The last time I wrote about hot flashes was back in February, when it was so frigid that stepping outside was almost painful. But I suspect it was a relief to you if you were coping with those mighty power surges. Throw open a window or step outside and voila—instant cool. Now that the heat of the summer is engulfing the country, it's not as easy to find immediate relief from those hormonal … [Read more...] about 8 Ways to Deal With Hot Flashes in the Heat (Or Is-It-Hot-In-Here-or-Is-It-Just-Summer?)
Health & Wellness Writing Portfolio
Featured Publications
Epilepsy and Your Hormones
Epilepsy had always been a topic that was very foreign to me—until it hit a bit close to home. About five years ago, when she was 52, my sister found out she had epilepsy. She was at work and had just hung up the phone with me after a brief conversation. She remembers feeling a bit "funny"—and the next thing she knew, she woke up in an ambulance, confused and frightened. Lynne had suffered a … [Read more...] about Epilepsy and Your Hormones
How to Treat Your Aging Skin
When you think about things that cause wrinkles, sagging and age spots, you probably blame the sun. And you'd be right: Sun exposure is the number one culprit in aging skin. But there are many other factors. Some we can control, and others we can't. It's normal for the actual structure of your skin to change with age. Its outer layer thins, and the number of pigment- containing cells … [Read more...] about How to Treat Your Aging Skin
The Beginner’s Guide to Menopause
A (younger) friend of mine recently began having debilitating hot flashes and night sweats. She's in her mid-40s and was caught by surprise when her doctor told her she was beginning her menopause transition. With two young children under the age of 10, she thought menopause would come much later— "like, when they're in high school or college!" she moaned. Well, um, no, I said, not for … [Read more...] about The Beginner’s Guide to Menopause
Migraines and Menopause: What’s the Connection?
Menopause can make migraines better. But it can also give you migraines for the first time or make the ones you already have worse. "I wish I had a migraine. At least then, I could lie down and rest," said no woman ever. Migraines cause pain, nausea and sensitivity to light, sounds and smells. No one wants one. They can come frequently and furiously or only occasionally. But I'm sure … [Read more...] about Migraines and Menopause: What’s the Connection?
Menopause and Anxiety: What’s The Connection?
After writing about menopause and hot flashes and stress/anxiety being a possible culprit, I started wondering about the link between menopause and anxiety. How are the two linked? Are women feeling anxious about menopause? Or, is it the other way around: does menopause cause anxiety? Is it a by-product of shifting, dipping, all-over-the-chart hormones? And how can we control our anxiety? As … [Read more...] about Menopause and Anxiety: What’s The Connection?
What is Metabolic Syndrome and What are the Risk Factors?
What is metabolic syndrome? According to the American Heart Association, it’s a condition that affects around 34% of U.S. adults.1 Read on to learn the basics of metabolic syndrome and to find out if you might be at risk. Metabolic syndrome (also known as Syndrome X) is an increasingly common condition closely linked to inactivity and obesity. It’s not a disease, per se, but rather a group of … [Read more...] about What is Metabolic Syndrome and What are the Risk Factors?
10 Secrets to Sail Through Menopause
Menopause happens. Granted, not everyone reacts the same to it. Some people breeze through it without much fanfare. Yet others bemoan its crazy-making symptoms, besieged by one or a combination of these common hallmarks: hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weight gain, sleep disturbances, fatigue and forgetfulness. You can't cure menopause—it's not an illness, after all!—but you sure can … [Read more...] about 10 Secrets to Sail Through Menopause
The Anatomy of a Hot Flash
If you asked a bunch of women which symptoms they associate most with menopause, most would answer with these two words: Hot. Flashes. Although you might know some lucky soul who went through menopause never experiencing one single hot flash, it's more likely that you know more who are well acquainted with these heat surges that are the hallmark of menopause. Indeed, hot flashes affect between … [Read more...] about The Anatomy of a Hot Flash
How much do we shrink as we age?
Height loss is variable, but we'll all end up shorter. I spent much of my teen years slouching and searching for flats to wear. I suppose that’s what happens when you’re five foot nine and all the boys you want to date (and even the ones you don’t) are shorter than you. Read more on getting older and getting shorter on Considerable.com. … [Read more...] about How much do we shrink as we age?