Menopause – Symptoms and Onset

Question: What are the common symptoms of the onset of menopause?

The Perimenopausal Stage

Changes to the monthly cycle are usually the first indication that menopause has begun. The start of menopause is called the perimenopausal stage; this is usually marked by lighter or heavier periods, and changes to the frequency of time between periods. There may be more than three weeks between periods or even months. The perimenopausal stage is considered complete when a woman has gone twelve months without a period. 

Menopause Symptoms

Women experience different sets of symptoms and these symptoms can change during menopause. Menopause usually lasts about four years, but can last anywhere from two to ten years. Menopause can cause hot flashes and headaches. During menopause, it is not uncommon to experience vaginal dryness, pain or itching, bladder irritability, or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Women in menopause may have decreased sex drives, or might experience itching or discomfort during sex. Mood changes, such as irritability, depression or anxiety are also common. Women might also find that their sleep is disturbed by insomnia or night sweats. Women who experience menopause suddenly may find that their symptoms are worse than women who have a more gradual onset. 

Onset and Early Onset

Most women experience menopause from their mid-forties to mid-fifties. The average age is somewhere around 51, but statistics vary. Some women may not experience menopause until they are in their sixties. Other women may suffer from early onset, also called perimenopause, before their fortieth birthdays. 

Early onset menopause happens naturally, but can also be attributed to certain conditions, illnesses and medical procedures. In rare cases, some infections, such as tuberculosis, malaria, mumps, chicken pox and shingles might cause early onset. Conditions such as Down’s Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, Addison’s Disease and hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland) may also be related to early onset. Possible causes from medical procedures include hysterectomy (removal of the ovaries or womb), and cancer treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 

During menopause, at any stage, the ovaries slow and eventually stop their production of estrogen. Estrogen can help protect women from conditions such as osteoporosis and ovarian cancer. This means that women with early onset menopause will spend more years without this protective factor, thus increasing their overall risk. 

Taking Care of Yourself

In mild cases, women will be able to cope with and sooth symptoms without seeing their G.P. One of the best things a woman can do during menopause is to maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen. During and after menopause women should prioritize fiber-rich fruits and vegetables and small amount of calcium-rich dairy products. Women should avoid saturated fats, fatty meats, fatty dairy (chose 1% or skim), and too much salt. Women should engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day; more is better. Your pharmacist can help you create a plan for your diet and exercise. If itching and dryness gives you an excuse not to exercise, you might also ask your pharmacist to provide a cream to help clear that up. Hopefully you’ll be in your running shoes in no time! 

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy

Question: How can you treat the top five embarrassing ailments? Part 2/2

Answer: Last week we took a look at some of the causes of everyday embarrassing conditions like bad breath and excessive sweating.  In many of the cases, the problem is something that is quite simple and easily avoided. This week then we’re going to see what kind of treatments are available to treat them if the problem is particularly bad or ongoing. 

Please note though that if initial over the counter treatments do not work, or if the problem is particularly acute, then it is always best to seek a consultation with a medical professional.

Bad Breath

As we saw, bad breath is usually caused by the breakdown of leftover food particles in the mouth by bacteria, which then releases gas. The most straightforward cure for bad breath is to overhaul your tooth brushing regimen. Remember to brush at least twice a day, particularly after meals. The key here, however, is not exactly the amount of times you brush, but rather how you do it. 

For starters, the teeth and mouth need to be brushed for two minutes at a time, minimum. Studies by various dental federations in the United States have found that well over half of all people questioned brush for less than half that time. Along with brushing the teeth, make sure to run the brush over your gums and the tongue. The tongue is one of the largest areas in the mouth for bacteria to collect, but most people forget to brush it properly. Remember to only brush with moderate force, as brushing too hard can result in receding gums, which is irreparable. Along with the brush, flossing and mouthwash will finish off any remaining bacteria and go a long way to making sure that your breath is fresh all day.

Excessive Sweating

The amount that we sweat has a lot to do with our genetics and family history, but there are some things we can do to lessen the problem. Taking up some kind of aerobic activity, whether it be walking, jogging, cycling (spinning), dance, or anything similar will go a long way to getting the heart rate up, improving your overall fitness, and so reducing your preponderance to sweat in everyday situations. 

Sweating can also be a sign of a potential or underlying condition like heart problems, so moderate exercise will have a double fold effect here in helping the sufferer perhaps more than they know.

Wind

In a lot of cases, flatulence is caused by swallowing air while we’re eating and so the simple solution here is to eat slightly slower and chew our food properly before we take it into the stomach. More chewing will also help with digesting the food once it’s in the stomach, thereby reducing the production of sulphur, which is the main component in the smell that comes with wind. 

Some foods, like garlic and onions, will increase the likelihood of both bad breath and wind, and so it is to be advised that they are avoided as much as possible if either or both of these conditions are becoming a problem.

Scabies 

Scabies can be contracted quite easily if you work in a job which necessitates close contact with others, and schoolchildren are particularly susceptible given the close nature of classrooms and games at break time. If they are contracted, it’s best to consult with your pharmacist for the best treatment. Most likely these will be either a cream containing permethrin or a lotion containing malathion. In some cases, an oral medication might be recommended. Those suffering from scabies should wash their hands often, both to prevent spreading the disease to different areas or even on to others.

Dandruff

Unlike scabies, dandruff cannot be contracted from other people, but it is still an embarrassing and distracting condition to have. It can be prevented to some measure by shampooing the hair regularly, as well as keeping your zinc and Vitamin B levels topped up, either with over the counter supplements if necessary, or with a rounded diet. Dandruff can also result from changing your regular hair treatments, so it might be well to bear that in mind. Ultimately, however, the best treatment by far is washing the hair and scalp thoroughly with a dedicated dandruff shampoo as directed. 

Previous week: What are the top five embarrassing everyday bodily problems?

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy

Question: What are the top five embarrassing everyday bodily problems? Part 1/2

It’s ironic that a lot of the most common everyday problems we encounter are also some of the most embarrassing. It can be difficult to work up the courage to seek assistance when some of these conditions develop, but it’s even worse to allow them to continue and perhaps even get worse. Confidence in ourselves is one of the most important qualities when it comes to happiness and success, and so this week we’re going to take a look at just what five of the most common embarrassing bodily problems are, and what perhaps may be causing them. 

Next week then, we’ll be going through some dedicated treatments and cures that are easily purchased at your local pharmacy, which are virtually guaranteed to clear up the problem, whatever it is. Remember, all staff are trained to help with almost any problem you can think of, so never be shy about enquiring about what you can do to try and improve things.

Bad Breath

Surveys regularly list bad breath, or halitosis, as one of the main fears that people have when it comes to interacting with others. If you’re aware that you might have a problem here, it can seriously undermine how you deal with everyone from work colleagues to family members. 

Bad breath generally has one overarching cause. When we eat, food particles, usually so tiny as to be virtually unnoticeable, remain in the mouth. Being warm and wet, the mouth is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which are more than happy to live off the feast that we are providing them with every meal. Once they have finished eating the leftover food in and around the teeth and gums, not to mention the tongue, the bacteria then release gases. In the vast majority of cases this is what is causing the bad breath. Brushing after eating, around the whole mouth and not just on the teeth will often reduce the problem significantly.

In a lesser number of cases, bad breath is caused by the food we have eaten, particularly onions and garlic, both of which can affect our breath for days afterward. 

Excessive Sweating

Sweating, though it’s not usually mentioned in polite company, is absolutely vital to our health. Not only does it keep the body cool in hot weather or during exercise, but it is also one of the primary ways that our body gets rid of toxins and waste. 

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, however, can be very embarrassing, particularly when we develop things like sweaty palms before a handshake or damp patches under our arms during the summer. 

Genetics play a large part in how much we sweat, and there is little we can do about that, but there are a number of things that do trigger sweating regardless of our family history. Anxiety is one, and this is why sweaty palms are a common problem before we meet new people. Our level of physical fitness is another. If we’re overweight or even out of training when it comes to aerobic exercise, sweating can be triggered simply by brisk walking. Finally, sweating during and immediately after a fever is normal, as this is the body’s way of protecting itself from the rise of temperature that comes with the illness. 

Outside of these situations, anxiety, (unexpected) exertion, and fever, excessive sweating could be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. These can include diabetes or heart problems, so it’s best to get checked if it is an ongoing problem. 

Wind

Breaking wind uncontrollably is certainly one of the most embarrassing things that can be happen to anyone, and like the other problems on this list, it has a surprisingly simple cause. As we eat, we take in air at the same time that we swallow food, which then settles in the stomach. The harmless air is then expelled either through the mouth (burping or belching), or through the backside. When the air comes from the back, it can also contain sulphur, which is a product of undigested food in the stomach. 

In extreme cases, conditions like irritable bowel syndrome can cause excess wind, and if this is the case then an appointment with your G.P. is called for.   

Scabies

Skin conditions can cause us to be very self-conscious no matter where they strike, and scabies is among the most common. Though it usually doesn’t strike in the most visible areas of the neck or head, scabies is embarrassing as it’s known to be caused by an infestation of parasites. These mites are called Sarcoptes, which work their way under the skin and cause unsightly and itchy blotches on the affected area. These are usually on the feet or arms, as well as the groin area. 

Scabies are contracted by physical contact with another person, and as such are hard to prevent if you’re occupied in an area that necessitates working closely with others. Scabies can also spread quickly through children due the long hours spent together in classrooms and break time. 

Dandruff

Dandruff can make wearing dark clothes a bit of a nightmare, and the itching that comes with the condition makes matters even more uncomfortable. Fighting the urge to scratch your head and dust off your shoulders is also a continual battle if you work somewhere where people can see you constantly. 

Dandruff can be caused by a large number of practices and physical characteristics. Infrequent shampooing of the hair is one, while a lack of zinc and Vitamin B in the daily diet is another. On the other hand, the scalp can also react to some otherwise harmless hair care products and produce dandruff in response. More serious problems like psoriasis and eczema can also expand into a dandruff problem also. 

The good news with dandruff is that it’s usually easily treated with a dedicated anti-dandruff shampoo available at your local pharmacy. 

Next week: What are the best treatments for all of the embarrassing ailments listed above?

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy

What are the various signs of the onset of asthma in children?

Asthma is one of the most common ailments in Ireland, and it would appear that the number of people, particularly children, suffering from the problem is growing. Already, the HSE says that 470,000 Irish people have some form of asthma, from a population of 4.5 million, and as many as 20% of Irish children alone are suffering from the ailment. This number goes up to 1 out of 3 in the under-five age group. 

In order to catch the problem early if you have a small child, it’s important to be able to spot the signs of asthma. Once done, nearly all forms of asthma can be treated quite simply, as the majority of cases are mild, and a good number even fade away by the time child reaches the later stages of primary school.

What is Asthma?

Put simply, asthma is the inflammation or tightening of the airways that carry breath to and from the lungs. In milder cases, these airways constrict or close, limiting the amount of breath carried to the lungs and triggering most of the symptoms which will be discussed below. In more severe cases, mucus will develop on the lining of the airways, along with contraction of the muscle, making it more difficult to relieve the effects of the attack. In such cases, medical assistance is often necessary. 

These reactions can be caused by any number of triggers, such as cold air, household dust, aerosol sprays, cigarette smoke, even everyday exercise or plant pollen. Diet has also been linked to asthma, as have home environments that are too sterile and so leave children without the immunity to fight off otherwise harmless elements. 

What to Look Out For

Coughing in unusual circumstances is usually listed first as the number one sign of the onset of asthma. For example, if you notice that your child is coughing in the night, at the end of a laugh, or maybe in the normal course of outdoor play, then there is the possibility that they have developed a mild case of the condition. If this situation continues longer than a few days, then a GP check-up is recommended. If colds typically rest in the chest or last longer than ten days, the same applies.

Other symptoms include complaints of tightness in the chest or a “whistling”/wheezing sound in the same area. Remember that healthy children aged ten and under should be able to run rings around most adults, so if they are getting out of breath or more tired than has previously been the case, and without any particularly obvious cause, then it is worth getting a medical opinion on the matter. 

Diagnosis

Doctors will typically look for the aforementioned signs, but they will also be interested to know if there is a family history of the condition, as well as the frequency and duration of the symptoms. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to keep a home record from the time that symptoms are first noticed in order to ensure the most accurate diagnosis possible.

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy 

Question: What are the most common foods that trigger an allergic reaction?

Answer: There are few things scarier for a parent than seeing their child having an allergic reaction, and if you’ve ever heard the scare stories, you’ll know that it’s not something anyone would like to go through. This week we’re looking at the most common food types that may trigger an unexpected attack and a little about what such a reaction might entail. This will be followed next week then by a closer look at how we can watch out for these symptoms and what the best course of action is should they occur.

It might surprise some of us to learn that some of the most common food allergies are ones which we think of being so everyday, that we hardly think about them at all. For example - 

Milk 

Milk, a veritable staple of the Irish diet, and with it other dairy products, is among one of the more common food groups that can bring out negative symptoms when consumed by young children. It should be noted that breast milk is still the best option for a baby’s health and growth, but symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, reflux, and even shock in some cases can result from the switch to cow’s milk and formula. Infant formula contains a percentage of cow’s milk protein. The Irish Food Allergy Network mentions that a milk allergy is particularly difficult to spot and will more than likely require a higher amount of clinical inspection.

Eggs

Along with milk, eggs are also a common allergy trigger food, but the possibility of a problem with them is often overlooked as mere fussiness. As eggs can be included in a wide number of dishes and in a variety of cooked forms, they are also one of the harder allergy foods to spot. A common misconception of children with egg allergies is that they should avoid the MMR vaccine, as a story emerged some years back that the shot somehow contained egg or egg extracts. This is a total falsity, and there is no substantiated reason for children with egg allergies to avoid getting this vital inoculation. 

Nuts

A nut allergy can be amongst the most serious of conditions, and tragically, can even result in fatalities. Somewhat like an egg allergy, the problem with nuts is that they are often included in a wide range of foods that most of us would not expect, such as chilli dishes, for example, vegetable protein, and even chocolate that is not specifically marketed as nut flavoured. 

Nut allergies are often differentiated between peanut and tree nut allergies, and it is possible to suffer from one without having a problem without the other. In both cases, however, the body’s reaction is the same. Mistaking the proteins in the nut or nut extracts for harmful agents the body reacts to defend itself and releases substances like histamines which are in effect more harmful than the contaminant. 

Nut allergies, once diagnosed, should be treated with the gravest seriousness, both by the sufferer, but also by the people around them, like family, teachers, friends, and classmates.

Shellfish

While an egg allergy usually affects children, a hypersensitivity to shellfish is generally found in adults. Allergies to certain breeds and types of ordinary, finned fish are also common, with salmon and tuna two of the most likely. It’s possible to test for the breeds of fish that patients are susceptible to, but doctors will usually advise patients to avoid all fish to be on the safe side. This is the best course of action to take with shellfish also, as allergic reactions to species like crab and shrimp or one of the mollusc varieties, like mussels and scallops, are severe. 

Wheat/Gluten

Wheat allergies is another condition that is more common in children and can sometimes develop in adolescence. In the last few years, gluten has perhaps become the most publicised of the wheat proteins due to celiac disease, but reactions to globulin and gliadin are in fact more common. Celiac disease is not actually an allergic condition, but a problem with digestion occurring in the small intestine. 

Wheat allergies will often mean that common foods like bread and cereals will not to be avoided (as well desserts like cakes unfortunately), and your pharmacist or doctor will be able to advise on alternatives. For grown-ups, a wheat allergy might also unfortunately mean having to cut down on or forego wheat beer and ale, but for many of us no doubt that’s a positive! 

Finally, if you’re worried that abstaining from any of the foods on the list will result in a vitamin deficiency, then there is a full complement of supplements available at your pharmacist’s that will make sure that you’re covered from any shortfalls. 

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy 

Question: How do you watch out for the symptoms of an allergic reaction?

Answer: Last week, we looked at some of the different types of foods that commonly cause allergic reactions. In no particular order, these were milk, eggs, fish and shellfish, and wheat, along with nuts and peanuts. As will be immediately obvious on looking through that list, avoiding all of those foods is difficult to say the least for most of us and tremendously impractical given our diet in this country, coupled with the fact that a lot of them are staples of a healthy, balanced food regimen for the majority of people who will probably never develop allergies. 

Another factor to consider with allergic reactions is that they are most often triggered by foods that are included as additives to larger dishes (say peanuts in a chilli dish or prawns in a chicken pasta), so rather than avoiding perfectly good and nutritious foods, it is best to know what the various symptoms of an allergic reaction are so that they can be caught early and more serious situations arrested before they can develop further. 

Early Signs or Mild Reactions

If your child is allergic to a certain type of food, this will begin to manifest itself in a number of ways. Some children complain of an itchy or tingling feeling around their mouths after eating, for example. You might take notice if this differs from the usual complaints you hear about how bad or good something tastes. Abdominal pain and/or diarrhoea are definite signs that the food in question should be treated with caution in the future. Skin conditions like eczema or hives are also tell-tale signs that your child perhaps has a problem with properly processing some of the food they ate. On their own, these are not particularly harmful, discomfort from itching being the main consequence, and your local pharmacist will be able to advise on the correct course of treatment without the need for a doctor’s appointment.

Stronger Symptoms

More serious reactions to certain foods include swelling of the lips, tongue, and various parts of the mouth. A quickening of the pulse, or a feeling of lightness and dizziness can also result. These might occur together or on their own. In certain cases, the sufferer’s breathing may become laboured, and you might notice that they are wheezing. Congestion of the nose is also usually listed as a symptom of allergic reaction, but this can be difficult to spot as something out of the ordinary.

Getting Help

If the symptoms listed above continue or become more severe, then emergency medical assistance is necessary. In the most severe cases, what is known anaphylaxis or, more commonly, anaphylactic shock takes place. This condition is potentially life threatening and emergency services should be sought if it develops. Unfortunately, it can occur rapidly, and sometimes without the pre-existence of any of the milder symptoms. Anaphylaxis can include the tightening of the airways, making it difficult to breath. Drops in blood pressure, sometimes so quick that collapse or shock is the result, will lead to loss of consciousness. In all of these situations, ordinary home remedies like antihistamines are only of limited use and it’s vitally important to respond quickly.
Further information on allergies and allergic reactions are readily available at your local pharmacist and G.P.’s office.

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy 

Question: What are some alternatives to traditional aftershave?

Answer:  Aftershave, like a lot of hygiene products for men, is something that not a lot of us think about a lot beyond the fragrance. Indeed, most Irish men at least will avoid talking about the products they use like the plague, as if it’s something that they have no part in whatsoever, most often mumbling something about getting it for Christmas or how their other half bought it for them. Aftershave can be something of an exception to this rule, but the only thing that is likely to merit a mention is if it is a fairly well-known brand or at least on the expensive side. Any discussion beyond that will usually result in a blank stare or perhaps a friendly shrug.

This is odd when we consider that aftershave is a product we apply on a daily or near daily basis to our face, but one which we most likely put zero thought into when it comes to how it is affecting our skin. It can be hard to admit that a certain product is irritating the skin or causing discomfort, let alone murmur that forbidden term “sensitive skin.” But if you’re finding that the blotchy look of shaving rash and blood on your collar is outweighing the benefit of your favourite aftershave’s scent, here are a few alternatives to consider.

Cut Out the Alcohol

A wet shave using water, cream, and a razor leaves the pores of the face open, as well many tiny nicks and cuts on the skin which are often all but invisible. The majority of men’s aftershaves contain alcohol to treat these cuts and open pores to ensure that they do not become clogged or infected. The problem with that, however, is that alcohol dehydrates the skin and often leaves it feeling tight, as well as prone to premature aging. If you’re finding that you’re suffering from this uncomfortably tight feeling after shaving, perhaps an alcohol free aftershave or balm might be the answer. Neutrogena, for example, offers a great aftershave that fits the bill perfectly. Washing the face with cold water after your shave but before application will help close up the pores and cuts sufficiently in any case. 

Stay Young

If the idea of avoiding the premature aging and tightness that comes with alcohol based aftershaves and actually slowing down the inevitable lines that come with aging appeals to you, then perhaps it might be an idea to avoid the lotion and balm area of post shaving treatments and try one of the many moisturizers for men that are on the market. These combine the benefits listed above, along with being perfect for men who do suffer from sensitive skin after shaving. The Nivea for Men range has both a “Rehydrating Moisturizer” and “Sensitive Moisturizer” which provide protection after shaving throughout the day, refreshes the skin, and also protects from UV rays if you’re working outdoors. 

Worried about Smell?

The most important part of an aftershave for many of us, especially on a night out or special occasion, is the scent. This is a factor that can be lost if switching to a non-alcohol shaving balm or a moisturizer. If you’re looking for something to fill in the gap, take a look at the range of colognes or eau de toilettes stocked in your local pharmacy, and take your pick. 

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy