HORMONE IMBALANCE
Learn How To Identify And Correct A Hormonal Imbalance
 | | Do you feel more tired than usual around your period? Are you having difficulty sleeping on a regular basis? These small health problems could be more than from stress in your day or a few extra pounds around your waistline. Some health experts believe that fatigue, exhaustion and general malaise are signs of a hormonal imbalance, but only some people realize that they are facing this type of health problem. Here are some important things to know about hormone imbalances. | |
Symptoms of a Hormone Imbalance
Some of the key indicators and signs/symptoms that your hormones are out of balance include:
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Unexplained weight gain
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Fatigue
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Irritability
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Cyclical headaches
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Severe PMS
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Night sweats
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Insomnia
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Painful breasts
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Excessive anxiety
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Bladder infections
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Memory problems
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Lethargic depression
Some of the more extreme signs of a hormone imbalance include migraine headaches, heavy menstrual periods, gallbladder problems, mood swings, and puffiness and bloating. In many cases, women think they are just experiencing ‘severe PMS’, but blood test results often reveal a hormonal imbalance.
Depending on the types of symptoms experienced, women may have a progesterone deficiency, an estrogen deficiency, excess estrogen, excess androgens, or a cortisol deficiency. Men may be susceptible to a testosterone deficiency or excess estrogen.
Some people fit one or more categories, and a doctor will be able to address the problem with a combination of dietary changes and hormone therapy. A combination of blood tests, saliva tests and answering a questionnaire about your symptoms will reveal exactly what type of hormonal imbalance exists.
How To Correct a Hormone Imbalance
Gary Null, a pioneer in conquering the aging process, says that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy combined with changes in the diet can have a very positive effect on health and well-being, and can help to restore hormonal imbalances. Gary Null recommends the following ‘prescription’ when trying to correct a hormone imbalance:
1. Limit or eliminate intake of refined carbohydrates, excess caffeine and hydrogenated fats.
2. Take supplements every day: a good multi-vitamin, vitamin C supplement, DHEA
supplements, magnesium and B-complex vitamin may be necessary.
3. Increasing intake of high quality proteins.
4. Eating more green foods such as green, leafy vegetables, and/or supplementing the diet with fresh green smoothies and other natural foods.
5. Avoiding genetically engineered foods and foods that contain a high concentration of food dyes and preservatives.
It’s also important to get enough sleep every night so your adrenal glands have a chance to repair themselves. You can reduce stress naturally by taking part in a yoga or meditation session every day, and getting rid of situational stressors whenever possible.
Make sure you check with your doctor before taking any supplements (even if they’re natural) and to undergo a comprehensive physical examination with blood tests to determine if you have a hormonal imbalance. Many of the signs of hormone imbalances go untreated because people think they are just tired from their busy lifestyle or they are too stressed out. However, hormone imbalances may be triggering the stress response and make it difficult for your body to repair and heal itself properly.
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Sabah Karimi writes about health, fitness and lifestyle for DivaVillage.
