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Clinical Nurses, Abuja (2025)

25/08/2025

DEMENTIA

Dementia is a general term for a progressive decline in cognitive abilities such as memory, thinking, language, and problem-solving that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is caused by physical changes in the brain that damage nerve cells and their connections. Dementia is not a specific disease itself but rather a group of symptoms that can result from various diseases and injuries.

While it is more common in older people, dementia is not a normal or inevitable part of aging.

Common types of Dementia

1. Alzheimer's disease: This is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of cases. It is caused by abnormal protein buildups in the brain called plaques and tangles that damage and kill brain cells.

2. Vascular dementia: The second most common type, this is caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain that reduces blood flow. It can be triggered by a single major stroke or a series of smaller strokes over time.

3. Dementia with Lewy bodies (LBD): This is caused by abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein, known as Lewy bodies, inside the brain's nerve cells. Symptoms can include fluctuating attention, hallucinations, and movement problems similar to Parkinson's disease.

4. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD): This group of disorders is caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It most often affects personality, behavior, and language skills, and tends to develop at a younger age (45–64) than other dementias.

5. Mixed dementia: This involves a combination of two or more types of dementia occurring simultaneously, most often Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Symptoms of Dementia

The symptoms of dementia vary depending on the area of the brain that is damaged. They can begin subtly and worsen progressively over time.
Common early symptoms include:

- Memory loss that affects daily life, such as forgetting recent events, conversations, or names.
- Difficulty with language, such as struggling to find the right words.
- Problems with problem-solving, planning, and organizing.
- Getting lost in familiar places.
- Changes in mood, behavior, or personality.

As dementia progresses, symptoms may become more severe and include:

- Increased confusion and disorientation.
- Significant personality changes and inappropriate behavior.
- Difficulty with daily tasks like dressing and bathing.
- Trouble with walking, balance, and other movements.
- Forgetting personal history, like one's own address.
- Hallucinations and delusions.

Causes and risk factors

The specific cause of dementia depends on the type, but risk factors include:

Age: The risk of dementia increases significantly with age, particularly after 65.
Genetics: Having a family history of dementia increases risk, though it is not a guarantee of developing the condition.
Cardiovascular health: Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes that damage blood vessels can increase risk.
Lifestyle: Smoking, excessive alcohol use, and a lack of exercise and mental stimulation are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Repeated head injuries, such as from sports or military service, can increase the risk of dementia later in life.

Diagnosis and treatment
To diagnose dementia, a doctor performs a medical history review, a physical exam, lab tests, and cognitive tests to evaluate memory and thinking skills. While most progressive dementias currently have no cure, some treatments can help manage symptoms, including:

Medications: Certain drugs can temporarily improve or stabilize cognitive symptoms.

Non-drug therapies: Mental health counseling, occupational therapy, and sp*ech therapy can help manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.

Supportive care: Providing a safe, structured environment and support for the person with dementia and their caregivers can greatly improve quality of life.

07/06/2025

LAZARUS SYNDROME

Lazarus Syndrome, also known as autoresuscitation after failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is a rare and poorly understood phenomenon in which a person spontaneously returns to life after cardiac arrest and unsuccessful attempts at resuscitation. The syndrome is named after Lazarus of Bethany, who was raised from the dead by Jesus in the Bible.

🔍 Key Features

• Spontaneous return of circulation without further medical intervention.

• Occurs after CPR has been stopped and the patient has been declared clinically dead.

• Documented in both clinical and forensic settings.

• Usually happens within minutes (up to 10–15) after cessation of CPR

🧠 POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS

Although the exact cause is unclear, several theories include:

• Hyperinflation of the lungs during CPR, especially when using mechanical ventilation, which may reduce venous return to the heart. Once ventilation is stopped, pressure decreases and circulation can restart.

• Delayed action of medications such as epinephrine.

• Metabolic or electrolyte imbalances correcting themselves over time.

• Auto-PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure) leading to temporary obstruction of venous return.

🩺 CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

• Raises ethical and legal questions about the timing of death declarations.

• Suggests the need for careful observation after CPR is terminated—some guidelines recommend waiting 5–10 minutes before officially declaring death.

• Highlights the importance of reviewing resuscitation protocols and documentation.

📚 NOTABLE CASES

• There have been over 30 documented cases of Lazarus syndrome in medical literature.

• Some patients have survived with minimal or no neurological damage, while others died shortly after.

CONCLUSION

Lazarus syndrome is a rare and remarkable phenomenon that challenges conventional understanding of death and resuscitation. While not fully understood, it underscores the need for cautious and comprehensive post-resuscitation care.

22/04/2025

CONGESTIVE CARDIAC FAILURE

Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF), also known as Heart Failure, is a clinical condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to meet the metabolic needs of the body. This leads to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body, hence the term "congestive."

TYPES OF of HEART FAILURE

1. Left-sided Heart Failure

• Systolic: Impaired contraction of the heart.

• Diastolic: Impaired relaxation and filling of the heart.

2. Right-sided Heart Failure

• Often caused by left-sided failure or lung diseases.

3. Biventricular Failure

• Both left and right sides of the heart are affected.

CAUSES

• Hypertension
• Coronary artery disease
• Myocardial infarction
• Cardiomyopathy
• Valvular heart diseases
• Arrhythmias

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Fatigue and weakness
• Edema (swelling), especially in legs, ankles
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Orthopnea (difficulty breathing when lying down)
• Jugular venous distension
• Weight gain due to fluid retention

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Chest X-ray
• ECG (Electrocardiogram)
• Echocardiogram
• BNP or NT-proBNP blood test
• Cardiac MRI or CT
• Stress testing

MANAGEMENT

• Medical Treatment:
• ACE inhibitors or ARBs
• Beta-blockers
• Diuretics (e.g., furosemide)
• Aldosterone antagonists
• Digoxin (in selected cases)

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS:

• Low-sodium diet
• Fluid restriction
• Regular exercise
• Smoking cessation
• Weight monitoring

ADVANCED THERAPIES:

• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
• Heart transplant (in severe cases)

Clinical Nurses

03/04/2025

PRIAPISM

Priapism is a prolonged and often painful er****on that lasts for more than four hours and occurs without s*xual stimulation. It is a medical emergency because it can lead to permanent tissue damage if not treated promptly.

There are two main types:

1. Ischemic (low-flow) priapism – The most common type, caused by blood not being able to leave the p***s. It requires urgent treatment.

2. Non-ischemic (high-flow) priapism – Less common and usually less painful, caused by an injury that disrupts blood flow regulation.

CAUSES OF PRIAPISM

Priapism can result from various medical conditions, medications, or trauma. The main causes include:

A. Hematologic Disorders

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) – The most common cause in children and young adults. Sickled red blood cells block venous outflow, leading to prolonged er****ons.

Leukemia – Increased white blood cells can obstruct venous drainage.

Thalassemia – Can cause blood viscosity changes leading to priapism.

B. Neurologic and Spinal Cord Disorders

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) – Disrupt autonomic regulation of er****ons.

Multiple sclerosis – Can cause autonomic dysfunction.

Stroke or brain tumors – May interfere with nerve signals.

C. Medications

Erectile dysfunction drugs – Sildenafil (Vi**ra), Tadalafil (Cialis), Vardenafil (Levitra).

Antidepressants & Antipsychotics – Trazodone, Fluoxetine, Risperidone, Olanzapine.

Blood thinners – Heparin, Warfarin.

Alpha-blockers – Used for hypertension and prostate conditions.

D. Trauma and Injury

Pe**le or perineal trauma – Can lead to non-ischemic priapism by damaging arteries.

Pelvic fractures – May disrupt blood flow.

E. Other Causes

Alcohol and drug abuse – Co***ne, ma*****na, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Metabolic disorders – Diabetes, gout.

Malignancies – Prostate cancer, bladder cancer with metastases to the p***s.

TREATMENT OF PRIAPISM

Management depends on whether it is ischemic (low-flow) or non-ischemic (high-flow) priapism.

A. Ischemic Priapism (Medical Emergency)

Aspiration of Blood – A needle is inserted into the p***s to remove trapped blood.

Intracavernosal Injection of Vasoconstrictors – Phenylephrine (preferred), epinephrine, or etilefrine to constrict blood vessels and allow drainage.

Surgical Shunting – If other treatments fail, a surgical procedure is performed to create an alternative venous drainage route.

Oxygen Therapy & Hydration – Especially for sickle cell-related priapism.

Exchange Transfusion – In sickle cell disease to reduce sickled RBCs.

B. Non-Ischemic Priapism

Observation – Most cases resolve spontaneously.

Cold Compresses & Perineal Pressure – May help reduce blood flow.

Angiographic Embolization – If persistent, an interventional radiologist can block the leaking artery.

Clinical Nurses

05/03/2025

UTERINE FIBROIDS

Uterine Fibroids (also known as leiomyomas or myomas) are non-cancerous growths that develop from the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. They are common among women of reproductive age and can vary in size, number, and location within the uterus.

Types of Uterine Fibroids

1. Intramural Fibroids – Grow within the muscular wall of the uterus.

2. Subserosal Fibroids – Grow on the outer surface of the uterus.

3. Submucosal Fibroids – Grow beneath the inner lining of the uterus and may project into the uterine cavity.

4. Pedunculated Fibroids – Attached to the uterus by a stalk-like structure.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause is unknown, but factors that may contribute include:

• Hormonal Factors: Estrogen and progesterone stimulate their growth.

• Genetic Predisposition: Family history of fibroids increases the risk.

• Age: More common during reproductive years (30s-50s).

• Ethnicity: More prevalent and severe in Black women.

• Lifestyle Factors: Obesity and a diet high in red meat may increase the risk.

Symptoms

Many women may be asymptomatic, but common symptoms include:

- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)

- Pelvic pain or pressure

- Frequent urination due to bladder compression

- Constipation or re**al pressure

- Pain during in*******se (dyspareunia)

- Infertility or pregnancy complications in severe cases

Diagnosis

- Pelvic Examination: Detects enlarged uterus.

- Ultrasound: Confirms size and location.

- MRI: Provides a detailed view for complex cases.

- Hysteroscopy: Views fibroids inside the uterine cavity.

Treatment Options

1. Watchful Waiting: For asymptomatic cases.

2. Medications:

- Hormonal therapies (e.g., GnRH agonists) to shrink fibroids.

- NSAIDs for pain relief.

3. Minimally Invasive Procedures:

-Uterine artery embolization (UAE) to cut blood supply.

-MRI-guided focused ultrasound.

4. Surgical Options:

- Myomectomy: Removes fibroids while preserving the uterus.

- Hysterectomy: Complete removal of the uterus for severe cases.

Clinical Nurses

27/12/2024

HOW TO MAINTAIN WEIGHT LOSS: 5 TIPS

Good for you: You’ve achieved your desired weight. Next up? Keeping it off. Yes, you can! Have a positive attitude. The changes you made can stick.

Use these five tips to help you stay on track:

1. Don’t skip meals. Skipping meals can slow your metabolism down. Skipping meals can also cause overeating later in the day.

2. Weigh yourself daily. A daily weigh-in may seem like overkill, but research shows the method is more effective than getting on the scales less frequently.

3. Keep a health journal. To ensure you’re sticking to your healthy goals, write down everything you eat or drink. Be honest and accurate; otherwise, the journal is not as helpful. The journal will help you see when you’re reaching for higher-calorie foods, so you can make adjustments. You can also record when you exercise (and how long). Notice any trends -- for example, if you’re gaining weight because you’re eating the same but stopped exercising.

4. Stay committed to a healthy diet. Eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. Include choices from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources.

5. Be active. Now’s not the time to cut back on your workouts. You still want to exercise most days of the week. Physical activity is one of the most important aspects of keeping weight off, so make sure you’re building it into your daily routine.

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas to All Nurses, Doctors, and Healthcare Workers!

This festive season, we celebrate your unwavering dedication, compassion, and the incredible care you provide to those in need. Your tireless efforts and selflessness inspire hope and healing every day.

May this Christmas bring you joy, peace, and moments of rest with loved ones. Thank you for being the backbone of our communities and for making the world a healthier and brighter place.

Wishing you a season filled with love, laughter, and all the blessings you so richly deserve.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Advance

Clinical Nurses

21/09/2024

UNDERSTANDING LUPUS -- THE BASICS

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system mistakes the body's own tissues as foreign invaders and attacks them. Some people with lupus suffer only minor inconveniences. Others suffer significant lifelong disability.

Lupus affects people of African, Asian, or Native American descent two to three times as often as it affects whites. Nine out of 10 people with lupus are women. The disease usually strikes between ages 15 and 44, although it can occur in older individuals.

There are two kinds of lupus:

• Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

DLE mainly affects skin that is exposed to sunlight and doesn’t typically affect vital internal organs. Discoid (circular) skin lesions often leave scars after healing of the lesions.

SLE is more serious: It affects the skin and other vital organs, and can cause a raised, scaly, butterfly-shaped rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks that can leave scars if untreated. SLE can also affect other parts of the skin elsewhere on the body.

Aside from the visible effects of systemic lupus, the disease may also inflame and/or damage the connective tissue in the joints, muscles, and skin, along with the membranes surrounding or within the lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain. SLE can also cause kidney disease. Brain involvement is rare, but for some, lupus can cause confusion, depression, seizures, and strokes.

Blood vessels may come under attack with systemic lupus. This can cause sores to develop on the skin, especially the fingers. Some lupus patients get Raynaud's syndrome, which makes the small blood vessels in the skin contract, preventing blood from getting to the hands and feet -- especially in response to cold. Most attacks last only a few minutes, can be painful, and often turn the hands and feet white or a bluish color. Lupus patients with Raynaud’s syndrome should keep their hands warm with gloves during cold weather.

What Causes Lupus?

No single factor is known to cause lupus. Research suggests that a combination of genetic, hormonal, environmental, and immune system factors may be behind it. Environmental factors, ranging from viral and bacterial infections to severe emotional stress or overexposure to sunlight, may play a role in provoking or triggering the disease. Certain drugs, such as the blood pressure drug hydralazine and the heart rhythm drug procainamide, may cause lupus-like symptoms. High estrogen levels resulting from pregnancy may aggravate lupus.

Clinical Nurses

12/08/2024

COMMON CONDITIONS YOU MAY SEE IN PRACTICE

10/08/2024

SLEEP PARALYSIS

Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It happens when you pass between stages of wakefulness and sleep. During these transitions, you may be unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. You might also feel pressure or a sense of choking, or have hallucinations. Sleep paralysis may come with other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is an overpowering need to sleep caused by a problem with the brain's ability to regulate sleep.

IS SLEEP PARALYSIS A SYMPTOM OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM?

Sleep paralysis is not usually something to worry about. But about 10% of people have recurrent sleep paralysis, which can be a symptom of a more serious problem. If you have frequent episodes of sleep paralysis, then you may have a sleep disorder called narcolepsy. There are also serious mental illnesses that can involve sleep paralysis, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and anxiety or panic disorders. These conditions can disrupt sleep patterns, making sleep paralysis more likely to happen.

SYMPTOMS Of SLEEP PARALYSIS

Not all episodes of sleep paralysis are the same. There are a range of symptoms, which usually begin in your teenage years and may get worse in your 20s and 30s. Symptoms may include:
•Feeling unable to move or speak (atonia)
•A hard time breathing
•Hallucinations, or seeing or hearing things that aren't there
•Chest pressure
•A sense of suffocation
•Feeling separate from yourself, or out-of-body
•Feeling in danger

SLEEP PARALYSIS HALLUCINATIONS

Sleep paralysis hallucinations are very common, occurring in about 75% of episodes. They are different from dreams. You might sense a dangerous presence or feel like your body is moving. Some hallucinations can cause a feeling of suffocation and chest pressure.

SLEEP PARALYSIS CAUSES

Just why or how it happens isn't clear. Researchers believe sleep paralysis is caused by a disturbed rapid eye movement (REM) cycle because it mostly happens as people are falling into or coming out of REM sleep. During that stage, your brain normally paralyzes your muscles anyway – so they don't act out your dreams. But during sleep paralysis, your mind is awake, or half awake, and so you are aware you can't move.

Studies show that about 20% of people have had sleep paralysis at least once. Sleep experts believe sleep paralysis might be partly genetic.

Other causes include stress and disrupted sleep schedules (think jet lag or pulling an all-nighter). Several studies have also found links between social anxiety or panic disorder and sleep paralysis.

WHEN DOES SLEEP PARALYSIS USUALLY HAPPEN?

During an episode of sleep paralysis, you might sense or see things that are not actually there. These hallucinations happen in the early stages of non-REM sleep, unlike dreams or nightmares, which happen later in the sleep cycle. Two types of hallucinations can come with sleep paralysis, either as you're falling asleep or waking up.

HYPNAGOGIC HALLUCINATIONS

Also known as waking dreams, hypnagogic hallucinations happen as you're falling asleep. About 37% of people have them. Often, people see things: entire scenes, faces, shapes, or kaleidoscopic patterns. It’s less common to hear sounds or have physical sensations, such as falling. Whereas dreams often include stories and conversations, hypnagogic hallucinations do not.

HYPNOPOMPIC HALLUCINATIONS

These hallucinations happen as you're waking up. Like hypnagogic hallucinations, they are most often visual perceptions, but they sometimes involve sounds or physical sensations. An estimated 12% of people have hypnopompic hallucinations.

SLEEP PARALYSIS AND LUCID DREAMING

Lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis are not the same. They happen during different stages of sleep and involve different sensations. Both conditions can feel frightening and may interfere with sleep quality.

Sleep paralysis happens as you enter or exit REM sleep, while lucid dreaming occurs during REM sleep. While lucid dreaming, you may feel aware of yourself and be able to control what happens. Unlike sleep paralysis, you won’t feel unable to move during a lucid dream. You might even think you’ve woken up when you actually haven’t.

Some people try to have lucid dreams by using wearable devices, playing video games, or keeping a dream diary. This can be dangerous for people who already have a hard time sleeping or have certain mental health conditions, such as feeling disconnected from reality.

WHO DEVELOPS SLEEP PARALYSIS?

About 20% of people may have sleep paralysis at some time in their life. It often starts in your teen years, and continues into your 20s and 30s. Sleep paralysis may run in families.

Other things that may be linked to sleep paralysis include:

•Lack of sleep
•A sleep schedule that changes
•Mental conditions, such as stress or bipolar disorder
•Sleeping on your back
•Other sleep problems, such as narcolepsy or nighttime leg cramps
•Use of certain medications, such as those for ADHD
•Substance abuse

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT SLEEP PARALYSIS?

If you have sleep paralysis now and then, you can take steps at home to control this disorder. Start by:

•Making sure you get enough sleep
•Doing what you can to ease stress in your life, especially just before bedtime
•Trying new sleeping positions if you sleep on your back. Sleep experts have found a correlation between sleeping on your back and sleep paralysis.
Be sure to see your doctor if sleep paralysis routinely stops you from getting a good night's sleep.

Clinical Nurses

08/08/2024

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Clinical Nurses

22/07/2024

MENOPAUSE

What Is Menopause?

Menopause is the end of your menstrual cycles. The term is sometimes used to describe the changes you go through just before or after you stop having your period, marking the end of your reproductive years. Menopause usually happens around age 50.

MENOPAUSE CAUSES

Women are born with all of their eggs, which are stored in their ovaries. Their ovaries also make the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control their period (menstruation) and the release of eggs (ovulation). Menopause happens when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops.

Menopause is a regular part of aging when it happens after the age of 40. But some women can go through menopause early. It can be the result of surgery, like if their ovaries are removed in a hysterectomy, or damage to their ovaries, such as from chemotherapy. If it happens before age 40, for any reason, it’s called premature menopause.

MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS

First signs of menopause

Most women nearing menopause will begin experiencing vasomotor symptoms (VMS). The most common is hot flashes. During a hot flash there is a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the upper body, often with blushing, a racing heart, and sweating. These flashes can range from mild in most women to severe in others.

You may also notice other symptoms of menopause such as:

•Uneven or missed periods
•Vaginal dryness
•Sore breasts
•Needing to p*e more often
•Trouble sleeping
•Emotional changes
•Dry skin, eyes, or mouth
Symptoms of menopause

Other symptoms include:

•Fatigue
•Depression
•Crankiness
•Headaches
•Joint and muscle aches and pains
•Weight gain
•Hair loss
•Changes in libido (s*x drive)

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MENOPAUSE?

Natural menopause isn’t caused by any type of medical or surgical treatment. It’s slow and has three stages:

•Perimenopause. This phase usually begins several years before menopause, when your ovaries slowly make less estrogen. Perimenopause lasts until menopause, the point at which your ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last 1 to 2 years of this stage, estrogen levels fall faster. Many women have menopause symptoms.

•Menopause. This is when it's been a year since you had a period. Your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and making most of their estrogen.

•Postmenopause. These are the years after menopause. Menopausal VMS such as hot flashes and night sweats usually ease. But health risks related to the loss of estrogen increase as you get older.

What Conditions Cause Premature Menopause?

Your genes, some immune system disorders, or medical procedures can cause premature menopause. Other causes include:

•Premature ovarian failure (or primary ovarian insufficiency). When your ovaries prematurely stop releasing eggs, for unknown reasons, your levels of estrogen and progesterone change. When this happens before you’re 40, it's called premature ovarian failure. Unlike premature menopause, premature ovarian failure isn’t always permanent.

•Induced menopause. This happens when your doctor takes out your ovaries for medical reasons, such as uterine cancer or endometriosis. It can also happen when radiation or chemotherapy damages your ovaries.

WHAT DOESN'T CAUSE PREMATURE MENOPAUSE?

Some things you might think would influence menopause age, but don’t:

• Hormonal birth control. Even if you’re using a birth control method that stops ovulation, it doesn’t stop your loss of follicles -- the constant process of your o***y taking them from your resting pool of eggs. All of your follicles available that month die away, even if you’re not ovulating, so experts don't think that birth control delays menopause.

• Ethnicity. A study of premenopausal and early perimenopausal women found that race and ethnicity play no role in the age when you experience menopause. The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) looked at women from different races from seven states and found they experienced menopause around the same age.

How Long Do Symptoms of Menopause Last?

Menopause is different in each woman. In general, the symptoms of perimenopause last about 4 years.

MENOPAUSE DIAGNOSIS

You might suspect that you’re going into menopause. Or your doctor will say something, based on symptoms you've told them about.

You can keep track of your periods and chart them as they become uneven. The pattern will be another clue to your doctor that you’re perimenopausal or nearing menopause.

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This usually goes up as you near menopause.
• Estradiol. This tells your doctor how much estrogen your ovaries are making. This level will go down in menopause.
• Thyroid hormones. This shows problems with your thyroid gland, which can affect your period and cause symptoms that look like menopause.

MENOPAUSE TREATMENT

Menopause is a natural process. Many symptoms will go away over time. But if they’re causing problems, treatments can help you feel better. Common ones include:

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This is also called menopausal hormone therapy. You take medications to replace the hormones that your body isn’t making anymore. Certain drugs or combinations can help with hot flashes and va**nal symptoms, as well as making your bones stronger. But they can also put you at higher risk of health problems like heart disease or breast cancer, so you should take the lowest dose that works for the shortest time possible.

• Topical hormone therapy. This is an estrogen cream, insert, or gel that you put in your va**na to help with dryness.

• Nonhormone medications. The depression drug paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil) is FDA-approved to treat hot flashes. The nerve drug gabapentin (Gralise, Neuraptine, Neurontin) and the blood pressure drug clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay) might also ease them. Medicines called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) help your body use its estrogen to treat hot flashes and va**nal dryness.

• Medications for osteoporosis. You might take medicines or vitamin D supplements to help keep your bones strong.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Lifestyle changes help many women deal with menopause symptoms. Try these steps:

•If you’re having a vasomotor symptom like hot flashes, drink cold water, sit or sleep near a fan, and dress in layers.

•Use an over-the-counter va**nal moisturizer or lubricant for dryness.

•Exercise regularly to sleep better and prevent conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

• Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises to prevent bladder leaks.

•Stay socially and mentally active to prevent memory problems.

•Don’t smoke. To***co might cause early menopause and increase hot flashes.

•Limit how much alcohol you drink, to lower your chance of getting breast cancer and help you sleep better.

•Eat a variety of foods and keep a healthy weight to help with hot flashes.

•Practice things like yoga, deep breathing, or massage to help you relax.

MENOPAUSE COMPLICATIONS

The loss of estrogen linked with menopause is tied to the following health problems that become more common as women age.

After menopause, women are more likely to have:

• Bone loss (osteoporosis)
• Heart disease
• Bladder and bowels that don’t work like they should
• Higher risk of Alzheimer's disease
• More wrinkles
• Poor muscle power and tone
• Weaker vision, such as from cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye) and macular degeneration (breakdown of the tiny spot in the center of the retina that is the center of vision)

It can be tough to manage the s*xual changes that come along with menopause, like va**nal dryness and a loss of s*x drive. You might also find that you don’t enjoy s*x as much and have trouble reaching or**sm. As long as it isn’t painful, regular s*xual activity may help keep your va**na healthy by promoting blood flow.

Your ovaries have stopped sending out eggs once you’re in menopause, so you can’t get pregnant. But you can still get a s*xually transmitted disease. Use safer s*x practices if you’re not in a relationship with one person.

Clinical Nurses

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