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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Beating Menstrual Cramps and Bloating


It's that time of the month again. You keep finding yourself checking the back of your jeans in the mirror in paranoia. You scornfully look at your pants in frustration as you roll around in your jeans trying to zip them up while sucking in your bloated belly. You wake up in the fetal position from pain staking cramps and you find yourself searching for meds like hobbits searched for Rings. (I never watched Lord of The Rings so excuse me if that's inaccurate.) Anyway, the moral of the story is that while we are usually grateful when we get our period, we are never quite prepared for the game of Russian Roulette that is PMS side effects. Well it is my one woman mission to find you ladies remedies and being that mine have been milder than usual thanks to some of these remedies, I thought it was time to share.
 
B Vitamins
B Vitamins have been known to relieve menstrual cramps and bloating especially B6, which can reduce bloating by acting as an enzyme catalyst and improving cellular function. In the book "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," it states that patients given a multivitamin with high doses of B6 and magnesium have 70 percent reductions in premenstrual and post-menstrual symptoms; this includes menstrual cramping. B3 is also a beneficial vitamin  and may relieve menstrual cramping by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the uterus. I take a daily hair, skin and nail vitamin that is rich in B Vitamins, but B Complex is also a great source of B Vitamins. Go to your local Health and Nutrition Store to speak with a nutritional expert or talk to your doctor about a good B Vitamin regimen for you.
  
Diced Pineapples
Fresh pineapples have an enzyme that is thought to relax muscles thus relieving menstrual cramps.

Ginger
Did you know that ginger is said to be a tried and true cramp remedy. So drink a few glasses of ginger tea or if you love the spice of the ginger, you can go to many ethnic markets and buy ginger juice.  However, if you are a smoothie-aholic like myself go to the grocery store or your closest juicer and have them add a healthy dose of ginger to your next drink.
 
PMS Prevention
 1. Eat Less High Sodium Foods
Eat less high sodium food the week leading up to your period, like canned soups and salty snacks, because salty foods causes the body to retain water.

 2. Don't Drink Caffeinated Beverages The Week Before Your Period
Caffeine can cause muscles to  constrict and worsen menstrual cramps.

3. Soak In Some Suds
Take a warm bath with bath salts before bed instead of the shower during the week of your period to relax the muscles.




DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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