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Health
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The Truth is in the Numbers
Hormonal imbalances are as common with men as they are with women.
Reprinted from Summer 2010
U Magazine
by Lori Gleichman, for The Bulletin Special Projects
Tired? Irritable? Trouble sleeping?
Depressed and anxious? Skin drying, suddenly gaining weight when diet
and exercise haven’t changed, and libido lagging?
No, these questions aren’t meant for
women. They’re for men.
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| Mary
Blizzard (above, with her husband, Richard Kelly) says that Kelly
appears lethargic, seemingly “aging before my eyes,” without a
regular dose of testosterone for hormonal balance. Photo by Lyle
Cox. |
“Men have as many issues with hormonal
imbalance as women,” said Evelyn Brust, N.D., LAc. “They have the same
symptoms, but it’s not macho to talk about it.” That’s unfortunate,
she continued, because men can benefit as much from education and
treatment as women.
First, men need to understand that they
have more hormones than testosterone. Secondly, they need to
understand that testosterone is important for overall health, not just
sexual function. “As I evaluate men’s health, I pay attention to five
hormone functions: thyroid, insulin, testosterone, cortisol, human
growth hormone and DHEA,” said Brust. “All combined, they regulate a
man’s health and body function. Unfortunately, men don’t have a
monthly ‘report card’ like women, so it’s less clear when something or
a combination of things get off track.”
While women often initially cite
emotional and psychological concerns like feeling anxious and
depressed, men zero in on physical issues like a middle-aged bulge,
lack of energy or increased healing time after a minor injury. “They
notice that their physical performance has changed,” said Brust.
“Often they think they need to tough it out, but it’s more than enough
reason to seek out some medical advice.”
This is something women can be
sensitive to, perhaps suggesting the men in their lives see a doctor.
According to Brust, if a woman is changing metabolically, she can
assume her male partner is too. It’s not uncommon for a man in his 40s
and 50s to see a significant drop in his production of testosterone,
or see the thyroid function falter. Both result in symptoms like
fatigue, being short-tempered, drying skin and a vague sense of
depression.
But many men don’t seek help until
sexual function is involved. “That’s a man’s report card,” said Brust.
“That’s when a man will seek help.”
As did Jim Miller. “My libido was off,
and that was enough to convince me to get tested,” he said. Once
trouble with the prostate is ruled out, that’s when Brust or another
specialist in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can have a
candid and comprehensive conversation about hormonal balance and
overall health.
“It’s all about goals with men,” she
said. “Once the labs are done and the numbers are on the table, most
are very willing to talk about diet, exercise and treatments. Most
often, they zero in on testosterone and, while improving intimacy is
an important goal, hormonal balance is critical in protecting against
heart disease and bone loss in men too.”
“The first goal is to get the thyroid
functioning at optimum levels,” she continued, as this gland is the
traffic cop for the body. “It has to be functioning well for other
systems to work as they should.” That done, testosterone in the form
of creams or injections can be considered.
“Bringing those levels up can
significantly change how a man is feeling, both emotionally and
physically,” she said. “They’ll see the same increase in energy,
brighter looking skin and better mood women experience when they are
correctly balanced.”
Richard Kelly, 72, really understood
the difference hormonal balance makes to how he feels as a result of
running out of his testosterone prescription twice on extended trips
to Costa Rica.
“It was like he was aging before my
eyes,” said his wife, Mary Blizzard. “He was very lethargic, and his
mental edge got very dull.” Kelly sought out a testosterone injection
from a local pharmacy, and the resulting improvement was “dramatic.”
“He does it as a preventative measure against anti-aging, and we can
really see the difference with and without,” she said.
However, don’t assume that testosterone
is an easy fix. It requires consulting with the prescribing physician
and having labs drawn at least twice a year as testosterone is a
controlled substance.
And don’t confuse hormonal balance with
anabolic steroids, said Brust. “Each have different goals, different
dosages and different results,” she said. According to Brust, it’s
best to focus on feeling your best regardless of age.
“Men shouldn’t avoid the conversation,”
she said. “They should be comfortable in seeking out options.”
PREVENTION FIRST;
THEN TREAT INFECTION
By
Evelyn Brust, N.D., LAc
Recently, I read
another article about antibiotic resistant bacteria, thinking how
scary this may sound to others reading it. With school starting and
the winter season just around the corner, I think it’s timely to have
a conversation about how to prevent and treat these serious
infections.
Prevention is key.
To stay well: .
In addition, it’s
important to nurture our inner self. In Chinese medicine we believe
that as the fall ends and winter comes, the energy in our body shifts
from an outward or more external expression to more tonification of
our internal or root energy. As a result, our exercises and nutrition
should shift too. If you would like more information about this
philosophy please ask during your next visit.
For those planning
to travel by air this holiday season, be please prepared. I recommend
getting some Biostim tincture (for immune support) from the clinic and
taking two droppers in a little water three times a day the day
before, the day of and the day after travel on both outgoing and
incoming flights. Yes, if it is a short trip you will be taking the
medicine daily.
Also, bring hand
wipes to use before eating and drinking on the airplanes. I think we
would be very shocked at what those flight attendants’ hands have been
touching before they hand us our food and drinks. Even better, bring
your own food onto the plane. It will probably taste better, be much
healthier and certainly less expensive.
IF YOU ARE FEELING
UNDER THE WEATHER…
If you or your
child have a cough, cold or flu-like symptoms, stay home. You may
think, “Oh I’m ( he/she is) not so sick.” BUT THAT’S NOT THE POINT!
When we are not well, our immune system is fighting to heal, and the
severity of symptoms does not necessarily equal the seriousness of the
disease. If we are then exposed to a second or third bacteria or
virus, our body may not be able to handle all those pathogens at once.
In most cases our body’s immune system is able to take care of some of
the nasty bacteria and viruses we come in contact with, but not
always. So recognize what your body needs and give it REST, SLEEP,
WATER, and some healthy light foods such as soup and toast.
In addition, by
staying home, you are eliminating one vector in the passage of that
particular infection. You will heal faster and be stronger in the case
of exposure to yet another virus or bacteria floating around.
The advice about
rest includes skipping the workout! Yes, you heard correctly,
especially if you work out in a gym. There are generally more nasty
bugs in a gym than many other places and the body does not need the
additional exposure and physical stress. Remember: REST. If you’re
still feeling unwell after a couple of days of taking care of
yourself, make an appointment and get a diagnosis.
On a side note, it
always concerns me when patients cancel their appointments already
scheduled for other follow up health issues when they are sick that.
KEEP THE APPOINTMENT. Discuss your current symptoms and possibly avoid
an emergency room or urgent care visit. In addition, we have some
excellent natural medicines here in the clinic for specific symptoms
or to support your general immune health. They will make you feel
better and heal faster.
And yes, in some
cases antibiotics may be prescribed once an infection is diagnosed,
but our philosophy is always “DO NO HARM”.
Finally a word
about the flu shot. Many of you know that this office does not give
flu shots and immunizations because I do not believe that there is a
universal answer as to whether or not you should get one. It has been
our policy to discuss this on an individual basis. If you want an
answer for yourself or family member, please ask at your next
appointment.
Remember our
bodies are remarkably powerful and even magical beings in their
ability to protect and heal. Our responsibility is to nurture, respect
and honor that energy. Let us live our lives with a conscious
awareness and know that the healing power of nature is within each of
us.
DON'T SUGAR COAT IT!
We generally see a significant
jump in urinary tract infections starting just before Thanksgiving and
running through the New Year.
The number one reason: sugar.
As we socialize more during
these weeks, our consumption of sugar goes up, mostly in the form of
treats and alcohol. And sugar feeds infections. So if you feel a
little burning when you urinate or just a little feverish, please call
for an appointment. We can quickly diagnose the infection and start
treating it immediately. You don’t want to ignore a urinary tract
infection because they can quickly go from feeling a little off to
being very serious and potentially involving the kidneys.
After all, who wants to feel
badly during the holidays.
TIMING AND
APPLICATION ARE HALF THE BATTLE
Getting a prescription for
bio-identical hormones is only part of the equation to feeling better.
Having the right dose in the right format and taking the medicine in
the most effective way contributes tremendously to the medication
having the desired effect. The same goes for the supplements Dr. Brust
prescribes.
Here are some of the most
common tips we share with patients.
BMR (thyroid) – Take it
away from food. A good habit is to take the prescribed dosage as soon
as you get up in the morning.
Calcium and Vitamin D
(bone and immune health) – Take these supplements with food. These are
fat soluble nutrients and must have fat present in order to
effectively absorb into the blood stream.
Creams and Gels
(bio-identical hormones) – If you’re using cream or gel as the
delivery method for bio-identical hormones, follow these rules for
maximum absorption:
-
Put it on after your shower.
-
Wash your hands before and
after applying cream or gel.
-
Put in a place where the
skin is thinner, more sensitive and there is less dense hair
(underside of arms, back of knees, breasts).
-
Just don’t dab it on. Rub it
in thoroughly by counting to 30.
-
Do not dress immediately as
the cream or gel will just rub off on your clothing.
Troches (bio-identical
hormones) – Do not chew. The key is to let the troches dissolve slowly
in your mouth where the medication will be optimally absorbed. Tuck it
under your tongue or in your cheek pouch. Don’t drink anything for at
least 10 minutes after the troche has dissolved to allow everything to
absorb.
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