Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can affect as many as 5 to 10% of women. this is a condition where small growths called cysts appear on the ovaries. this causes the ovaries to secrete increased levels of hormones called androgens, causing various effects within the body, including infertility. in this article, we will look at what PCOS is, and discuss how to deal with very serious case of PCOS and ovarian cysts.

Symptoms of PCOS include acne, facial hair growth, hair thinning, increase in body hair, increase in body weight, periods that are irregular, depression, and infertility. It is thought that the majority of these symptoms are caused by the increase in androgens.

Androgens are actually male hormones. Women normally make a small amount of androgens, but with PCOS, the amount they produce increases. this increase leads to male-like symptoms, such as growth of facial hair.

There is an increased rate of diabetes in women with PCOS. this is caused by insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome, which can raise your blood pressure and increase the risk for heart disease by lowering your good cholesterol (HDL) and raising your triglyceride blood levels.

Other symptoms include uterine bleeding, fatty liver, sleep apnea, and a higher incidence of ovarian cancer.

While the exact cause of PCOS is not known, it may have a genetic component. There is an increased incidence in PCOS among family members, both through the mothers and fathers side of the family.

If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. An ultrasound may be ordered in order to check to see if you have PCOS. this is a non-invasive, pain free procedure.

The treatment options for PCOS are varied, and range from changes of lifestyle to more aggressive medical and surgical options.

Anyone diagnosed with ovarian cysts, regardless of severity, should immediately make changes in their lifestyle. this includes regular exercise if they are not already doing so, and an increased diet of fruits and vegetables, grains, and beans. look up heart healthy diets on the web for some good guidelines. If you are overweight, losing excess pounds may decrease your symptoms and possibly even bring back ovulation. If you are a smoker, quitting is important. It has been shown that smoking increases circulating androgens in women, thus worsens your symptoms.

There are medications on the market that may help lower your androgen levels. One such drug is spironolactone. this drug blocks androgens from being taken up by cells, so that the effects of the hormone are decreased. It also helps to decrease blood pressure by increasing your urine output. Spironolactone has caused tumors in animals, however. Talk to your doctor to see if this medication would be right for you.

Birth control pills may also be prescribed. these will help regulate your hormone levels. Metformin may be given to help control diabetes. You may also receive fertility drugs if you are attempting to become pregnant.

The surgical option is called laparoscopic ovarian drilling. in this procedure, the doctor uses an endoscope to visualize the ovaries (through a small incision in your belly button) and then uses a cautery to destroy follicle cells that are producing too much androgens. this is not a very commmon procedure however, and is usually only used when medical and lifestyle changes have failed to regain ovulation.

If you suspect that you have PCOS, be sure to talk to a medical professional to get a proper diagnosis and discuss your treatment options.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome can be very unpleasent condition, and it can get even worse if you experience ruptured ovarian cysts. Find out more visiting PCOSandFibroids.com.

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Summary there has been conflicting evidence regarding the link between metabolic syndrome and age-related dementia or memory loss. Metabolic syndrome involves symptoms of obesity, diabetes, high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. it is known that this condition increases the risk of heart disease. However, the link between this condition and dementia is not clearly defined. A study was conducted in France to understand this association better. the results showed that those with metabolic syndrome are at a higher risk of developing dementia but not at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Introduction Dementia is the most severe form of pathological brain aging, defined by developing both memory disorders and deficiency in at least one other cognitive function. it is noted that 18 percent of elderly people over the age of 75 years have dementia. of these, 50 to 60 percent of cases are of Alzheimer’s disease and 40 to 50 percent are of vascular dementia (dementia caused due to reduced blood flow to the brain). Metabolic syndrome is associated with an escalated danger of heart disease. Detection of metabolic syndrome and its early management help to prevent heart disease. However, if it is established that this condition is associated with dementia as well, similar preventive approaches could be devised. this study sought to explore a link between metabolic syndrome and dementia.

Methodology •    The study involved a total of 7,087 people aged over 65 years. the population was followed over four years. •    The participants were subjected to a three-stage test by neuropsychologists and neurologists for the presence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. •    Parameters for metabolic syndrome like blood sugar, blood cholesterol, waist circumference, weight, blood pressure etc. were recorded. •    Several interviews were conducted to record other factors like age, gender, educational qualification etc.

Results •    Results from analysis showed that 15.8 percent of the participants had metabolic syndrome. Further, metabolic syndrome amplified the threat of vascular dementia specifically, whereas it had no effect on Alzheimer’s disease or on general dementia during the four years of observation. •    Of all the parameters of lipid profile or cholesterol, a high triglyceride level was associated with high incidence of vascular dementia. •    Higher waist girth corresponded to lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. •    Of all the factors, presence of diabetes was significantly linked to dementia.

Next steps/shortcomings the authors agree that since all of the “oldest elderly” participants with metabolic syndrome did not survive for assessment of cognitive decline; there may be some differences in actual results from those obtained. also, they agree that “subjects with metabolic syndrome are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease before developing dementia”. Further studies that explore the various reasons for death in people with metabolic syndrome are warranted.

Conclusion an elderly person with high triglyceride levels and/or diabetes is at a higher risk of developing vascular dementia. the results of this study highlight the necessity for prompt detection and management of high triglyceride levels and diabetes in the elderly, to push back the beginning of “clinical dementia.” this study, however, should be interpreted with caution. the authors suggest that “metabolic syndrome as a whole does not seem to have any added value regarding dementia risk in this population.” thus further studies that measure the exact level of association between specific parameters like triglycerides and diabetes with dementia may explain the link with dementia more clearly.

For More Information: Metabolic Syndrome and Risk for Incident Alzheimer’s Disease or Vascular Dementia Publication Journal: Diabetes Care, January 2009 By Christelle Raffaitin, MD; Christophe Tzourio, PhD; University Hospital of Bordeaux, Pessac, France; Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicalé (INSERM), Bordeaux, France and INSERM, Paris, France

*FYI Living Lab Reports Are Summaries of the Original Research.

The Health hazards of metabolic syndrome aka Syndrome “X” aredevastating. Central obesity, hypertension, Type II insulinresistant diabetes and elevated cholesterol are the manifestationswhere only two of these symptoms are diagnostic of this condition.but as I have mentioned in previous articles, many other healthrisks are associated with obesity and hyperinsulinemia such asstroke, cancer, heart disease, digestive problems, breathingproblems including sleep apnea, arthritis, sex hormone problems,kidney disease and thyroid disorder.

Maintaining the condition that can set you up for these diseasesis a little like playing Russian Roulette. The subconscious thoughtthat “It won’t happen to me,” results in some folks wishing thatthey could now do almost anything to rid themselves of the fatethat has befallen them. in the end it is choices we make, acting onwhat we know or suffering the consequences. over and over I havewatched as some of my patients have come in with a recent diagnosisof these diseases or have recently gone through surgery orchemotherapy or are now on medications to treat a condition (oftennot the cause of the condition).

We know that obvious central obesity is one of the bestindicators of risk (an abdominal measurement of 35 inches or morefor females and 40 inches for men, but some men will be at risk at37-39 inches according to the National Heart, Lung and BloodInstitute). but there are those who are of normal weight but areconsidered obese based on their percentage of body fat. This iscalled “normal weight obesity.”

One of the saddest things for me is the patient who now wants tolose weight and reset their overactive pancreas that is causinghyperinsulinemia (too much insulin in the blood which is theunderlying cause of the metabolic syndrome) but they have alreadybeen diagnosed with cancer or have had a recent heart attack andtheir condition now has their complete and undivided attention.unfortunately for people with cancer they sometimes cannot do theIdeal Protein Diet/Treatment for three years after they are inremission unless they have approval from their oncologist. Forthose who have had a heart attack they must wait three months fromthe event.

So why don’t we take action? Is it that we aren’t willing tobelieve it will happen to us or do we need to see the computergenerated body composition results with the hard number telling usthat our percent body fat shows we are at risk? if the latter isthe case we are offering a free bioimpedence body composition toshow what risk factor you may be at. just call our office duringthe month of December to schedule a free bioimpedence bodycomposition. come on Coeur d’ Alene, lets shape up and get healthytogether.

Please call (208) 772-6015 for directions or to attend a freeintroductory class on the Ideal Protein Diet/treatment andphysiology of weight gain and loss.

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