Download Hot Flashes Newsletter - 2014 - January - OB

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O B - G Y N AT T H E V E R A N D A
January
The Forbidden Fruit: How Grapefruit Could Harm You
Grapefruit is one of nature’s healthier foods – but not if you take any one of a growing
number of drugs that interact with it. Grapefruit contains chemicals that interfere with
your ability to break down these drugs before they hit your bloodstream. This interaction
could cause you could end up with a much higher dose or other serious complications,
including kidney failure, respiratory failure, gastric bleeding, sometimes even death.
The list of drugs that are thought to be affected includes anti-cancer drugs, anti-diabetic
drugs, anti-infective drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-lipemic agents, cardiovascular
agents, estrogens, gastrointestinal drugs, immunosuppressants, urinary tract agents and
CNS agents. The list includes painkillers that are sometimes used recreationally such
as ketamine, diazepam, oxycodone and methadone. If your meds are on the list, stick
to water or other fruit juices. Always be safe and be sure to check with your doctor or
pharmacist when in doubt.
(Shape, April 2013)
Pregnant Women’s Secret to Staying Hydrated
Many women know that staying properly hydrated during pregnancy is crucial, and for a
lot of reasons—supporting the expansion blood volume, renewal of amniotic fluid, breast
milk production and flow, kidney and liver function, elimination of wastes, and even for
healthy energy levels and avoiding fatigue. Unfortunately, many pregnant women still
don’t get enough water and fluids to stay properly hydrated. Oftentimes it is difficult to
drink the recommended 8-12 glasses per day, and many women do not enjoy having to
drink that much water each and every day.
Prenatal Oxylent is the ideal prenatal vitamin for women who struggle with drinking
enough water every day, because it’s not like other pill-form prenatal vitamins—it’s
a drink mix! Each single-serving packet adds to water to create a sparkling drink
that tastes great while also delivering all the nutrients you need from your
prenatal vitamin—including folic acid/folate, iron, vitamin A, choline, and B
vitamins.
The American Pregnancy Association has recognized Prenatal Oxylent as
their official prenatal vitamin, and third party testing ensures its purity and
potency. Drinking Prenatal Oxylent satisfies two important needs at onceyou get your daily prenatal vitamin, and you get one of your
recommended glasses of water for the day, with the refreshing change of
pace of the all-natural sparkling cranberry raspberry flavor.
(American Pregnancy Association, November 2012)
Symptoms You Should Never Ignore (Part 2)
1.
Unusual bleeding: Ulcers and colon cancer can cause rectal bleeding or black or
tarry stools. If you haven’t had a colonoscopy recently, talk to your physician.
Vaginal bleeding can be linked to gynecological cancers and people with lung cancer
can cough up blood.
2.
Sudden confusion: If you or a loved one is experiencing sudden confusion,
personality changes, aggression or an inability to concentrate, it’s important to
see a doctor right away. The mortality rate confusion is high. In the worst case, a
brain tumor or bleeding in the brain could be behind the delirium. If you’re also
experiencing slurred speech, difficulty finding the right words, or numbness, stroke
is a strong possibility. Medicine and drug-alcohol interactions can also affect your
mental state.
3.
Swelling in the legs: Swelling of the legs, especially if persistent, should never be
ignored. This could be a sign of heart failure, when both legs are affected and the
patient experiences shortness of breath, fatigue and chest tightness.
(AARP – The Magazine, December/January 2013)
Back Pain Home Remedies
Although it’s true that back pain often comes on suddenly – as when the back just seems
to “give out” while bending over – factors leading up to an episode of back pain are often
cumulative and gradual. That is, poor posture, obesity, weakened muscles in the back and
abdomen (due to lack of exercise), long-term effects of stress and normal aging can set
the stage for a flare-up of pain. Follow these tips to help your back at ease:
Rest your back. When immobilized by muscle spasms, lie down and rest for a while.
This reduces the pressure on the affected areas and allows the inflamed tissue to settle
down. Some people find lying on one side with their legs bent and a pillow between the
knees provides optimal relief.
Try heat or ice. Either or both may provide temporary relief, although the evidence
shows heat relieves more pain than ice does.
Choose and over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen, naproxen,
ibuprofen or aspirin. (Acetaminophen has a lower risk of side effects than the others,
as long as it is not combined with alcohol.) These medications help you get through
the worst of the back attack, until you can return to your normal activities.
Exercise. There are many exercises that can help you strengthen and relieve
your back from pain. One of the best exercise therapies is getting in the water.
Aquatic therapy is used to manage various musculoskeletal conditions,
including low back pain. Water provides natural resistance when you move.
You should see a doctor right away if back pain is accompanied by changes
in bowel or bladder control, fever or vomiting, or pain, numbness or
tingling that radiates into the limbs.
(Berkeley Wellness, 2013)