Are you a woman over 40 and wondering what may be contributing to you not feeling well and your health conditions?
Many women over 40 have chronic issues including autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and rheumatoid arthritis. Or maybe you don’t have a diagnosis.
You just know you have symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, trouble losing or keeping weight off (especially around your waist), maybe trouble gaining weight, hair loss, trouble sleeping, digestive issues (constipation, diarrhea, cramping, acid reflux), sugar cravings, headaches, and mood issues like anxiety or depression.
If that’s you, you are not alone. I’ve been there as well.
What are potential causes of these symptoms and your current health conditions? (Some may surprise you.)
Genetics
Toxins – food, environment, skincare, chemicals in air, water, etc.
Diet and food triggers
Digestion
Hormonal imbalances
Lifestyle – sleep, stress, exercise or movement
Thought patterns – mental and emotional health
Infections/Bacteria/Viruses/Parasites
Medication side effects
Spiritual life and purpose
Daily environment – people you’re around, family, friends, work, the “world”
I like this analogy. Think of your body and mind, your life as a giant bucket. If it’s filled up with many good things, you and your health will be optimal. But if it’s filled with more bad things, then your health will be worse.
The more of the optimal equals health, but more of the “bad” equals chronic Illness.
Here’s one specific factor.
Genes – You don’t have control of your genetics. You were born to who you were born to, and you can’t change that. But if you are aware your family history has some types of health issues in it, then you need to do everything within your control to stay healthy and prevent yourself from getting that or others.
For example, I’ve had a client who had a parent who had diabetes, was obese, ate only junk food, didn’t exercise, had a negative attitude, and didn’t do anything to herself emotionally, physically, spiritually – you get the picture.
So my client wanted to do whatever she could to prevent herself from metabolic issues like getting diabetes type 2 as she aged. At first it was for outer beauty; she didn’t want to gain any more weight and wanted to avoid premature aging or slow it down.
So we worked together so she could do whatever she could within her control. She learned what foods have less processed sugar and which ones gave her more energy and kept her full. She was in perimenopause at first and then once she hit menopause, she researched. I gave her some suggestions of places to research, she talked to her doctor, did more research, and then she made the decision to use bioidentical hormones to replace what her body was low in so she’d sleep better, manage stress better, and help with weight and mood. She also learned what foods triggered her stress and how to keep toxins at bay the best she could. And when she plateaued and felt she was at a standstill for a few months, she was able to get to the root cause by learning she had some parasites and how to eradicate them.
So you see, sometimes it’s a simple fix. And sometimes it takes a little more digging.
What about you? Do you wonder how and why you are where you are? Think about it this week. Do a quick survey of your health and ask yourself, “What’s my biggest health issue I’d like to work on this year? And how did I get to where I am right now?”
“Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.”
Josh Billings
Leah Cheshire is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and a speech-language pathologist. She has experienced fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, weight issues, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and IBS and has also worked with clients who have similar symptoms. Using nutrition and lifestyle management, she and her clients decrease symptoms and increase their energy and joy. Contact her here to talk about how she can help you.
