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!