Overcoming Symptoms of Menopause

By: Kevin Cleary

Menopause presents some uncomfortable symptoms for women going through “the change.” The symptoms can affect many aspects of a woman’s life such as sleep and social interactions. According to the Mayo Clinic, menopause is defined as an occurrence 12 months after your last menstrual period and affects women at the age of 51 on average, but can begin in your 40s. Working with your doctor, you can work on a therapy such as hormone replacement therapy etc. to help minimize the effects of menopause. In the home, there are ways to help combat the uncomfortable effects of “the change.”

Heat of the Night

Menopause presents some uncomfortable symptoms for women going through “the change.” The symptoms can affect many aspects of a woman’s life such as sleep and social interactions. According to the Mayo Clinic, menopause is defined as an occurrence 12 months after your last menstrual period and affects women at the age of 51 on average, but can begin in your 40s. Working with your doctor, you can work on a therapy such as hormone replacement therapy etc. to help minimize the effects of menopause. In the home, there are ways to help combat the uncomfortable effects of “the change.”

You can choose sleepwear that is specifically designed for wicking moisture away from you. Our bodies cool themselves by sweating and that evaporative process cools us. Allowing that moisture to evaporate can help stop sweaty sheets or pajamas. Many pajamas specifically designed for hot flashes and night sweats are made from a quick drying, soft smart fabric that whisks moisture away from your skin and is not only functional but quite fashionable!! If you like to have a robe around the house, the ABC Fitting Robe is perfect with its silky fabric. Curl up and be comfortable. Maybe you are a nightshirt kind of person, you still have options. Cool Jams offers the Melinda, Kristi, and the Button Front Nightshirts. By using materials specifically designed to allow our bodies to cool themselves,  a good night sleep is possible.

Supplements

Another way to handle hot flashes is with supplements. Many supplements with phytoestrogen (estrogen like compounds found in plants) have been modestly effective. Menopausal women can use supplements such as the I-Cool For Menopause Plus Omega-3. These are natural supplements that are clinically proven to minimize hot flashes, it also has biotin and vitamin E to help support healthy hair, skin, and immune system health. For postmenopausal women, they can benefit from aids that reduce bone density loss as well as supporting cardiovascular health. You should always consult your physician before starting any supplement regiment. Staying cooler at night is now easier than ever!

Go Natural

Dealing with the negative side effects of menopause can be a multifaceted attack. While dressing cooler or taking supplements may help you at night in bed, is there a natural way to deal with some of the symptoms? Our sense of smell can be a great ally in combating the effects of menopause. Aromatherapy options are created from natural ingredients and offer relief. Oils such as clary sage, anise, coriander, and to some degree basil contain estrogen -like substances. Essential oils of peppermint and lemon, as well as cypress , can help relieve hot flashes.Another option is the use of a daily multivitamin such as the Rainbow Light Menopause OneMultivitamin. Vitamins and antioxidants promote relief of menopause symptoms. The use of a transdermal patch can also help minimize the irritating symptoms of menopause. These herbal options are absorbed directly through the skin into the bloodstream. Natural Patches of Vermont PMS and MenopauseFormula Essential Oil Patch is a simple way to balance the nervous system and lift depression and anxiety.  Take control of your menopause symptoms and enjoy life.

After working with your doctor on a medical approach to handling your menopause, find ways at home to minimize the negative effects. With hot flashes and night sweats being the most prominent symptoms of menopause, staying cool can be your godsend. Finding natural relief through supplements can be an effective method to achieve relief, but always check with your doctor first before taking any supplement!!

The Hygeia Breast Pump: Mom’s Best Friend

By: Kevin Cleary

Breast-feeding your child is a great way to start your child down a healthy path. Not only does this provide your baby great nutrients, but it builds a bond that will last a lifetime. Many times after the birth of a child, moms may need to go back to work or may have some appointment that may require leaving your child with a family member or friend. It’s at these times that children can benefit from pumped breast milk. This makes it easier for whoever is caring for the child at that moment to simply grab a bottle full of breast milk when the child requires it. The Hygeia Double Breast Pump makes pumping milk easy and convenient for the mother and everyone involved.

Breast-Feeding Benefits

There’s always a fine line between convenience and health benefits. When it comes to breast-feeding it’s pretty obvious the burden falls on mom. Not only is the responsibility of feeding hers, but it often can interfere with mom’s sleep. Breast-feeding is a personal choice, but many organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are strongly in favor of breast-feeding. Many moms may have questions or doubts about breast-feeding and breast pumps that can be answered here.

Breast-feeding lowers the risk of allergies or asthma associated with allergens. Breast milk is also a great source of protein, vitamins, and fat that children need for healthy development. Some studies have even shown that breast fed children may have higher IQs. With that being said, how do we make it easier for moms to reap the benefits of breast-feeding? It would be great if dad could assume some of the responsibilities, but nature seems to preclude him from doing that. The best option is for mom to pump breast milk for refrigerated storage. This allows someone to help with a child’s feeding schedule, not to mention giving mom some well deserved free time. She deserves it!! The Hygeia Double Breast Pump allows women a quick and easy method for pumping breast milk for bottle storage.

Perfect for Every Mom

Every mom has the toughest job in the world, so finding any way to alleviate any potential burden is a windfall. The Hygeia Double Breast Pump can be just what the doctor ordered, or in this case what baby ordered. It’s perfect for moms who work, who might have a baby who doesn’t nurse well, or who may need to increase their milk supply. You can choose to pump both breasts or one at a time by simply pulling off the tubing on the side not being used and closing it off with the included cap. This unit allows you to control both the speed and strength of the suction so that you can maximize the pumping action. This feature allows you to avoid any discomfort during pumping. Remember, this is not an instance where “no pain, no gain” is appropriate!! Nursing moms should be sure to use the proper flange when pumping. Any nipple discomfort or pain while pumping may be an indication that you need to use a larger flange. It is not uncommon to require a different size flange for each nipple. You should download this guide to learn how to select the proper flange for you in order to maximize comfort:  Choosing the Right flange for Your breast pump

This unit can run for up to a full four hours on a full charge of the battery, so there are no worries about needing to have to find an outlet in order to pump. This hospital grade breast pump mimics the unique suckling patterns of a baby and is designed for long-term, frequent use. Moms can use this pump with no worries since any part that comes in contact with mom’s milk is BPA/DEHP free. There are a variety of bottles that are compatible with the Hygeia Double Breast Pump flanges. For a list of compatible bottles users can see this Bottle Compatibility Chart.

The benefits of breast-feeding are well documented and widely accepted. The only potential negative is the burden that falls on every breast-feeding mom. In order to alleviate that, the use of a breast pump such as the Hygeia Double Breast Pump can make pumping and storing mom’s breast milk simple and easy. This way dad or any caregiver can help with feeding and let mom get the rest she deserves.