Women should continue to see their physician on a regular  basis throughout life. Your physician is your ultimate medical guide and should be consulted about any questions you may have concerning your health.

Q. Do men go through menopause?

A. Men go through their own time of changes but there's no handy label for it as with women. By the time a man reaches his fifth decade, there is a small but steady decline in the  production of testosterone. Men's bodies begin to age, marked by loss of muscle mass and loosening of skin. They worry about sexual dysfunction, their mortality, vitality, and performance in their careers. Some experts suggest men 50 or older see their physician for an assessment of their health and to have their hormone levels tested.

Q. I can't seem to lose weight as I get older.  I keep cutting my calorie intake but nothing seems to work. Why?

A. The relationship between weight, age and health is a  complicated one. The latest studies show that healthy,  thin nonsmokers are at the lowest risk of cancer and  heart disease than any other group, and destined to live  the longest. For this reason alone, a woman should try to maintain normal weight, whatever her age. The best idea  is not to let extra pounds accumulate with each passing  year. One way to prevent unwanted weight is to be aware of the times in your life when you are most vulnerable to weight  gain – and the years immediately following menopause fall into this category. Increased physical activity combined with a  well-planned eating program can help prevent unwanted "weight creep". There are no magic pills or potions.  Women who are seriously overweight should see a physician  for assistance.

Q. I have trouble sleeping because when I lay  down in bed, my legs begin to throb and ache. What causes this?

A. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is one of the most misunderstood and overlooked medical problems today. It is a neurological  disorder that affects 12 million people. Symptoms are  described as a "creepy, crawly feeling" or an "achy" sensation.  As the condition worsens, some people experience sharp pains similar to electric shocks in their legs every few  seconds. In women, symptoms often begin during pregnancy and may go away until menopause, when they return with  a vengeance. About 15% of the population over age 50 has some form of RLS. Experts are not sure what causes RLS. Treatment of symptoms varies and includes such medications as painkillers, antidepressants and other drugs, and even  vitamins in some cases. Mild exercise appears to help many RLS patients, although a too rigorous workout can actually bring on a RLS attack. If you think you have RLS, call the  neurology department or research center at your local  hospital for the name of a physician who is knowledgeable about the treatment and diagnosis of this problem.

Q. Can I take too many vitamins? 

A. Yes. Too much Vitamin A can lead to liver damage, headaches, vomiting,   dry skin, hair loss and constipation. Overdoses of Vitamin E can upset your stomach. Excessive Vitamin B can be toxic to the nervous system. Try to   get most of your daily vitamin requirements from a healthy diet, then add a multi-vitamin daily to help ensure that you’re vitamin sufficient.

Q. What about using Alternative Medicines as treatment of women’s midlife health issues? 

A. Some women believe that ginseng and other products such as soy and black cohosh help relieve certain symptoms of menopause. The fact   is many natural treatments have not undergone any well-controlled scientific studies to determine their safety and efficacy. This is not to say that   natural treatments are safe or unsafe or that they don’t work; medical   experts simply don’t know. The best advice is to do your research and   speak to your physician before trying alternative forms of medicine. 

Q. I am postmenopausal. What is the best way to lower a high total cholesterol count and raise my “good cholesterol”, or high density lipoproteins (HDLs)? 

A. You can pop a pill that will lower your cholesterol or you can first try to make some constructive changes in your lifestyle, and use medication   only as a last resort. Your options include decreasing fat (particularly   saturated fat) in your diet, exercising regularly and considering estrogen replacement therapy.

Look for more information on vitamins in future issues. 

COMING ISSUES
Osteoporosis	Its causes.  Its effects.  How many risk  factors do you show? Latest treatments.
Therapies of Menopause	Alternative and  traditional treatments. Your diet and its role.
Plus More Info on:	diet, exercise,  cancer, nutrition,  sleeplessness and  memory . . .
The information contained in this  guide is for educational purposes  only. Please consult your doctor for specific medical advice regarding  recommendations for your individual circumstances. Recommended  treatments and tests may not be  covered under your health plan.