Natural Answers for Women's Health Questions : A Comprehensive A-Z Guide to Drug-Free Mind-Body Remedies

by D. Lindsey Berkson

• ISBN13: 9780684865140
• ISBN10: 0684865149
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-26
• Publisher: Fireside

Summary

One-Stop Problem Solving...NaturallyWith the increased popularity of natural remedies, more and more women are looking for clear, authoritative information on how to use these applications for specific health problems. What will help severe allergies? How do the major hormonal events in a woman's life -- from puberty to post-menopause -- affect symptoms and treatments? What's the real story on hormone-replacement therapies? Do birth-control pills increase the risk of breast cancer or not?In this one-stop reference, D. Lindsey Berkson provides clear explanations and natural solutions. Organized in a straightforward A-Z format and covering more than 200 health conditions with advice focused entirely on women's distinctive needs, entries include discussions of:anorexia arthritis cancerheart disease hormone-replacement therapy insomnialupus menopause pregnancySTDs stress thyroid problemsEach entry provides an explanation of the condition, lists common anduncommon symptoms, notes likely causes, and includes a section ofuniquely femaleconcerns highlighting the role of hormones. Sensible health-promoting strategies are spelled out: which foods to eat, which foods to avoid, which dietary supplements to take, and which exercises to do, as well as how meditation and visualization can help. Each section includes complementary medicine tests to discuss with your doctor.

Author Biography

D. Lindsey Berkson is a consulting scholar and visiting professor at the Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier universities. She has a master's degree in nutrition, has lectured nationally, was a professor of nutrition at several colleges, had a radio show on nutrition in the Bay Area, and designed one of the first natural supplement lines for women (Fem Line). The author of Hormone Deception and Healthy Digestion the Natural Way, Berkson was also coeditor of Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, a book used to train medical doctors. She lives in Santa Fe.

Table of Contents

Foreword	17	(2)
Preface	19	(2)
Introduction	21	(10)
Part One
HOW TO PUT YOUR HEALTH TOGETHER	31	(30)
You Are Worth It	31	(1)
Choosing a Doctor	32	(2)
Nutrients	34	(8)
Lifestyle Factors	42	(10)
Stress-Reduction Techniques	52	(4)
Visualizations and Affirmations	56	(1)
Being Your Own Healer	57	(1)
Knowing Your Unknown	58	(3)
Part Two
Abortion	61	(1)
ACNE	62	(5)
Addiction	67	(6)
Alcoholism	67	(4)
Drug Dependence	71	(2)
Adhesions	73	(1)
Adrenal Hormones	74	(1)
Adrenal Insufficiency and Adrenal Fatigue	74	(2)
Aging	76	(6)
Aging Starts in Youth	77	(1)
Age Spots	77	(1)
Wrinkles	77	(1)
Sexuality	78	(1)
Mortality	79	(3)
Allergies	82	(7)
Food Allergies	84	(4)
Inhalant Allergies	88	(1)
Chemical Sensitivity	88	(1)
Anemia, Iron Deficiency	89	(3)
Angina Pectoris	92	(1)
Anxiety	93	(5)
Panic Attacks	96	(2)
Arrhythmias	98	(1)
Arthritis	99	(10)
Osteoarthritis	100	(3)
Rheumatoid Arthritis	103	(3)
Menopausal Arthritis	106	(1)
Gout	107	(2)
Asthma, Bronchial	109	(4)
Autoimmune Disorders	113	(2)
Bad Breath	115	(1)
Baldness	116	(3)
Bladder Infections	119	(1)
Bloating	119	(3)
Blood Pressure	122	(6)
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)	122	(5)
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)	127	(1)
Blood Sugar Problems (not Diabetes)	128	(4)
Hyperglycemia	129	(1)
Hypoglycemia	130	(2)
Syndrome X	132	(1)
Body Odor	132	(2)
Boils	134	(2)
Breast Problems (Benign)	136	(7)
Fibrocystic Disease (Cystic Mastitis, Mammary Dysplasia)	137	(6)
Breast-Feeding	143	(4)
Engorged Breasts	146	(1)
Mastitis	146	(1)
Bursitis	147	(3)
Caffeine in Coffee and Tea	150	(1)
Calf Cramps	151	(1)
Cancer	151	(13)
Breast Cancer	152	(8)
Uterine Cancer	160	(1)
Cervical Cancer	160	(2)
Endometrial Cancer	162	(1)
Ovarian Cancer	162	(1)
Cancer of the Vulva	163	(1)
Cancer of the Vagina	164	(1)
Cancer of the Fallopian Tubes	164	(1)
Cancer Prevention	164	(6)
Canker Sores	170	(2)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome	172	(2)
Celiac Disease	174	(1)
Cervical Problems (Benign)	175	(4)
Cervical Erosion	175	(1)
Cervical Incompetence	175	(1)
Cervical Polyps	176	(1)
Cervicitis	177	(1)
Dysplasia	178	(1)
Nabothian Cysts	179	(1)
Chocolate	179	(1)
Cholesterol	180	(5)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome	185	(4)
Circulation	189	(1)
Claudication	190	(1)
Contraception	191	(2)
Cough	193	(2)
Depression	195	(5)
Des Daughters	200	(1)
Dhea	201	(1)
Diabetes Mellitus	201	(7)
Insulin-Dependent (Type 1) Diabetes	202	(1)
Non-Insulin-Dependent (Type 2) Diabetes	202	(6)
Digestive Disorders	208	(5)
Maldigestion	209	(1)
Heartburn	210	(3)
Dizziness/Vertigo	213	(3)
Eating Disorders	216	(4)
Binge Eating Disorder	216	(1)
Anorexia Nervosa	216	(3)
Bulimia	219	(1)
EDEMA	220	(1)
Endometriosis	220	(3)
Energy	223	(2)
Environmental Illness	225	(1)
Epstein-Barr Virus	225	(1)
Estrogen Dominance	226	(7)
Fainting	233	(1)
Fats and Essential Fatty Acids	234	(2)
Bad Fats	234	(1)
Good Fats	234	(2)
Fibroids	236	(2)
Fibromyalgia	238	(4)
Gallstones	242	(3)
Gingivitis	245	(2)
Hair	247	(2)
Hirsutism	247	(2)
Hay Fever	249	(1)
Headaches, Chronic	249	(6)
Tension Headaches	250	(2)
Migraines	252	(3)
Heart Attack	255	(5)
Congestive Heart Failure	259	(1)
Heart Disease	260	(7)
Mitral Valve Prolapse	266	(1)
Hemorrhoids (Piles)	267	(2)
Herpes	269	(1)
Homocysteine	269	(2)
Hormone Disruptors	271	(1)
Hormone Replacement Therapy	272	(9)
Standard Hormone Replacement Therapy	274	(5)
Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy	279	(2)
Hormones	281	(7)
Adrenal Hormones	282	(2)
DHEA	284	(1)
Estrogen	285	(1)
Melatonin	286	(1)
Progesterone	286	(1)
Prolactin	287	(1)
Testosterone	288	(1)
Thyroid	288	(1)
Hysterectomy	288	(2)
Immune Enhancement	290	(3)
Infertility	293	(3)
Insomnia	296	(4)
Insulin Resistance (Syndrome X)	300	(3)
Joint Pain	303	(2)
Kidney Infections	305	(3)
Kidney Stones	307	(1)
Lead Toxicity	308	(1)
Liver Health	309	(4)
Lupus	313	(2)
Lymphedema	315	(2)
Masturbation	317	(1)
Melatonin	317	(1)
Memory	317	(4)
Menopause	321	(7)
Early Menopause	328	(1)
Menstrual Calendar	328	(1)
Menstruation	329	(7)
Amenorrhea	330	(1)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome	330	(1)
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding	331	(3)
Dysmenorrhea	334	(2)
Mittelschmerz	336	(1)
Miscarriage	336	(3)
Mood Disorders	339	(1)
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)	339	(2)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)	341	(4)
Nosebleeds	345	(2)
Osteoporosis	347	(7)
Ovarian Cysts	354	(3)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease	357	(2)
Pelvic Pain	359	(1)
Perimenopause	360	(3)
Birth Control Pills and Perimenopause	361	(2)
Phlebitis	363	(3)
Pregnancy	366	(10)
Serious Problems of Pregnancy	372	(1)
AIDS	373	(1)
Gestational Diabetes	373	(1)
Toxoplasmosis	374	(1)
Preeclampsia	374	(1)
Miscarriage	375	(1)
Postpartum Depression	375	(1)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)	376	(5)
Progesterone	381	(1)
Puberty	381	(2)
Menarche	381	(1)
Precocious Puberty	382	(1)
Rape	383	(1)
Raynaud's Disease	383	(2)
Restless Legs Syndrome	385	(2)
Rubella (German Measles)	387	(1)
Salpingitis	388	(1)
Sciatica	388	(2)
Sexuality	390	(2)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Venereal Disease)	392	(7)
Chlamydia	393	(1)
Gonorrhea	394	(1)
Genital Herpes	394	(1)
Human Papilloma Virus	395	(1)
Syphilis	396	(1)
Trichomoniasis	396	(3)
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)	399	(2)
Skin	401	(9)
Dry Skin	402	(1)
Scars	402	(1)
Stretch Marks (Stria)	402	(1)
Cellulite	402	(2)
Skin Tags	404	(1)
Dermatitis	404	(4)
Rosacea	408	(1)
Dandruff and Scaling on Face and Other Areas	408	(1)
Psoriasis	409	(1)
Scleroderma	409	(1)
Smoking	410	(3)
Soy	413	(1)
Sprouts	414	(1)
Stress	414	(4)
Stroke	418	(3)
Syndrome X	421	(1)
Thyroid	422	(7)
Hypothyroidism	422	(6)
Hyperthyroidism	428	(1)
Toxic Shock Syndrome	429	(2)
Urinary Problems	431	(7)
Urinary Frequency and Urgency	431	(1)
Urge Incontinence	431	(1)
Urinary Stress Incontinence	432	(1)
Urinary Tract Infection	433	(2)
Interstitial Cystitis	435	(3)
Uterus	438	(2)
Prolapsed Uterus	438	(1)
Tipped (Retroverted) Uterus	439	(1)
Vaginal Problems	440	(5)
Vaginal Atrophy	440	(2)
Vaginal Odor	442	(1)
Vaginal Discharge	442	(1)
Vaginal Itching	442	(1)
Vaginal Bleeding	443	(1)
Vaginitis	443	(2)
Vulvitis	445	(1)
Vulvovaginitis	445	(1)
Varicose Veins	445	(2)
Virilization	447	(1)
Vulvodynia	448	(1)
Weight	449	(7)
Weight Loss and Underweight	449	(2)
Overweight and Obesity	451	(5)
Wine and Alcoholic Beverages	456	(1)
Yeast Infections	457	(34)
APPENDICES
A. Hormone Testing	461	(2)
B. Compounding Pharmacies	463	(1)
C. Fiber Cocktail	464	(1)
D. Green Drink	465	(2)
E. Coffee Enemas	467	(1)
F. Digestive Enzymes	468	(3)
G. IV Protocols	471	(1)
H. Detoxify Yourself	472	(1)
I. Supplement and Drug Interactions	473	(5)
J. Vitamin Interactions	478	(5)
K. Mineral and Amino Acid Interactions	483	(4)
L. Important Herb Considerations and Drug Interactions	487	(4)
Glossary	491

Excerpts

from theIntroduction

Living in a woman's body means inhabiting a different universe from the one a man lives in. Any woman can tell you this. Historically, however, most medical research and many medical recommendations have been based on the male anatomy and the way the male body functions. This book is uniquely female. It takes into account women's major hormonal events -- puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, peri- and postmenopause -- and looks at the ways in which these circumstances affect symptoms and the treatments of various illnesses.

This book is a guide to help you work along with your health allies: the doctors and practitioners who listen to your whole story and figure out how to make you the best and healthiest you can be. The old Chinese proverb holds true: Give a starving woman a fish to eat and soon she will be hungry again, but teach her how to fish and she will be able to feed herself and her whole family. This book is about helping us feed our bodies and souls with facts and guidelines that are uniquely female.

That various medical conditions are affected and often exacerbated by specific phases of the menstrual cycle is a well-recognized phenomenon in medical literature, but this fact has not yet made the transition into clinical practice. When was the last time a doctor asked you if your asthma or irritable bowel symptoms cycled with your menstrual cycle? Did your doctor consider running a complete evaluation to see if an imbalance of your hormones had anything to do with your recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes, or migraine headaches?

You are a soul having a human experience in a female body that ovulates, responds sensitively to hormonal fluxes as well as to the moon, and is a mystery to us all, even doctors. No matter how much anyone seems to have all the answers, you and you alone are responsible for your health. There is such an explosion of information today that no one doctor can know everything that is available or keep up-to-date on the latest studies. That does not make any doctor wrong, bad, or arrogant, nor does it fossilize you into permanent victimhood. It is just the fact. Life is fast and furious, and so is information. Get smart and stretch your mind, lifestyle, nutrition, and options. Let me help you help yourself and your doctors so you can enjoy yourself as fully as possible on this magical mystery tour called life.

Read This First

The information in this book is to be used in conjunction with a physician who monitors your treatment and progress. All your health concerns should be medically supervised. Always tell your doctor everything you are taking, including all nutrients and herbs, especially if you are or will be taking any medication, are planning surgery, or are presently pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. In dealing with health issues, risk can never be completely ruled out, nor can any guarantees be made.

Dosages in this book are given for adults, and alterations should be made for adults with certain conditions. Most RDAs (recommended dietary allowances) tend to be too low to produce a therapeutic effect. However, never take supplement dosages higher than the RDAs without professional supervision. Certain individuals may experience allergic or other adverse reactions from using a natural dietary supplement or from some substance mixed with it. Call your doctor immediately if any reaction occurs. Do not put off proper medical supervision because you think you can self-medicate based on what you read here; instead, share the information in this book with your doctor or health-care practitioner.

It makes sense to try natural means to heal many problems before using drugs, unless the situation is serious or an emergency. Drugs are not without side effects, some of which require hospitalization. Adverse reactions to drugs account for 3.1-6.2 percent of hospitalizations per year in America, and 0.13-0.21 percent of deaths. These are only the reactions that are tracked; many reactions don't lead to hospital admission and are therefore not counted. Women, as well as the elderly, more than men, are at risk for hospital admissions due to drug reactions.

How to Use This Book

This book is an A-to-Z guide to health conditions that occur more frequently in women than men, that affect women differently, or that are related to women's hormones. It focuses on simple explanations of what the conditions are, how being female affects both symptoms and treatment, and goes on to give nutritional and other suggestions for improving health.

Many conditions that are not classically thought to be linked to female hormones and menstruation may in fact be closely coupled with our ovaries and their influence. An alarming number of doctors don't realize the extent to which our hormones orchestrate our disease processes, so it is up to you to connect the dots and start explaining this link to your doctors.

Read Part One first. It sets the scene for your basic information and orients you in using this book. Then go on to Part Two, which provides easy access and information for each condition -- the dos and don'ts for diet and nutrients along with pertinent ideas to discuss with your doctor. When there is a long list of causes or symptoms, don't be overwhelmed. Read the list and figure out which apply to you.

When there is a long list of nutrients, it is sometimes hard to decide which ones are the most important for you. Discuss this with your doctor and refer to the charts on pages 35-39 to find which nutrients might be best to take for your body. Blood tests are a notoriously unreliable way to recognize nutrient deficiencies until very late in the game.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

1. Read Part One first.

2. Look up your specific health condition in Part Two.

3. Before you take any nutrients, see "How to Take Nutrients" on page 37 and review with your doctor the interactions of nutrients with food, herbs, drugs, and each other in appendices I-L. You don't want to take an inappropriate nutrient. This section is a must!

4. Read whichever hormonal links pertain to you. For example, if your problem is related to excess estrogen, readEstrogen Dominanceand the section on estrogen underHormones.

5. Check the nutrient charts (pages 35-39) to get an idea of what deficiencies you may have. This will help you decide which nutrients listed under your condition are the best for you to use. Don't use all the nutrients listed.

6. Read the section on digestive enzymes (appendix F) to evaluate whether or not you need them. Taking nutrients and herbs without digesting them is useless.

7. Go to Stress-Reduction Techniques (page 52) for mind-body tools.

8. Check other sections that may be related to your health, such asWine and Alcoholic Beverages, Caffeine in Coffee and Tea, Fats and Essential Fatty Acids,orImmune Enhancement.

9. Share with your doctor the information about hormone testing and lab resources in appendix A.

10. If you don't understand a word, look it up in the Glossary.

Remember, the information in this book is to be used in conjunction with medical supervision and any necessary tests and conventional therapies.

Copyright © 2002 by Dr. D. Lindsey Berkson

fromHow to Put Your Health Together

You Are Worth It

Many women fall into the trap of doing for everyone else -- their kids, parents, mates, and friends. They think they are not being good women, good people, if they put their own needs first. Ironically, you can only share with someone else what you already have. If you don't have a mango in your bag, you can't give it away. If you don't have your own health, how can you help keep others healthy?

If you give, give, and give away your love, time, and energy to everyone else without adequately giving to yourself, you can become depleted, angry, fatigued, and stressed. Take time for yourself. Eat well, spend some money or time on good exercise, food, and fun. When you have a full reservoir, you can freely give to others. If you are frazzled and constantly tired, not taking care of or loving yourself, those around you will treat you the way you treat yourself -- with no respect. But when others see you living sensibly, having boundaries, and generally taking good care of yourself, they will respect you and feel better about themselves as well. A vital aspect of health is being aware of the choices you make about managing your body, mind, emotions, and spirit.

As it turns out, martyrdom really only works for martyrs.

Think it costs too much to take care of yourself? Not all lifestyle and alternative medicine choices are expensive. Start by improving the quality of most of your meals, taking the time to walk, to sit and contemplate your navel, to breathe deeply and look around at what is happening. You can be the master of your domain rather than a stressed-out victim hanging on by her fingertips. Try simple solutions first; if they don't bring the energy and health you want and deserve, then go on to more sophisticated and costly answers. You're worth it.

Copyright © 2002 by Dr. D. Lindsey Berkson

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Excerpted from Natural Answers for Women's Health Questions: A Comprehensive A-Z Guide to Drug-Free Mind-Body Remedies by D. Lindsey Berkson
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.