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My doctor tells me I have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). All I know is that I have abdominal pain, and my bowels do not function properly. My husband does not have anything like that. Can you help me

Your Menopause Question: My doctor tells me I have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). All I know is that I have abdominal pain, and my bowels do not function properly. My husband does not have anything like that. Can you help me?

SPICE, PICKLES FOR LEG CRAMPS... Can it be that simple?

Most people have experienced muscle cramps, usually in the form of leg cramps. Surveys suggest that one‐third of adults over 60 years old and half of those over 80 experience muscle cramps, some reporting symptoms for ten years or longer. They strike without warning, often in the night, and usually, slowly respond as one keeps the extremity involved on stretch until the cramps  subside. Extrapolating from the experiences of athletes who get exercise‐induced cramps and people with peripheral vascular disease who get activity‐related cramps, one would assume that  muscle cramps must represent muscle fatigue, electrolyte imbalance, or tissue ischemia. Yet,  many muscle cramps occur temporally distant from any physical exertion and often when  hydration is not an issue. And for many athletes, hydration or electrolyte solutions have failed to  prevent or adequately treat their occurrence.