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. 

Marla Ahlgrimm | Dry Eye Syndrome

Marla Ahlgrimm, a retired pharmacist that specialized in hormone replacement therapy, says that women seek HRT to combat the many unwelcome symptoms of menopause. One of these is dry eye syndrome. 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, dry eye syndrome is a condition that reduces the moisture level on the surface of the eyes. Unfortunately, it is more than simply an annoyance. Dry eye syndrome can result in a burning sensation and the feeling as though there is something perpetually stuck in the eye. Further, because the eye does not have the lubrication it needs for effective blinking, this may result in constant damage to the eyes’ surface. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm | Period Myths

A woman’s menstrual cycle is often misunderstood, even by women in their 20s, 30s, and beyond. Here, women’s health expert and author Marla Ahlgrimm dispels a few common myths surrounding this monthly occurrence. 

 

Myth: All Women Get PMS 

 

While virtually all women experience some physical or emotional signs that their period is about to begin, not all are considered PMS. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, premenstrual syndrome refers to extreme symptoms, such as headaches, depression, anxiety, and fluid retention. Even among women who do report premenstrual syndrome symptoms, severity of symptoms can vary woman to woman. 

Marla Ahlgrimm | Vaccine For COVID-19 Gains FDA Approval

In December, the United States government approved Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine. This emergency approval makes the vaccine available for healthcare workers and people residing in a senior community, such as assisted-living. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the coronavirus has taken nearly 300,000 lives in the United States, and this vaccine represents just one of many tools we have to reduce transmission. 

 

Q: What is the coronavirus vaccine? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: The coronavirus vaccine is like all other vaccines. It is an inactive version of the virus that is meant to allow the body to gain a better recognition of it so that it can fight it more effectively. Also like other vaccines, the coronavirus vaccine takes time to be effective. Currently, two doses are required, and it can take several weeks for immunity to kick in. 

Marla Ahlgrimm Explains Why Your Underwear Choice Matters

One of the first things we put on each morning after our shower is a pair of underwear. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, however, not all panties are created equally. And, they may not even be necessary all the time. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that underwear is meant to protect the vagina, specifically the vulva, from irritation while wearing clothing. Women who wear tight jeans, for example, can prevent chafing by wearing underwear with a cotton liner. In this capacity, panties are an invaluable asset to a woman’s wardrobe. But, are they always necessary? And what’s the best kind of underwear for a woman’s health?