Q&A with Marla Ahlgrimm: Guide to Conquering Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Just around the time when we turn back the clocks and the days get shorter and colder, many people start to experience a form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), according to women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm. In the following Q&A, Marla Ahlgrimm explains what SAD is and how to address it.

Q: When does SAD start and how long does it usually last?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Generally, SAD starts when clocks are changed in the fall and lasts until spring.

Q: What are the symptoms of SAD?
 
Marla Ahlgrimm: SAD often presents with fatigue and low energy but then involves more symptoms of depression such as sadness, irritability, lack of concentration, lethargy and apathy. SAD victims also crave carbohydrate foods, which can lead to weight gain.

Marla Ahlgrimm Talks Noise in the Work Environment

For some people a little background noise is helpful. Others require complete silence in order to get work done, according to Marla Ahlgrimm.

Q: Is noise a reason it’s so hard to work at my peak every day?

Marla Ahlgrimm: It can be, depending on the person. When trying to work or do any task that requires a higher level of focus, noise can cause an incredible distraction. Some people are more sensitive to noise than others.

Q: In general, how do distractions affect our work?

Marla Ahlgrimm: When you lose your place in a thought because of a distraction, it takes some time to go back and re-focus.  Every time you’re distracted, it takes quite a lot of energy to get back on track. This effort can become quite exhausting.

Marla Ahlgrimm Offers Tips for Coping With Insomnia

Do you ever have a hard time falling asleep? If so, you are not alone.  According to women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm, 70 million Americans report difficulties with sleeping – one out of five suffers from chronic insomnia.

Q: What is the typical pattern associated with insomnia?

Marla Ahlgrimm:  The typical pattern with insomnia is that we worry about something or someone and then toss and turn restlessly without being able to calm down long enough to fall asleep. Our mind just keeps spinning, which is hardly restful.

Q: When that happens, I feel horrible the next day.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Yes, many people report feeling lethargic and irritable. Everything we do seems harder and more difficult.

Hormones Play Role in PMS but Healthy Choices Help, Says Marla Ahlgrimm

Weight gain, bloating painful cramps, headache, and sleeplessness - these are just some of the discomforts that millions of women experience every month due to PMS. While largely misunderstood by the medical community until the 1970s, Marla Ahlgrimm stresses that PMS is a real condition and says a few lifestyle changes may help reduce some of its symptoms.

Q: How does a woman’s sugar intake affect her body?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Sugar not only causes the body to store fat but may also be partly to blame for the water retention that many women experience due to PMS. And, women who eat a diet high in sugar actually have less energy than those who tend to focus on healthy foods such as lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.

A Plan for Success | Advice from Marla Ahlgrimm on Starting a New Business

As an entrepreneur, pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm has had over 30 years of experience operating her own successful businesses. Here, Ahlgrimm answers questions about one of the most confusing steps in starting a new company: the business plan.

Q: What exactly is a business plan?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A business plan is essentially a document that outlines how you, the business owner, intend to create a successful establishment. An effective business plan outlines expectations for the next 3 to 5 years. This should include information on location, employees, target market, and how you intend to earn a profit for your investors.

Blurred Line | Marla Ahlgrimm Explains the Difference Between a Primary Care Physician versus an OB/GYN

Recent years have demonstrated the trend of women using their OB/GYN in the role of primary health care provider, and vice versa. Here, acclaimed women’s healthcare expert, author, and entrepreneur Marla Ahlgrimm explains the difference between the two.

Q: Why do women tend to use their OB/GYN for primary care needs?

Marla Ahlgrimm: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently published a study showing that nearly 50% of reproductive-aged women consider their OB/GYN to be their primary care physician. This is partly due to the comfort levels and relationships forged over time with the OB/GYN.

Menopause Can Affect Sleep Cycle, Reports Marla Ahlgrimm

An expert in women’s health, Marla Ahlgrimm explains how “the change” can affect more than just your reproductive system. Here, Ahlgrimm talks about hormone fluctuations and sleep and how a woman can combat one of the first signs of menopause.

Q: How does menopause affect a woman’s sleep pattern?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A sudden change in the body’s hormone levels, especially estrogen, can make it difficult for a woman to sleep soundly. The main culprits of this sleeplessness are night sweats and hot flashes. This may be temporary or it can turn into chronic insomnia. Sleeplessness often occurs in premenopausal women up to 10 years before menopause and is one of the first indicators that things are beginning to change on the hormone horizon.