Menopause Gang Newsletter No. 59

Our Motto iswe will survive

The Menopause

Gang

Summer 2015 No. 59

DEPRESSION OR INTO THE ABYSS By Suzanne B.

Ive struggled with depression practically my whole life. My most re-cent bout was particularly aggressive and tenacious. In 2008 my hus-band and I (both in our late 40s) were able to purchase our very first home. We moved in late August. In October of that year my 12 1/2 -

year-old little dog was diagnosed with cancer. We lost him. I was devastated. The following year I lost my job. Panic was settling in.

In October 2010 we were forced to sell our home. We had been landlords for a brief 3 years. I just could not claw my way out of this one. After 5 years of meds, psychologists and psychiatrists, I was diagnosed as bi-polar type 2 with borderline personality disorder.

I started having very dark thoughts and was terrified of acting upon them. My psychiatrist strongly suggested I check into a 5-month long in-house therapy program. On October 13th, I checked myself in and my journey began.

It took me 4 weeks to open up and another 2 weeks for my tears to begin flowing.

Our schedule was Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. On Tuesdays we had a therapy group with all 12 women; Wednesday was our 6 women group. There were writing workshops, yoga, art therapy and chores to do. Brain and hands were kept busy for 5 months. We never feared of being judged. We were all encour-aged to open up.

As my release date neared, sheer terror set in. On March 15th, 2015 I was set free with my meds and tools to help me succeed. One month later my mourning period began: mourning the loss of any sense of structure, the staff and my new best friend.

So began another violent descent into hell. It was back to the drawing board...more meds and therapy. I have never been ashamed of my mental illness; however it is a huge load to bear as it is an invisible disease and a lifelong battle.

Be kind to strangers for they might be struggling to control their inward thoughts.

In conclusion, I am reminded of the Smokey Robinson song, Tears of a Clown...truer words were ever spo-ken.

(Thank you cousin Suzanne for sharing your story you are not alone)

Lise Fox Publisher The Menopause Gang Newsletter

Contact: (441) 297-0928 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.themenopausegang.com Editor

Carole Sousa Contributors

Caroline Ivaliotis Monica Jones

Trish Wan Dr. Danielle Marr

Suzanne B. Bermuda Diabetic Association

Fiona Couper-Smith

Depression or Into the Abyss.

Table of Contents..

Tales from Trish.

How Often Is It Normal to Get up and Pee at Night?..

Lines from Caroline...

Bda Cancer & Health Center Home Page.

Divine Natures and Inspirations..

Have You Considered Chiropractic Care for

Menopausal Symptom Management?...

Bermuda Diabetic Association Page .

Mediterranean Diet with Olive Oil, Nuts Linked to Healthier Brain .

Welcome to Inner Balance Bermuda ...

Tales from TrishContd from Page 3 ..

Our Motto iswe will survive

Inside this issue

Lines from Caroline: Arnica is an natural remedy for inflamma-tion and pain. (Page 5)

Menopause Corner 2

Disclaimer: The information set forth in this pamphlet is not in ANY way (either written or implied) to substitute for and/or give medical advice. It is only in-tended to share the emotional aspect of going through menopause. The Publisher

Divine Nature and Inspirations: Helmets and Children, Monica stresses its important for all of us to be there for each other in our day-to-day lives. (Page 7)

Have You Considered Chiropractic Care for Menopausal Symp-tom Management?: Introducing Dr. Danielle Marr who has joined our group. (Page 8)

Bermuda Diabetic Association will be providing us with useful information on diabetic care every quarter. (Page 9)

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Mediterranean Diet with Olive Oil, Nuts Linked to Healthier Brain: This diet might help improve memory. (Page 10)

Welcome to Inner Balance Bermuda: Introducing Fiona Couper-Smith who will explain the different holistic disciplines such as Reflexology, Hot Stones, Nutrition and Reiki etc. (Page 11)

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2 Depression or Into the Abyss: My cousin Suzanne is a coura-geous lady who has struggled all her life with depression. Glad that she has decided to share with us. (Cover Page)

How Often Is It Normal to Get Up and Pee at Night?: I am sure a lot of you are plagued with this issue. Interesting to read theres a name for it: nocturia. (Page 4)

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Travel Insurance: Dont Leave Home Without It: Wise recom-mendation from Tricia as her article points out. (Page 3 & 11)

Our Motto iswe will survive 3

Tales from Trish TRAVEL INSURANCE: DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

We have always regarded insurance as a necessary evil. Its tempting to play Russian Roulette by not insuring your house, contents or car, but without a substantial bank balance, a catastrophic loss could leave you unable to recover.

Australian insurance companies have expanded the market so virtually any event is insurable funeral expenses, job loss, mortgage, landlord, pet, parts of the body that are your livelihood, medical, dental etc. Doubtless its the same where you live. Competition between insurance companies is rife, leading to a new industry that of comparing the mar-ket. Not all insurance companies are compared however, so buyers should beware, because not all coverage is identi-cal.

Some newer companies advertise the customer will always speak to a person on the phone, whilst others primarily do business on-line. You can choose premium or budget insurance under the umbrella of a parent company, where the dif-ference in premium is generally in the amount of excess you elect to pay in the event of a claim.

Weve discovered customers do have a certain amount of power to negotiate premiums. After moving house 3 years ago, the new location and safer garaging for two cars enabled us to save money although we had to ask. We ques-tioned the annual premium hike when our insurer raised the value of our house and contents yet again surely this was declining with age, rather than increasing? Only land appreciates, and thats not going anywhere! Next we sought alter-native quotes and asked for reduced premiums in return for staying with our original insurer. This saved hundreds. Be-cause we drive less in retirement we also became a safer bet for car insurers.

This brings me to travel insurance. The older one is the more expensive travel insurance becomes. Its tempting to say its not necessary, but the fact is travel companies may not sell a packaged tour or cruise unless you do have insurance. If you need medical attention overseas the first question asked is, Who is your insurer? and without an insurer you could be denied appropriate care.

Shop around for travel insurance. Seek quotes from the usual insurers, but think outside the box. If, for example, you are a bridge player, a member of a seniors social club, motoring club or otherwise affiliated with a large group, you may find its on the bandwagon of brokering your travel insurance due to its potentially large client base. If you rarely travel, cover-age for a short period should be adequate, but if you often travel abroad, yearly insurance may offer a more attractive rate.

Travel insurance has become an essential expense, and compared with the total outlay for a tour, cruise or annual vaca-tion, its cost is minimal, perhaps in the same ballpark as the cost of long-term parking, taxi or other transport to the air-port or cruise terminal. It could be equated to the cost of an alcohol or soft drink package purchased on a cruise or the souvenirs you had to have!

This year we confidently set off to cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong, but 3 days after departing I was admitted to the ships hospital with a severe infection requiring antibiotics, which couldnt be diagnosed on board. We were warned a short detour by the ship to reach an unscheduled port for medical evacuation could cost the passenger a minimum of 250,000 Pounds Stg. Be aware that from hearsay, the cost of medical repatriation by commercial airliner is in the same league.

My condition declined during the next 6 days at sea so our cruise was abandoned with 12 days remaining and I entered the emergency depart-ment at Royal Darwin Hospital. My suspected diagnosis was confirmed, then after 4 days on antibiotic infusions, we returned to Sydney to arrange surgery.

Private medical and hospital insurance fully

ContdonPage11


ContactTraceyCaswelltopurchasethesebooksat:Email:[email protected]

MENOPAUSE MOMENT Youre in a hurry to go somewhere. While dressing, you grab a can of underarm deodorant and spray your neck. Bloody hell...You were sup-posed to grab the perfume bottle.

You stand in front of a car in the parking lot and use the fob to unlock it. After many tries, nothing happens. You realize your car is over there.

How Often Is It Normal to Get Up and Pee at Night? By Dr. Andrew Weil The Integrative MD (Prevention.com)

Waking up occasionally to use the bathroom is nothing to worry about. But if it consistently happens at least twice a night, you may have a condition called nocturia that can impede the restorative nature of sleep, af-fecting your daytime performance and mood.

In a recent study of women over 40, more than a third reported experiencing nocturia. Diuretic medications or drinking too many fluids late in the day may be to blame, but nocturia can also be a symptom of diabetes or heart failure, both of which affect kidney function and frequency of urination.

Start by limiting fluids and bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods after dinner. After ruling out the medical issues mentioned above, your doctor may recommend drugs that reduce the urge to pee at night, but these often cause side effects such as blurred vision and even memory impairment.


Lines from Caroline ARNICA: A Natural Remedy for Inflammation and Pain

Pain and swelling often associated with arthritis can sometimes interfere with everyday life. Some doctors are quick to prescribe quick fix synthetic medications that mask the symptoms and have serious side effects. Recently the medical field has been taking a look at an old anti-inflammation remedy from the flowers of the arnica plant. It seems to increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation and enhance healing in the body.

Arnica is a perennial flowering plant. It has yellow/orange flowers and resembles the daisy. Arnica grows in the wild in East Asia, Europe, southern Russia, in the woody areas North America and Canada. Arnica is very potent and is not used in its pure state. It is always diluted and administered in topical forms (gels and creams), homeopathic low-dose oral forms (tablets) or in some cases by injection. It should be noted that pure herbal forms of arnica should always be prescribed by a homeopathic practitioner or medical doctor. According to the University of Marylands Medical System, commercial homeopathic arnica remedies are safe because they contain extremely small amounts of arnica. When using any homeopathic product follow the directions on the bottle or the advice of a doctor.

Arnica has very powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It increases circulation and reduces swelling and pain in the body. It has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500s and today is administered in hospitals and medical doctor prac-tices around the world.

A natural way to treat arthritis pain and swelling is to massage a dab of arnica cream on achy knees, shoulders, hands or hips. Many people find the results pleasantly surprising. Topical forms of arnica can also speed up the healing process of bruises, sprains, muscular and cartilage injuries. This topical remedy is sometimes used to promote the healing of leg ulcers associated with diabetes and phlebitis. Arnica can even be used to alleviate the discomfort of an insect bite. Ar-nica creams should not be applied to broken skin.

Homeopathic practitioners and medical doctors prescribe the oral form of arnica to more aggressively treat the condi-tions that topical arnica is used for as well as to treat diabetic eye damage and swelling and pain after surgery. It is not recommended to take arnica or any drug internally without the advice of a doctor. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, individuals who are allergic to sunflowers, marigolds, or ragweed may be allergic to arnica.

If you suffer from arthritis, arnica may very well be a natural way to attack the inflammation and rid yourself from pain. It may even help to reduce your intake of anti-inflammatory prescription and over-the counter synthetic drugs. After you experience arnica, it will probably become a staple in your medicine cabinet and most likely replace bengay and mineral ice. This natural anti-inflammatory wonder drug can be found in health food stores, pharmacies and on the Internet. If youd like to naturally reduce the pain and inflammation in your body ask your doctor about the benefits of arnica.

BERMUDA CANCER & HEALTH CENTER HOME PAGE



Divine Nature and Inspirations By Monica Jones

Helmets and Children

I love to go for walks especially at this time of year. To enjoy the sun before it gets too bright. The breeze calms my soul and blows away the confusion. I feel like Im going out to be massaged by the sun, wind, flowers, trees and the occa-sional neighbour. When Im walking I pull weeds on the side of the road.

Recently I got out early. I noticed a woman riding a bike with a young teen pillion in school uniform. The woman was wearing a helmet and the passengers hair was blowing freely in the wind as she wasnt wearing a helmet.

I heard the driver say: Keep your head down. as I slowed my pace, staring as I imagined they avoided my eyes.

I heard myself say loudly with some vehemence: Are they out of their minds? On I walked with my mind rumbling. I guessed they were mother and daughter running late to school. I remembered how often our household had been cha-otic, rowdy and busy trying to get everyone out the door and off to school with lunch boxes, gym kit etc. I told myself the daughters helmet had probably been abandoned at an after school activity, or otherwise misplaced by the daughter. I felt the daughter wasnt being held accountable or responsible for the helmet being misplaced. More importance was being placed on being on time to school, than on the bigger lesson. To top it off, I felt the daughters wellbeing and safety was at risk.

Then I changed gears and said to myself: Monica, you dont really know whats going on here. Then: but that mother needs to apologise to her daughter as shes helping her break the law and putting her daughters health and safety at risk. They need to have a family meeting about what happened this morning. Doesnt she realize what shes modeling for her child?

I heard myself say: It would be safer for her to walk to school rather than to go on the back of the bike to school. I was assuming she went to one of two nearby schools.

Then: But it may seem harmless to them.

I remember when helmet laws changed to require cycle riders and passengers to wear protective helmets because the number of road fatalities was high. The age group with the highest numbers of deaths, brain damage and disabling inju-ries was teens and 20s. The number of fatalities and severe casualties reduced.

I remembered how my love went off course when my own children got to the teen years. It went from love to fear. From fear to control. From control to chaos. To out of control. It happened over a number of years.

I needed a community of people to help me get back on track so I could reverse the trend, as did my whole family.

I always cry during baptisms as the minister blesses the baby and asks all the congregation to stand and make a com-munity commitment to help guide and support the child, parents and god parents. I know we all do need guidance, men-toring and community support in our families.

Its important for each one of us regardless of where we live, what our economic or social circumstances are, race, eth-nicity, nationality, religion etc. I fundamentally believe we have to be there for each other to challenge and support the best from each of us because we are interdependent. The human rights and needs of children are something we need to focus on as we live our daily lives if we wish to leave this world better than we found it.

http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

Monica Jones is a Bermudian artist and writer. Monica paints in pastel, charcoal and encaustic. She lives in Ber-muda with her husband Arthur (lifelong sweetheart and supporter) and three ducks. Monica has three children, two grandchildren, a son and daughter-in-law and grew up in Paget, Bermuda.

Contact info: email [email protected] if you would like to receive regular newsletters from the author and be added to the mailing list.

Cell: 441-332-2753Website: http://www.monicajonesartist.com

Copyright Monica (Smith) Jones


HaveYouConsideredChiropracticCareforMenopausalSymptomManagement?

ByDr.DanielleMarr

Introducing Dr. Danielle Marr. After her undergraduate studies in the Honours Kinesiology program at Wilfrid Laurier University, Dr. Marr went on to obtain her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto. She furthered her education by obtaining her diploma in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture from McMaster University and has been certified as an ART (Active Release Techniques) provider. As an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition coach, Dr. Marr is a strong advocate for healthy living. She currently practices out of Inside Out Wellness Centre in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Publishers note: Dr. Marr has agreed to join. Welcome Dr. Marr.

As you are likely aware, treating menopause isnt really an option its not a disease or condition, but a normal proc-ess. Unfortunately, knowing this doesnt make it anymore enjoyable. Treatment to manage symptoms can make the process much more comfortable.

As with many other natural processes, many women are looking for more natural ways to ease the transition. Chiroprac-tors cannot directly treat patients for menopausal symptoms, but it can help you manage them. In order to fully under-stand how chiropractic care might be beneficial, its important to understand how chiropractic care works.

Every function of the body is controlled by the central nervous system your brain. Your brain communicates with structures it controls (like your reproductive system and hormone secretion) via your nerves. Its the spinal cord that re-lays these messages from your brain, extending to your nerves, and to their final destination (your organs). When under stress, often from simple things like posture and the repetitive strain of activities of daily living, the movement of your spine (vertebrae) can irritate, or hinder, the signals sent through your nerves. In the case of menopause, this can have an effect on the levels of estrogen and progesterone being released.

Chiropractic adjustments help to align the spine to remove pressure and/or interference from the nerve, thus restoring normal communication from the brain to the organs they control. Simply put, chiropractic adjustments help your spine to move as best as possible, so that your nerves can function/communicate as best as possible and in turn, provide you with maximal functioning of the structures they control.

In this way, adjustments can help to regulate the nervous system. I dont want to use the term normalize because menopause is normal! It can just help an overactive nervous system calm down, or an underactive nervous system wake up. There are also other ways chiropractic care can help to do this.

1. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to lower elevated levels of the stress hormone Cortisol. It is not surpris-ing that menopause creates an internally stressful environment, so decreasing the level of stress hormones, in ad-dition to balancing out other hormones, can help promote a more restful internal environment.

2. Adjustments help balance the part of the nervous system that help to relax, and calm down the body (the auto-nomic nerves) allowing for better sleep, less anxiety and better overall vitality. Im sure you have heard of the fight or flight system in your body? (The part of your nervous system that works you up to get you moving?) This auto-nomic nervous system is the exact opposite.

Anything you can do to remove interference from the nervous system will enhance your bodys ability to function opti-mally. These are just some of the ways chiropractic adjustments can help provide some relief. Many chiropractors are also trained in other techniques as well that can be equally as beneficial different types of acupuncture, supplementa-tion, nutritional advice from those that are qualified, etc.

There is not one simple answer. A combination of treatments, dietary and lifestyle changes are generally the best ap-proach. Consult your Chiropractor to find out what treatment options might be best for you.


By Lisa Rapaport (Scientific American) A Mediterranean diet with extra nuts and olive oil might help improve memory in older adults, a Spanish study suggests, though the results arent definitive and more research is needed.

This small study found that a Mediterranean diet, which is low in animal foods like meat and butter, and high in vegeta-bles, legumes and whole grains, when supplemented with olive oil or nuts is associated with improved cognitive func-tion, Samantha Heller, a nutritionist at New York Universitys Center for Musculoskeletal Care and Sports Performance who wasnt involved in the study, said by email.

While previous research has linked a Mediterranean diet to a reduced risk of heart disease and some cancers, as well as lower odds of developing Alzheimers disease, scientists havent conclusively proven that the diet itself is responsible, rather than other lifestyle choices made by people who eat this way. In the current study, Dr. Emilo Ros of the lipid clinic, endocrinology and nutrition service at Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, and colleagues set out to establish a stronger link be-tween the Mediterranean diet and better cognitive function.

They randomly assigned 447 older adults at risk for cardiovascular disease to follow one of three diets; a Mediterranean diet supplemented with one liter of extra virgin olive oil a week, a Mediterranean diet supplement with 30 grams of nuts a day, or a low-fat diet.

At the start of the study, participants were around 67 years old and typically overweight, but not obese. Many of them had high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

All the subjects had cognitive function tests at the start of the study, but only 334 of them, or about 75%, completed a second round of brain evaluations at the end of the trail (after about four years of follow-up) to assess the impact of the diets. Dropouts were equally distributed among the three diet groups, and had slightly worse cognitive function at the start of the study than the participants who stuck with the experiment.

Based on the brain function tests done before and after the study, the group eating low-fat foods had a significant de-crease in memory and cognitive function.

The group following a Mediterranean diet with supplemental nuts had significant improvements in memory, while the group adding extra virgin oil experienced better cognitive function.

In terms of an actual diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, however, the researchers only identified 37 people who de-veloped that condition during the study, and the diets didnt have a significant effect on the risk for that diagnosis.

To be sure, the study was small and the group receiving two cognitive function tests was even smaller, the researchers acknowledge in a report published May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine. The data was also taken from a larger study that wasnt designed to examine brain function, and its hard to say which aspect of the Mediterranean diet might help pre-vent cognitive decline, the authors wrote:

This diet study is much better than purely observational ones, but is far from one that provides definitive evidence, Dr. David Knopman, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said by email.

While the researchers describe the antioxidant-rich foods in a Mediterranean diet as potentially protecting against cogni-tive decline, the evidence to data that pure antioxidants such as vitamin E have an impact on some specific process related to cognitive aging is very, very slim, said Knopman, who wasnt involved in the study.

The brain is 70% fat, and gets fats from foods people eat, Heller said. One of the most common fats in the brain is oleic acid, an unsaturated fat found in nuts, olive oil, sunflower seeds and avocados. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for brain health, and found in fish, walnuts and soy foods. These healthy fats have been shown to improve cognitive function and brain health, Heller said. Conversely, research suggests that eating unhealthy fats like trans fats found in processed foods, and saturated fats in animal foods accelerated cognitive decline, poor memory, and is linked with an increased risk of dementia.

Mediterranean Diet with Olive Oil, Nuts Linked to Healthier Brain

11 Our Motto iswe will survive

Welcome to Inner Balance Bermuda by Fiona Couper-Smith

Tales from Trish (Contd from Page 3) covered my expenses in an Australian public hospital however, out of pocket expenses included 4,000 Pounds for 24 hours in the ships hospital, plus 5 days motel accommodation, taxis and meals for my husband and cancellation fees for air tickets and hotel deposit in Hong Kong. A claim has been submitted to our travel insurance provider.

Please seriously consider your travel insurance options, even if you are presently 100% healthy. A bout of food poison-ing or a broken limb could be an inconvenience; a serious medical emergency could not only be life threatening, but a lack of fiscal options could affect the quality and adequacy of your care, which is why I advocate dont leave home with-out it.

Reflexology is a natural and powerful therapy, bringing relief and helping many women through the menopause.

Reflexology can be beneficial during all stages of life for women. From painful and irregular periods, helping you be the best you can be when trying to conceive, to the strong symptoms experienced during menopause. In my practice, over the years, I have seen how beneficial reflexology can be and how it can bring relief and balance to many women who can experience terrible menopausal symptoms. Even though this is a natural process hormones can have such a strong impact on our lives both at work and at home with our family. Some of these symptoms can include; hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, low energy, poor concentration and mood swings. Reflexology also works at the emotional level bring-ing you a feeling of strength and balance when you might be feeling a little out of control of your own body.

Reflexology is a powerful eastern treatment which works on the principle that there are reflex points on the feet (and hands) that correspond to the whole body. Gentle to firm pressure is applied together with massage and stretching to the feet. When working these points you stimulate the bodys own innate healing powers. At the most basic level Reflexology promotes deep relaxation which in turn can have a positive effect on blood pressure, circulation, breathing and has been found to lower levels of cortisol and adrenaline. This allows the body to focus on what it needs to do rather than what is has to do. Releasing more energy for repair, renewal and productive communication at the cellular level.

What happens during a treatment. A full medical history, concerns and expectations are discussed. You can wear com-fortable clothing as only your feet are worked on. Feet are cleaned using hot towels and the treatment takes about 60 minutes. You may have some sensitive points but the treatment should never be too painful. You can always ask any questions during your session but I like to give a summary of what I have found at the end. This allows you the chance to relax.

The feet are so expressive that what is going on in you will be represented in your feet. This can change from week to week. This is why a course of reflexology is most beneficial (usually 4-6 treatments). We treat the whole body so you may come for one thing and notice other positive changes. With regards to menopausal symptoms, the whole foot is worked but attention will be given to related organs and glands allowing the body to do what it does best.

Take care of you.

Bio: Fiona is a Bermudian with over 21 years experience as a holistic therapist, trained in Wales and England in various Massage disciplines, Reflexology, Hot Stones, Nutrition and Reiki. Her practice Inner Balance Bermuda is an oasis of calm providing natural therapies to support your health and wellbeing.

She can be contacted on 333-5514 and through www.InnerBalanceBermuda.com

Welcome on board Fiona.

Documents

Menopause Gang Newsletter No. 59