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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 1984)
self serve worcI process^ - IBM personal computers • Epson RX-30 printers • Diablo 630 printer and featuring... Perfect Writer™Software ^Ttinko's copies 860 E 13th 344 7894 -BESTSELLER 20% DISCOUNT Late Night Thoughts on Listening to Mahler’s Ninth Sy in pony on symt by Lewis Thomas Author of The Youngest Science This magnificent third collection of essays by Lewis Thomas will both reassure and surprise his many devoted readers. In the title essay of this unforgettable book, Lewis Thomas addresses himself with terrifying poignancy to the question of what it is like to be young in the nuclear age. reg. $12.95 Discount $10.36 All Bestsellers Always Discounted * Receive an additional 10% off with Student/Fac/Staff ID ► New York Times Hardcover » Cash Register Sales Only » Limited to stock on hand uo BOOKSTORE GENERAL BOOKS 686-3510 13th & Kincaid Mon. - Fri. 7:30 - 5:30 Sat* 10:00 - 3.00 PMS: No longer a just myth, but a valid medical concern Researchers look into causes, treatments By Julie Shippen Of thr Emerald Decades ago when women complained of physical discom fort around the onset of their menstrual period they received little empathy and even less real^ medical attention. In recent years, however, the attitudes of the medical profes sion and society in general regarding the reality of some women's monthly symptoms — pre-menstrual syndrome — have changed considerably. “There's been a pretty strong revolufion in the last five* years towards taking pre-menstrual syndrome more seriously," says Carol |ohn, a nurse practitioner at the University's Student Health Center. One reason for this reversal of opinion is the leminist movement. "I think women today take themselves a little more serious ly," John says. I he validity of PMS as an ail ment is evident in the? establish ment of research c links nation wide designed spec ific ally for the study of the affliction. Another possible reason for the incTeased interest in PMS is the sweeping coverage of the subject in women's magazines and books. For example, an arti cle in the December issue of New Woman points out the ef fects of continuing field researc h on PMS. “It became clear that the ten sion evident during the Today is your Last Chance to win a heart with Heart Throbs Don't forget the people you care for on Valentine's Day! Mon Cherie, When you come near, You make me quiver. But, forget my Valentine, dear, And I’ll think of you as liver. You can still place your Heart Throb today. Ads must be placed by I pm at the SUAB Booth in the EMU Lobby, 300 EMU, the Bookstore and the Main Desk. Ads placed after Feb. 10 are not eligible for Heart Throb gift competition. premenstrual time was only part of what had to be called a syn drome — there were just too many other symptoms that con sistently occurred prior to menstruation,” says Niels Lauersen, M.D. Some of the typical PMS symptoms include nervous ten sion, irritability, headaches, fatigue, cravings for sweets, water retention and breast tenderness, John says. Some typical PMS symptoms include nervous tension, ir ritability, headaches, fatigue, cravings for sweets and water retention. As annoying as these may be, other symptoms such as forget fulness, confusion and anxiety can be especially hard on the female student during examina tion times. "It definitely affects academics," says Jan, a sophomore in journalism and sociology who suffers with PMS. "Every time I start a term, I check wi'h the syllabus for mid term and final time and hope to God they're not in the same weeks as my periods." Though these ailments can be synonymous with the discom torts ot tne actual menstrual period, John says they are not one and the same. "You have to differentiate PMS from dysmenorrhea or painful cramping during periods," John says, noting that the time trame varies between the two disorders. John defines PMS as "fhe presence of various symp toms... in the period prior to menstruation and no symptoms occurring after the menstrual period," the pre-menstrual time being up to two weeks before the flow. Just as symptoms vary from one woman to the next, those who suffer from PMS cannot be placed in any definable category. "It doesn't typically occur in Ihe younger college-age women," John says. "It usually hits women between 20 and 50 years old, with more affected from 30 to menopause." According to John, the underlying cause of PMS is thought to be a neuro endrocrine process, and she ad mits that research methodology is still less than optimal. "We're just beginning to research it„" she says. Treatment of PMS includes dietary improvement, increas ing exercise, reducing stress and vitamin supplements, John says. In severe cases, pro gesterone is prescribed. Eat yer Heart Out with a heart-shaped South Sider pizza for Valentines Day!
