You At Your Best

SATURDAY, SepTembeR 30, 2017 | OcTObeR - WOmen'S HeAlTH nWADg.cOm/YOUATYOURbeST | YOU AT YOUR beST | 21 Symptoms of postpartum depression Three heart health tips for women metro Creative serviCes Heart disease may be something most commonly associated with men, but it can be deadly for women as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is to blame for one in every four female deaths in the United States. Americans' female neighbors to the north also are not immune from heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for Canadian women. Recognizing the threat that heart disease poses is a great first step for women who want to avoid becoming one of the hundreds of thousands of women who lose their lives to heart disease each year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers the following advice to women looking to prioritize their heart health. 1. Consume a heart-friendly diet Thanks to food labels, it's easier than ever for women to consume heart-healthy diets. When examining labels, look for foods that are low in sodium and sugar. When planning meals, avoid foods that are high in trans fats. In 2015, the FDA ruled that trans fats were not recognized as safe for use in human foods and gave manufacturers three years to remove them from their products. At press time, no such ban exists in Canada, though information regarding trans fats must be included on Canadian food labels. The Cleveland Clinic advises consumers to check labels for "partially hydrogenated oils," which are a hidden source of trans fats. In addition, the Cleveland Clinic notes that foods such as cakes, pies, cookies, biscuits, microwavable breakfast sandwiches, and many types of crackers contain trans fats. 2. Take existing conditions seriously Certain conditions can increase a woman's risk for heart disease. While women may not be able to turn back the clocks and prevent these conditions from developing, they can take them for the serious threat they are and do their best to manage them. High blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol can increase a woman's risk for heart disease. Take medications as directed, monitor blood sugar levels if you have diabetes and routinely have your blood pressure and cholesterol tested to ensure any preexisting conditions are not increasing your risk for heart disease. 3. Discuss aspirin intake The FDA notes that many physicians prescribe aspirin to lower patients' risk of heart disease, clot-related strokes and other problems related to cardiovascular disease. However, there are risks associated with long-term aspirin use, and such risks should be discussed with a physician. According to the FDA, bleeding in the stomach, bleeding in the brain, kidney failure, and certain types of stroke are some of the potential side effects of long-term aspirin use. Such side effects may never appear, but the risk that they might makes discussing the pros and cons of aspirin well worth it. Women can learn more about heart disease by visiting www.fda.gov. metro Creative serviCes For many women, the joy of welcoming a new baby into the world is enough to overlook all of the sacrifices and physical changes they must make and go through while pregnant. While that joy is unrivaled, women dealing with postpartum depression may find their initial weeks or months of motherhood are not how they imagined they would be prior to giving birth. Women suffering from postpartum depression, a mood disorder that affects women after childbirth, often deal with extreme feelings of sadness that interfere with their ability to care for themselves, their families and their new babies. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there is no single cause of postpartum depression, which is likely the result of a combination of factors, some of which are physical and others that are emotional. The NIMH points out that postpartum depression does not result from something a mother does or does not do, but may be traced to hormonal changes in a woman's body that occur after giving birth. After childbirth, a woman's estrogen and progesterone levels quickly drop, potentially triggering mood swings. When coupled with the inability to get adequate rest that many women experience after childbirth, these hormonal changes can contribute to symptoms of postpartum depression. Recognizing postpartum depression is not always so simple. For example, many women experience feelings of exhaustion after giving birth, but that does not mean they are suffering from postpartum depression. The following are some of the more common symptoms of postpartum depression, courtesy of the NIMH. • Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, or overwhelmed • Crying more often than usual or for no apparent reason • Worrying or feeling overly anxious • Feeling moody, irritable or restless • Oversleeping or being unable to sleep even when her baby is asleep • Having trouble concentrating, remembering details and making decisions • Experiencing anger or rage • Losing interest in activities that are usually enjoyable • Suffering from physical aches and pains, including frequent headaches, stomach problems and muscle pain • Eating too little or too much • Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family • Having trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with her baby • Persistently doubting her ability to care for her baby • Thinking about harming herself or her baby While those are common symptoms of postpartum depression, women and their families should recognize that not all womens' experiences with postpartum depression will be similar. Only healthcare providers can diagnose postpartum depression, and women or their loved ones who suspect the disorder might be affecting them or their loved one should consult a physician right away. More information is available at www.nimh.gov. Recognizing postpartum depression is not always so simple.

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