Low Blood Pressure

You've probably heard that high blood pressure is a problem. Sometimes blood pressure that is too low can also cause problems.

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the diastolic pressure. Your blood pressure reading uses these two numbers. Usually they're written one above or before the other, such as 120/80. If your blood pressure reading is 90/60 or lower, you have low blood pressure.

Some people have low blood pressure all the time. They have no symptoms and their low readings are normal for them. In other people, blood pressure drops below normal because of a medical condition or certain medicines. Some people may have symptoms of low blood pressure when standing up too quickly. Low blood pressure is a problem only if it causes dizziness, fainting or in extreme cases, shock.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is the time in your life when you stop having your period and can no longer get pregnant. You have reached menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months.

The time leading up to menopause is called the menopausal transition, or perimenopause. This transition usually begins when you are in your 40s, but sometimes it can start earlier. It can last for several years. The most common age for reaching menopause is between 45 and 55 years old.

Early and premature menopause happens when your ovaries stop making hormones and your periods stop at a younger age than usual. When menopause happens before age 40, it's called premature menopause. If menopause happens before age 45, it's called early menopause.

This can happen on its own (with no known cause). It can also happen because of surgery to remove the ovaries. Surgery to remove the uterus alone will cause your periods to stop, but it does not cause menopause unless the ovaries are also removed. Medical treatments such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer may also cause menopause to start earlier than usual.

A condition called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) happens when your ovaries stop working normally before you are age 40. But this condition is different from early menopause. If you have POI, you may still have periods, even though they might not come regularly. And you might still be able to get pregnant.

Other reasons for early or premature menopause can include:

• A family history of early or premature menopause
• Smoking
• Certain health conditions

During the menopausal transition, your ovaries start to make less of the estrogen and progesterone hormones. The changes in these hormones cause the symptoms of menopause, which can include:

• A change in your periods; they may be:
  • Irregular, with more or less time in between periods.
  • Shorter or longer.
  • Lighter or heavier.
• Hot flashes, a sudden warm feeling in your face, neck, and chest. They may cause you to sweat. If they happen at night and cause sweating, they are called night sweats.
• Trouble sleeping, such as trouble falling asleep or getting back to sleep when you wake up. Over time, a lack of sleep can lead to fatigue and memory problems.
• Vaginal dryness, which may cause pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.
• Mood changes, which can make you feel moody, anxious, or more irritable.
• Bladder issues, such as urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

You may also have other physical changes which could put you at risk for certain diseases. For example, the loss of estrogen can:

• Cause you to lose bone density. This can lead to osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and break easily.
• Raise your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

You may not need treatment for the symptoms of menopause. But if you do, there are several different types of treatments:

You may find that you can manage your symptoms with lifestyle changes. Here are some changes that might make you feel better:

• If you have hot flashes, dress in layers that can be removed at the start of a hot flash. You may want to carry a portable fan to use when you get a hot flash.
• Avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine. They can make your menopause symptoms worse.
• If you smoke, try to quit, not only for hot flashes, but for your overall health.
• Try to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or having obesity can make hot flashes worse.
• Have good sleep habits. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
• Get regular exercise. It can help you sleep better, improve your mood, and help lower your risk for many age-related diseases.
• Lower stress, for example by using relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation exercises.

If lifestyle changes are not enough to improve your symptoms, you may want to contact your health care provider. They will talk to you about your symptoms, family and medical history, and preferences. They also can explain the risks and benefits of the treatments.

There are various non-hormone treatments for menopause symptoms, such as:

• Medicines for hot flashes, including certain antidepressants, a medicine just for hot flashes, an antiseizure medicine, and a blood pressure medicine. Some of these medicines may also help with sleep problems.
• Medicines for urinary incontinence.
• Medicines to treat or help prevent osteoporosis.
• Low-dose birth control pills for very heavy bleeding or periods that are close together.
• Water-based lubricants to treat vaginal dryness.
• Medicines for painful intercourse that is caused by vaginal changes from menopause.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy, for trouble sleeping.

Like all medicines, MHT has benefits and risks. Talk with your provider about whether it is safe for you. If you decide to take MHT, your provider may recommend taking the lowest dose that works for the shortest time needed.

There are various products that are marketed for menopause symptoms. They include supplements, herbs, and over-the-counter "natural" hormone creams. There has been research on many of these products, but the results are mixed. Some studies suggest they may help, while others show little or no benefit. Also, there is little information on the long-term safety of these products. Some supplements can have harmful side effects or interact with medicines. Check with your provider before you take any of them.

Mental Health

What is mental health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and aging.

Mental disorders are serious conditions that can affect your thinking, mood, and behavior. They may be occasional or long-lasting. They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day. Mental disorders are common; many Americans will be diagnosed with one at some time in their life. But there are treatments. People with mental disorders can get better, and many of them recover completely.

Mental health is important because it can help you to:

• Cope with the stresses of life
• Be physically healthy
• Have good relationships
• Make meaningful contributions to your community
• Work productively
• Realize your full potential

Your mental health is also important because it can affect your physical health. For example, mental disorders can raise your risk for physical health problems such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

There are many different factors that can affect your mental health, including:

• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
• Family history of mental health problems
• Your lifestyle, such as diet, physical activity, and substance use

You can also affect your mental health by taking steps to improve it, such as doing meditation, using relaxation techniques, and practicing gratitude.

Over time, your mental health can change. For example, you may be dealing with a difficult situation, such as trying to manage a chronic illness, taking care of an ill relative, or facing money problems. The situation may wear you out and overwhelm your ability to cope with it. This can worsen your mental health. On the other hand, getting therapy may improve your mental health.

When it comes to your emotions, it can be hard to know what is normal and what is not. There are warning signs that you may have a mental health problem, including:

• A change in your eating or sleeping habits
• Withdrawing from the people and activities you enjoy
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling numb or like nothing matters
• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, angry, upset, worried, or scared
• Having severe mood swings that cause problems in your relationships
• Having thoughts and memories that you can't get out of your head
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
• Thinking of harming yourself or others
• Not being able to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

If you think that you may have a mental health problem, get help. Talk therapy and/or medicines can treat mental disorders. If you don't know where to start, contact your primary care provider.

Mercury

Mercury is an element that is found in air, water and soil. It has several forms. Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas. It also combines with other elements to form powders or crystals. Mercury is in many products. Metallic mercury is used in glass thermometers, silver dental fillings, and button batteries. Mercury salts may be used in skin creams and ointments. It's also used in many industries.

Mercury in the air settles into water. It can pass through the food chain and build up in fish, shellfish, and animals that eat fish. The nervous system is sensitive to all forms of mercury. Exposure to high levels can damage the brain and kidneys. Pregnant women can pass the mercury in their bodies to their babies.

It is important to protect your family from mercury exposure:

• Carefully handle and dispose of products that contain mercury
• Limit your consumption of fish with higher levels of mercury

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Some forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. However, some people have more memory problems than other people their age. This condition is called mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. People with MCI can take care of themselves and do their normal activities.

MCI memory problems may include:

• Losing things often
• Forgetting to go to events and appointments
• Having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age

Memory problems can also have other causes, including certain medicines and diseases that affect the blood vessels that supply the brain. Some of the problems brought on by these conditions can be managed or reversed.

Your health care provider can do thinking, memory, and language tests to see if you have MCI. You may also need to see a specialist for more tests. Because MCI may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, it's really important to see your health care provider every 6 to 12 months.

At this time, there is no proven drug treatment for MCI. Your health care provider can check to see if you have any changes in your memory or thinking skills over time.

NIH: National Institute on Aging