Newspaper Page Text
Soelman Spotlight October 17, 197912
A Guide to a Better You
Health Guide to Menstrual Cramps
By Adele S. Newson
The menstrual crycle is com
mon to women of reproductive
ages. Stomach cramps are usually
a result of the cycle. Severely
altered activity is commonly a
result of cramps. Do you want to
learn how to cope?
Menstrual cramps, (pirmary
dysmenorrhea) is painful men
struation. Cramps normally occur
from 24 to 48 hours before the
menstrual flow and persist for a
couple of days during the flow.
The causes of primary
dysmenorrhea are unknown.
However, it is known that
primary dysmenorrhea occurs
only with ovulation, and it usually
occurs on the side where
ovulation is taking place.
There are several theories that
attempt to explain the cuase of
dysmenorrhea. Dr. Katherina
Dalton, a researcher, supports
the theory that cramps are
caused by a hormonal imbalance.
Specifically too much
progesterone in relation to
estrogen.
Still another theory on the
etiology of menstrual cramps, the
propoent of which is Dr.
Elizabeth Connell, maintains that
high prostaglandins (hormone
like substance manufactured by
the uterine lining) levels may be
the cause of menstrual cramps.
“Generally the pain is ab
dominal,” explained J udith Gor
don, Family Planning Nurse Prac
titioner and Services Director.
“But some women have been
known to have pain that radiates
down one or both legs,” she con
tinued.
Although many women have
pain, very few are incapacitated
by menstrual cramps. Some doc
tors claim that the psychological
make up of the woman has much
to do with the decision of women
to be active or inactive at these
times.
According to Ms. Gordon,
“Pain is so subjective that what is
mild to one person could be
severe to another.”
There are several ways of
coping with cramps. Some
methods provide relief from
prevention of some pains before.
during and after the menstrual
flow.
BEFORE
—Regular exercise, stressing
posture tends to improve pelvic
circulation.
-A light diet, low in car
bohydrates. prior to the actual
flow may help in decreasing ab
dominal distention.
-Reduced intake of coffee and
refined foods.
-The use of dolomite calcium
or vitamin C tablets before
periods.
- Various herebal preparations
DURING
-Simple analgestics or sedative
usually relieve pain.
-Massaging the uterus: firmly
press just above the pubic hair.
-Heating pads or hot water bot
tles.
-Pelvic rock: get down on all
fours and rock back and forth.
This aids women whose men
strual flow is impeded because of
the angle at which the uterus is
positioned.
-Herbs and teas are used to
relieve the pain of cramps.
-Doctors are now prescribing a
new medication for severe
cramps called NAPRICIN.
-exercise.
AFTER
-Birth control pills are
/hopefully) taken before, during
and after the menstrual cycle.
Doctors prescribe pills with high
estrogen levels to combat the im
balance of the progesterone to
estrogen level in some women.
Study Tips
Recitation is an effective device for
learning while reading a textbook. To make
certain that you understand and remember, you
should stop periodically and try to recall to
yourself what you have read. This is rec tation.
-Morgan § Deese
HOW TO STUDY, McGrt Hill
In a lecture hall, the best place it
is in the middle, towards the front, whe you
can see and hear easily. Believe it or not,
those who sit in this position usually do better
than those who sit in the back.
-Harry Maddox
HOW TO STUDY, Fawcett Books
There is a great deal of difference be
tween high school study methods and those at the
college level. In college you willjiave to learn
more material in less time, and learn most of it
outside of class. Another difference is you will
have to think more. Some courses require that you
criticize or evaluate information and not merely
accept it because it is the printed word.
-Gary E. Brown
A STUDENT'S GUIDE TO ACADEMIC
SURVIVAL, Harper § Row
Learn to think physically in relationship
to cause and effect in history. Geography, econ
omic conditions, even the air men breathe
(whether fresh or saturated with smog) influence
history. Do not overlook the world in searching
for a detail.
-William H. Armstrong
STUDY IS HARD WORK,
Harper § Row
^ Never write a note until you have finished
reading a full paragraph or a headed section.
This procedure will preclude your grabbing at
everything that looks important at first glance.
-Walter Pauk
HOW TO STUDY IN COLLEGE
Houghton Mifflin
Since most instructors follow their text
books rather closely, one can usually predict
what will be discussed in class. Prepare your
self on a few items that will surely come up; then,
seize the opportunity to recite when these topics
are introduced.
-Francis P. Robinson
EFFECTIVE STUDY
Harper § Row
life IS Rough I I I
Dear Tell-A-Prob:
I have a rather odd problem
that maybe other women share.
Please see if you can answer this
for me: How does one refuse a
date?
I know this question is a little
peculiar, but I just freak out
when this “particular nurd” asks
me out. I don’t want to hurt his
feelings, but I don’t want to ruin
my evening either. What do I do?
Signed,
Have-had-the-flu-for-6-weeks
Dear Flu:
For God’s sake get rid of the
flu excuse! After six weeks I’m
sure he’s gotten the hint. But just
in case he hasn’t, take these tips.
Never go over board with the ex
cuses. Never say, “Gee I don't
really feel well. I’ve got tons of
work to do, and my sister may
come to visit me from out of
town.” Anyone of those excuses
would be sufficient, too many
simply advertises the fact that
you’re trying to get out of the
date.
Of course the best way to han
dle the guy your really don’t want
to be bothered with is to politely
tell him just that. That might set
tle your problem from the jump.
Dear Tell-A-Prob:
My roommate and I are as
much like sisters as two women
can get. I care a lot about her but
I don’t care at ail for her
boyfriend. He makes plays for me
whenever she leaves the room.
Also, occasionally we double
date, during these times he seems
to pay more attention to me than
to her. She says that she is really
in love with him, I don’t feel that
I am the one to tell her how he
really is? What do you think?
Signed,
Desperate
Dear Desperate:
I would strongly suggest that
you tell your roommate about the
nature of this guy. I feel sure that
it will benefit her in the long run.
If aster telling her she persist in
seeing don’t go on any more
double dates with them and avoid
being left in the room with him.
Chances are if he would try to
make a play for you he will try it
with someone else. So that if she
does not heed your warning she
will have to learn the hard way.
Trv to be there for her to pick up
the pieces.