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    Alliya Samhat

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    5 Signs of Hypothyroidism

    bigstock-129886094The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located in your neck. The function of the thyroid is to secrete hormones to regulate your metabolism, control temperature and promote growth and development. Improper thyroid function can lead to disease and disorder.

    There are two types of thyroid disorders; hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The ladder of the two is most common and means that your thyroid functions below its optimal level.

    Hyperthyroidism means you have too much of the main thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in your blood stream. Hypothyroidism is extremely common in women and can lead to a whole slew of problems, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and migraines.

    Today, we are going to discuss the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, as well as what you should do if you think you may have a thyroid disorder.

    1. Unexplained weight gain
    Have you noticed your pants are fitting a little tighter and you’re carrying a little more weight around your mid-section? If you’ve been good about cutting back on sweets and treats after the holiday it could be an issue with your thyroid. The thyroid releases hormones that regulate your metabolism. And a sluggish metabolism will lead to weight gain.

    2. Fatigue
    Do you feel exhausted despite the fact that you’re getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep each night? Do you feel like you just can’t keep up with the demands of the day? People with hypothyroidism experience debilitating fatigue and lethargy, to the point that they feel like they need to sleep throughout the day. People with hyperthyroidism have the opposite problem. The hours between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. are their best time, they feel most productive and ready to take on the world, which poses an obvious problem for those who work a regular 9 to 5 job.

    3. Increased sensitivity to cold
    Are you the person who’s always cold? The thyroid regulates temperature so if you’re constantly cold, especially in situations where you shouldn’t be, it could be because your thyroid is acting up. One of the best ways to check thyroid function is to take your temperature under your armpit first thing in the morning after waking up before getting out of bed. It works best if you use a mercury thermometer. If your average temperature over a couple week period is less than 97.4 F it is likely you have a low thyroid.

    4. Dry hair, hair loss, or thinning hair
    Do you pull out clumps of hair from the drain after you take a shower? Another common sign of thyroid issues is hair loss or dullness. If you’ve recently started to lose more hair than normal, it could be a sign that your thyroid is not functioning properly. Another sign to look for is in the eyebrows. If the outer sides of the eyebrows (the parts closer to your ears) are thinner than the rest, this is a common sign of low thyroid.

    5. Irregular periods
    It seems like an irregular period can be a sign of a lot of diseases and disorders. However, it is important to keep all things in mind when trying to figure out if you are having problems with your thyroid. Watch for any changes in your period, for example, a significant shortening or lengthening of duration or an increase or decrease in flow.

    So, what can you do about it?
    First, if you suspect you have a problem with your thyroid, schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can do a blood test (make sure they check for free T3, free T4, reverse T3, thyroid antibody’s and TSH). Most doctors only check thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which doesn’t paint the whole picture.

    Second, start checking your basal temperature. Do this first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. If your temperature is below 97.4 F, you may have a thyroid problem.

    Third, increase your iodine. Taking an iodine supplement is always a good idea. The thyroid needs iodine to function, so upping your iodine can cause a great improvement.

    I hope you have found these signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism helpful!

    To learn more about women’s health check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard.

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    What’s Your Wellness Focus?

    bigstock-126045059Well, it’s 2017! Can you believe it?! I can’t. Where did the time go? Every year at this time I sit down, plan my focus, and set my intentions for the year to come. Where do I want to be by the end of the year? What can I do to enhance my life and live in the happiest way possible? For some people that’s losing weight, for some it’s finding love, for some it’s starting your dream career, for me it’s focusing on living with a mind and body in harmony. What does that mean you might ask…it means loving yourself, loving your flaws, and most importantly accepting yourself for who you are. To be comfortable with the space that you’re in with your life and to take each day as a new opportunity. That’s what I’m trying to focus on.

    I have always been passionate about women’s healthcare. It’s so important to me that women take care of their body, as well as their mind. Last year I put together the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. Throughout my life and career I have been fortunate enough to connect with many amazing female thought leaders. These are strong, empowering women and I couldn’t wait to share them with you! The WMBW Summit discussed all of today’s hard hitting health and wellness questions such as; signs and symptoms of heart disease in women, the best types of cardio exercise, how to feel comfortable with your child’s daycare facility, as well as easy ways to improve your nutrition on a daily basis. If you missed out on any of the action you can pick up the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit today! Use promo code “BEWELL” to receive 50% off! It includes 6 interviews from top female health professionals as well as 2 workout videos and 4 bonus videos from myself, MyHealthSpin founder Lori-Ann Rickard! It’s the perfect way to jump start your new year!

    Whatever your goals may be, if you believe in your self you can achieve them. It won’t happen overnight, but if you break things up into stages, your goals will be less overwhelming and easier to stick to!

    Wishing you a safe and healthy 2017!

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    It’s Time to Get Serious About Your Heart Health

    bigstock-153083354It’s time to get serious about women’s heart health. As most of us have heard, actress Carrie Fisher passed away on December 27th after suffering a heart attack while on a plane several days prior. She was only 60 years old.

    The terrible part is heart attacks may be preventable in some cases. Sadly, signs and symptoms of heart attacks in women are often overlooked. Women and even their doctors brush symptoms off as “anxiety,” or “all in their head.” However, the same lack of concern is not shown for men when they present with symptoms characteristic of a heart attack.

    It’s time that we take matters into our own hands. Unfortunately, a lot women do not survive their first heart attack. As women it is extremely important that we are able to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart disease, as well as ways to prevent it.

    It’s especially important at this time of year – winter. Being outside in the cold, and especially shoveling snow puts a huge stress on your heart. Snow is heavy. I recently learned that on a day of heavy to medium snow fall the average driveway can have up to two tons of snow on it! Second of all, shoveling is cardiovascular, which raises your heart rate and blood pressure. Plus, the frigid winter air causes blood vessels to constrict allowing less oxygen to go to the heart. Combine the two and it is a recipe for disaster.

    It’s important to keep all of these things in mind when it comes to your cardiovascular health. Every minute a woman dies from heart disease. Please don’t be another statistic. Get control of your health today! To learn even more on women’s heart health you can check out my interview for the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit with Dr. Joan Crawford. She is an Osteopath who specializes in women’s cardiovascular health. She is an advocate for women and has even worked on the Go Red campaign!