Men Have Menopause Too

Have you ever overheard an individual saying to their male spouse, "Are you going through menopause"? Usually it is followed by a laugh. While many will laugh about male menopause, it is real.  Many doctors refer to male menopause as andropause, which is a decline of testosterone. Men often experience fatigue, depression, and sexual problems. It is known that the male menopause is quite different than women, as the testosterone slowly decreases. It is surprising to hear that an 80 year old male can still make sperm. The male menopause is a slow process, which begins to occur in their mid-40's. There is a main treatment used and symptoms that come with male menopause.

Symptoms of Andropause:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Weight Gain
• Memory Less
• Thinning Hair
• Weakness
• Sexual Problems
• Thinning Hair

Treatment of Andropause

• Hormone Replacement Therapy: helps relieve symptoms including lack of sexual interest, depression and fatigue
• If Testosterone is low, testosterone replacement therapy helps balance and relieve several symptoms

We've Learned Three Things:

• Male menopause is known as androgen which is the decline of testosterone.
• Symptoms of andropause include depression, fatigue, thinning hair, memory loss, and weight gain to name a few.
• A treatment of andropause consists of hormone replacement therapy which helps relive many of the symptoms. 

Everyone experiences different symptoms from andropause. Tells us how you deal with andropause and what symptoms you get. We want to hear from you.

Jennie-Your Undercover Everything Pharmacy

PMS: I love you. Actually I really hate you.

Have you ever had intense or strange food cravings? Have you ever cried for no reason and then minutes later realized you could be perfectly happy again? We have all been there. All men have seen first hand their wife/mother/girlfriend go through this awful stage every month. It's called PMS: Premenstrual Syndrome. 8-20% of women have moderate to severe symptoms one to two weeks before their menstrual cycle. We often feel symptoms of PMS before our menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and during menopause. There is even a disorder called PMDD: Premenstraul dysphoric disorder which is a severe form of PMS symptoms which can be debilitating. PMDD can cause extreme mood swings that can interfere with work and relationships. Next time your spouse flips out over something minor it's probably PMS. We have all had moments before our period when we crave random, out-of-place things like that tasty, juicy, giant steak. Who could blame you anyways steak is delicious.

Symptoms of PMS:

• Anxiety
• Cramps
• Acne
• Depression
• Crying
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Muscle Pain
• Headache
• Weight Gain
• Breast Tenderness
• Diarrhea

PMS relief:

• Heating Pad
• Tylenol
• Red Meat: Helps Boost Iron
• Chocolate: Contains Magnesium and Releases Serotonin
• Fruit: 
• Bananas
• Kale
• Spinach
• Eggs
• Whole Grains

Ways to deal with PMS during Menopause:

• HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy replaces the hormones that your body is not able to make once you start menopause
• Why do you need Estrogen? Estrogen controls how your body absorbs calcium and raises good/bad cholesterol 
• Why do you need Progesterone? If you take Estrogen without progesterone, you risk developing cancer of the lining of the uterus
• Often people with menopause use HRT to balance out their hormone

We've Learned Three Things:

• PMS occurs during pregnancy, before period, and menopause which includes symptoms such as stomach pain, headache insomnia, and diarrhea just to name a few
• There are specific foods that can help lessen PMS symptoms such as chocolate, red meat, kale, and bananas
• You can balance out the hormones from menopausal symptoms using HRT medications such as estrogen and progesterone

Every person's symptoms are different and there are a hundred ways to sooth them. We would love to hear your stories, tips and tricks. From grandma's cramp-relief parsley tea to your prescription Tylenol, how do you manage your symptoms of PMS?

Jennie-Your Undercover Everything Pharmacy

Migraines:Some pres Ways to lessen the Pain

Have you ever felt like your head just got thrown into a blender and there is nothing you can do to stop it? The room is spinning, nausea is taking over, and everything you try doesn't seem to   help. You finally find some relief from the nausea by throwing up. You lay down to try to soothe the pain and after a short nap everything is back to normal. This is a migraine! The American Migraine Foundation defines a migraine as a "neurological disorder that is characterized by hyperexcitable brain networks that may be triggered by a variety of stimuli (e.g. alcohol, menstruation, fragrances, light glare)." Migraines are triggered by specific characteristics such as stress, specific type of food, menstrual periods, and fatigue. The graph includes several common symptoms of migraines such as nausea, visual problems, vomiting, and dizziness. This month is Migraine & Headache Awareness month in which people all over the world are raising awareness by discussing chronic migraines all over the internet. The American Migraine Foundation reports that thirty six million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. With migraines being common, it is important to discuss migraines and educate others.

When I was a senior in high school, I would have miserable migraine episodes. At the time, I wasn't aware that it was a medical condition I was suffering from.When they came on I was extremely dizzy. It felt as though the room was spinning and I was helpless to stop it. Constant dizzy spells made me nauseous. Some days I could barely move without feeling like I was on a boat. I would get nauseous and rush to the restroom and throw up constantly. After I threw up, my dizziness would lessen. Then, I would sleep for a few hours. After I had slept, I would feel normal and fine. They only happened every other day at first, but it didn't take long for them to be every day aggravation. One day right when I got home, I could tell an episode was coming on strong.  I barely got into the kitchen before I was on the floor from the dizziness. I could not move.
It was obvious I needed to see a neurologist. The following day, I went in and explained my issues. The doctor explained to me that I was having migraine episodes. My migraines were most likely triggered by my diet and stress. I found out that I was eating things like ham, which has nitrates in it, that can trigger migraines. He explained that I would need to take a medication every single day for the rest of my life to prevent the episodes. The upside was, once the medication had been absorbed in my body after a few days, I rarely had migraines. It is no surprise that I am prone to migraines since my father's mother had migraines as well. While I rarely have a migraine, I still get headaches. I use the best home remedies for my headaches that I have been able to figure out. Most of the time my headaches are gone if I take Advil with coffee or a caffeinated drink. My headaches do not come close to how bad my migraines were. The migraine medication made such a difference in my life and gave me the ability to function on a daily basis.

I am NOT my migraines! I believe it is important to educate others about them and the ways to prevent them. There are a surprising number of ways to alleviate or prevent migraines right at home.

• Prescription or over the counter drugs may be a good alternative if there appears to be no help from other options. 
• WebMD explains the importance of caffeine for migraine patients, "Caffeine is a common ingredient in many prescription and over-the-counter headache medications. Caffeine additives make pain relievers 40% more effective in treating headaches." 
• It is important to note that caffeine helps the body absorb migraine and headache drugs quicker which in result brings helps relieves the migraine quicker.

We also offer a medication here at Woodland Hills Pharmacy that might be right for you. Lidocaine  nasal spray is often used to stop migraines and cluster headaches within minutes after they occur. This medication relives the pain of the migraine quickly after used. If you have any questions, feel free to call or e-mail us at Woodland Hills Pharmacy and we would love to relieve your migraines.

Jennie-Your Undercover For Everything Pharmacy

Walk off Your Symptoms of MS

What is MS?

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that is continual and chronic. It affects the brain as well as the spinal cord by causing scar tissue to be created in several areas due to nerve damage. Depending on where this damage is, it can cause muscular imbalance, loss of control, and speech or visual difficulties.                             

• There are four types of MS: relapsing-remitting, secondary-progressive, primary progressive and progressive relapsing.
• About 85 percent of those who are newly diagnosed have the relapsing-remitting form of MS.
• The disease is unpredictable, and each individual will not experience the same set of symptoms.
• Without disease-modifying therapy, about 50 percent of those diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS will become progressively worse at 10 years after diagnosis.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis isn't the easiest, especially when it begins to affect your mobility.   There are a variety of different symptoms of MS. Often times people who have MS become depressed and emotionally unstable. It is quite common that MS patients have muscle spasms. The bowel symptoms of MS patients includes diarrhea or constipation. Another common symptom of MS is chronic fatigue.   This picture mentions several symptoms of MS.

Though, as of yet, there aren't any permanent solutions for the symptoms of MS, great strides have been made in recent years in the development of new treatment options. Ampyra (dalfampridine) another form of fampridine (4-Aminopyradine) has shown exceedingly good results for those with walking difficulties due to MS. Low-Dose Naltrexone may also be helpful, as the National MS Society reports: 

"The investigators found that LDN significantly improved quality of life (specifically, mental health, pain and self-reported cognitive function), but no impact was observed on aspects of physical quality of life (such as fatigue, bowel and bladder control, sexual satisfaction, and visual function). Vivid dreaming was reported during the first week of treatment by some patients, but no other adverse effects were reported."
(http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Complementary-Alternative-Medicines/Low-Dose-Naltrexone)

    Karli- Your undercover technician for everything pharmacy

Have you found something that relieves the pain? Help us understand your symptoms and find more answers. Comment below!

Bleed Purple For Lupus Awareness

Purple is an incredibly unique color. The most beautiful flowers in my opinion are a deep dark violet color. I had a purple wedding dress because I adore the color. How can you not? Purple isn't just unique and beautiful it's a symbol. It represents lupus awareness.This month is lupus awareness, so to show your support you could educate yourself and others about lupus and don't forget to wear purple! 1.5 million Americans currently have Lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can possibly damage any of part of your body including skin, joints and organs. An autoimmune diseases suggest that your immune system does not know the difference between evil invaders and your healthy tissues. Generally, women ages 15-44 get lupus, but men,children, and teenagers can get lupus as well. Lupus symptoms can last for several years and it can be hard to diagnose as the symptoms mimic minor illnesses. 

Lupus symptoms consist of:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint Pain
• Stiffness
• Dry Eyes
• Headaches
• Butterfly-Shaped Rash On Face
• Fingers and Toes turn white or blue when exposed to cold or stressful periods
• Chest Pain
• Shortness of Breath

Can you imagine what it would be like to have a difficult to diagnose disease?  Ian Harding, the actor in Pretty Little Liars, tells us about his mother who has lupus. Mary Harding was diagnosed with lupus when Ian was six years old. Ian recalls the days when his mother's hands swelled and how she contently wore hats in public to protect herself from the sun. In several interviews he explained that as a child, he did not understand Lupus, but understands it more now as an adult. Ian Harding has always supported his mother, and has been working with the Lupus Foundation of America for the last two years to raise awareness.  His mother would talk to her children about Lupus as it evolved in her life. Her children did not know until they were older that Lupus was possibly a fatal disease. Ian had a stronger emotional sense of the world than most of the children his age and his mother's illness affected him greater because of it. His mother explained, "As a parent, I didn't need to be the perfect mom, but wanted to be apart of it. I needed to show up and do the things I needed to do to raise the kids. I didn't want my kids to grow up to think their mother was fragile." Mary Harding did not let Lupus get in the way of being there for her family. Ian told an interviewer about his opinion on Lupus awareness and finding a cure, "I think with any chronic thing no matter how strong or strong willed you are, there comes a time you just wish it wasn't there. The more I got involved in lupus foundation and see doctors speak on it, it feels like we are so close. I have this feeling that if we care about it a little more that would be the final push over the top."

There are a variety of different medications that can help with signs of lupus disease. 

• Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is used to treat symptoms of lupus disease including fatigue, muscle pain, and joint pain. LDN helps the immune system, lowers the inflammation, and releases natural endorphins. 

• Quinacrine is an Antimalarial medication used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Quinacrine reduces inflammation and helps control skin rash in people who have lupus. This medication also may help releive muscle, joint pain, fatigue, and fever.

• Chloroquine is an Antimalarial medication used to treat Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. This medication treats auto-immune diseases to help suppress over activity in the immune system and limits inflammation. It also helps reduce signs and symptoms of Lupus such as pain and swelling.

• Hydroxychlorquine is an Antimalarial medication used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. This medication is used to decrease the symptoms of lupus. It helps relieve inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. 

These medications help lupus disease patients stay healthy and cope with their disease. If you are looking for these types of medications, or someone to speak with, the staff at Woodland Hills Pharmacy might be a good place to start!www.WoodlandHillsPharmacy.com/contact_us

Jennie-Your Undercover For Everything Pharmacy

Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life!

The big question: Are my hormones imbalanced?

It's nearly impossible to really know if you have a hormonal imbalance. Women all over the United States are concerned about their personal hormone levels. Since 2012 the number of women using hormone replacement therapy has increased by 15 million. But how do you know if your hormones are imbalanced? Is a doctor's visit entirely necessary to know that you may need to  supplement your hormone production?

Just waking up in the morning can be a chore with imbalanced Hormones. A replacement therapy can make the difference between talking to loved ones, having confidence, and being success or curling up into an insecure, tired ball. When you finally realize it may not be normal to be dealing with these symptoms, it's like taking a breath of fresh air. Things that seemed so difficult to handle become a breeze. Women and men can benefit from hormonal replacement therapy, so all you men out there are included in this as well. It is often hard to tell if your hormones are imbalanced. You may want to see a healthcare professional to narrow it down but you will be able to make a good guess at whether or not you are imbalanced from a few common symptoms. The list below is the various symptoms women and men may receive from hormone imbalance

.

The list below explains the benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men and women.

You are a beautiful capable woman with the right to a healthy body, mind and soul. So many women believe that the hand they are dealt is the hand they are stuck with, when the real solution is out there just waiting to be found. Some supplement companies advertise products that can help with hormonal changes or Menopause. Though there may be some help to a few vitamin deficient individuals, for the majority of the world an imbalance can only be solved by a hormonal replacement therapy regiment.

With this in mind, your doctor can be a huge help to your hormonal health. I know it can be tough to muster up the courage to talk to a professional about your body, but with a caring doctor and a good understanding between you, you can have the best of what life can offer. 

Karli-Your Undercover technician for everything pharmacy

Take A Bite Out Of Lyme

We all love limes. They're great for cocktails and squeezed over rare meats. But it can also remind us of an important awareness. Take a Bite of Lyme is a wonderful trend going around to raise awareness for Lyme disease. Woodland Hills Pharmacy has been nominated to participate in the Lyme Disease Challenge! We would like to spread the word and nominate Jennifer Braunersrither, Tamara Bowen, Judy Advent and Zannie Liska! 
Show your support and take a bit out of Lyme!

Judy's Story

My aunt in law, Judy, was diagnosed with Lyme disease but she did not have the rash as the first sign of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium, Borrelia burgodoferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick. There are several different symptoms that Lyme disease patients exhibit which include fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rash. Lyme disease can affect the skin, joints, heart, and the nervous system. The blood tests that doctors generally use miss 55% of the Lyme disease cases. Lyme disease is often hard to diagnose.
Judy (shown on the left) emphasized how it felt to have Lyme disease, "Your body aches, you have headaches, and you are very tired.  My worst flare up was when the Lyme disease went to my brain.  I couldn't speak, I had a stutter, I couldn't find my words.  I lost my memory for about 2 weeks." Judy could not recall how she was infected with Lyme disease, but assumed it was from a deer tick. Lyme disease didn't effect her life until she had one of her worst flare-ups. She was checked into the hospital and sent home with an IV PICC Line of antibiotics that she changed daily. Judy explained that she never let Lyme disease interfere with her family's needs. Judy, instead, used her talents and understanding to raise awareness in her community. This bracelet (pictured below) represents a few different illnesses she fights for. The green represents Lyme disease, while the other colors represent the various illnesses she supports. She continues to stay strong and lead a powerful, encouraging life.


There are a variety of different medications that can help with signs of Lyme disease.

• Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is used to treat symptoms of Lyme disease including fatigue, muscle pain, and joint pain. LDN helps the immune system, lowers the inflammation, and releases natural endorphins. Borrelia burgodoferi releases a neurotoxin that is responsible for the symptoms that Lyme disease patients exhibits. 
• Cholestyramine binds the neurotoxin in the GI for excretion which over time reduces the symptoms to one's body. 
• Glutathione nasal spray helps Lyme disease patients replenish their cells with desperately needed Glutathione proteins.  

These medications help Lyme disease patients stay healthy and cope with their disease. If you are looking for these types of medications, or someone to speak with, the staff at Woodland Hills Pharmacy might be a good place to start! www.WoodlandHillsPharmacy.com/contact_us

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May is Lyme disease awareness month.  Lyme disease organizations hold events as well as individuals all over the world are posting online in support of Lyme disease. The challenge consists of taking a picture or video taking a bite out of a lime, and posting a fact about Lyme disease. It is essential that we raise awareness about Lyme disease and it's symptoms. "Just by protecting yourself from ticks." Judy explains how to guard against the disease and why it's so prevalent, "The area in which I live has a high rate of Lyme disease because  we live in a heavily wooded area with lots of deer roaming around." It is important to be educated and support Lyme disease awareness. So do yourself a favor and take a bite of lime and join the Lyme Disease Awareness movement!

Jennie- Undercover For Your Everything Pharmacy

And the staff at Woodland Hills Pharmacy