Women, PMS, Serious
October 30, 2008
PMS is not just a combination of varied emotional, physical and psychological symptoms; it can be more serious than this and affects the basic life of the women around the world. It is also called PMT (Pre menstrual tension) and in more severe psychiatric condition it is called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
The disorder has reported over 200 symptoms from which irritability, general feeling of unhappiness and irregular menses are most common. Other major symptoms include regular headaches, acne, mood swings, insomnia, breast swelling, abdominal cramps and abdominal bloating.
The risk factors are highest in women who consume relevantly higher concentration of caffeine, are sensitive by nature and take too much stress. Stress tends to worsen the condition due to increased ovulation. This leads to frequent bleeding in the form of periods. Those women, who have tobacco smoking habit, suffer from essential vitamin and mineral deficiencies or those with a family history of PMS.
Sadly there is no laboratory test to confirm the PMS condition. A physician can diagnose it by keeping track of 2 consecutive menstrual cycles of the women. She may ask her questions about her behavior and her feelings. Though some systems like COPE (calendar of Premenstrual syndrome Experiences), PRISM (Prospective record of the impact and severity of Menstruation) and VAS (Visual analogue scales)
The treatment is started with supportive therapy in which the patient is made to understand how to cope up with stress and impatience as this will only worsen the condition.
The physician directs the patient to perform certain exercises, which are no very exhausting, on regular basis. The patient is asked to cut down intake of high quantities of sugar, salt and caffeine.
A nutritional diet rich in fiber is highly recommended. Supplementation of calcium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, magnesium and manganese has shown great improvement in patients. Evidence of using hormonal intervention to treat PMS has been meek.
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