Pregnancy, women’s health issues, and dentistry
Our hygienists, Michelle and Caroline, recently attended a course on women’s health issues. Here’s their report:
Pregnancy—healthy babies start with healthy mothers. It’s recommended that pregnant women taken a daily multi-vitamin with folate, plus vitamin D and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. Studies show that women who have an adequate supply of DHA in the womb and afterbirth have children with higher IQ scores and enhanced brain and eye development. The evidence is strong that DHA taken during the last trimester of pregnancy can reduce the risks of pre-term labor.
An herbal remedy that can prevent morning sickness is ginger tea, drunk at bedtime.
Menstruation— a very safe over-the-counter supplement that can reduce menstrual symptoms such as heavy bleeding, irritability, headache, and bloating is Chaste Tree. The dose is 400-600mg taken each morning throughout the menstrual cycle. You’ll need to stay on this for three to six months to achieve maximum effectiveness. Another option for women who experience PMS is 1200-1600 mg of calcium taken daily.
Heart disease and women—heart disease is the leading killer of women in this country. Women are twice as likely to die of heart disease than of all cancers combined. 39% of women do not survive a first heart attack. Women may present with unusual symptoms when having a heart attack. The #1 complaint is indigestion and extreme fatigue; other symptoms are upper back pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations. The moral of the story: even if you don’t have the classic, “I feel as if there’s an elephant standing on my chest” symptom, call 911 and get chauffered right to the emergency room.
The American Heart Association recommends that women over 65 years of age take low dose (81 mg) aspirin daily, as long as there are no significant aspirin risks (e.g., allergy to aspirin, interactions with other medications).
Many now believe that 80% of heart disease can be prevented by a healthy diet and life style.
