The Unseen Web: How Our Surroundings Shape Women's Health

Imagine a web, its invisible threads connecting women to their environment. Marla Ahlgrimm says that this network shapes their health in profound ways, sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically. Today, we look at the strands of this web and how it affects us all. 

 

The Air 

 

The air we breathe and the water we drink can be silent saboteurs, laments Marla Ahlgrimm. Pollutants can irritate lungs and worsen respiratory problems. The same pollutants can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease in women. Even more concerning is the presence of hormone-mimicking chemicals that can disrupt menstrual cycles, fertility, and potentially raise the risk of breast cancer. 

 

Products We Use 

 

From cleaning solutions to beauty products, Marla Ahlgrimm says that everyday items can harbor hidden threats. Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, common chemicals in these products, can disrupt hormones, potentially leading to health concerns such as breast cancer and endometriosis. 

 

Climate Change 

 

The rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting weather patterns brought on by climate change pose a significant threat to women's health. The stress and anxiety of an uncertain future can weigh heavily, especially on women who often shoulder the burden of household well-being. Marla Ahlgrimm also points out that food insecurity and malnutrition due to disrupted agricultural systems can have severe consequences for women, particularly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Additionally, climate change can alter the spread of diseases, putting women and girls at greater risk of malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses. 

Women’s Health Advocate Marla Ahlgrimm Discusses Diabetes

We are all familiar with diabetes, a disease often linked with a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. However, regardless of the cause, Marla Ahlgrimm says that diabetes can have a significant effect on women’s health. Today, the self-help author, PMS expert, and retired compounding pharmacist touches on diabetes as it relates to women. 

 

Added Complications 

 

Diabetes can increase a woman’s risk of developing or complicating other health conditions. These include but are not limited to: 

• Heart disease. As the leading cause of death in women, heart disease is a problem that should never be ignored. Women with diabetes especially should create a close bond with their primary health care physician and/or cardiologist. Diabetes, which can trigger blood vessel damage and systemic inflammation, can elevate a woman’s risk of developing or experiencing complications from heart disease, says Marla Ahlgrimm. 

• Blindness. A little-talked-about fact is that diabetes is a major cause of blindness in the US. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that women with the condition are one and a half times more likely to develop vision loss than their male counterparts. Like many of the side effects of diabetes, this is caused by blood vessel damage triggered by high blood sugar levels. 

• Kidney disease. Diabetes alters the way the body’s kidneys filter waste products. Women with diabetes are more than two times as likely to experience kidney disease. While this is also common in men, women’s hormones play a part in the added risk of kidney disease. 

• Depression. Physical issues, including diabetes, can take a toll on a woman’s overall mental state, says Marla Ahlgrimm. It is not uncommon for women to experience depression due to a combination of the stress of trying to manage their condition and the added health risk associated with it. 

Marla Ahlgrimm: What's In Your Cup?

We all get thirsty, but what you use to rehydrate can have a huge difference on your health overall. According to women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm, water should be your drink of choice. 

 

There’s Nothing Wrong With A Treat 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm wishes to clarify that there’s nothing wrong with a sweet liquid treat every now and then. A cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of sweet tea with dinner once per week probably won’t interfere dramatically with your health. However, the vast majority of your liquid intake should be water or unsweetened beverages. 

 

Water Compared To Soda 

 

There are many reasons that it makes sense to swap your carbonated drinks for a glass of water. First is that water is essential in keeping your body hydrated. This is absolutely crucial for maintaining body temperature, aiding indigestion, and lubricating joints. In fact, Marla Ahlgrimm says that every cell in your body relies on water to function. Water is also calorie-free, whereas most sodas average 150 cal or more per serving. 

Marla Ahlgrimm | Hormones And Mental Health

There’s one question that many women often have but are afraid to ask: are hormones and mental health related? The answer, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, is yes. 

 

Hormones and mental health are as closely related as any two things within the human body. Because hormones are the chemical messengers that tell the body how to function, they greatly impact a woman’s emotional state. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that hormones control everything from stress to appetite to sleep and mood. When hormones aren’t balanced, mental health suffers. 

Hormones And Hair Growth | Marla Ahlgrimm

As women, we often put lots of thought and care into the way we wear our hair, says Marla Ahlgrimm. But, it is not just the products that we use each morning that determine whether our hair is at its very best. While shampoo, conditioner, and styling tools play a role, our hormones hold sway over our luscious locks. 

 

If you are a woman with thinning hair, your hormones may be to blame. But which ones? It turns out, there’s more than one answer, says Marla Ahlgrimm. 

 

Estrogen And Progesterone 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that estrogen and progesterone are two of the primary female sex hormones. Each is important in maintaining hair growth and scalp health. Estrogen plays a role in promoting blood flow to the scalp so that the hair can receive essential nutrients. It also affects the hair growth cycle and works to ensure that hair follicles remain active during the antigen growth phase. Progesterone supports the antigen phase to help reduce shedding. 

 

Androgens 

 

Testosterone and other androgen hormones are usually associated with male characteristics. But they also have a major role in hair growth. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a derivative of testosterone that binds androgen receptors to hair follicles, which can reduce the growth phase. When this happens, women can experience what’s known as androgenic alopecia. Marla Ahlgrimm says this is the most commontype of female hair loss. 

 

Thyroid Hormones 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, thyroid hormones play a role in metabolism throughout the body, and that includes within the hair follicle. When these hormones are imbalanced, it disrupts the hair growth cycle and can lead to thinning hair. 

Hormones and Human Hair Growth | Marla Ahlgrimm

Hormones play a crucial role in our health and that of our hair, says Marla Ahlgrimm. These chemical messengers regulate the hair cycle, which is the process by which hair follicles grow, rest, and shed. Hormones also influence the size, shape, and color of hair follicles. 

  

The Hair Hormones 

  

Androgens are the most important hormones for hair growth. They include testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). Androgens stimulate the growth of terminal hair, which Marla Ahlgrimm explains is the thick, dark hair that grows on the scalp, face, and body. 

Marla Ahlgrimm Discusses The History Of Premenstrual Syndrome

Although premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has existed for as long as women have been having children, it wasn’t always accepted as a legitimate physical concern. 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, PMS is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the week before a woman’s period. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include: 

• Mood swings. Irritability, anxiety, and depressive behaviors are common. 
• Physical symptoms. Bloating, fatigue, breast tenderness, headache, and even food cravings may pop up without warning. 
• Behavioral changes. Marla Ahlgrimm says that some women experience brain fog, difficulty sleeping, and an increased appetite during PMS. 

Is PMS Common? 

 

PMS is a common condition that affects up to 85% of women of reproductive age. However the symptoms can vary from woman to woman and even from month-to-month.