October 22nd, 2012
Women with PCOS and suffering from insulin resistance as a underlying cause of their condition should never forget that the combination of both disorders puts them at greater risk of developing diabetes.
Doctors suggest that woman with PCOS get checked for pre-diabetes by age 30 at the latest, and regularly thereafter. A diagnosis of pre-diabetes is made when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet elevated enough for type 2 diabetes.
Early preventative action, like weight loss via a balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise, often not only reverses the symptoms of pre-diabetes but also improves the management of PCOS at the same time. If neglected, pre-diabetes can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, which is irreversible in most cases and may require daily insulin injections to be managed.
Challenge yourself this next week and you’ll reap the amazing benefits of long-term health. A few ideas would be: drink more water, walk 20 minutes longer than usual, or eat an additional serving of veggies everyday.
October 19th, 2012
If you or someone you know suffers from excess facial hair (hirsutism), there’s a strong chance it’s a sign of PCOS, according to a report.
Estimates of how many females are affected are likely to be under-estimated because some women are reluctant to seek help out of embarrassment.
As many as 15% of women and teenage females have excess facial hair and PCOS is the cause in 70% to 80% of cases, say researchers.
The male hormone testosterone occurs naturally in women in small amounts. But PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance resulting in excess levels of testosterone, often an underlying factor in cases of increased facial and body hair. A balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise, as advocated by the Insulite PCOS System, can help to lower testosterone levels.
Women and female teenagers worried about excess facial hair should consult their doctor to be tested for PCOS, say researchers.
In addition to PCOS, rarer causes of excessive facial hair include certain tumors, as well as thyroid dysfunction and the use of some drugs.
September 28th, 2012
Women who miss out on sleep run a greater risk of heart disease than men who don’t get a good night’s rest, according to research.
Sleeping less than the recommended eight hours a night has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular damage. Those of us with PCOS are already prone to heart problems and plenty of sleep is crucial for a healthy lifestyle.
Researchers have now found that levels of inflammatory markers, which are indicators of heart disease, vary significantly with sleep duration in women but not men.
The study, reported in the journal Sleep, found levels of a molecule called interleukin-6 (IL-6), were much lower in women who reported sleeping eight hours, compared to those who slept for seven hours or less. IL-6 is known to trigger inflammation, which can lead to heart disease.
Doctors advise a balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise as vital for a good night’s sleep. And avoid alcohol and food late at night.
June 12th, 2012
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome has so many symptoms that a lot of women don’t realize their health is being diminished by this disorder. No two women are likely to have exactly the same symptoms or all of them. But linking illness with PCOS is a crucial first step towards tackling this insidious disorder.
Aside from ovarian cysts, PCOS symptoms can include the following:
- auto-immune or inflammation-related disease such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
- as well as irregular periods or no periods at all, painful or unusually heavy or light periods, irregular or absent ovulation,
- hirsutism (hair on face, stomach, thighs, arms, breasts, etc.) alopecia (thinning hair or male pattern baldness)
- high blood pressure (hypertension),
- infertility,
- excess weight and obesity (especially around the stomach), difficulty losing weight,
- the glucose and insulin imbalance called Insulin Resistance and hypoglycemia (lower than normal blood glucose levels).
Women with PCOS can also suffer from:
- severe fatigue,
- depression or SAD (seasonal affective disorder),
- mood swings,
- acne,
- skin tags,
- Acanthosis nigricans (dark skin patches, often found on the nape of the neck, groin or under breasts),
- high LDL “bad” cholesterol levels,
- low HDL “good” cholesterol levels,
- decreased sex drive,
- excess “male” hormones (androgens) such as DHEAS and testosterone,
- decreased breast size,
- enlarged ovaries and uterus and,
- in rare cases, an enlarged clitoris.
Tip: if you recognize yourself as having several or more of these conditions, contact your doctor for a diagnosis and mention you think you may have PCOS.
For much more information about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and how you can better manage or even reverse the symptoms, visit our web site by clicking on:
www.pcos.insulitelabs.com
If you have a pressing PCOS issue, our web site can show you how to contact our Advisory and Coaching Team for a free consultation.
