas is not making enough insulin or the cells are unresponsive to the insulin that is being produced. Excess glucose in the blood is eliminated in the urine via the kidneys.

Insulin, a peptide hormone, is produced by the beta cells in our pancreas and is responsible for helping certain cells in the body absorb glucose or blood sugar and convert it into energy. Therefore, insulin is crucial in regulating fat and carbohydrate metabolism within our body.

Once control of insulin levels fail, the blood glucose or blood sugar level in the body can reach dangerously high levels, and Diabetes mellitus can result. This disease is considered to be a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.

If left untreated, this condition can have detrimental effects to your level of well-being. Many vital organs, including the heart and your circulatory system, the kidneys and the eyes may be adversely affected.

Symptoms of Diabetes

There are 3 classical symptoms of Diabetes, which may be remembered as the 3P’s:

1.Polydipsia or frequent thirst,
2.Polyuria or frequent urination and
3.Polyphagia or frequent hunger.

Additional symptoms to be aware of include:

* Severe weight loss or emaciation can occur despite being excessively hungry
* Skin ulcers that appear anywhere on the body and are slow to heal
* Weakness
* Boils
* Loss of tactile sensation in the fingertips
* In women, there may be itching of the vulvae present
* In men there may be inflammation of the glans penis.

Having continually elevated levels of blood glucose can cause changes in the shape of the lens in the eye, due to glucose absorption in the lens itself. This can result in vision changes and many people complain of blurred vision prior to being diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetic dermadromes is a term describing a collective number of cutaneous conditions of the skin that are also commonly experienced by patients who have had Diabetes for some time.

Different Types of Diabetes

There are 3 main kinds of Diabetes mellitus: Type 1 DM, Type 2 DM and Gestational Diabetes. Other kinds of Diabetes mellitus include: Cystic Fibrosis related diabetes, different kinds of Monogenic Diabetes, Congenital Diabetes due to genetic defects of insulin production and Steroid Diabetes, induced through high doses of glucocorticoids.

* Type 1 Diabetes mellitus
This type of Diabetes requires daily insulin injections or wearing an insulin pump to regulate levels.

* Type 2 Diabetes mellitus
Type 2 DM, results from an insulin resistance. In this condition, the cells fail to use the insulin produced by the pancreas correctly. This condition may also be combined with a complete insulin deficiency in some cases.

* Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a form that occurs in pregnant women. Often there is no previous diagnosis of diabetes and the high blood glucose level may return to normal after delivery.

In some cases, this may precede development of Type 2 DM; however, many women only require medication and monitoring for the duration of their pregnancy.

Managing Diabetes

Discovering that you have diabetes can be overwhelming and challenging news for many people. Keep in mind that this condition affects individuals of all ages and races. Many people are born with the disease, and other people develop it later in life.

You are not alone managing diabetes. Take a deep breath and decide to take control of your diabetes, instead of allowing it to take control of you.

Incorporating exercise into your day, changing your eating habits and learning how to monitor your glucose levels will enable you to live a healthy and productive life. You can also make sure you get adequate sleep and reducing any stress will also help to keep your blood sugar in check. These can be monumental lifestyle changes for some individuals.

Be patient with yourself. Do not try to overhaul everything on the first day. Knowledge is power. The more calm and open-minded you can stay while you educate yourself about this new condition, the better off you and your loved ones will be.

Risk Factors For Diabetes and How To Be Proactive

Understanding the risk factors of Diabetes will help you understand what kind of preventative measures you can take in reducing the associated risks that accompany this condition. Many people learn how to listen to their bodies with this disease. Often it provides the wake-up call a person needs about some much needed lifestyle changes.

Other people, however, may go into denial about their condition. They may even rebel and decide not to take their medicine on time, or not to make time to check their blood sugar levels. These individuals often suffer dire consequences as a result. Instead of managing their disease, they allow it to progress and may end up dealing with numerous other health problems. Choose to be proactive and as healthy as you can be. It is never too late to start making positive choices.

Obesity

Obesity is the largest risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes. Unfortunately, obesity is considered to be at pandemic levels in many countries. This abundance of excess weight causes a lot of stress on the entire body. The joints, the cardiovascular system and the internal organs are all affected.

Many studies have been done to determine why obese people have a higher tendency to develop Diabetes. One theory shows that abnormal glucose output is actually increased in obese people and the pancreas has a difficult time responding with the required amount of insulin.

It is possible to deal with obesity in a healthy manner. Start with small changes in your daily routine. Park your car at the farthest point from work or the store and increase your daily steps. Take the stairs whenever possible. Keep raw veggies in a bowl of water in the fridge for a nutritious go-to snack. Drink a glass of water before every meal to help convince your body that you feel fuller faster. Visit with a dietician who specializes in Diabetes and learn some new recipes!

Sedentary Lifestyle

A sedentary or low activity lifestyle is another common diabetic risk factor. Keeping active and staying on your feet increases your blood flow and promotes healthy circulation. If you sit at your desk all day, make time to stretch and get some fresh air during lunch and coffee breaks. Are in the habit of watching TV after supper? How about choosing to go for an evening walk around the block instead? These small changes will have a positive impact on your overall health.

Diabetes Prevention – Helpful Eating Tips

Studies have shown that individuals, who have a high-risk of developing diabetes, significantly lowered their risk and prevented or delayed developing the disease after losing weight. The very best way to maintain a healthy weight is to enjoy a healthy diet. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise may be the best prevention against diabetes.

If your doctor finds you a high-risk candidate for diabetes, they may recommend you follow a specific meal plan that is tailored to your current nutritional needs. It is important that you eat three meals in a day and have appropriate snacks in between to maintain an optimal blood sugar balance. Skipping a meal is a big no-no for people who have diabetes or who are at risk. Keeping regular meal times will help you have better control over your blood sugar levels.

When eating, it is vital to be very aware of your portion sizes. You may need to research a bit about the right portion sizes for each food category. You may wish to ask your doctor or your dietitian about portion sizes and food servings to ensure that you are eating the correct amounts of the right foods.

Limit your intake of foods that contain high levels of unhealthy fats. You also need to be careful about cooking methods. For example, when you need to use oil, make sure to select the kind of oil that does not contain trans-fats or saturated fats.

Other foods that you should limit if not eliminate in your daily diet includes fatty portions of meat, whole milk and other dairy products that contain whole milk, fried foods, candies, crackers, cakes, pies, salad dressings, lard, and non dairy creamers. It is always better to opt for foods that are raw, boiled, broiled, grilled and steamed as they do not contain unhealthy fats.

Whole grain foods are a rich source of fiber. This can be found in cereals that contain 100% whole grains, oatmeal, and other foods which are made from whole grains such as bagels, pita, rice and tortillas. Other rich sources of fiber also include dried herbs, flax and sesame seeds, edamame, sun-dried tomatoes, beans and passion fruit.

Reduce Your Sugar Intake

If you are fond of reaching for a can of soda, then now is the time to start ditching that habit. It is a good idea to start getting used to drinking coffee without sugar in it and avoid those fruit-flavored drinks as well.

You may also want to ask your doctor or dietitian about healthy sugar substitutes. If you want to get rid of your craving for soda, try making your own fresh fruit juice. Fresh fruit juice already tastes sweet and it does not have to be added with sugar in order to taste delicious. Your juicer can become your new best friend.

Be Conscious of Your Carb-Cravings

As a person who is at high risk of developing diabetes, you need to be aware of your carbohydrate intake as well. Carbohydrates can have a great impact on your blood sugar levels and this is the reason why you need to be conscious about the amount of carbohydrates that you consume on a daily basis.

You may ask for help from a dietitian with regard to measuring food portions. If you are not already doing so, aim towards becoming well-educated about reading food nutritional labels when you are shopping. Particularly pay more attention to portion sizes and the amount of carbohydrates that each food product has.

A healthy diet is ideally coupled with regular exercise. Ask your health care provider and your fitness expert before starting any exercise regimen.

7 moves that can help to beat back pain

How are you dealing with your recurring back pain? I personally go toe chiropractor every 2 weeks to make sure to avoid any build up from taking place and I do some exercises every other day when I feel I should.

below is an excerpt of a good article about the various exercises you you might want to consider adopting too:

Exercises for back pain relief: 7 moves that can help and heal

Don’t suffer from a sore back in silence – try some of these expert approved moves to relieve aches and pains.

Our first instinct when suffering from back pain is to rest up and let the pain naturally subside.

But many experts agree that performing certain exercises can actually help strengthen your muscles, support your spine and relieve that debilitating pain in your back.

Not sure which exercises are good and bad for back pain? We asked the fitness professionals at Fitness First, who have found 7 of the best exercises to help.

Before trying any of these exercises, always remember to consult a fitness professional or doctor who can advise on the best options for you.

Beat back pain with… aerobic exercise

Start with short sessions and build them up over time. Good forms of aerobic exercise for those suffering from back pain include walking, swimming and cycling.

If you’re in the gym, opt for a bike which has back support, and if you’re swimming avoid any strokes that twist your body.

Beat back pain with… Pilates

Pilates works the deeper muscles in the body helping to strengthen your back. For those who suffer from chronic back pain or who are recovering from surgery and have finished with physiotherapy, Pilates is an excellent way to keep improving your back strength focusing on just a few selected movements and working a little at a time.A little and often with Pilates can make a big difference for someone who suffers with back pain.
Beat back pain with… wall sits

Start by standing 10 to 12 inches from the wall, then lean back until your back is flat against it. Slowly slide down until your knees are slightly bent, pressing your lower back into the wall,
Hold for a count of 10, then carefully slide back up the wall. Repeat 8 to 12 times…

Read on at this link

Why you should consider taking a cold shower

Are you one of those heroic people that actually are already taking cold showers in the morning?

Well I certainly am not but after reading the article which follows I am actually considering testing it to see how I will feel.

Why a Cold Shower May Be More Beneficial for Health than a Warm One

When you’re stressed or just finished up a hard workout, jumping into a warm shower probably seems only natural. The warm water promotes blood flow to your skin, helping to soothe tired, achy muscles and helping you to relax. However, there may be good reason to turn the faucet to cold when you shower,both after a workout and on an intermittent basis.

Exposure to cold temperatures via cold water and ice baths, otherwise known as cold water immersion or “cryotherapy,” is a popular technique among amateur and professional athletes, but it may offer health-boosting benefits for virtually everyone.

Why Take a Cold Shower After Exercise?

Cold works by lowering the damaged tissue’s temperature and locally constricting blood vessels.vUsing targeted cold therapy, such as an ice pack, immediately after an injury helps prevent bruising and swelling from the waste and fluid build-up.vCold also helps numb nerve endings, providing you with instant, localized pain relief.

On a whole-body scale, immersing yourself in a cold tub of water brings down your heart rate and increases your circulation, minimizing inflammation and helping you recover faster.In fact, cold-water baths appear to be significantly more effective than rest in relieving delayed-onset muscle soreness, which typically occurs one to four days after exercise or other physical activity.

In one study, after analyzing 17 trials involving over 360 people who either rested or immersed themselves in cold water after resistance training, cycling or running, researchers found the cold-water baths were much more effective in relieving sore muscles one to four days after exercise.ivJust how cold does the water need to be?

In this case, most of the studies involved a water temperature of 10-15 degrees C (50-59 degrees F), in which participants stayed for about 24 minutes. Some of the trials involved colder temperatures or “contrast immersion,” which means alternating between cold and warm water.

This study did not show a significant benefit compared to rest for contrast immersion, but some experts do believe that alternating hot and cold water helps drive oxygen and nutrients to your internal organs, while encouraging detoxification. Research also shows it may help reduce pain and speed recovery by decreasing blood lactate concentration.ii

Click here for the rest of this article

Do these testosterone supplements really work?

Are you one of the many people who have asked this very question?

Well I must admit I did and I actually tested several of them which is why I must disagree with the conclusion of the article that just appeared in the Los Angeles Times about the study on this subject.

Below the excerpt I will give you a link to one of the supplements that definitely boost my libido when I tried it recently so maybe you’ll want to try it for yourself

For men on testosterone therapy, some good news and bad

New research offers both reassurance and disappointing news to men who take testosterone supplements to improve their energy levels, libido and general health: The popular therapy does not appear to hasten progression of cardiovascular disease; neither, however, does it appear to improve sexual function or overall health-related quality of life.

The new trial results counter the findings of a welter of recent studies that has linked testosterone supplementation to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

At the same time, they suggest that the roughly 3% of American men over 40 taking prescription testosterone supplements may be getting little benefit for the $1.6 billion spent annually on those treatments. Over the study’s three-year span, men taking testosterone reported no greater sense of well-being, nor better erectile or ejaculatory function, sexual desire or partner intimacy, than did those getting a placebo.

Reported Tuesday in JAMA, the clinical trial looked for changes in two measures of cardiovascular disease risk – coronary artery calcium levels and narrowing of the carotid artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the brain. Over three years, researchers at three centers in the U.S. made those measurements in men 60 years or older taking testosterone and a similar group of men who received packets of placebo gel.

All the men had low- or low-normal testosterone levels. For those taking the real thing, the study investigators sought to establish and maintain levels of circulating testosterone to those typical of young men…

Click here if you want to learn more about the supplement

that seemed to work fine for me

Click here if you want to read the rest of the article

Click on this link for more information about low testosterone and what you can do about it

The Female Guide To Getting Lean, Trim, And Hard

Fit is the new hot. Long gone are the days where skinny women are considered the best looking. Society has finally woken up to the fact that strong women are sexy. However, because of our chemical makeup, it can be hard for women to get a lean and trim body. If you are determined to whip your body into shape, all you need is to follow this guide and you’ll see success.

Start By Evaluating Your Lifestyle

The best way to start is by making small lifestyle changes that can make a BIG difference.
•    Make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep every night, especially after a good workout. Your muscles will need that time to repair.
•    Manage your stress levels through a hobby, meditation, or yoga. As women, hormones make a big difference in our ability to burn fat. Stress is the evil enemy in this regard. Do whatever you can to diminish the sources of stress in your life.
•    Look for ways to increase you activity level, especially if you have a desk job. Schedule fun outings with friends that include sports like beach volleyball or ultimate Frisbee. Take your family on a hike in the weekends. Use the stairs, walk during lunch, or google a desk office workout- https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/exercise-at-your-desk

Nutrition for a Lean, Trim, Hard Body

You would think that the most important part of getting good muscle mass is your workout but without providing your body with the right fuel, you’d be wasting your time with even hour long workouts (You do not need hour long workouts to get fit, so don’t freak out!). So, how are your eating habits?

In order to shed fat and reveal muscle you need to have a calorie deficit. To do this you need to calculate your BMI and daily caloric need to achieve this weight in a steady and consistent manner.

To calculate your daily calorie needs go here: https://nutritiondata.self.com/tools/calories-burned
The number you calculated is the amount of calories you need to maintain your current weight. You need to shave off around 500 calories to lose a pound per week. Add in the calories burned through your workout and you’ll see a healthy loss of about 2-3 lbs per week. If you eat right this weight loss will be pure fat.

Diet

•    A healthy diet to create a lean body needs to have plenty of protein, about 80-90 grams of lean protein per day. Chicken breasts, fish, and vegetable proteins are good sources of lean protein.

•    Next, you need to calculate your carbohydrates, which should be complex carbs at all times, no processed yucky stuff.

•    The rest of your nutrition should come from fruits and vegetables with a few healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and healthy oils. Always hydrate your body with at least 64 oz. of water.

The Workout

Finally! It’s about time we get to your workout, right? The absolute best workouts for busy women to effectively sculpt a beautiful lean body would be quick, include cardio, and work every major muscle in the body.

I know what you are thinking, but this workout does exist!

It’s called High Intensity Interval Training. I’m sure you heard of it. It’s very popular and for good reason.

It can take as little as 20 minutes and will leave you feeling like you’ve wrestled a lion. This workout is a sample of what the perfect workout will look like. You can vary your workout constantly to include your favorite bodyweight moves and focus on any of your trouble zones.

Just follow this formula for circuits and timing and you can’t fail!

Circuit 1:

50 seconds burpees
10-second rest
50 seconds jump squats
10-second rest
Repeat 4 times

Circuit 2:

30 seconds push-ups
30 seconds butt kicks
30 seconds side plank pulses (left)
30 seconds high knees
30 seconds push-ups
30 seconds jumping jacks
30 seconds side plank pulses (right)
30 seconds butt kicks
Rest 1 minute
Repeat 2 times

Love to run? Try this interval workout after a quick warmup:

2 min 65% max speed running
30 sec 90% max speed
1 min of bodyweight exercise of choice
Repeat 6 times

Increase muscle mass by making it to the gym once or twice a week for heavy lifting. Don’t worry, this won’t make you bulky, but it will set fire to your metabolism and have the fat melting off your body like butter.

How Hormones Can Affect A Woman’s Moods

Women have a relatively unique hormonal system when compared to men. Men have a relatively static hormone system with stable levels of pituitary and gonadal hormones throughout their daily lives, suffering from decreasing levels of testosterone after the age of 30-40. Usually this gradual change does not markedly affect male mood.

Women, on the other hand, spend much of their reproductive lives with a cyclical pattern of hormones that change on a day-to-day basis. The cycle repeats itself every month and the fluctuations alone can contribute to changes in everyday mood.

In the beginning of the cycle, the LH and FSH levels are low. The FSH gradually rises in order to stimulate an egg to grow and mature on the ovaries. An LH surge happens at the time of ovulation so that the egg is released and the ovary creates a large amount of estrogen and progesterone in the last half of the cycle. This is when many women experience hormonal changes consistent with premenstrual syndrome. It is possible for any woman to develop mood changes during the last half of the cycle but some women have hormonal changes so significant that it interferes with daily life. When it involves the ability to get through daily life, it is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD.

What are the symptoms of PMDD?

Women with PMDD often experience mood swings along with physical symptoms that make it difficult to get through daily life. When the period arrives, the symptoms tend to abate for another two weeks until ovulation happens again and PMDD symptoms arrive.

Some symptoms of PMDD include the following:

•    Fluctuations in mood that can change by the hour or by the day.
•    Depressed feelings such as sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness.
•    Increased anger, often leading to interpersonal relationship difficulties
•    Anxiety and increased mental tension
•    Lessened interest in hobbies and other activities you used to enjoy
•    Increased irritability
•    Problems with concentration
•    Tiredness, sleepiness or fatigue during the day
•    An increase or decrease in appetite
•    Insomnia or other sleep difficulties
•    Feeling out of control or overwhelmed by life’s challenges
•    Uncomfortable physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness, bloating, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain or swelling

These symptoms can mean that, for two weeks out of every month, a woman can have difficulty functioning in life; this can affect her home life, her work life, and relationships in her life. If the symptoms are relatively mild, she can take vitamins, eat healthy, and exercise in order to improve many of the mood symptoms. If the symptoms are severe and a woman does not wish to become pregnant, oral contraceptives can even out the symptoms. Still other women see their doctor and get prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs like Prozac, Lexapro, or Celexa. These can reduce many of the emotional symptoms so typical of having PMDD or even milder premenstrual symptoms.

Hyperthyroid Conditions

Women are at a higher risk of hypothyroid or hyperthyroid conditions when compared to men. This means they have a higher risk of these hormonally related conditions affecting mood and outlook on life. Hypothyroidism is much more common than hyperthyroidism but both syndromes can lead to mood disorders and mental symptoms.

In hypothyroidism, the main mood symptoms include the following:

•    Depressive symptoms
•    Tiredness or fatigue even when getting enough sleep at night.
•    Difficulty sleeping

If the woman has hyperthyroidism, she likely has Grave’s disease, which has mood and mental symptoms of its own. These include:

•    Nervousness
•    Moodiness
•    Fatigue
•    Mental and emotional weakness
•    Tremulousness

Many times, these symptoms can be overlooked as a normal part of being a woman or due to menstrual symptoms, when in actuality; they are due to a physical problem with the thyroid gland. While jokes are often made about these types of mood conditions and PMS, these serious issues can be debilitating for women, and can seriously affect their lives and relationships.

Only a careful history, physical examination, and a laboratory analysis can allow the doctor to identify which symptoms are just mental and which are due to thyroid pathology. Take the time to look into these issues as help is available and there is no reason to let these problems fester.