Marla Ahlgrimm | Period Myths

A woman’s menstrual cycle is often misunderstood, even by women in their 20s, 30s, and beyond. Here, women’s health expert and author Marla Ahlgrimm dispels a few common myths surrounding this monthly occurrence. 

 

Myth: All Women Get PMS 

 

While virtually all women experience some physical or emotional signs that their period is about to begin, not all are considered PMS. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, premenstrual syndrome refers to extreme symptoms, such as headaches, depression, anxiety, and fluid retention. Even among women who do report premenstrual syndrome symptoms, severity of symptoms can vary woman to woman. 

Marla Ahlgrimm | Vaccine For COVID-19 Gains FDA Approval

In December, the United States government approved Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine. This emergency approval makes the vaccine available for healthcare workers and people residing in a senior community, such as assisted-living. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the coronavirus has taken nearly 300,000 lives in the United States, and this vaccine represents just one of many tools we have to reduce transmission. 

 

Q: What is the coronavirus vaccine? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: The coronavirus vaccine is like all other vaccines. It is an inactive version of the virus that is meant to allow the body to gain a better recognition of it so that it can fight it more effectively. Also like other vaccines, the coronavirus vaccine takes time to be effective. Currently, two doses are required, and it can take several weeks for immunity to kick in. 

Marla Ahlgrimm Explains Why Your Underwear Choice Matters

One of the first things we put on each morning after our shower is a pair of underwear. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, however, not all panties are created equally. And, they may not even be necessary all the time. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that underwear is meant to protect the vagina, specifically the vulva, from irritation while wearing clothing. Women who wear tight jeans, for example, can prevent chafing by wearing underwear with a cotton liner. In this capacity, panties are an invaluable asset to a woman’s wardrobe. But, are they always necessary? And what’s the best kind of underwear for a woman’s health? 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Headaches and Hormones Q&A

While men also get headaches, women report them at a far more frequent rate. And, often, hormones are to blame, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Keep reading for a quick Q&A on headaches and hormones. 

 

Q: Why are women more prone to headaches than men? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: It has a lot to do with the way that our hormones fluctuate each month. Women still in their childbearing years see their estrogen and progesterone levels wane and rise throughout their menstrual cycle. This can trigger headaches, fatigue, and other side-effects associated with PMS. 

Q: Are migraines common in menstruating women? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Yes, and hormones are to blame here as well. A sharp drop in estrogen in the days leading up to a woman’s period can trigger migraines. 

Marla Ahlgrimm Explains Peptides

Women’s healthcare expert Marla Ahlgrimm explains that peptides are like tiny proteins. These mini miracles offer many health benefits, including muscle building. They are also potent beauty aids, and may help our anti-aging efforts. 

 

Q: Where are peptides found? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Peptides, which are strings of approximately 2 to 50 amino acids, are naturally found in food. The most common sources include hemp seed, beans, eggs, milk, meat, and wheat. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm on The Menstrual Cycle

Most healthy, childbearing-aged women have a menstrual cycle, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Unfortunately, many don’t understand this important rhythm. Read on for a few questions and answers from the retired pharmacist, author, and women’s healthcare entrepreneur. 

 

Q: What is the menstrual cycle? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: The menstrual cycle is part of a woman’s reproductive balance. It typically is a monthly cycle but can last anywhere between three and five weeks as the body prepares for pregnancy. 

Marla Ahlgrimm | Mammogram Q&A

According to retired women’s healthcare advocate, author, and pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, a mammogram remains a woman’s first and best line of defense against breast cancer. Keep reading for a quick Q&A session about this often misunderstood process.

Q: What is a mammogram?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A mammogram is a test that doctors use to find breast cancer. Although it cannot treat the condition if found, it is the best way for a woman to find out if she has breast cancer. And the sooner the cancer is detected, the more effectively it may be treated.

Marla Ahlgrimm on The Benefits Of Therapeutic Massage

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, men and women alike sit more than ever, both at home and at work. And, this means that we carry lots of stress in our bodies, and don’t work on our muscles nearly enough. But, the retired women’s healthcare expert says that something as simple as a therapeutic massage can help.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that massage can ease out postural stress. This is the physical toll that sitting for eight or more hours each day takes on the body. A regular massage can ease lower back pain or weakness by restoring the body’s natural balance. Further, many studies have shown that massage can actually increase circulation, which can go a long way toward easing muscle pain.

Marla Ahlgrim: Tips For Choosing A Primary Care Doctor

When you’re looking for a new doctor, the choices can be overwhelming. But they do not have to be. Keep reading as self-help author and healthcare professional Marla Ahlgrimm answers a few questions about how to choose a primary care physician for you.

Q: What’s the first step when looking for a new healthcare provider for me or my family?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Ask your friends and family. Talk to your neighbors. Ask your son’s teacher. Referrals are one of the best ways to get an idea of who to consider and also who to avoid. Keep in mind, however, that, because no two people are alike, it’s best to get opinions from several different individuals.

Q: Do all doctors accept all insurance plans?

Marla Ahlgrimm: No, and they do not have to. Most insurance plans run off what’s called a network. This is a stream of physicians that have chosen to offer services to the insurance provider’s clients. Once you decide on a healthcare provider, contact their billing office to determine if they accept your plan.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Women And Emotional Labor

There are obvious differences between men and women, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Some, such as breasts and facial hair, you can see. Others, including a nurturing nature in different hormones, are not as apparent from the outside. All of these differences contribute to gender stereotypes and the current roles we serve, even in an enlightened society.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, one place where a gender disparity remains is in the weight of emotional labor in relationships. She explains that emotional labor is the mental burden that one person takes over another or within a family/friendship. It might be anything from reminding a spouse or partner about doctors appointments to managing all of the household chores and paying all of the bills.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Women And Smoking

50 years ago, men and women had very different risk levels when it came to smoking, says Marla Ahlgrimm. However, today, a man and a woman share the same risk as many women have begun smoking.

Q: Which demographic of women consumes the most tobacco products?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Unfortunately, low income, those with mental health disorders, and women of color tend to be the most active smokers. These are also those at a higher risk of other issues, such as obesity and heart disease. They are also the group least likely to understand the full scope of health effects associated with tobacco, and especially that of cigarettes.

Historical Pandemics and Epidemics | Marla Ahlgrimm

In light of our recent health crisis, it is easy to forget that many of us have actually lived through other pandemics and epidemics. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, some of these have had an even greater death toll than COVID-19. Here, the retired women’s healthcare expert shares insight on a few from recent history.

Asian Flu – 1957

In 1957, the world fell into chaos when more than 1.1 million people grew ill with what became known as the Asian Flu. Like the coronavirus, Marla Ahlgrimm reports that the Asian Flu came from China, and it was an unexpected blend of avian flu strains. 116,000 people died in the United States. The primary difference was that, because it was a combination of known strains, it was easier to develop a vaccine.

AIDS – 1981

With an estimated 35 million deaths since 1981, AIDS continues to be an ongoing pandemic. Caused by the HIV virus, AIDS transferred from primates to humans sometime in the 1920s. Today, there are 40 million people in the world living with AIDS. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, science has made it possible to live a long and healthy life after an AIDS diagnosis, whereas it was formerly a death sentence. Emerging medicine has actually cured two patients of the disease as of 2020.

Marla Ahlgrimm On COVID-19 And Masks

The World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control tend not to agree on whether or not masks should be worn as a matter of routine, says Marla Ahlgrimm. However, there are certain populations that may benefit from both wearing a mask and from others doing the same. But which type of mask is best, and do they really work?

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there are a few different mask options when it comes to coronavirus protection. These are respirator, surgical, and cloth.

A respirator mask is one that is fitted to an individual. They are proven to form a seal and are highly effective at filtering out viruses, dust, bacteria, and other pathogens. Respirators meet NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) standards.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Blood Type And Health

Everybody has it, but few people fully understand it. We're talking about blood. And according to women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm, the type you have plays a significant role in your overall health.

Type O and My Heart!

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that people with blood type O, for unexplainable reasons, have a lower risk of coronary heart disease. It’s theorized that something about type O blood reduces cholesterol and lessens the amount of blood-clotting proteins in the body. Something else people with both O+ and O- blood have in common is they have a lower risk of stomach cancer. Specifically, their risk is considerably lower than people with blood types A, B, and AB.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Tylenol And Its Effect On Hormones

Women take Tylenol every day. We use it for aches, pains, and general discomfort. And, until recently, Tylenol was considered safe for use by pregnant women. According to retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, researchers are beginning to see a link between acetaminophen, the drug name for Tylenol, and negative effects on birth and hormones.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that a recent study involving more than 100,000 females found that those who used Tylenol for extended periods, 28 days or more, while they were pregnant, had a significantly increased risk of their children being born with ADHD or autism.

Marla Ahlgrimm on Mammograms

As the sunshine finally is starting to poke its head out for the summer, so too will many parts of your skin that haven’t seen daylight since September. This is a perfect opportunity to pay attention to your entire body, breasts included. And if you are over 40, it may be time for a mammogram.

Q: What is a mammogram?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A mammogram is a way that doctors take a look inside of your breasts. Think of it as an x-ray machine catered specifically for the fatty tissue of your chest. A mammogram is designed to help doctors identify breast cancer early on so that you can get treatment before it becomes progressive.

Marla Ahlgrimm | A Quick Refresher On Hormones

Marla Ahlgrimm is a retired hormone specialist that spent more than 40 years helping women achieve balanced hormones. Here, she offers a quick refresher on what, exactly, hormones are, and touches on key points as to how they affect the body.

Q: What are hormones?

Marla Ahlgrimm: You’ll hear the description “chemical messengers” more often than once when asking this question. Hormones are essentially chemicals that deliver messages, or instructions, from a specific gland to other parts of the body.

Marla Ahlgrimm’s Favorite Spring Foods (And Why You Should Eat Them!)

Many people across the country have begun planning their gardens, and your local grocery store may have an abundance of green on the shelves. Marla Ahlgrimm says that spring is the perfect time to drop unhealthy food habits. Here are her favorite foods that can help you do it.

Arugula

Arugula, along with other leafy greens, contain a host of helpful vitamins, including K and A. They can help to reduce internal inflammation and detoxify the body. You don’t have to create complex dishes to enjoy the benefits, either. Marla Ahlgrimm says a bowl of arugula sprinkled with nuts with a squirt of citrus juice works well as an excellent side salad.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Wash Your Hands!

As we sit in the grip of a national emergency, Marla Ahlgrimm says it’s important to remember basic hygiene. She explains that washing your hands is the single most important thing you can do when you are trying to stop the spread of anything that might make you sick. Here, she shares information on how and why you should wash your hands frequently.

Washing your hands removes germs.

Many people mistakenly believe that soap kills germs. This is not the case, but Marla Ahlgrimm says that soap and water does something even better: it removes the germs completely. Washing your hands can literally wash away everything from E. coli and norovirus to salmonella and even the now-dreaded Covid-19 novel coronavirus strain. It’s important to know that when you do not wash your hands, the germs on your fingers and palms are transferred to everything you touch, including other people. Marla Ahlgrimm stresses that this is akin to a spark on a dry field and can easily turn into a wildfire of disease.

Marla Ahlgrimm Answers Questions About Healthy Habits

For most of us, our days start out the same, says Marla Ahlgrimm. We wake up, have a cup of coffee, and get ready to start our day. This might include eating a quick breakfast on the way out the door and running to Starbucks for one last shot of motivation before work. But if this is your entire routine, you are doing yourself a disservice. Here, Ahlgrimm answers a few quick questions about healthy habits women should adopt every day.

Q: What is the first thing I should do when I wake up in the morning?

Marla Ahlgrimm: I like to begin my days with a long stretch. This gives me a chance to warm my body up for everything that lies ahead. Before ever getting out of bed, it’s a good idea to reach your arms above your head, and flex your feet and ankles. While you’re doing it, think about how you want the next 12 hours to go. If you start your day with a plan and a positive mindset, you’ll have a better experience than if you roll out of bed mumbling a miserable grumble.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Here Comes The Sun

The Beatles famously sang about the sun’s rising, citing that smiles would return along with it. Marla Ahlgrimm says that John, Paul, George, and Ringo were definitely onto something. According to the retired author and women’s healthcare expert, there is an undeniable link between the sunlight and a good mood.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the day and night cycle tells your brains when to release hormones. Specifically, sunlight triggers the production of serotonin. This is a brain chemical that’s associated with focus, calmness, and lightheartedness. When the sun goes down, the body begins to receive melatonin. Anyone who’s ever taken a supplement to help them settle in at night will recognize this is a potent sleep aid -- it’s also a natural hormone.

Happy Accidents: Marla Ahlgrimm On Drugs No One Was Looking For

Sometimes, the greatest advance are those that we didn't know were possible, says Marla Ahlgrimm. The following are a few pharmaceutical discoveries that have changed the world. They are all related in that they were all found by complete accident.

Penicillin

If you don’t know the name Alexander Fleming, Marla Ahlgrimm says that you should. As the scientist that discovered penicillin, Fleming is directly responsible for saving countless lives throughout the years. The discovery was made in the early 1900s during the Spanish flu pandemic. A bit of dust that made its way into the petri dish, where it then molded. An eagle-eyed Fleming noticed that the area around the mold was blissfully bacteria free. The resulting antibiotic was soon being used across the globe.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Flu Remedy To Be Classified OTC

In 2018/19, the flu season took more than 61,000 lives, says Marla Ahlgrimm. This high number of fatalities was largely concentrated in geriatric and pediatric patients. However, the death toll could have been significantly higher if not for Tamiflu and other antiviral medications designed specifically to target the flu virus. And soon, Tamiflu may become an over-the-counter medication.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, Tamiflu manufacturer Sanofi recently signed an agreement with Roche Pharmaceuticals to release the drug as an over-thhundreds of thousands of individuals expe-counter medication. This measure would potentially provide access to this drug osed to the flu virus each year. People without insurance or those who cannot afford their co-pays would no longer require a trip to the doctor.to

If you are a patient, Marla Ahlgrimm says it is important to remember that this antiviral medication is not a substitute for the flu shot. The flu shot works to build your immunity, whereas the antiviral attacks the virus. It’s also important to remember that you can still get the flu and use the antiviral even if you have had a flu shot. It is more likely that you will have a milder illness after the flu shot, and the antiviral can get you through it a bit quicker.