FitSugar

Does Thy Know About Her Thyroid?

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 05:30:00 PDT

Recently a few of the girls over here at Sugar HQ and I were talking about our thyroids and how we've all had to have them checked out at some point or another. Luckily none of us were found to have anything serious but there are a few things we should all be aware of so we know when to take potential risks to a doctor - after all Oprah's wake up call came from her thyroid. Take this little quiz to see how much you know.

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Oprah's Health Wake Up Call Came from Her Thyroid

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:30:00 PDT

Did you know that millions of women suffer from thyroid conditions? In the most recent issue of O Magazine, Oprah shares the tale of her wild health ride with thyroid issues.

She was plagued first by hyperthyroidism, which sped up her metabolism and prevented sleep. Oprah eventually "blew out" her thyroid and experienced classic symptoms of hypothyroidism: Her metabolism slowed and she felt sluggish and tired.

After discovering the cause of her health problems, Oprah decided this was a wake up call. She was determined, not only to get back in balance, but to highlight this particular women's health issue. According to The Wisdom of Menopause author Dr. Christiane Northrup, 25 percent of perimenopausal and menopausal women experience some kind of issue with their thyroid at some time, and most women don't know the cause of their deteriorating health.

I, for one, hope that with Oprah highlighting this issue that it receives more attention, both in research and educational outreach. You know Oprah knows how to stir things up! You can read much of the article, which explores the "break down to break through" moments of personal health, online at Oprah.com – hopefully it will help you learn to listen to your body.

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DrSugar Answers: What's Causing My Night Sweats?

DrSugar — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:54:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's discussing possible causes for night sweats.

Dear DrSugar,
I have been having night sweats and waking up soaking wet about two nights a week. I am only 32, so it better not be menopause! This all started about two months, and interestingly enough I started training for a marathon four months ago. I have been steadily increasing my weekly mileage and have lost some weight and gained some muscle. My period has been a bit lighter too. I still get it, but it is shorter by two days or so. Any idea of what is going on?
- Sweaty Sleeper

First of all, congratulations on training for your first marathon; what an accomplishment that will be! To answer your question, there could be a lot of things going on, and I don’t think I can single in on even a couple of diagnoses, as there are so many things that can cause lighter periods/irregular periods as well as night sweats. Since you mentioned menopause specifically, I will discuss premature menopause today, as well as the common causes of irregular periods and night sweats. I suggest you be seen by your primary care provider for further workup, as there are many diagnoses that would need to be entertained for your constellation of symptoms. To learn more, keep reading.

What's a Castor Oil Pack and Why Is It Good For You?

Heather Dale — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:55:14 PDT

Ever since my naturopath introduced me to the wonderful world of castor oil packs, I've been hooked. Castor oil's healing properties go way back to ancient Egypt, where it was regularly taken orally as a laxative (which is now known to be toxic). Today, Chinese medicine, ayurvedic medicine, and naturopathy recommend castor oil packs because of their ability to promote healing and to reduce inflammation. They also improve elimination and circulation, especially of the lymphatic system. Other ailments castor oil packs are said to aid with include hepatitis C, hyperthyroidism, pelvic pain, tendinitis, kidney stones, fibroids, ovarian cysts, swollen joints, irritable bowel syndrome, and digestive disorders.

Castor oil packs are made with several layers of flannel and cold-pressed castor oil (both of which can be purchased online or from a local health food store). When placed on the affected area, the pack acts as a poultice to draw out infection and dissolve scars, cysts, and tumors.

Keep reading to learn how you can make your own pack.

DrSugar Answers: Heart Murmur?

DrSugar — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:28 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear DrSugar,
A few years ago, I started going to a new primary care physician, who I really like. But I was surprised when she listened to my heartbeat and told me I had a heart murmur. She said it was nothing to worry about, just something you "have," and that it probably wouldn't ever lead to any complications. I've never had a doctor tell me I had a heart murmur before, but she was so casual about it, it made me think it's very common. What exactly is a heart murmur, and is it something to be worried about?
- Telltale Heart

This is a fantastic question, considering the heart is one of the most important organs in the body and its main function is to supply all the other organs in the body (and even itself!) with oxygen-rich blood. Learn more about the heart and this issue when you keep reading.

DrSugar Answers: Running and High Heart Rate

DrSugar — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:00:12 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's answering a runner's question about her heart rate.

Dear DrSugar,
I am worried that my heart rate is too high when I am running. I am fairly fit and work out three to five times a week. My resting heart rate is around 70, but when I start running it shoots up to 168 and I am not even moving fast. I am running an 11 plus minute mile to warm up. It stays up pretty high during my entire run and sometimes gets over 170 when I push my pace a bit. I am 35 so I know my max heart rate is only 185, so my heart rate seems kind of high to me since I am not even sprinting or anything. Is this normal? Is there something wrong with my heart? Should I make an appointment with my doctor?
- Hearty Gal

Thank you for having the insight to ask this very important question. I’m certain you are not the only FitSugar reader who has faced this issue. To see my answer, just

read more. Before I begin, I encourage you and all FitSugar readers to always consult your primary care physician if you are concerned about your health. Whether you have actual signs and symptoms of a problem, or just a gut feeling, a complete history and physical examination by a physician is of utmost importance to rule out a medical condition. Getting back to the question at hand, there are three factors that should be discussed when it comes to heart rate and exercise. These factors are: basal (or resting) heart rate, maximum predicted heart rate, and target heart rate. There are many different equations that can be used to calculate one’s maximum predicted heart rate. An equation that is generally used for healthy young adults is the formula 220 minus age. Just as you had stated in your question, at age 35, your maximum predicted heart rate is 220 minus 35, which equals 185 beats per minute. It is not recommended to exercise above 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. You gain the most benefits and lessen cardiovascular risks when you exercise in your target heart rate zone. According to the American Heart Association, your target heart rate zone is when your exercise heart rate is 50-85 percent of your maximum heart rate. It is possible for your heart rate to get above 90 percent of the maximum heart rate during vigorous exercise, but usually this is during interval training with rest/recovery periods that allow your heart rate to return to the acceptable 50-85 percent level. Monitoring heart rate during exercise is a great way to determine your exercise intensity and can be done manually or by investing in a heart rate monitor. It is also very important to measure your basal (or resting) heart rate. According to the Mayo Clinic, the normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult is 60-100 beats per minute. For a well-trained athlete, a normal resting heart rate may be as low as 40-60 beats per minute. Tachycardia (the medical term for a fast heart rate) is generally defined as a resting heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. Some people with tachycardia have no symptoms at all, but some may experience dizziness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, palpitations (a physical feeling of skipping heart beats), chest pains, or fainting. A number of conditions can cause a rapid heart rate and tachycardia symptoms, including hyperthyroidism, congenital disease of the heart, high blood pressure, heavy alcohol or caffeine use, or imbalance of electrolytes in the blood. There is a very big possibility that you are just fine and your heart and health are completely normal, but because you are concerned, I would recommend seeking consultation with a physician to rule out a medical condition. A simple blood test can determine if you have hyperthyroidism and your physician may choose other tests to perform based on your history and physical exam. Take care of yourself, know your limitations, and see a medical professional for an evaluation. Even if everything turns out to be normal, the peace of mind will help you keep your stride! Have a question for DrSugar? You can send to me via private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

DrSugar Answers: High Heart Rate After Running?

DrSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:30:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear Doc,
I work out regularly, usually running, and I recently decided to monitor my heart rate. I am 22 years old and after a run my heart rate is in the 190s and sometimes over 200. I don't feel that I am overworking myself but that just seems too high. I was just wondering if this is normal or if there could be something wrong. I have a family history of hyperthyroid and wonder if this could be indicative of that.
Thanks,
Hearty Gal

Thanks for the question and I am sure you are not alone in this. To see what I have to say on the matter,

read more. When something seems wrong with your body, it’s always a good idea to discuss that problem or concern with your doctor. When talking about heart rate and exercise, there are three important factors: resting heart rate, maximum heart rate, and target heart rate. Estimating your max heart rate is an inexact science but can be estimated, in young people, with a simple formula: 220 minus your age (check out the target heart rate calculator in the FitSugar Health Guide). Your max heart rate would be 220 minus 22, which equals 198 beats per minute. Remember that this is max heart and you should be working between 60 and 90 percent of your maximum heart rate. Occasionally when sprinting and doing interval training, your heart rate will go above 90 percent max, but you always follow this intensity with a recovery period. I am curious how you are monitoring your heart rate. Taking it manually mid- or post-run is generally inaccurate as are the hand sensor heart rate monitors on most cardio machines. I suggest investing in a personal heart rate monitor, if you haven't already. For more information on exercise and heart rate FitSugar has some information that may help you: Figuring Target Heart Rate, Heart Rate Recovery, and What Is a Good Resting Heart Rate. Measuring your resting heart rate is also an important part of this discussion. A normal resting heart rate for a highly athletic person is usually between 50 and 75 beats per minute. A resting heart rate greater than 100 usually indicates the diagnosis of tachycardia (fast heart rate) and could require further tests. Another important question is do you have any other symptoms? Hyperthyroidism can cause a feeling of skipped heartbeats called palpitations, which can be uncomfortable or unnerving. It can also cause atrial fibrillation, which is associated with a fast and irregular heart rate. If you are at all worried you could have a problem, I recommend talking to your primary doctor about your symptoms. If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor. DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.