What Are The Side-Effects Of The COVID-19 Vaccine? | Marla Ahlgrimm

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated something we’ve never had before: an emergency vaccine for a virus we don’t fully understand. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there are several vaccines now released and approved for public use. But, are they safe? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm points out that, despite the rapid release of the vaccines, there is a great deal of science behind them. She notes that pharmaceutical companies and scientists had already put years of work into the method, which is mRNA sequencing, that the vaccines utilize. In the instance of COVID-19, the vaccine drafts a set of instructions that mimics the protein spikes found on the virus. This, in turn, teaches the body to make antibodies, which then fight future infections. 

Marla Ahlgrimm on COVID And Testerone

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s become clear that men tend to suffer longer and more severe symptoms than women. Hormones specialist Marla Ahlgrimm explains that this might be due to the way that the coronavirus affects testosterone levels. 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, a September 2020 study published in The Aging Male found that men with hospital-worthy cases of COVID-19 had significantly lower levels of testosterone than their asymptomatic counterparts. While scientists have always believed that testosterone levels in men may contribute to severity, this particular study uncovered a possible link between the coronavirus and the depletion of testosterone in otherwise healthy men. 

Marla Ahlgrimm On The Benefits of Swimming

Spring is near, and many of us are looking forward to spending the warmer months in the water. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, swimming offers many benefits for the mind and body. Keep reading for more perks of swimsuit season. 

 

Q: Why is swimming such a good exercise? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Swimming is one of the only exercises that works your entire body. To stay afloat, you use virtually every muscle, and you also build endurance. Further, swimming is an excellent cardiovascular workout that keeps your lungs and heart pumping and thumping the way they were meant to. 

Online Dating Safety | Marla Ahlgrimm

Just a few years ago, online dating was still in its infancy. Now, Marla Ahlgrimm says that the vast majority of new relationships begin with a liked photo or a swipe right. But just because it is common does not mean that women can let their guard down. Here are a few online dating safety tips to keep in mind as you search for your soulmate. 

 

Remember, Google is your best friend. 

 

Do your research on the men that you choose to meet. A quick Google or social media search should reveal an active social life. If you find their Facebook, for example, look to see that they are tagged. If they claim to be professional, Marla Ahlgrimm says it’s very easy to check their LinkedIn. 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Leg Cramps

If you’ve never been jolted out of bed with painful muscle contractions in your legs, consider yourself lucky. This is an unfortunately common issue, particularly for women. 

 

Q: What are leg cramps? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Leg cramps are an involuntary, sudden, and extremely intense, often painful contraction of the muscles in your upper or lower leg. Sometimes, foot cramps can also trigger cramps in the lower leg. You may hear someone refer to leg cramps as a Charlie horse. Regardless of what you call it, it is uncomfortable at best. 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Breast Cancer In Men

Breast cancer is typically considered a woman’s disease. But, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, approximately 1% of every diagnosed case in the US is in a man. This is shocking news to many people, but it is important to know, since breast cancer can be fatal to both sexes. 

 

Symptoms 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the signs of male breast cancer are similar to that with females. A lump or swelling, flakiness and irritation, and even nipple discharge may indicate breast cancer. Some men also experience painful nipples, dimpling of the skin on the pectorals, and an inverted nipple. 

Risk Factors 

 

Like women, men with breast cancer are more likely to have a mutation of specific genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2. Age also plays a factor, and Marla Ahlgrimm notes that the vast majority of men diagnosed with breast cancer are 50 years of age or older. Family history is another important indicator of a man’s risk, and having a first generation relative with the disease puts even healthy men at a greater risk. Rarely, Klinefelter syndrome is to blame. This is an extremely rare genetic condition where the body produces too much estrogen and not enough androgens because of an additional X chromosome. 

Marla Ahlgrimm On The Benefits And Risks Of Hormone Therapy

A little more than a decade ago, many women were scared by reports from the Women’s Health Initiative that hormone therapy might not be safe. The truth is that most healthy women with menopause can safely find relief of its symptoms with hormone therapy. Here, Marla Ahlgrimm explains the benefits and assesses the risks of using hormones to circumvent the worst of menopause. 

 

Benefits 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, hormone therapy is one of the best ways to reduce hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog, and night sweats. The right dose can also lessen the effects of vaginal dryness, which include feeling less pleasure during intercourse and itchiness. Many women also find relief of an overactive bladder by utilizing vaginal estrogen, something that has also been found to reduce recurrent urinary tract infections. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm further asserts that, under your doctor’s guidance, hormone therapy during menopause may also offer some protection against osteoporosis. For women who begin hormone therapy within a decade of menopause, a lowered risk of heart disease is another potential part. Those with a family history of or a lifestyle that might trigger diabetes may also receive protective benefits with hormone therapy.