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Understanding the Basics About PMS

You want to know more about what PMS is and how to recognize the symptoms of the syndrome. You have come to the right place. Read on to discover the basic facts about Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Premenstrual syndrome is difficult for even doctors to identify, so do not feel bad is you are having difficulty knowing if what you or a friend has, is really PMS or not. The symptoms can mimic other diseases or conditions. In fact, that is how doctors make the diagnosis of PMS; based on symptoms and by ruling out other diseases and conditions that may cause those symptoms. When all other diseases or conditions have been ruled out and the symptoms are consistent with those known as PMS, the woman is given the diagnosis of Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS for short.

There are a wide variety of signs and symptoms for PMS that are physical, emotional or psychological in nature. The variety of symptoms can also be different intensities ranging from mild to severe. The symptoms can change from month to month and the intensity level can also change from month to month. Women between the ages of 20 and in their 40s who have at least one ovary intact can be subject to PMS symptoms.

The most common symptoms that have been associated with PMS are moodiness, crying spells, acne, anxiety, forgetfulness, depression, confusion, acts of aggression, physical or emotional abuse, irritability, food cravings or changes in eating habits such as overeating, fatigue, water retention and weight gain, headaches, backaches, and tender or sore breasts. Ask your doctor for a complete list of the symptoms when you have your talk about the possibility of PMS. Your doctor will ask you to keep a symptom journal for 2 months so that you can record the symptoms that you experience along with the intensity of the symptoms and how they affect your life. Your doctor will use this journal when making your diagnosis.

If you are diagnosed with PMS, you do not have to let the syndrome ruin your life because you can do many things to relieve your symptoms and take your life back. Some of the ways that you can help yourself feel better is to eat a healthier diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits and lots of fiber. Make sure that when you increase your fiber intake, that you also increase the amount of water you drink to a minimum of 8 full glasses of water each day. Stay away from salt, refined sugar, caffeine and junk foods. One of the symptoms that some women notice just before their period is due to start is that they can have an intolerance for alcohol; so, it is a good idea to avoid or at least limit your intake of alcohol one to two weeks before your period is due to arrive. Another thing you can do is to increase your physical activity level to include a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day, even if that exercise is just a walk around the block. Aerobic exercises is a fun way to keep moving and what ever exercise you choose to do the endorphins released that are a part of exercise can make you feel good which helps to dispel the PMS symptoms of moodiness, sadness or anxiety. You home remedies such as a heating pad, soak in a warm tub, relaxing to your favorite music or taking over-the-counter pain relievers and diuretics.