Herald— Lantern— Dispatch 8 May '85 17

Rx Health Watch by Dr Robert C Beit man

There is no doubt that Premenstrual Syndrome is a real physical problem based- in the woman's biological cycle. It is not in one's head. This is not to say that everyone who

blames her behavior on PMS is doing so appropriately. Studies have shown that 80 percent of women whd believe they have PMS, in reality do not. Painful periods are often confused with PMS. These are actually "dysmenorrhea,"' which is a separate condition to be discussed at another time. XT IS convenient to class • the symptoms into four groupings. The first includes anxiety, irritability and mood swings. Another grouping has depression, insomnia and confusion. The physical signs group includes breast engorgement and tenderness, edema (swelling) of parts of the body, bloating of the abdomen, and headaches.

Also well-known is increas ed appetite and craving foi sweets and other foods Any one person can havt overlapping symptoms. A common over-the counter treatment for this has become taking vitamii B6 or B complex. This doe appear to help somt women. If you do try it stay within 50 - 800 mg pei day (including adding up your vitamin B from youi diet). You can overdose or this vitamin and causi other serious medica problems. LOW SUGAR, low salt higher protein diets havi also been associated wit) feeling better. Smallei meals can help those whc become bloated with watei weight to feel more comfor table. Alcohol and caffeine increase appetite, mood . swings, depression and confusion, so they are best avoided. In severe cases your family doctor or gynecologist may offer hormone therapy. Research has not shown that pharmacological approaches to PMS work. A small percentage of people respond to drug ! therapies, but we must keep in mind that 50 percent respond to placebos. One of my colleagues has patients keep a diary of their symptoms and their intensity. IF DIET AND exercise do not help improve their situation, he offers hormone therapy. They must continue their diaries so that it can be determined if the symptoms do in fact improve. Diuretics (water pills) also help some people in reducing bloating. We have to keep in mind that these are also used in high blood pressure and cardiac situations, so moderation is important if ♦we are not to affect other body systems. Cramping is not part of PMS for the obvious reason that it occurs during the menstrual period. In fact, PMS means just that, PRE menstrual syndrome. If the symptoms seem to be constantly wiiff-you then you I are not dealing with PMS. YOU MAY HAVE an emotional problem that deserves treatment or an undetected important illness. Be sure to report such symptoms to your doctor and emphasize that they continue during and I after your period. ' Next week: The latest word on salt. 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. Address your letters to: Dr. Beitman, IIS N. Main St.. Cape May Court House 08210. Cape Coalition Meeting Set COURT HOUSE - The Jersey Cape Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament will meet 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, in the public room of the County Library hefe. Anyone interested in learning about the nuclear arms race or national and local efforts toward chsarmJ , ament are invited to attend. II ? *

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