Nicola Moore looks at how menopause symptoms and a long history of colitis are causing “havoc” for a busy mother who is battling weight gain, discomfort, tiredness and sugar cravings.
Carole, 53, has suffered with colitis for years, even being hospitalised during very bad flare-ups. “I control everything I eat. I love salads but unfortunately the fermentation can build up in my stomach and put me in real trouble; same for too many uncooked vegetables, fried or spicy food, and too many good things like alcohol.” While living in Asia she developed acid reflux, which she thinks was due to much of the food being fried. Despite mostly managing her colitis with diet (she occasionally needs medication) she still suffers from occasional bloating “to the point that I look pregnant”.
The menopause has created “havoc” for her: she gets headaches and her left hip has begun hurting as she has gained weight. She is 5’ 2” (157.48cm) and weighs 10st 3lb (65kgs). For most of her adult life she weighed 8st 9lbs (55kgs).
She lives in the countryside and is currently studying, which means she spends a lot of time driving or sitting at a desk. Recently, she replaced the chocolate in her car with dried fruit to be more healthy. “I crave sugar a lot, especially now that I am over 50 and menopausal. If I am stressed or bored I will eat biscuits, which are there for our teenage son. If we had chocolate in the house I would eat half a bar.” When studying, she fights the urge for hot chocolate to keep her going. She says she has less energy, sleeps badly and has hot flushes. She feels as if her metabolism has completely changed.
After years of not eating breakfast, she now splits a meal over a few hours because she cannot eat a big meal in the early morning.
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