PMS or premenstrual syndrome is a term used to describe a set of hormonal changes that trigger a syndrome in a significant number of women for up to two weeks before the start of her period. More than 5 million women require treatment for symptoms of PMS such as marked mood changes and behavioral changes.

Symptoms of PMS will often taper off with the start of her period and then she remains symptom free until approximately two weeks prior to the next period.

There are over 150 symptoms that have been attributed to PMS. The most common physical PMS symptoms are crying spells, headache, fatigue, fluid retention, constipation, backaches, cramping and weight gain. Emotional symptoms of PMS include behavior changes, anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks, tension and altered libido.

PMS symptoms can vary from month to month and women can be symptom free during some months.  Read more...

The number of people who spend time in front of a computer monitor continues to grow each year. And, each year, the number of people with computer eye strain symptoms also increases. What is computer eye strain and do you have it? If so, what can you do about your sore eyes and eye fatigue?

Our eyes are extremely important to us; they are used virtually every waking moment of the day. Much of what we learn from the time of birth forward is done visually, so it’s important to do what we can to take care of our vision. As we spend more time in front of Video Display Terminals (VDTs), we may be putting our eyes at risk and increasing the likelihood of eye fatigue and computer eye strain.

Computer eye strain, also called Computer Visual Stress Syndrome, or Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), is a condition caused by spending too much time in front of a computer monitor. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:  Read more...

PMS Depression or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS and is diagnosed by the pattern of PMDD symptoms. PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is a group of approximately 150 different symptoms that happen in the 2 weeks prior to the start of a woman’s period. The PMDD symptoms can be both physical and emotional and are very real and prompt many women to find an effective PMDD treatment.

PMDD symptoms were once thought to be hysterical and only in the mind of the woman, but after years of research scientists have found that over 50 million women suffer from these PMDD symptoms each month. PMDD  symptoms, including PMS depression, can significantly interfere with social, occupational and sexual functioning.

For a diagnosis of PMDD to be made, the woman must have a symptom-free period during her follicular phase of the menstrual cycle to distinguish it from other pre-existing anxiety and mood disorders.

The symptoms of PMDD and depression have considerable overlap. Approximately 30-75% of the women diagnosed with PMDD also have a lifetime history of depression, compared to the 15% of women without PMDD who suffer from depression.  Read more...

Menstrual migraines affect only women and are quite debilitating. The migraines are affected by hormones fluctuating through the menstrual cycle. Women suffer from migraines 3 times more frequently then men and those which are controlled by hormones are classified as menstrual headaches and PMS headaches. Menstrual migraines and PMS headaches occur in 60% of all women who suffer from migraines.

Menstrual migraines are a complex problem that requires a significant amount of skill to diagnose and treat successfully. Women shouldn’t be satisfied with the first answer or even the second one but should seek out care for menstrual migraines until they are satisfied that their particular menstrual migraines are adequately treated.

Serotinin is involved in the trigger of many menstrual migraines. Some researchers believe there is also a genetic link in the way that people metabolize serotonin and then the way in which the hormone interacts with the female hormones.

The symptoms of menstrual migraines are similar to those of migraines. The headaches usually start on one side, are throbbing and accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to bright lights.  Read more...

Varicose veins are veins which are abnormally and irregularly swollen and are a condition for which many seek varicose veins treatment. This is the part of the arterial system that returns blood to the heart after oxygen has been delivered to the tissues. The symptoms of varicose veins can occur in multiple different areas of the body on both men and women.

The most common form goes down in either one or both of two large veins near the surface of the leg. Varicose veins can also occur inside the anus, the vagina and the testicles as well as spider veins which can occur on the face and upper arms.

The signs and symptoms of varicose veins will depend upon the area of the body which is experiencing the varicose veins. In the legs, individuals will recognize symptoms such as itchy or heavy legs, especially if they have been sitting or standing for any length of time. Varicose veins will also appear blue and twisted. If they are severe and without varicose veins treatment, the skin covering the leg can also become dry, itchy and swollen.  Read more...

Spider veins are like varicose veins but they are much smaller. They often began as small capillaries that are blue or red squiggles on the skin. Most common areas are over the surface of the thighs, calves and ankles. Unfortunately, it is estimated that at least one third of the adult female population will experience spider veins at one time or another in her life.

Women often seek treatment for spider veins because they are of cosmetic concern. And, for cosmetic reasons, insurance companies will not cover the treatment of spider veins. However, it is not uncommon for spider veins to also cause specific symptoms, such as aching, heaviness or itching on the legs. Spider veins are also associated with larger underlying varicose veins and are sometimes a precursor to those larger medical problems.  Read more...

If your teenager is anything like other teenagers, they have almost every moment of their day mapped out. Even if they like keeping busy or are participating in activities that they like, it can still be a source of stress for them. Help them to manage their activities so that stress works for them instead of against them.

What is stress anyway? It is our response to various situations in our lives. There is such a thing as good stress or “eustress.” A looming deadline can spur us into action to come up with something terrific for that term paper. Anxiety over public speaking can lead to long practice sessions to get the speech just right.

On the other hand, there is also stress that can lead to bad results. Worry or fear can immobilize you. It carries symptoms like loss of appetite, weight loss, weight gain, stomach aches and loss of sleep to name a few. These situations demonstrate a lack of coping skills.  Read more...

Millions of both men and women are bothered by the embarrassment and discomfort of spider veins on their legs or faces. Spider veins are those small red, blue and sometimes purple blood vessels that appear on the surface of the skin and are usually asymptomatic. In some circumstances, when the spider veins get larger in size or surface area they can cause some minor symptoms.

A varicose vein is an entirely different animal. These are tortuous large veins that have lost the function of the one-way valves that keep the blood from pooling. Without those valves, the blood pools in the veins and decreases the ability to adequately perfuse oxygen to the tissue and remove waste from a specific area of a leg. Treatment for varicose veins has progressed over the years. Initially, individuals were recommended to sit with their feet up as much as possible during the day.  Read more...

Cumin is a spice that is used in Eastern dishes to add rich flavor to the food, but it can be much more than that. Cumin can be used as an herbal remedy in your home. Here are some of its other benefits.

Those who live in the East have known about the effects of cumin for thousands of years. Now it is time for the rest of us to learn how it can help. This herb is a flowering plant from the parsley family and even its seeds are useful.

Cumin has been traditionally used to heal digestive ailments. If you suffer from gas, indigestion, diarrhea and even morning sickness, cumin is your herb of choice. You can make a tea by boiling the seeds. Combine the cumin water with coriander leaf juice and salt.

Don’t throw those seeds away, though. If you grind them into a paste and mix with water, they can be made into a salve that is used topically to treat boils. The seeds are also full of iron. Incorporating them into your diet can enhance the functions of the liver. As you probably know, the liver helps to detoxify the blood.  Read more...

Bronchitis is considered to be one among the most common respiratory disorders in the world. Infants, people with a weak respiratory system, children, old people, smokers, and people living in highly polluted atmospheres are vulnerable to this disorder. It constitutes the last stage of infection of the upper respiratory tract. People commonly contract this disorder during the cold months of the winter. Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies for bronchitis.

Bronchitis normally follows bacterial or viral infection. Most cases of bronchitis are caused by viral infection. Sometimes bacteria are responsible for this condition, and in rare cases, fungal infection can lead to bronchitis. Natural remedies for bronchitis are available, whether it is acute or short-term bronchitis or chronic or long-term bronchitis.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Only laboratory tests can tell you whether bronchitis is bacterial, viral, or fungal. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you visit a doctor as soon as you suspect bronchitis. Physicians will properly diagnose your condition with the help of laboratory test results.  Read more...