hormones – Page 2 – Hello Doctor

Why do you have swollen feet?

April 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’re trying to slip into your favourite shoes, but they don’t fit! Why? Have your feet grown overnight? Almost! Say hello to swollen feet.

Your feet have a massive job: they enable you to walk, stand, jump, run, dance and support your entire bodyweight. It’s no surprise, then, that everyone has swollen feet at some point of their lives, for various reasons.

The most common cause for swollen feet, is a build-up of fluid, usually around the ankles. Other causes include injuries, being on your feet too much, being inactive or anytime when your feet doesn’t move around a lot.

Treating them, usually depends on why your feet are swollen in the first place.

1. You weigh too much

When you’re overweight, the excess fat weighs your body down. The pressure of the fat reaches your feet too because your legs and feet carry your weight. This may cause your feet to swell.

How to fix it
If you suspect your weight is causing your feet to swell, talk to your doctor. Ask him about changes you can make to your diet and exercise habits to help shed the weight.

2. Your hormones are fluctuating

Most women experience bloating the week before their period. This is normal after hormone changes during ovulation. PMS (premenstrual syndrome) can also cause swollen feet if it happens during your period cycle. The swelling is noticeable in your legs and feet because of gravity.

How to fix it
Ease the bloat by drinking more water and cutting down on salt. Exercise will help with circulation which may decrease the swelling.

3. You eat too much salt

Salt adds flavour to your meals, but it also makes your body hang on to water. When your body has too much water, it may cause your body to swell, including your feet.

How to fix it
Stick to one teaspoon of salt per day and check food labels for the amount of salt. Season your food with spices and herbs instead.

4. You’re injured

A sprained ankle is the most common foot injury. It happens when the ligaments get damaged, and usually causes swelling and pain.

How to fix it
Reduce the swelling by resting your injured foot. Place an icepack wrapped in a towel on the sprain for 20 minutes at a time. Wrap your foot with a bandage and keep it elevated on a pillow or stool. Talk to your doctor if your foot doesn’t improve with home treatment.

5. You have an infection

If you have diabetes, arthritis or blood circulatory problems, you’re at a higher risk of getting an infection. An infection can get worse quickly, because it reduces blood flow, including to your feet. You can also get an infection if you have broken skin; as bacteria can enter through the wound. Ingrown toenails or shoes that are too small can cause an infection too.

How to fix it
Keep your feet clean and dry at all times. Wash and bandage minor scrapes or cuts immediately. Wipe down gym equipment, table tops and objects in your home with an antibacterial liquid before using them. Talk to your doctor if you have a scrape or cut that’s taking long to heal.

Foot care tips

Clip your toenails properly. Cut the nail straight across and avoid snipping too close to the skin.
Dry your feet properly between each toe after washing.
Protect your feet in public areas. For example, wear shower shoes in the gym’s bathroom.
Avoid sharing shoes.
Check your feet after showering. Look out for discoloured toenails, sores or peeling skin.

References

Get to know your thyroid

January 5th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your thyroid, an important gland located in the neck, functions like the conductor of the orchestra of the human body. It secretes important hormones that are pivotal to growth and metabolism.

“It’s involved in assisting with the regulation of body temperature and weight, growth and development, the function of the muscles, the brain and the nervous system as well as assisting in fertility and pregnancy, among many other functions,” says Dr Joel Dave, an endocrinologist based in Cape Town.

In order to regulate these body functions, the thyroid takes iodine (which is found in many foods and helps convert food into energy) and changes it into thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

T3 and T4 are then released into the bloodstream and transported throughout the body where they control metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy). Your thyroid glands are necessary for almost everything you do! They help to regulate your breathing, heart rate, body weight, muscle strength, menstrual cycles, body temperature, cholesterol and much more.

A balancing act

It’s important that both the T3 and T4 hormone are neither too low nor too high. If there’s too little or too much of either in your body, it could cause thyroid dysfunctions like hyperthyroidism (too much T3 and T4 in your body), and hypothyroidism (too little T3 and T4 in your body). If the thyroid gland is unable to produce the thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland releases TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone).

Symptoms of hypothyroid include:

Weakness
Feelings of depression
Fatigue
Joint and muscle pain
Dry and pale skin
Sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Unintended weight gain
Heavy menstrual periods
Thin, brittle hair and nails

Symptoms of hyperthyroid include:

Anxiety, nervousness and restlessness
Rapid heart rate or heart palpitations
Being emotional and irritable
Tremors
Sweating and intolerance to heat
Insomnia
Frequent bowel movements
Weight loss irrespective of increased appetite
Menstrual changes and fertility problems
Bulging or staring eyes (linked to a thyroid eye disease that’s connected to Graves’ disease).

Good to know

Hyperthyroidism treatment may include medication, surgery and iodine radiation (this involves shrinking the thyroid to get rid of it). It’s given in a liquid form or a pill that’s absorbed and concentrated by the thyroid gland. This is done to lessen hyperthyroidism symptoms. Hypothyroid treatment would be treated with anti-thyroid medications which will gradually decrease the symptoms by preventing your thyroid gland from producing excess hormones. In severe cases, surgery, called a thyroidectomy, may be necessary. Eating food that naturally contains iodine will help prevent hypothyroidism. Food like spinach, yoghurt, Brazil nuts, milk, chicken, beef and fish will help keep your iodine levels up.

If you experience any symptoms of either hormone deficiency or are considering taking an iodine supplement, you should talk to one of our doctors. They can help you find the best route of treatment.

References:

What you need to know about testosterone

January 5th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Ever wondered why some guys are able to build rock solid muscles in no time and others (to their dismay) just can’t? One reason could be due to the amount of testosterone they produce. Testosterone is a sex hormone found in males and females, but it’s more prominent in men. Production starts to increase during puberty and dips after the age of 30.

This macho hormone helps with sperm production, helps male characteristics fully develop and plays an important role in the overall health of men. Here’s what you need to know about it:

Testosterone’s main jobs:

Helps with the growth of testes at puberty.
Controls male physical features.
Aids in the development of facial and pubic hair.
Helps build muscles and strong bones.
Deepens the voice.
Helps produce sperm.
Increases sexual drive.

Running low

The levels of testosterone in a man’s body fluctuate daily, and is usually at its peak in the morning. High or low levels can lead to dysfunction in parts of the body, which are normally regulated by this hormone.

As a man ages, his amount of testosterone naturally decreases, but in some cases, low testosterone can be caused by other issues:

An injury, infection or loss of the testicles
Too much iron in the body
Stress
Obesity
Alcoholism
Dysfunction of the pituitary gland (a gland in the brain that produces important hormones)
Kidney failure
Inflammatory diseases like sarcoidosis (a condition that causes inflammation of the lungs).

Low levels of testosterone causes different symptoms like

decreased sex drive
low energy levels
weight gain
moodiness
less body hair
low self-esteem.

Besides the symptoms, a depletion in this hormone can lead to serious health conditions like erectile dysfunction. This condition, also known as impotence, is when a male has an inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. Although low levels of testosterone aren’t the only culprit for this dysfunction, it does play a role.

Treating testosterone issues

Intramuscular injections (injection directly in your muscles), given anywhere from every two weeks to every 10 weeks.
Testosterone cream applied down the sides of the neck down to the collarbone.
Long-acting subcutaneous pellet (provides a slow continuous release of hormone after being inserted into your buttocks or near your hip).
Clomiphene tablets which increase testosterone and sperm production in the testicles.

Good to know

Testosterone treatments are prescribed only for conditions where the hormone is low and not for age-related drops. Testosterone replacement therapy is also available, but you should talk to your doctor before making the decision to use it as there might be possible complications.

References:

Still going through puberty in your 20s?

July 29th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Going through puberty and getting older is a completely natural process, but your hormones can do some weird things when you least expect it!

Your hormones are your body’s special chemical messengers that control most of your major bodily functions. They can affect reproduction, emotions, mood, and even your skin.

1. Skin issues

Your start a new job, move, get married, and have kids. Each of these milestones comes with its own levels of stress. These changes affect your mental health and wellbeing, and your skin. Here’s how:

Stress levels influence your hormone levels, which may induce acne and trigger psoriasis.
Lack of sleep leads to premature ageing of the skin.
Bad eating habits mean you miss out on essential fats and vitamins that are needed for your skin to function at its optimal level.
Excessive drinking causes dehydration, draining all the fluids out of the skin. As a result, premature wrinkles begin to emerge.

When to see your doctor:

If your face becomes red after eating spicy foods or sipping hot drinks, you may have the first stages of acne rosacea; a chronic inflammation.
If your skin becomes inflamed or unusual acne shows up after eating, you may be allergic to something in your diet.
If you have red, itchy and scaly skin, you may have psoriasis or eczema.

2. Mood swings

Hormones are responsible for keeping your emotions and moods in check. When you add work and social life pressures into an already busy life, your hormones can go into overdrive!

When to see your doctor:

If you have severely unstable mood swings, your doctor could recommend hormone replacement therapy.
If you have severe period pains, and it affects your mood, your doctor could prescribe an oral contraceptive.
If you can’t explain or control your moods and hormone replacement therapy doesn’t work, tell your doctor.

3. Period pandemonium

For the most part, getting your period every month can take a toll on your emotional and physical strength, not to mention the stress that comes with an unpredictable cycle! In your teens, your cycle was probably all over the place. As you get older and reach adult life – your 20s – your period becomes more consistent.

However, the symptoms that you experience around your periods, including PMS may become worse as you get older. Often the cramps are more intense, and your breasts are sorer. This has a lot to do with your choice of birth control at this stage of your life, which may bring on its own side-effects.

When to see your doctor:

If you’ve skipped a period and are sexually active, you could be pregnant.
If you’ve skipped three periods in a row and pregnancy tests are negative.
If your period cramps affect your daily functioning; this could be a sign of fibroids or endometriosis.

Foods to combat hormone imbalance:

Coconut oil: contains lauric acid, a substance that helps the skin heal.
Avocados: contains lauric acid which is beneficial when it comes to hormone production.
Oatmeal and bran: swap out gluten products for products high in fibre to assist in your hormone imbalance.
Raw carrots: has a unique fibre that will detox excess oestrogen from your body.
Raw vegetables: better than cooked vegetables to get the most nutrients from them.

References:

Get high on happiness

December 6th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Hormones are your body’s special chemical messengers. They control all those important functions like hunger and reproduction, and have a major say in your emotional health and wellbeing. In fact, every emotion you experience is the result of the release of certain hormones. Depending on the amount released, this can determine how happy you feel.

Continue reading “Get high on happiness”

What’s that in my food?

July 31st, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Feel like digging into a delicious chicken Caesar salad, or getting a mouthful of juicy and tender steak? Then we hope you’re buying good quality ingredients, otherwise you could be eating a lot more than you bargained for. Continue reading “What’s that in my food?”

Ladies: What’s messing with your hormones?

July 26th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

When you hear ‘hormones’, you probably think of PMS or bodybuilders, but every process in your body is driven by different hormones. Here are a few things that can make it all go wrong. Continue reading “Ladies: What’s messing with your hormones?”

The male menopause

November 3rd, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Is there a moment, somewhere between the age of 45 and 55, when men suddenly experience a life-crisis and have to buy Harley-Davidsons or take up skydiving? There have been books written and movies made about male menopause, but is there any science behind the idea? Continue reading “The male menopause”

Should women worry about testosterone levels?

July 14th, 2014 by The Hello Doctor Team

Surprise, surprise! If you’re a woman, you also have testosterone. After puberty, women begin to produce an adult level of testosterone. The production is split between the ovaries and adrenal glands, and a small amount of testosterone is released into the bloodstream.

Women produce just a fraction of the amount of testosterone each day that men do, and these sex hormones are secreted in short bursts from one stage of your menstrual cycle to another.

Continue reading “Should women worry about testosterone levels?”

10 Signs that you could have thyroid dysfunction

November 24th, 2013 by The Hello Doctor Team

The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in your body, it’s about the size of your 2 thumbs held together in a “V” shape, and it weighs around 60g. The Thyroid gland is found in the front part of your neck, and is responsible for a number of vital functions: the hormones T3 and T4 control your metabolism and how your body responds to other hormones.

So, if your Thyroid gland isn’t working properly it’s easy to see why you’ll notice very quickly if something is wrong. The problem is, sometimes the symptoms are vague and this can it difficult to diagnose. The gland can either be over-active (called Hyperthyroidism) or under-active (called Hypothyroidism) and because no one knows your body as well as you do, by knowing these common symptoms of Thyroid dysfunction you can alert your doctor if you suspect a problem:

A lump in the neck: A lump or swelling in the front part of your neck may be a Goitre. This could be very obvious or you may just feel discomfort when you swallow, find clothing around the neck restrictive or your voice may become hoarse
Weight loss: If you find you’re losing weight without trying to, have a racing heart beat and heat intolerance, your thyroid gland may be over-functioning (hyperthyroidism)
Weight gain: Putting on weight despite eating well and exercising? Feeling particularly sensitive to the cold this winter? Your thyroid may be under-functioning (hypothyroidism)
Hair loss and brittle hair: Your hair feels brittle and dry, or it’s falling out.
Dry, fragile or thin skin: Spending a fortune on moisturiser for your skin that’s become dry and scaly? Do small bumps or knocks damage your skin?
Constipation or diarrhoea: Changes in your toilet habits, for example constipation, bloating, diarrhoea or bloating. Have you been diagnosed with IBS? Get your thyroid checked! Persistent diarrhoea and cramping are also symptoms of a dysfunctional thyroid.
Menstrual irregularities: heavy, frequent periods? Light, irregular periods? Struggling to fall pregnant?
High cholesterol: Despite being on medication and a low cholesterol diet you just can’t seem to get your cholesterol levels down? Ask your doctor to check your Thyroid function
Fatigue, low energy and sleeping difficulties: Sleeping a lot but you still feel tired? No energy during the day, or you’re unable to sleep at night and feel exhausted the next day?
Depression/low mood/anxiety: Are you taking medication for depression or anxiety? Make sure your doctor checks your thyroid function before starting you on treatment!

Written by: Dr Lynelle Hoeks