Herald/Lantern/Dispatch 17 April '85 35

Rx

Premenstrual Syndrome is the topic of this new series of articles in response to numerous requests from readers. The concept of PMS was first recognized by the medical community only in 1931.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO DEALERS 3 GREAT CARS UNDER 1 BURKE ROOF OLDSMOBILE • CHEVROLET CADILLAC SALES-SERVICE-PARTS 522-1475 CLEANERS & LAUNDERERS Model CLEANERS & LAUNDERERS EXPERT TAILORING and SUEDE & LEATHER CARE

Health Watch by Dr Robert C. Beitman

This late recognition was I probably due to the cultural taboos against discussing such a "personal" subject and the fact that the age of onset of menstruation is so much earlier now, and women on the whole spend less time pregnant and nursing. It is now well accepted that PMS is a real physical ailment. However, many women who seek medical assistance believing they are suffering from PMS, in fact to not have it. Studies show that up to 80 percent of women who believe they have PMS can be objective ly shown that their symp toms do not meet the criteria for PMS. THIS KEY criterion is that the symptoms must cease for at least one week during the menstrual cycle. Further, the symptoms of PMS must take place anywhere from 1 to 14 days before the menstrual cycle. Some 150 symptoms have been attributed to PMS. You may experience one or several. It has been estimated that 30 percent of women will have severe PMS at some point in their lives. PMS should not be con-

fused with dysmenorrhea, which is the technical term for painful menstrual periods. Dysmenorrhea has well defined biological explanations and symptoms. The biological cause of PMS is unknown. YES. YOU READ about many theories, but none are proven as of yet. We know it is a real physical problem because so many women describe the same sets of symptoms. As we will discuss in our next article, some of the symptoms of PMS cafe mimic life-threatening disorders such as brain cancer, uterine cancer, gallbladder disease and many digestive illnesses. Those with severe PMS should seek screening to ensure that other causes of the symptoms can be ruled out. NEXT WEEK: PMS, the Symptoms Up Close. Health Watch is a public education project of the Cape May County Unit of the American Cancer Society, of which Dr. Beitman is president elect. Letters to Dr. Beitman should be addressed care of 116 N. Main St.. Cape May Court House. N.J. 08210.

For Lowest Bus Charter Prices & Best Service Call 884-4343 Why Ride In A Van Called A Limo, and Make Many Stops, When You Can Go By Express Bus? casino bus ™ Express Daily Bus Service To The Casinos All Packages Include: 'Deluxe Daily Express Round Trip Bus Service To The Casinos $11.95 Per person Per Package $31.95 VALUE $26.95 VALUE $12 Coins $3 Food $10 Coin $5 Deferred $5 Deferred Busing Busing Sun. Thru Fri. Alter 4 p.m. All Day Sat. ALL CASINO PACKAGES SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR CANCELLATION WITHOUT NOTICE ALL APPLY TO INDIVIDUALS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER Tickets For All Casino Packages Available At Any of These Locations: GOLDEN EAGLE BILL BERGEY'S KEENE'S KITCHEN We have moved our pick-up stop from the Lodge. We are now leaving from Zaberer's at Spruce & Delaware Avenues (Across from Bill Bergey's Aglesea Liquor Store, our ticket outlet)\ Subject to Change or Cancellation

We're going out of our way so you won't have to. hospital care, or a specialist, the road to recovery miles from home Burdette Tomlin Because the hospital's administration and medical staff spent years planning, improving, expanding and up-dating the hospital's facilities and capabilities They've gone out of their way so you have to That forethought and determination have resulted in state-of-the art medicine close to home A staff of 143 respected physicians, surgeons and specialists A maternity wing that backs up its birthing rooms with advanced technology A round the clock emergency room supported by mobile intensive care units Nuclear medicine A CAT Scan Advanced chem istry Community health services And needs of an ever-increasing number But Burdette Tomlin isn't finished yet. No continues Burdette Tomlin will continue to go out of its way to provide up-to-date health care so you won't have to go out of your way to get Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital Cape May court House. N.j. Now there's no need to go anywhere else .