natural health care to prevent medication complications

Posted on: 12 August 2016

With all of the symptoms the change of life brings to premenopausal women, extreme fatigue can be one of the most debilitating. Your sleep may be interrupted from hot flashes. Or, you may be getting solid sleep at night but then are suddenly exhausted in the middle of the day. You may also be tired all day long but inexplicably feel wide awake once bedtime comes. Here are four things to consider when trying to address this common issue.

Get A Physical

According to the North American Menopause Society, the average age of menopause is 51, but it can range anywhere from 45 to your mid-fifties. Menopause is defined as the culmination of 12 consecutive months without a period. As menopause does not occur overnight, there are many changes leading up to the event.

This premenopausal stage is the perfect time to have a baseline physical. Have your thyroid checked. Ask to have your hormone levels checked. If you have endometriosis, you may be suffering from low iron levels and anemia, so have that checked as well.

Do A Reality Check 

There could also be other non-menopause related reasons for your exhaustion, such as sleep apnea or stress. Assess lifestyle habits, such as overeating or lack of exercise, and consider if they might need to be adjusted. This period of mid-life can be a time of great transformation, with children leaving home, changing marital roles, decreasing sex drive, and the simple realization that one is getting older and moving into a new stage of life. It doesn't have to be met with anxiety and depression, but it does require a thorough analysis of where you are and a plan for where you're going.

Eat Properly

If you haven't always had the best diet, now is the time to get serious. A diet rich in healthy foods is essential to your well-being. Menopausal women need extra calcium to prevent osteoporosis, so make sure you are getting 2-4 servings of high calcium foods every day. This can be in the form of dairy, like milk and cheese; vegetables, such as broccoli and beans; or from canned fish that has edible bones, like sardines. Foods high in iron should also make a daily appearance. Lean beef, liver, fish, chicken, eggs, nuts, and leafy greens are all rich in iron. Fruits and vegetables as well as grains sould round out your diet. Sugar and excess carborhydrates should be avoided as they can cause blood sugar fluctuations that can worsen fatigue. You'll also want to be sure to stay hydrated. 

Buy Natural Energy Supplements

Your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy, but this comes with its own risks, so you may want to discuss with him the natural route first. Visit your local nutrition center or health food store. There are many natural supplements, such as ginseng and ginko biloba, that the consultant can recommend for you. Many companies also offer proprietary blends specifically for menopause. Be sure to discuss all medications, including natural supplements, with your doctor to ensure none of your current prescribed medications are contraindicated for use with natural remedies.  For more information, contact companies like Rise-N-Shine.