It used to be that women who had symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, and food cravings just before their monthly period was due were thought of as being strange but today doctors know that they symptoms are part of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) a real medical condition that has very real physical and psychological symptoms. These symptoms can be so severe that they disrupt the life of these women. There is relief for these women because doctors can diagnose and treat PMS.

What exactly is PMS?

Doctors describe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as a set of hormonal changes that can set off physical and emotional symptoms in women just prior to (7 to 14 days) the first day of their menstrual cycle. After women have experienced menopause they will no longer have PMS symptoms.

As many as 40% of menstruating women may have PMS symptoms. Usually PMS is only mild but in 5% of women the symptoms can really be disruptive and can even interfere with their ability to function. Her doctor will want to rule out other medical conditions before making the diagnosis of PMS.

There are more than 150 physical and psychological symptoms of PMS. Women can experience mild or severe symptoms. They can even have mild symptoms one cycle and severe symptoms the next cycle.

Physical symptoms:

Acne

Bloating

Breast tenderness

Cramping

Difficulty Sleeping

Fatigue

Food Cravings

Joint Pain

Muscle Pain

Weight Gain

Psychological symptoms:

Anxiety

Anger

Crying for no reason

Depression

Inability to concentrate

Increased or decreased libido

Irritability

Sadness

Scientists are studying PMS to find out what causes it and although they don’t know exactly what causes it yet, they do know that hormonal changes play a role in PMS.

PMS symptoms tend to start as the ova are released from the ovary in the period of the menstrual cycle called the “luteal phase”. During this phase ovaries increase the production of estrogen and progesterone begins to be produced. If the ova is not fertilized these two hormones decrease in production. It is this hormonal decrease that signals the bleeding part of the menstrual cycle. Once the bleeding occurs the PMS symptoms should subside.

Individuals who experience depression as one of their PMS symptoms may benefit from increasing the consumption of complex carbohydrates (whole grains and vegetables) before menstruation. Because sugary snacks and white bread contain simple carbohydrates they can actually increase water retention and irritability so these foods should be avoided prior to menstruation. Other things that should be avoided prior to menstruation are alcohol, caffeine and salt. Caffeine can increase irritability, insomnia and nervousness. Alcohol is a depressant and salt can increase bloating and water retention. It is also important to avoid nicotine because it can also have an affect on PMS symptoms just like caffeine does.

Normal blood cells are able to easily move through the blood vessels.  They take oxygen to every part of the body.  Sickle cells, on the other hand, can stick on the arterial walls and cause blockage.  This prevents oxygen from passing through causing pain and damage to organs, muscles, and bones.

People afflicted with this disease may experience complications from impaired circulation of the blood.  The condition also affects the body’s infection fighting ability.

Signs and Symptoms

Young people with sickle cell anemia may have jaundice because of the high rate of breakdown of red blood cells.  Jaundice causes the skin and the whites of the eyes to become yellowish.

Sickle cell anemia patients may also have bouts of severe chest pain, as well as pain in the stomach, arms, legs and other body parts.  This is because the sickle cells block the flow of blood through the arteries in those areas.

Fatigue and diminished ability to fight infections are also typical for young teens; they may grow at a slower rate and be late in reaching puberty.

Sufferers may experience painful episodes referred to as pain crises.  These episodes vary in their severity, frequency, and duration.  One patient may have only a single pain crisis a year while another may have them quite often.  Symptoms may be manifested in any organ of the body or tissue.  When someone with sickle cell anemia suffers acute chest syndrome, the patient may have severe chest and abdominal pain, cough, fever, and difficulty in breathing.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of sickle cell anemia can be established through a simple blood test that will show if the person has sickle cells or not.  It is very important to have an early diagnosis of sickle cell anemia, especially for children who would need proper and immediate treatment.  In the U.S., it is mandatory for medical facilities to include a test for sickle cell anemia in their newborn screening program.  The test is done using a sample of amniotic fluid or tissue from the placenta.  If test results show some form of a sickle cell gene, doctors order a second confirmatory blood test to establish and confirm diagnosis.  The second test is usually done by a hematologist, a specialist in blood diseases and disorders.

Treatment

Early treatment regimen requires daily antibiotics from 2 months to 5 years old to aid in the prevention of infections.  Immunization of the child are also vital.

Pain management is a routine part of living with sickle cell disease.  Patients can prepare for pain crises ahead of time by establishing a plan in consultation with the doctor.  This pain management plan should include what can be done at home for pain relief.  It should also include information that will indicate when it is time to call a doctor or rush to a hospital.

Some patients require a regularly scheduled blood transfusion to reduce the occurrence of pain crises and lower the risk of stroke and other related medical emergencies.

Most of have not heard of the prostate gland unless we are referring to Prostate Cancer. The prostate gland, an organ in itself is found at the neck of the urinary bladder. The first part of the urethra (the passage which allows urine to drain from the bladder and exit via the penis) is surrounded by the prostate gland.

The prostate gland has more that one function. Urination is controlled by the prostate gland pressing against the urethra that it directly surrounds. Some of the substances such as minerals and sugar in normal semen are produced by the prostate gland. The prostate gland is not an essential organ of the body, however.

The size of a prostate gland is the same as a walnut in a young man. Usually, through aging the prostate gland will grow bigger. This is known as benign prosttic hypertrophy (BPH). Many people get this confused with prostate cancer. BPS is no associated with prostate cancer. However, Prostate cancer and BPH can cause very similar problems in older men. An enlarged prostate gland can impinge or squeeze on the outlet of the urethra or bladder making it difficult to urinate.  This usually causes the urinary stream to be slowed down and urinating more frequently especially at night time.

What is prostate cancer?

Opposed to a benign BPH a malignant (cancerous) tumor of the prostate is a build up of cells from the prostate gland. Tumors of the prostate usually grow slowly and stays confined to the prostate form many years. Prostate cancer often goes undetected for many years as it produces very little or no symptoms or signs on the outside. However as the cancer progresses it can spread beyond the prostate gland into surrounding areas, known as a ‘local spread’.

Eventually the cancer can metastasize which means spread even further to other areas of the bony including the bones, lungs and the liver. The symptoms that now become present are usually associated
with advanced prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is very important as it is the most common malignancy in men in USA. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths following lung cancer. It is therefore recommended by experts that men should undergo a yearly screening for prostate cancer from the age of 40.

Symptoms to Look Out For

There are many symptoms to look out for and spending a couple of moments to look out for any of the following and getting it checked out save a lives:

• Frequent urination
• Weak urine stream
• Difficulty starting urination
• Burning sensation with urination
• Incomplete emptying of the bladder
• Blood or pus in the urine
• Loss of erection
• Blood in semen
• Burning with ejaculation
• Low back pain
• Discolored semen
• Interrupted urine stream
• Frequent sensation of having a full bladder