Marla Ahlgrimm: Eliminate Itch with Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion is a popular anti-itch remedy in the summer, and Marla Ahlgrimm notes that this pink liquid may be useful in treating poison oak and other skin irritations.

Calamine is an anti-itch medicine that also has a drying effect on eczema; poison oak, ivy, and sumac; and insect bites. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it creates a slight cooling sensation as it dries. Calamine is usually administered via a non-prescription topical ointment, which is suspended in oils. This “lotion” must be shaken well before being applied to the skin.

Allergies

Most people can safely use calamine lotion. However, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that some allergies might preclude certain individuals. If you have ever had an adverse reaction to calamine or to the dyes used in the lotion, then consult with your healthcare provider before use. She also advises speaking with your child’s pediatrician if they have never used calamine before. Check the label for potential allergens, and talk to your pharmacist if you are unfamiliar with the ingredients.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it literally means porous bone. Osteoporosis can cause bones to become so weak and brittle that a fracture can occur with little to no impact. The condition is sometimes referred to as a “silent disease” because there are typically no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss.

While osteoporosis affects men and women of all races, Marla Ahlgrimm points out that Caucasian and Asian women are at the highest risk. Body size, age, and family history are also factors that determine a woman’s risk. Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoporosi, although it might be preventable for some women. Through a diet and exercise program that replenishes the body’s natural calcium stores, many women can reduce the effects of bone loss throughout their lives.

A lifetime of bone health

Calcium needs change during one’s lifetime. Naturally, the body’s need for calcium is greater during childhood and adolescence, while the skeleton is growing rapidly, and also during pregnancy and breastfeeding. During these times, Marla Ahlgrimm notes that a woman will need between 1000 and 1300 milligrams per day. Women between the ages of 19 and 50 require 1000 milligrams of calcium per day, while women over the age of 70 require 1200 milligrams per day.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Heat Stroke And How to Avoid It

Heat stroke occurs when a person’s body gets too hot, becomes dehydrated, and is unable to cool itself by sweating. When this happens, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that body temperature can rise high enough to make the person sick.

Early symptoms occur when the body temperature rises above average. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and fatigue. In the early stages, this is called heat exhaustion.

If steps are not taken to reduce the body’s temperature, heat exhaustion can lead to a serious, potentially life-threatening form of heat illness known as heat stroke. Once the body’s temperature rises above 105 degrees, neurological changes, such as mental confusion or unconsciousness, may develop. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that the baseline is 98; anything higher than 100 indicates a potential problem. Extreme heat can affect internal organs, causing a breakdown of heart muscle cells and blood vessels, damage to internal organs, and death.

There are two classifications of heat stroke. These are exertional heat stroke and nonexertional heat stroke. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that exertional heat stroke typically strikes young, otherwise healthy people as they are more likely to be less concerned about the effects of heat on their health. Nonexertional heat stroke tends to occur in people who have a diminished ability to regulate body temperature. Older people, young children, and those with chronic illnesses are most at risk.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Your Teen is Changing, too

Women who are coming up on menopause often have children who are getting ready to enter puberty, says Marla Ahlgrimm. With all the hormones flying around, it’s important to understand not only what you’re going through, but what your teenager is experiencing as well. And although we’ve all gone through puberty, it’s easy to forget how the emergence of hormones can make you feel.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, boys and girls alike have hormones that start to kick into high gear as they enter the early teen years. If you have a child anywhere between ages 11 and 14, you may begin to notice physical and emotional changes. Girls, for example, may develop breasts while boys can and will grow seemingly overnight. The growth that takes place during puberty signals both physical maturity and also the last time the body will grow before adulthood. It is not uncommon for children to experience growth spurts of more than 4 inches in a single year.

Marla Ahlgrimm on Mood Swings and PMS

PMS is a familiar acquaintance to the majority of women of childbearing age, says Marla Ahlgrimm. The retired hormone specialist explains that PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is not one specific symptom but a collection of physical and emotional changes in the days leading up to the period. Here are a few common questions and answers about PMS.

Q: What causes PMS?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A naturally occurring shift in hormones is the most logical cause. Specifically, fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen are likely responsible for the mood-related changes many women experience during PMS. Both of these hormones also influence the body’s output of serotonin, a hormone that, when deficient, can lead to irritability, insomnia, and food cravings.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Folate Important for All Women

Marla Ahlgrimm says that folate is something many women only pay attention to when they are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. However, this B vitamin does more than protect the unborn from birth defects.

Folate is essential in the natural process of red blood cell formation. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, these red blood cells are what carry oxygen throughout the entire body. When the body doesn’t get enough oxygen to its systems, the result can be a condition called anemia. Specifically, in this case, folic acid anemia.

Women need folate at every stage. However, it’s most important to the system during the childbearing years. Folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects during fetal development. It’s suspected that receiving enough of this nutrient may also play a role in fetal viability. In other words, intaking enough folate may help prevent early miscarriage.

Marla Ahlgrimm Encourages Women to Break Barriers

Marla Ahlgrimm started her career as a pharmacist back in the 1970s. Then, it was definitely a male-dominated industry. It took years of hard work and unwavering persistence, but Ahlgrimm fought her way through each barrier with grace and poise. Despite a closing gap, there is still a great deal of gender inequality in the workplace, especially in STEM fields, including medicine and technology. The now-retired women’s health expert continues to encourage women to break barriers, but says there are many challenges that face the fairer sex.

Q: Why other fewer women than men in the tech industry?

Marla Ahlgrimm: There are potentially many reasons for this. I suspect that one is that it takes an advanced degree and lots of experience to be successful in things like computer programming and hardware design. Since women often choose to start a family and take time out of school or work to do so, they may feel as though they cannot dedicate the resource of time to pursuing a profession in IT.