(Charlotte Libov's third visit to power surge)

Dearest:       It is with great pleasure that I welcome back to Power Surge 
journalist, author, women's health advocate, speaker and founder of 
National Women's Heart Health Day (Feb. 1st), CHARLOTTE LIBOV

Dearest:	Charlotte Libov is the co-author of  "The Women's Heart Book:
The Complete Guide To Keeping Your Heart Healthy and 
What To Do If Things Go Wrong". Charlotte has also written, "50 Essential 
Things To Do When The Doctor Says It's Heart Disease." (Plume) and her 
newest book book,  "The Migraine Book"

Charlotte also helped create and is featured in "Women's Hearts At Risk," a 
one hour documentary broadcast by PBS. Charlotte's own experience with 
heart disease was the impetus behind her writing about heart disease in women.
	
Charlotte, welcome back :) If you had to give only three suggestions to a woman
who suffered from chronic migraines, what would they be?


Charlotte Libov:	There are several important thiings but, if she's a woman who hasn't sought 
medical help in the past because she's given up, I would suggest she go back and 
see a doctor because there are some excellent medications now that can really help.
Oh, and two more things, to keep a migraine diary to better understand
the causes of her migraines.


Dearest:	How does one tell if she's suffering from a migraine, a sinus or
cluster headache, or any number of other types of headaches? 


Charlotte Libov:	There are specific symptoms of all three. Generally, migraines often appear 
on one side of the head, although that can differ, and may be accompanied by 
other symptoms, such as vomiting and vision problems. Tension headaches
often feel like bands across the head. Cluster headaches are extremely
intense, come in, well, clusters, and often include a running nose. They are
a rarer form and more commonly occur in men. The important thing 
to know is that there are different types of medication for treating all three.


Dearest:	Aren't migraines associated with women's hormones? The only time I ever 
had headaches was theday before my period and for two years during perimenopause.



Charlotte Libov:	  It's true that migraines are very often associated with hormones. up until 
puberty the number of boys and girls who get migraines is equal, but, 
following puberty, that shifts and its three times more common in women. 


RCHCTH:	Why do I wake up with a one-sided (rt side) headache from a sound sleep?


Charlotte Libov:    I'm sorry, I really couldn't tell you. How long does it last? 


RCHCTH:	Can last all day---I usually take Esgic


Dearest:	Do you sleep on your right side?


RCHCTH:	I can draw a line from my neck to the top if my head. Sleep on both sides -- 
putting pressure on it seems to help


Charlotte Libov:	It could be a type of migraine .Within the broad category of migraine there are 
many differnet types and they can have different characteristics. Does anyone else in your 
family get migraines? There is a hereditary component. 


RCHCTH:	My daughter, but hers are much worse


LORACURA:	Do migraines always occur on only one side of the head? 



Charlotte Libov:	The interesting thing about migraine is that there is a lot of variability.
So while they characteristically appear on one side, they can sometimes 
seem to appear throughout the entire head. 


Dearest:	Have you ever heard that hormone replacement therapy results
in migraines in many women?


Charlotte Libov:	Many women report that their migraines lessen and even disappear
at menopause, so yes, hormone replacement therapy can cause them to 
start up again . Hopefully the doctor the woman sees is skilled in this and
can adjust the hormones. It's not known exactly the effect that hormones
have but they obviously do have an impact. 


RoseMDP:	I have sinus tachychardia and PVCs.  What do hormones have to do with them?


Charlotte Libov:   Hormones might or might not have something to do with them. It depends
on you individually what the cause might be. 


Dearest:	Don't babies have sinus arythmias?


Charlotte Libov:	Actually, pediatric cardiology is something that I really haven't researched. 


Dearest:	When I was diagnosed years ago with a sinus arythmia, my internist said it was 
nothing to worry about -- that all babies have sinus arythmias.


Dearest:	Dandee, go ahead.


Charlotte Libov:	To recap, an arythmia is a n irregular heartbeat and there are serious types and 
completely benign types. 


Dearest:	Rose, you might want to try 500 mg. magesium every day and at the onset of a
migraine. 


Dandee6:   Hi- I had a hysterectomy (complete) two years ago.  I am taking just estrogen 
right now- should I be taking something else along with it?  I don't feel myself. I hear about 
other hormones, like yam ones- I hear that they are good for you!


Charlotte Libov:	I can talk about HRT and the effect it's believed to have on the heart but I'm not 
equipped to prescribe.  


Dearest:	RCH, go ahead.


RCHCTH:	If there is phlebitis in the family, should HRT be avoided?ga


Charlotte Libov:	If you have phlebitis that's something you would definitelywant to discuss
with your doctor. If it's a strong family history, you might want to bring it 
up, or if you have other conditions that might lead to phelebitis
but if you don't have it, HRT might not be contraindicated. Again, I'm not 
a doctor and a lot would depend on what your individual case is. GA


Dearest:	 Thanks, Char. Sue, go ahead.


Sue:	What do you recomend to someone who has gone from Dr to Dr trying to find 
relief from migranes?  I suggested a headache clinic at a major University. Was that a good 
suggestion? 



Charlotte Libov:	Yes it was. Also, in a few days, I'm going to be putting up my web page
update that will include some one-line sources of information. But a 
headache clinic at a major medical center of University medical center
woujld be an excellent place to start. The URL of my web site, btw, is
www.libov.com, and, if Dearest wishes, she can download the information
into the library here. 


Dearest:	And there are excellent resources in Charlotte's book, "Migraine: 50 Essential 
Things To Do (Plume).


Sue:	I also suggested your book :o)


Dearest:	Great, Sue :)


Dearest:	Lizzie, go ahead, please.


MsLizzieB:	If heart arrythmias are common at menopause, and hypertensive medication is 
prescribed,  is it likely to assume that you could go off the medication later?



Charlotte Libov:	It depends on the cause of the arrhythmias. If it's related to menopause, I would think 
so,  but please remember that I'm not a doctor and I  hesitate to say anything that could be 
construed as medical advice. 


Dearest:   Lora, please go ahead.


LORACURA:	If headaches begin at perimenopause, are they likely to continue post meno? 


Charlotte Libov:	Headaches and migraine are very unpredictable, but since the fluctuations
of the hormones are particularly strong at menopause, they very well might 
not. But the one thing I learned when I was researching migraine is that 
there are absolutely no hard-and-fast rule. 


Dearest:	Char, you can develop a migraine from some of those commercials, alone, for 
migraine medication... why are they so dangerous to take? 


Charlotte Libov:	Are you talking about the commercials for the new migraine treatments 
like the one showing the truck coming at you? They have a lot of warnings


Dearest:	Yes and some of the others like Imitrex


Charlotte Libov:	and the reason is that they are vaso-constrictors so if you have undiagnosed
coronary heart disease or strong risk factors, they could possibly cause a 
heart attack. This has VERY rarely happened, but it could happen. 


Dearest:  I think everyone is so afraid of malpractice these days, they'd be better off...
listing what CAN"T happen from medication than what can :)


Dearest:	Lizzie, go ahead.


MsLizzieB:	Can you tell us some things to do to keep our hearts healthy?  How good is garlic?


Charlotte Libov:	There was a recent study that pretty much said that garlic really didn't do much.
but studies always tend to contradict each other so there might be more information on this. 
But, as of now, garlic isn't a major way to prevent heart disease. 


Dearest:	What other ways can women in menopause protect their hearts?  Soy phytoestrogens? 
Anti oxidants? Vitamin E? Selenium?


Charlotte Libov:	Two of the major ways are quitting smoking and exercise. Also the antioxitant, 
Vitamin E has some good studies behind it, although not 100 percent proof.
Soy lowers cholseterol, so its good in that way. I haven't come across anything
relating to selenium lately, but there was some press about a potential 
cancer preventative property awhile back. 


Dearest:	There seem to be therories to disprove every theory that comes along.
It's hard to know what to believe anymore. 	


Charlotte Libov:	Regarding studies, it's good to wait and see what works consistently, what is 
proven study after study. Then groups like the heart association and the American cancer
society has "consensus" conferences to sift them and come up with recommendations. 


Pamonacp:	Have mitral valve prolapse, exercise makes it goes hay wire, not a smoker, any 
suggestion?  



Charlotte Libov:	You might talk to your doctor about cardiovascular medications that 
can be helpful with palpitations and the like that accompany mitral valve 
prolapse. Also, make sure your doctor is sympathetic to your problem as 
sometimes they don't tend to be with MVP. 


Sue:	How much do our genes have to do with heart disease?  


Charlotte Libov:	Our genes probably have a significant amount to do with it, but when you're
trying to evaluate your family history, bear in mind that what is significant
is the age at which any of  your relatives developed heart disease. It's 
significant if your father or grandfather developed it before 55 and mother
or grandmoher developed it before 65. If they are older, it could be simply
due to aging and not hold any warning clues for you. GA


Dearest:	Char, what are your thoughts on meditation, yoga, exercise,
etc. in treating migraines?  Char, tell us about the new book you're writing. 
It sounds fascinating.


Charlotte Libov:	I have b ig news!!! I've just learned that an excerpt fro my new book,
"Beat Your Risk Factors" will be excerpted in the April edition of 
Ladies' Home Journal, so I hope you will all look for it. The book offers

Charlotte Libov:	common sense things to do to prevent cancer, heart disease, 
osteoporosis, diabetes and stroke. And Dearest, thank you so much. 



Dearest:	How wonderful! Congratulations! Shall we assume the book will be out before 
April then?


Charlotte Libov:	I knew you'd be tickled for me. 


Dearest:	I'm always happy for you.


Charlotte Libov:	Ah, a good question, but, alas no, the book won't be out until July. 


Dearest:   I'll be looking for it :) Rose, go ahead, please 


RoseMDP:	I need to gain weight (don't hate me). How can I do that and be good to my 
heart too? 


Charlotte Libov: Well, if you're medically underweight, gaining weight to a normal weight 
probably wouldn't harm your heart. Plus it isn't only excess weight that adds to 
heart disease risk; it depends on where the weight is situation and women who 
have their excess weight in their stomach seem to be at more risk than those
of us who carry our excess weight in our hips. GA


Dearest:  Thanks, Char. Mary, go ahead, please :)


PianoMary:  Now that high fiber is not supposed to prevent colon cancer, is there anything 
we can do? 


Charlotte Libov: That's one of the dangers of just following health in the media. Although
that one study did not find that fiber helped with colon cancer, the 
women in that study were younger than when colon cancer peaks, so 
it is possible the study did not last long enough to cause a benefit. 
There are some sound biological reasons why fiber may reduce colon 
cancer risk so the experts are not switching their advice yet. Fiber also
helps cholestestrol as well,  so its healthy for your heart. GA


PianoMary:	I sure hope so - thanks!  


Dearest:	Excellent. Thanks.  BIN, go ahead, please.


BIN409:	Is is normal for a menapausal woman to experience a higher temperature all 
the time and have surges on top of that?


Charlotte Libov:  Regarding a higher temperature, I don't know. That's more Power Surge's
expertise than mine!


Dearest: Last question goes to our own RCH!


RCHCTH:	What are the signs of heart attack for women?


Charlotte Libov: Thanks so much for that heart attack question.  The symptoms of a 
heart attack in women can be chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath,
unusual fatique, pain traveling down the arm or into the jaw, a feeling of 
imending doom, the same as we've always heard for men, with an important
BUT, and that BUT is that women may suffer strong symptoms or their
symptoms may be less intense and even subtle, and feel like a respiratory
problem or flu-ish, back pain, etc. So that's an imortant BUT and I thank you
so much for asking that question. You can find a lot more about
women and heart disease at my web site, "Women's Health Heart Line"
at www.libov.com and a think there's some articles in the library here as well. 



Dearest:   Char, thanks for visiting with us in Power Surge and answering our 
questions about migraines, heart disease and other health concerns.

Anyone interested in obtaining any of Char's books can find them on  
Charlotte Libov's Web site . 

Please join me in thanking Charlotte Libov for another informative and
stimulating visit to Power Surge :) 


PianoMary:	{S applause
Dearest:	Thanks, Char!!!
Sue:    	{S applause}  Thanks for coming again
Dearest:	{S applause
Howard1978:	THANK YOU!!!!
LORACURA:	{S applause
RCHCTH:	Thank you so very much.
PianoMary:	Thanks so much Char!
PONDGIRL00:	Thanks
Z J Gragg:	{S applause
PianoMary:	{s applause
Sue:	        {S applause
Z J Gragg:	Whoop!  Protocal is over!!!
Howard1978:	I've learned so much in the last month here.  Thanks Dearest!

Dearest:	So glad to hear that, Howard. How do you like the taste of Revival?
Dearest:	Isn't it wonderful? I've been using it for five months now and not one 
single hot flash since.


Charlotte Libov:	Thank you so much for having me. It's always a pleasure. Don't tell anyone else, 
but this is Always my favorite  chat :). 
      

Dearest:	And you're one of my favorite guests :) Char, let me remind everyone about 
National Women's Heart Health Day on Feb. 1st -- founded by Charlotte Libov :)


Howard1978:	I just started Revival this week.  ALREADY feel more energetic.

Dearest:	There ya go :)

BIN409:	 :(

Dearest:	So happy to hear that, Howard.

PianoMary:	about the Heart Health - not necessarily protocal LOL


Dearest:  On Jan. 31st, join me in welcoming back medical author, Ruth Jacobowitz,
author of the "150 Most-Asked Questions About Menopause and
the new, "The Estrogen Answer Book." 

 Revival Soy Protein Shakes are fabulous for 
women in menopause. 184 mg. of natural phytoestrogens or natural plant estrogens..
eliminate hot flashes, depression, mood swings, fatigue. You can talk directly with
Physicians Laboratories Medical Director, Aaron Tabor at 1-800-700-8687


RCHCTH:	Good news--- the prunes are working in the Revival

Howard1978:  I loved Dr. Tabor last week.  I got chocolate. And I don't waste my 
calories on bad tasting stuff.  This is worth the Small amount of calories


Dearest:  Depression - gone!  Energy way back up. I use it to fill my carb requirements 
and still lost 24 pounds. I won't give it up for anything!


Howard1978:   YES!  I didn't need a nap the last few days.  It's not a nervous energy.  
Just FEEL GOOD 

Dearest: That's so wonderful, Howard. It gives me such pleasure to know that I
found Revival :)

Z J Gragg: Dearest--I can testify what a difference it has made in your mood since 
before you were on Revival.

Dearest:   You can, Zelma?  You can tell online?

Howard1978:   I can't do high potency energy vitamins. This feels so natural. 

Z J Gragg:  You are much more upbeat--yes, I can tell online!!! 

Dearest:  Isn't that interesting, Zelma. I didn't think I was any different. Live and 
learn :)

Howard1978:  ljb - I've hung around here for a month and waited to order.  It's good stuff!
I'm post meno and can't use HRT either.  So this is helping a lot. I'm using progesterone 
cream and soy protein in Revival.

Howard1978:  You go surf Dearest's site, you will get SO informed!

Dearest:  On AOL at keyword: power surge or "ages and stages"

Howard1978:  Go surf the power surge web site.  I've spent hours there. Lots of good tips on
everything - SURVIVAL
 
RCHCTH:	Our keyword is power surge right?

Dearest:  Yes, RCH, it is.

Howard1978:  Go to keyword Powersurge or keyword, Ages and Stages for our AOL chats
and AOL boards and put it on your favorite places.



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Dearest
aka Alice Stamm
Power Surge
Founder, Facilitator, Host


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