I found this fascinating quote today:
How open are we when it comes to talking about sex? We are all so captivated, yet intimidated and shy about sex. It always seems to play in the back of our own minds. My question is just how much are we appreciative of our sexuality?Blog, HEALTHY TIPS FOR LIFESTYLE: Sexuality, Feb 2004
You should read the whole article.
Read more...Move over sex toys and tantric art, a glass or two of red wine are more than enough to increase a woman''s libido, say researchers.
As for the reason: Italian doctors, who carried out the study, claim that chemical compounds found in red wine may boost sexual functioning by increasing blood flow to key areas of the body, The Telegraph reported.
To reach the conclusion, doctors at the University of Florence recruited 800 women aged 18 to 50. None of the women had ever reported a sexual health problem.
The volunteers were split into three groups as those who regularly consumed one or two glasses of red wine a day, those who consumed less than one glass a day of any sort of wine or other alcohol, and those who were teetotal.
HEALTHY TIPS FOR LIFESTYLE: Red wine boosts sexual desire in women
Ultrasound Vision is a Charlottesville company that offers a chance for parents to see highly detailed images of their unborn baby with a 3D/4D ultrasound. The technology shows a baby sucking his or her thumb, smiling and even yawning.
Sylvia Wildermuth owns the Ultrasound Vision franchise in Charlottesville. She's a trained 3D/4D ultrasound tech. She requires all moms to be under a physician's care and have completed a second trimester diagnostic ultrasound with a doctor before getting a 3D/4D ultrasound at her company.
It is the same safe sound waves that are used with your doctor's ultrasound machine. Some doctors even have this exact same machine in their office," said Wildermuth.
The 3D/4D ultrasound shows detailed images of the baby, unlike a traditional black and white 2D ultrasound.
The 3D/4D ultrasound is a fun experience where mom, dad, grandparents and siblings can get a sneak peak of the baby.
News Source : 3D / 4D Ultrasound
The study led by German researchers showed that neither the length of time the pill was taken nor the type of hormones used had an affect on pregnancy rates.
In the European Active Surveillance Study on Oral Contraceptives, the researchers followed 60,000 European women for five years. Among them, 2064 admitted that they stopped using the pill because they wanted to become pregnant. The findings revealed that 21 per cent became pregnant one cycle after stopping contraceptive use.
After three cycles, the rate of pregnancy had increased to 45.7 per cent, and at one year (13 cycles) 79.4 per cent were pregnant.
On the other hand, one in five women who did not conceived in the first 12 months, 45 per cent did so in the second year (26 cycles) after stopping the pill, giving an overall success rate of 88.3 per cent.
However, researchers from Bayer Schering Pharma and ZEG-Centre for Epidemiology and Health Research in Berlin did admit that women who had been using the pill for a long time did have a slightly lower rate of pregnancy than those who had used it for a short period, but this was due to the effect of age, not long-term contraceptive use.
News Source : Oral contraceptives don’t affect women's fertility
Spontaneous abortion or miscarriage occurs naturally without medical intervention or other procedures. On an average, about 20-25 percent of the pregnancies result in miscarriages. Among these, more than 90 percent cases occur in the first three months or 12 weeks of pregnancy, which is also referred to as first trimester. In some cases, it takes place so early that the gravida was not aware of high risk pregnancy.
In induced type, abortions are carried out by the administration of pills or surgical procedures. If the induced facts about abortion pill are for the wellness of the gravida, then it is known as therapeutic abortion. On the contrary, induced abortion performed for any other purposes is called elective abortion. Before undergoing abortion, one can opt for medical counseling about the pros and cons of abortion. The procedure of induced abortion is performed under the medical supervision of a licensed physician.
Despite the shouting and name-calling at the town hall meetings, I remain hopeful about health care reform. I have no other choice. As an obstetrician-gynecologist, I spent years learning how to keep women healthy. Too often, I find myself telling patients with easily treatable conditions that I can't help them — they don't have the money to get well. Denying women care and watching them suffer rips me apart. That's why I've become an ardent advocate for health care reform.
I am not talking about withholding the latest, cutting-edge, exorbitantly priced medications or treatments. No — I've had patients whose health insurance doesn't cover such basic health needs as Pap smears and birth control prescriptions. And forget about having a baby — many insurance policies don't cover prenatal care or labor and delivery, or they treat pregnancy as a pre-existing condition.
News Source : Women need health care reform
The beginning of menstruation marks the transformation of a young lady into womanhood. It is at this time that the body is being prepared for reproduction. The menstrual cycle plays a big part in determining when the woman can get pregnant after an intercourse; which is why it is very important for women to be aware of what's going on in their bodies within their menstrual cycles. It is nature's way of warning you when is your safe period and pregnancy can be avoided.
Several factors are at play within the woman's body during the reproductive cycle. If you are practicing or may plan on using the natural method for family planning, it is essential for you to note what your menstrual cycle is. It is imperative that you know which days to avoid or get pregnant. The body of a woman has a way of telling her when it is safe to have sexual intercourse without the risk of getting pregnant.
A woman's body shows some signs of its fertility period. One of the signs that show your fertility is through the fluid discharges during your cycles. These bodily fluids will help you determine when your body becomes more sperm friendly giving you now the opportunity or the choice of getting pregnant. When your discharges has some resemblance to that of an egg white, then it means you are fertile, and may most likely get pregnant. Just to be on the safe side, you may want to use another method of contraception or avoid sexual intercourse on these days when you have this type of discharge. However, this sign would also help those who are planning to have a baby sooner than later.This mucous-like discharge notifies you that you will be ovulating soon. However, there is also another way of determining when your body is ready to ovulate. All you have to do is to check your temperature every morning right before getting out of bed. If your temperature rises to about 0.4 to 0.6 degrees within a period of five days, this means that your body is ready to ovulate. So keep a chart and check your temperature regularly to keep yourself posted on when your ovulation period begins and ends.
Ovulation is within a period of 24 hours. Try to see whether the mucous-like discharge becomes clearer as the ovulation ends. If your period comes regularly, it is easier to track for signs of your safe period and pregnancy is not most likely to happen Your safe period begins at around 3 days after your ovulations period and until your period begins.
If a woman's cycle is irregular, these methods may not be an effective form of family planning. It is best for the couple to take other precautions to avoid pregnancy. This is to say that the natural method is not as reliable as other means of contraception, however it is less invasive and lets the couple enjoy the act without any barriers. And for those who prefer the natural means of contraception, it is just important for you to know your safe period and pregnancy would not have to be a concern for you.
Want to learn everything there is to know about safe periods? Visit http://blog.linkkiss.com today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Haven_Zhang http://EzineArticles.com/?Things-You-Need-to-Know-About-Safe-Periods-and-Pregnancy&id=2881204
The best possible way a woman can get pregnant is if she has been in a position wherein her entire body is in the peak in which it is most susceptible to conception. There are a number of factors of which a woman can be placed in the most ideal condition to become pregnant which can also be the best possible tips on how to get pregnant.
Ovulation plays the key factor in becoming pregnant. A woman who has a regular menstrual cycle would usually have their ovulation on the 14th day of the cycle. On this day, a woman becomes most susceptible to pregnancy as their fertile eggs become open to welcome fertilized sperm to be able to make a successful union. The best way for one to be secured of higher chances at conception is for one to be able to have sex a few days from the date of ovulation; sperm is known to be able to stay alive for up to five whole days inside the uterus.
Unlike the fertilized female egg which only has a life span for about 24 hours or less. This is why to have live sperm standing by until the date the fertilized egg is ready until it eventually dies out. This way, one will be increasing their chances at pregnancy. Keeping sperm inside the female system is also a tricky yet vital factor to raising the opportunity for pregnancy. This is why most women are advised to have sexual intercourse in a position where one would be able to prevent the natural course of gravity to take its toll from keeping sperm inside.
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Every Woman Should Ask Her Gynecologist Questions Before Surgery By Chris Robertson
Gynecology means the science of women. In medical terms, gynecology refers to the specialty that deals with the health of the female reproductive system. Gynecologists address a variety of conditions, including infertility, cancer, and menstrual irregularities. Common procedures performed by gynecologists include tubal ligation, laparoscopy, hysterectomy, and removal of ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroids
Women may have many questions to ask their gynecologists before deciding on surgery or other treatments. With uterine fibroids, for example, women have treatment options. Asymptomatic fibroids may not require treatment Symptomatic fibroids may be treated medically or surgically. Several drugs are available to relieve symptoms and/or reduce fibroid growth. Treatment choices depend, in part, on the age and fertility status of the women.
Tubal ligation
Deciding to have a tubal ligation is a major decision for a woman. A tubal ligation is a surgical procedure that renders a woman sterile, thereby preventing pregnancy. The procedure involves cutting, clamping, tying, or blocking the fallopian tubes to prevent eggs from traveling to the uterus. Tubal ligation also blocks sperm from moving along the fallopian tube to meet and fertilize the egg. Tubal ligation is considered a permanent type of birth control, but it can be reversed, with varying degrees of success. Most women considering tubal ligation have many questions to ask their gynecologists before surgery.
Ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in or on the ovaries. Many ovarian cysts do not cause symptoms and may not require treatment. Other ovarian cysts can cause pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvic pain, pain during sex, abnormal bleeding, or difficulty passing urine completely. Women should get immediate medical assistance if they have pain with fever and vomiting; sudden, severe abdominal pain; faintness, dizziness, or weakness; or rapid breathing. Doctors often recommend that women who have no symptoms wait and have the cysts re-checked in several months.
Doctors may recommend surgery for postmenopausal women who have painful cysts that don't go disappear. Surgical options for ovarian cysts include laparoscopy and laparotomy. Laparoscopy is done if an ultrasound (test that uses sound waves to show the cyst's size, shape, and location) indicates that the cyst is small and benign. If the ultrasound shows that the cyst is large and possibly cancerous, doctors before a laparotomy. Both procedures require general anesthesia. Most ovarian cysts, however, are not cancerous and go away without treatment.
Infertility
Gynecologists also treat infertility. Treatments for infertility vary according to the cause of the infertility, the age of the woman, and other considerations. Advances in fertility treatments provide increasing options; there are many questions to ask before deciding on infertility treatment.
There are many sources of information about gynecological problems and treatments. Medical providers can give extensive information and answer many questions. The first step is knowing the questions to ask. Some Internet sites offer-free-questions to ask a gynecologist before surgery. It is critical that women ask questions and get answers before submitting to any gynecological treatments. Anyone with medical issues should understand their situation and options before deciding what to do.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about Gynecology Questions.
Women nowadays suffer from various kinds of mental and physical issues that are mainly caused due to the high levels of stress and anxiety that they suffer from. It has been seen that women are usually prone to Ob-Gyn, Oabnormal pap smears, Osteoporosis, Perimenopause health problems like as compared to men because they are genetically different and their hormones and reproductive organs are usually the main sources of their trouble. The health of a woman is crucial because she is not only responsible for her own health but also has to bear a child.
Thus it is vital that women implement various steps to know more about women's health and related issues so that they can take better care of their body and thus avoid and prevent these ailments and diseases. There are various kinds of physical and mental ailments that befall a woman and these deal with issues like breast cancer, diabetes and reproductive and birth control issues. It has been seen that most of these issues are critical and need immediate care.
It is vital for women to understand that their body types and structure are not the same like men and hence taking care of their body the same way that men do is not going to help. One of the biggest issues that women have to face today is the problems of drinking and smoking. It has been that the consumption of alcohol in women has gone up drastically and this has resulted in various kinds of health problems like infertility and other related issues.
The National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) has recently announced changes to the CervicalCheck screening programme.
The CervicalCheck programme was launched in September 2008 which involved the creation of a nationwide screening test which assessed a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer.
All a woman had to do was to attend her General Practitioner who would carry out the simple test for free there and then.If the test found abnormalities another simple procedure could be carried out, if necessary, on a later date by a gynaecologist which would essentially prevent the progression to cervical cancer.
The programme has the potential to reduce rates of cervical cancer by 80% if 4 in every 5 women were to avail of the test.
However, the recent changes announced mean that screening will shift from being open access to an organised call, re-call method of invitation to begin in September 2009.
This means that women who have not availed of the screening programme yet will need to register if they wish to do so in the future. In a letter to GPs the NCSP said that this will mean that even after going through the trouble of registering, women will have to wait 6 months before receiving a letter of invitation allowing them to avail of the test.
News Source : CervicalCheck changes spell danger for women's health
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center introduced an all-inclusive women’s health center Wednesday to cater to the reproductive health of women of all ages.
The center will enable patients to get all of their examinations, lab work, ultrasound and other procedures done in a centralized spot, instead of being shuffled around the hospital to different locations for each part of the process.
"The goal of the center is to provide comprehensive care to women who are preconception all the way through the life span, to help with her obstetric and gynecological issues," said Amy Warengo, a registered nurse and senior manager of the center.
The center offers Banner Health’s first three-dimensional sonohysterography, which allows doctors to see the inside of a uterus with clarity and detail not possible with a traditional ultrasound.
The pain-free procedure involves inserting a transducer and saline fluid through the cervix, then using ultrasound technology to see the uterus in 3-D form.
News Source : Center cares for women through all stages of life
A CDC analysis shows that pregnant women are more likely than the general population to develop severe disease after infection with the pandemic H1N1 swine flu virus. They are four times more likely to be hospitalized, with an unusually high death rate.
Although media reports have focused on deaths among pregnant women with underlying disease, most pregnant women who have died of swine flu were healthy when they caught the pandemic virus.
Even so, the findings do not mean that all pregnant women will suffer severe disease, says study leader Denise J. Jamieson, MD, MPH, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the CDC's Women's Health and Fertility branch.
"Most women who become ill with flu are going to have mild disease just like in the general population," Jamieson tells WebMD. "But it does seem pregnant women are at increased risk of severe illness and death. So the proportion of deaths among pregnant women is larger than you would expect."
The CDC has details on 266 of the 305 U.S. swine flu deaths reported as of July 29. Fifteen of these 266 deaths -- about 6% -- were among pregnant women. Most of the deaths were among women in their third trimester.
News Source: Pregnancy Raises Swine Flu Death Risk
Many Metro Detroit women are deciding to improve their health by focusing on their physical fitness. Joining a gym can give you access to guidance, equipment, and expertise while you're getting in shape. You don't have to join a gym to reach your fitness goals. But, if you do invest in a membership, you will need to research to find facilities that are friendly, safe, and comfortable for you and your family.
With hundreds of fitness centers spanning across Metro Detroit, choosing the one that best fits you can be a daunting task. Also, everyone wants to get the best deal for their money. You want to make sure that the gym you choose provides what you are looking for in a facility.
Be sure to shop around and get a good feel for each facility before your final choice. There are certain things to consider when you are visiting gyms:
An Idaho State University researcher looking for gender-specific differences in how alcohol affects the brain says experiments on rats appear to show physiological stress responses are much higher in females.
Dan Selvage, an assistant professor of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, is conducting a five-year study with a $1.1 million grant recently received from the National Institute of Health.
He said the findings are significant because consistently high levels of stress hormones can mask the body's natural feedback and create stress-related disorders.
"If you have an infection, you won't notice the symptoms of it until it gets much worse because the stress hormones are blocking the way your body would respond to it and take care of it," Selvage told the Idaho State Journal.
Eventually, he said, the study could lead to gender-specific treatments for alcohol abuse in humans.
"Females tend to suffer the ravages of alcoholism much more quickly than males," Selvage said. "Part of that's due to metabolism, but another part of that is thought to be that alcohol activates body stress responses a lot more in females."
He said premenopausal females in particular have a much higher incidence of stress-related disorders, and that stress suppresses the immune system, leading to an array of health problems.
Selvage said alcohol tends to decrease testosterone secretion in males, but increases estrogen production in females. Extra estrogen, he said, is linked to an increased stress response.
"Stress responses originate at the level of the brain, and of course, the brain communicates with the pituitary, which then sends signals to the adrenal glands that release what's called cortisol," Selvage said.
Cortisol increases blood pressure and blood sugar while dulling the body's immune responses, Selvage said.
He said the study is being done in such a way so that small amounts of alcohol are injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid of the rats.
"We give an animal with low estrogen levels alcohol and then we see what its stress response is by measuring hormones in the blood or by measuring activation of certain areas in the brain," Selvage said. "Then we look at a similar animal with high estrogen levels, give them alcohol and see what kind of response we get.
"We really look throughout the brain to see what brain pathways are involved in receiving this noxious alcohol. The whole idea is to come up with ways to try and block that stress response as well as you can."
News source : For more information visit
Perimenopause can be defined as the stage of menopause transition years. In this stage the reproductive hormones, such as estrogens, progesterone and testosterone decreases. The periodic menstruation cycle becomes irregular and there are unpredictable fluctuations in levels of hormones. During the Perimenopause the fertility level of the woman also reduces, although it cannot be considered zero until she has reached the stage of menopause officially.
The menopause age can vary in women and so does the menopause transition years. Some of the women start experiencing the effects of the menopause transition at the age of 35 whereas many of them might experience the same in their mid or late 40s. The duration of Perimenopause can be of lesser than 10 years in some women while in some it might be longer. The bodily effects and severity of perimenopause is unpredictable and it may be vary in every individual women.
Perimenopause has different effect on women and during these transition years many women also undergo bodily changes due to fluctuations in the hormonal levels. One of the most common effects of menopause transition phase is "hot flash" or "hot flush". "Hot flash" or "hot flush" is referred to as sudden rise in the body temperature. When the flash sensation occurs in a woman, the body temperature rises to its peak and then rapidly drops down. Hot flashes can result in heavy sweating and can make the person feel tremendously weak.
Hot flashes can cause a lot of discomfort to the women but, they are not considered harmful by the doctors. To ease the discomfort caused by Hot flashes women can take prescription medications, or SSRI medications, or over-the-counter plant estrogens and herbal remedies. Other, Perimenopause effects include mood swings, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, and lack of concentration. Some of the women who do not experience any physical effects of perimenopause may undergo some psychological changes. Medical treatment can basically help a woman in Perimenopause Management and lessen the impact of menopause transition.
Article source : - Perimenopause Management
Abnormal Pap smear Overview
Abnormal Pap smear is an indication of infection or presence of abnormal cells called dysplasia. A pap test is conducted to verify this abnormality. It is a routine screening test in which the cervix is scraped off from the womb or uterus. The cells of the cervix are examined by the doctors to check if there is any kind of change in the formation of the cells. With advancement in technology the Pap test helps in early detection of the abnormalities. Although, having an Abnormal Pap smear does not mean that you have cancer. Cancer is detected with the gynecologic pelvic exam which is usually done after the Pap test. Pap test is a very simple, quick, and painless screening test.
Facts about Abnormal Pap smear Test
• Regular abnormal Pap smear test is advisable for all the women who are sexually active.
• Abnormal Pap smear test has helped to reduce the deaths caused from cancer significantly.
• Abnormal Pap smear test is just a screening test and not a diagnostic test.
• Abnormal Pap smear test does not help to detect cancers of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.
• Abnormal Pap smear test must be done at regular intervals of time even after hysterectomy.
• Abnormal Pap smear test can also be done when you are pregnant.
Causes of abnormal Pap smears
Abnormal Pap smear is caused due to infection or an inflammation. Some of the common causes of Abnormal Pap smear are Yeast infections, herpes, trichomonas, recent sexual activity, or use of vaginal preparations. In most of the cases the cause of Abnormal Pap smear is HPV or human papilloma virus which is also called genital warts. It is a very common infection that is found in most of the women who are sexually active.
Diagnosis of abnormal Pap smears
The three main factors that play an important role in the diagnosis of Pap smear are: patient’s medical history, Sample adequacy, and the presence or absence of cellular abnormalities. If the pap smears test is abnormal and your doctor notices some changes in cells of the cervix during the diagnosis then he may suggest treatments, such as Colposcopy, Endocervical curettage, and Biopsy. Depending upon the results the treatment is done.
Article source : - Abnormal Pap smear Management
Newswise — Recently the use of laparoscopy for vascular procedures has been limited by difficulties in aortic exposure and anastomosis techniques, as well as the concurrent competitive progress of endovascular surgery. For aortic repair, best results (in terms of long-term patency) have been obtained by conventional surgery which has been associated short-term morbidity and mortality.
Endovascular techniques (which are noninvasive but have less reliable long-term results) as well as video-endoscopic aortic surgery are alternatives to conventional surgery. Minimally invasive surgery benefits include reduced time in intensive care and a shorter hospital stay; a quicker resumption of intestinal transit; less abdominal wall complications; and reduced requirements for anelgesics.
“The goal of total laparoscopic aortic repair is to achieve the same outcome as open repair without invasive laparotomy,” said Jérôme Cau, MD, professor at Poitiers University Hospital in Poitiers, France. “However, specialized training is required to master the procedure and get acquainted with coelioscopic practice necessary for laparoscopic suture.”
Dr. Cau said he and fellow researchers performed a study that completed a retrospective analysis of laparoscopic techniques for vascular procedures in a series of 219 patients, to determine its feasibility for treatment and outcomes with respect to aortic occlusive disease (AOD), abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and aorto-renal bypass in the endovascular era. These findings were presented today at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Vascular Surgery®.
One hundred and twenty-seven AODs; 80 AAAs and 12 aorto-renal bypasses were studied from the hospital; this series did not include 110 aortic bypass patients operated on in others centers by this team. The mean patient age was 61 years and the gender ratio was three men to one woman. The mean operative time of procedures for AOD was 223 (±50) minutes, with a mean clamp time of 56 (±21) minutes. A total of 3.6 percent of AOD procedures had to be converted to open surgeries.
For laparoscopic AAA procedures, the mean operative time was 262 (±57) minutes and the mean “clamp time was 103 (±15) minutes. Eight AAAs had to be converted to an open procedure. The 30-day mortality rate was 0.9 percent. Overall mortality rate was 13.4 percent during a mean follow-up time of 16.2 months. The primary assisted patency rate for AAAs and occlusive disease was 100 percent.
Dr. Cau added that as any in any relatively new technique, laparoscopy’s place in vascular surgery remains to be defined. He noted that for aortoiliac occlusive diseases, this technique has shown excellent results and should compete with open repair for the treatment of TASC C & D occlusive diseases.
“Aneurysm repair in laparoscopy has been demonstrated to be feasible and reliable, and in our experience showed promising and satisfactory results,” noted Dr. Cau. “In the aneurysmal pathology we can predict that the competition with endovascular aortic repair (which is becoming the standard) will make laparoscopy more difficult to ‘find its place’ and make room for hybrid techniques. Specific training remains particularly important to reach technical success in laparoscopy and needs to be presented to the young generation of vascular surgeons in university pilot center.”
“Precise indications for this kind of surgery, compared to endovascular and open surgery, remain to be determined by randomized studies,” added Dr. Cau. “Nevertheless, it is a difficult technique. Further development will rely on effective training, advances in technique and instrumentation.”
News source : for more information visit
There was an editorial recently in “The New England Journal of Medicine” whose headline easily caught my eye: “Ounces of Prevention-The Public Policy Case for Taxes on Sugared Beverages”, by Drs. Kelly Brownell and Thomas Frieden.
Because this is a health column rather than a political column, I don't plan to address the arguments for or against taxing sugar-sweetened beverages. The text of the editorial is available online at www.nejm.org, and I’d love to hear back from any of you with your reactions.
What I definitely would like to address, however, is the effect on our health from drinking sugared beverages.
I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve had conversations with my patients about their weight-loss efforts, hearing over and over again how they can’t lose weight no matter what they do.
“What about sweetened drinks?” I ask. “Well, I do have that Big Gulp of Dr. Pepper for breakfast every morning…” they innocently reply. Sometimes I don't even need to ask — the cup has accompanied them into the office.
Most people have no idea of the number of calories represented by the liquids they down every day. An 8 ounce serving of Coke or Pepsi (just so I’m not picking on Dr. Pepper exclusively) has about 100 calories, or about 12 calories an ounce.
My guess is that no one drinks just one 8-ounce serving, so for that 32 ounce large cup you get 400 calories. That may not sound like a lot, but it is more than is in the medium serving of French fries you bought to go with the drink.
As if putting that number of empty calories into our own bodies isn’t bad enough, sugary drinks are a major cause of the continuing rise in childhood obesity. According to the editorial in The New England Journal, 10 to 15 percent of the calories consumed by children and adolescents now come from sweetened beverages.
The offending drinks aren't always soft drinks-non-carbonated beverages such as sports drinks and fruit-flavored drinks are just as unhealthy. Having “electrolytes” and being marketed for athletes does not make sugar and corn syrup-containing drinks into performance enhancers.
Summer has arrived at last, and as the weather heats up we will need to reach for cold drinks more and more often to replace the sweat we’re all losing during that half hour of exercise a day. (You are doing that, aren’t you?)
Consider that you’ve just burned about 100 calories by walking or running a mile. Do you want to negate that effort by drinking a measly eight ounces of a soft drink? And if you haven't burned any calories from exercise, do you want to add even more extra pounds to your waistline by reaching for that sugar-filled cup?
Don’t wait to find out if new taxes on your favorite beverages will help make that decision for you. Drink healthy, and encourage your children to do the same.
Article source : - Women's Health: Sugary drinks can attack your health
St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center has been named a “premiere hospital” by the Spirit of Women Health Network.
The Sioux City hospital is one of about 25 health care facilities nationwide and the only hospital in the tri-state region to obtain the designation, based on an evaluation of national standards that measure clinic excellence in women’s health care and community outreach.
“It is very rewarding to be recognized for programs we believe are vital for women of all ages,” St. Luke’s President and CEO Peter Thoreen said at a recent news conference.
The CEO was flanked at the podium by a number of the female staff members who helped compile the mountain of supporting paperwork included in St. Luke’s winning application. The audience included dozens more employees, who celebrated afterwards with cake and beverages.
According to Spirit of Women, a national network of U.S. hospitals aiming to improving the health of women and their families, St. Luke’s earned its premier status for women-centered care, call-to-action education and access to care in seven strategic areas.
Spirit of Women conducted its evaluation in cooperation with the Office onv Women’s Health and Department of Health and Human Services.
Kristen Cook, director of St. Luke’s Spirit of Women program, launched four years ago, offers a variety of innovative services, including an event that allows women to complete all their screenings and exams in one day. In addition, St. Luke’s has collaborated with Prairie Pediatrics to offer a teen health program for girls at high risk of diabetes and with Girls Inc. on a program focused on self esteem.
Four out of five Siouxland families now chose to have their babies born at St. Luke’s, which in 2008 set a new record for births with 2,102, according to the hospital.
Article source : - National network cites St. Luke’s for women’s health
UCSF is hosting a public meeting with the National Institutes of Health this week, giving Bay Area scientists and health care advocates a rare opportunity to help direct the future of federal funding for women's health research.
San Francisco is one of only four cities in the country hosting such meetings, which are designed to collect opinions from scientists and public health experts, along with regular women who have something to say about research that affects their health.
The Bay Area meeting starts today with a four-hour public comment period and goes through Friday.
"It's a really great honor to be the West Coast site for this," said Nancy Milliken, director of the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. "It has attracted people from throughout the region and the rest of the country, and we have such a wonderful, savvy and passionate advocacy community out here. I'm delighted we're going to have their voices in the deliberations."
The NIH created an office devoted to women's health research in the early 1990s, after scientists and health care advocates went to Congress with complaints that women often weren't fairly represented in clinical trials. The prevailing belief at the time was the research that applied to men would also apply to women - which often isn't the case.
The Office of Research on Women's Health aimed to make sure funding from the NIH - the main source of federal money for medical research in the United States - would be directed to studies that helped women, too.
At the same time, NIH policymakers used the newly created office to draw attention to health issues that were particular to women, and not just in reproductive science. Once every decade, the NIH develops a 10-year plan for research based on input from scientists around the country.
This week's meeting in San Francisco will focus on women's health research as it relates to the environment, information technology, HIV/AIDS, global health and stem cell science.
A lot has changed in women's health research and clinical care since the previous 10-year plan was developed, said Linda Giudice, chair of the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, and a member of the NIH women's health advisory committee. There's been a fundamental shift in how doctors and patients view hormone replacement therapy, for example, and AIDS has become a major threat to women's health worldwide, Giudice said.
The Bay Area was chosen as a meeting spot in part because of the wide variety of medical research taking place in the region, said NIH officials. In addition, the Bay Area has a thriving health advocacy community made up of women who aren't scientists but work on a grassroots level to promote research.
These women can't necessarily make it to Washington, D.C., to talk directly to the NIH. So the NIH is coming to them.
"What's important is that women have the chance to express their feelings," said Vivian Pinn, director of the Office of Research on Women's Health. "That sets the tone for the rest of us who are scientists and researchers and doctors and clinicians. Everyone learns a lot."
It's too late to sign up to participate in today's public-comment period, but the three-day conference is free to the public and anyone can attend meetings today, Thursday or Friday. There will be question-and-answer sessions with researchers and an opportunity for public comment during scientific discussions Thursday.
Article source : - Feds want public ideas for women's health funds
Osteoporosis Overview
Osteoporosis is a health condition in which the thickness of the bones is reduced and they become more prone to fracture. The bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced significantly which disrupts the bone micro architecture and alters the number of non-collagenous proteins in the bone. Osteoporosis results in fragile, porous, and week bones. The components like protein, collagen, and calcium that make the bones and give them the strength are lessened and this causes osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can cause the bones to break, crack, or collapse even by a small injury. The common areas in which the serious fractures occur are spine, hips, and wrists. Women are more prone Osteoporosis especially when they have reached their menopause stage. The condition is called postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can occur in both men and women.
Common Symptoms of Osteoporosis
There are no particular symptoms of Osteoporosis apart from fractures in different skeleton bones. Sometimes this bone disease is not detected for years and patients are not aware of their condition until the problem is serious or there is a server painful fracture. Osteoporosis can be identified from the areas in which the fractures occur.
• Spine fractures that result in severe back pain and hunched-back can be Osteoporosis
• Minimal trauma fracture occurred in course of normal activity can be a sign of Osteoporosis
• Hip fractures caused due to falling or a trivial accident can be a symptom of Osteoporosis
Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis
Prevention is the treatment of osteoporosis as there is nothing that can completely rebuild the bones. Early detection can help to reduce the risk of fractures and taking adequate amount of calcium and vitamin can help to increase bone density and strength. Medications that can help to make the bones strong, such as alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), raloxifene (Evista), ibandronate (Boniva), calcitonin (Calcimar), and zoledronate (Reclast) can be helpful for osteoporosis patients.
Some of the preventive measures that an osteoporosis patient must take are:
• Take a protein and calcium rich balance diet and exercise regularly.
• Curtail alcohol intake and quit cigarette smoking.
• Intake of calcium supplements can help in building strong and healthy bones.
Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) is the most common process that is used to diagnosis osteoporosis. In addition to this certain blood tests and X-rays are done to check the acuteness of the problem. All tests must be performed by highly experienced doctors, who have complete knowledge of the disease and are experts in the field.
Article source : - Osteoporosis Management
You should always try and take care of your health at all times, because when you are healthy you are in turn ready to take on the world. When you choose good health over a not so caring attitude you are on the right track and making a good choice with unparallel benefits. Ob-Gyn Colorado is dedicated to caring for their patients with dignity, compassion, and superior knowledge. They help their patients with the right care they deserve.
At Ob-Gyn Colorado, you can get Quality information on obstetrics and gynecology. Services like Family planning services are also given to their patients. Pregnancy can be avoided to a great extent, as the Health care providers use IUDs, a small device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus, for birth control.
Peace of mind in regard to ones health is a great relief. Pap smears are given so that women can have peace of mind about not being stricken with cancer. Pap smear is routine screening test, which is undertaken, during a pelvic exam. Denver doctors are known for taking proper examination of the same, where they use a process, which involves the surface of the cervix, being scraped with a spatula and the scraped-off cells from the cervix are fixed on a glass slide. Denver consists of highly proficient doctors who are experienced, in their field of expertise.
Ob-gyn Englewood is reputed for world-renowned physicians who have tremendous experience. At Englewood, you will receive enthusiasm for the whole discipline of women's health care. Services, which are quite known at Englewood, include: Ultrasound diagnostics on the premises, Pre-natal care and delivery for normal and high-risk pregnancies, uterine fibroid management and treatment, Pelvic pain management, Infertility treatments and menstrual irregularities.
Becoming a mother is huge step and decision in ones life. If you consult obstetrics gynecology Denver, you assured of proper help. It is known that every single labor and delivery is different and at Obstetrics gynecology Denver, you are assured of a holistic approach.
When an individual notices, sizeable quantity of bone deficiency, it is linked to osteoporosis. Women are more likely to have osteoporosis, as time goes by bone bulk drops creating first a condition known as osteopenia, which is thereafter followed by osteoporosis, where the bones become fragile, porous and prone to fractures. Denver Osteoporosis Englewood will cure your problem in time.
During Perimenopause, women go through a number of changes such as: psychological, spiritual as well as emotional. Perimenopause Denver-hysterectomy Denver is known for their expertise and related treatments wherein a patient will not have to worry.
Thus you can choose to be healthy, while opting right.
Article source : - Choose to be healthy at all times
Health and Wellness:-
Celebrating a Century of "Women’s Health,” a free all-day educational program on women’s health issues will be held Wednesday at Meigs High School.
The health fair will be held from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is open to all students, grades 9 through 12, their mothers and other female relatives, as well as other women of the community.
The primary goal of the program is to help women come to an appreciation of health issues, both past and present, and to learn about responsible health care and prevention geared to lifelong wellness.
“It is critical that women, young and old, be empowered with knowledge which they can apply in their personal lives” said Jeri Thomas, graduate student from Ohio University School of Nursing, who is chairing the event. She said the event will provide women with health information along with some baseline knowledge for behavioral change.
For more details visit:- Women’s health fair coming to Meigs High School
Human Papilloma Virus
HPV is short for human papilloma virus . HPVs are a group of over 100 related viruses. Each HPV virus in the group is given a number, which is called an HPV type. HPVs are called papilloma viruses because some of the HPV types cause warts or papillomas, which are non-cancerous tumors. HPV is a very common sexually transmitted disease; 15% of the population is affected at any time, but most of people affected are between the ages of 15 and 24.
Unfortunately, HPV often has no symptoms, so women especially do not know they have it. In addition, the infection usually clears without treatment, and although it is undetectable in most women within two years of the infection, it can remain in the body for many years.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 100 different virus types, each of which can cause different health problems including: common, plantar, and genital warts, skin and cervical cancers. Two types of HPV, 6 and 11, are responsible for 90% of genital warts. Two other types, 16 and 18, are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers.
HPV vaccine prevents the types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is given in three shots over six-months.
1) This vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year old girls.
2) For girls and women age 13 through 26 who have not yet been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series.
Importance of HPV Vaccine
Effect of HPV Vaccine
This vaccine targets the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is highly effective in preventing those types of HPV and related diseases in young women.
For more details on women's health visit http://www.milehighobgyn.com.
There is mainly two types of female hormones those are produced by the ovaries:-
1) Estrogen
2) Progesterone
These two hormones are always producing equally. When one hormone is increasing in production, the other increases too. These hormones regulate a women' s menstrual cycle during her reproductive years. These hormones are very important for the body if they become imbalance then it creates complications.
Symptoms
1) Fatigue
2) Depression
3) Anxiety
4) Wrinkles
5) Allergy
6) Fibrocystic breasts
7) Premenstrual Syndrome
8) Endometriosis
9) Facial hair growth
Cause:-
Hormonal imbalance is caused by too much estrogen in a woman’s body, an excess which is not balanced by progesterone.
Effects:-
1) Imbalance hormone effects the life , a women with unbalanced hormones are at risk of developing ovarian and cervical cancers, and may also become infertile.
2) It may may result in weight gain, depression or irritability, difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, bone loss, and other complications such as osteoporosis and breast cancer.
Hormonal imbalance can be prevented by controlling diet or exercise regimes.
For more details on women's health visit http://www.milehighobgyn.com
Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer can often be cured when it’s found early. It is usually found at a very early stage through a Pap test.
It's Causes :- Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has it. There are many types of the HPV virus. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts, but other types may not cause any symptoms.
You can have HPV for years and not know it. It stays in your body and can lead to cervical cancer years after you were infected. This is why it is important for you to have regular Pap tests. A Pap test can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you treat these cell changes, you may prevent cervical cancer.
It's Symptoms:- Abnormal cervical cell changes rarely cause symptoms. But you may have symptoms if those cell changes grow into cervical cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include:
* Bleeding from the vagina that is not normal, or a change in your menstrual cycle that you can't explain.
* Bleeding when something comes in contact with your cervix, such as during sex or when you put in a diaphragm.
* Pain during sex.
* Vaginal discharge that is tinged with blood.
How is it treated? Cervical cancer that is caught early can usually be cured. If the cancer is caught very early, you still may be able to have children after treatment.
The treatment for most stages of cervical cancer removes the cancer and makes you unable to have children. These treatments include:
* A hysterectomy and removal of pelvic lymph nodes with or without removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes.
* Radiation therapy.
* Chemotherapy.
Urinary incontinence (UI) is any involuntary leakage of urine. It's common and distressing problem, which may have a profound impact on life.
Different types of incontinence:-
1) Stress Incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), also known as effort incontinence, is due essentially to insufficient strength of the pelvic floor muscles. It is the loss of small amounts of urine.
2) Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence is involuntary loss of urine occurring for no apparent reason while suddenly feeling the need or urge to urinate.
3) Functional Incontinence
Functional incontinence occurs when a person recognizes the need to urinate, but cannot physically make it to the bathroom in time due to limited mobility. The urine loss may be large.
4) Overflow Incontinence
Sometimes people find that they cannot stop their bladders from constantly dribbling, or continuing to dribble for some time after they have passed urine. It is as if their bladders were like a constantly overflowing pan - hence the general name overflow incontinence.
5) Structural Incontinence
Rarely, structural problems can cause incontinence, usually diagnosed in childhood.
It can be reduced by
1) Weight loss
2) Medications
3) Surgery
4)Absorbent products.
Planning before you get pregnant is very important. Simply put, the healthier you are as you are pregnancy planning, the more likely you are to have a healthy baby. We hope you'll start planning for pregnancy as soon as you begin to have thoughts about having a baby.
Pregnancy Planning may help you to:
By planning your pregnancy, you will know that during this important early stage you were taking the best possible care of yourself and your baby.
To be or not to be! This has always been the burning question for ages. Like wise to abort or not to abort has been the question raging everyone since times in memorial.
What does abortion mean?
Abortion is usually delineated as the release or expulsion of the fetus or the embryo from a woman's body. It can be uncontrolled or involuntary as in the case with Spontaneous Abortions. On the other hand, a planned or voluntary abortion, also referred as Induced Abortion, may be further categorized into two distinct types: Elective Abortion and Therapeutic Abortion. Now, Induced Abortion is a woman's prerogative if she is not in favor of being pregnant or since the pregnancy may jeopardize her mental or physical health.
When questioning, "what is abortion all about", it is very vital to make clear the kind of abortion you wish to talk about. Miscarriage or Spontaneous abortion occurs naturally, as it is a body's way of eliminating something harmful from a pregnant mother. At times, this takes place due to genetic issues or because the fetus is abnormally formed. Medical practitioners normally propose Therapeutic Abortion in pregnancy cases that may cause harm to a pregnant mother.
Personal grounds are usually cited for opting for Induced Elective Abortion. The woman may be of the opinion that she isn't mentally or emotionally prepared for parenthood, or supporting a child would be difficult.
The query 'What is Abortion All About' encompasses various kinds of abortion procedures. Herbal, chemical, and surgical abortion options exist, although herbal abortion is not very dependable and is far more risky. Normally, herbal abortions, today, are not carried out. The most well known and widely preferred abortions are the Surgical Abortions.
Abortions can be carried out, in the first three months of pregnancy, by Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA), Dilation and Curettage, or Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA). EVA and MVA procedure employ suction to take out the embryo. EVA makes use of a pump, and MVA employs a syringe to take out the tissue. Curettage and Dilation entails opening up the cervix and a sharp curette is put in to scrape the walls of the uterus.
Afterwards, abortion can be carried out by Hysterectomy, Intact Dilation and Extraction (called partial birth abortion), as well as by means of Dilation and Evacuation. In Dilation and Evacuation, instruments and suction are used to take out the tissue after dilating the cervix. Intact Dilation and Extraction consists of a medical procedure in which the brain matter of the fetus is taken out, so that the head falls down, thus making it far easier to take out the fetus. The Hysterectomy abortion is fundamentally a cesarean section process.
Chemical abortions use drug combinations to effect a pregnancy termination or abortion. Use of Mifepristone or Methotrexate is combined either with Gemeprost, which is regularly used in Sweden and the U.K., or with Misoprostol, which is generally used in the U.S. Majorities of people are unable to obtain this important information when they inquire, 'What is abortion all about'.
'What is abortion all about' also has legal connotations. Many Western nations have made legal the initial period abortions in the initial three months of pregnancy. In the U.S., the Partial Birth Abortion Ban puts paid to the Intact Dilation and Extraction procedure being used in the last trimester of pregnancy, even though this law is at present before the Supreme Court of America, since it makes no provision for the mother's health in the case of Therapeutic Abortion.
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More and more women are seeking alternative treatment options for common symptoms of PMS, menstrual difficulties, menopause, and infertility. Acupressure has become a widely recognized safe and natural alternative offering much relief and for good reason.
Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses key points along the energy meridians in the body allowing balance and wellness. For over 5000 yrs Asians have used acupressure to access the body's natural self healing ability. Chinese medicine looks at re-balancing the root causes for disease and illness versus the western band aid take a pill approach.
Why do traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners look to the liver when dealing with women's health issues?
The liver is responsible for balancing hormones in the body, cleansing blood and making blood. A sluggish liver can cause many disharmonies and is most often times the root of women's health issues. Our western diets are full of fats and sugars that impede the liver from functioning properly. Habitual frustrations and recurrent feelings of anger also harm the liver. These next liver points are most often used in acupressure to treat women's health issues.
Liver 14- is located below the breast where the bra wire sits. This tender point is located between the ribs in a little nook closer to the sternum or hard part of the breast plate. If this is a tender point for you then chances are your liver could use a little boost. Hold this point with firm pressure usually 1-5 minutes until the pain subsides. You will notice a softening and the point won't be as sensitive to the touch. Liver 14 regulates and re-balances the energy of the liver and if you are experiencing menstrual difficulties such as irregular menses, pms, cramps, heavy bleeding or menopausal disorders this is a great point to use frequently.
Liver 3- is located on the foot between the first and 3rd toe up into the fleshy part of the foot about 2 inches up from the web. It is usually very sensitive. This is one of the most powerful points in the body as well as being the source point of the liver. It is not to be used by pregnant women as it brings energy down in the body and promotes labor. Liver 3- is used for all women's health issues stated in the previous paragraph. It is also beneficial for headaches in front of the eyes as the liver control the eye orifices as well. Once again hold this point for an extended period until the pain subsides.
Using these two acupressure points can help to relieve many women's health problems. Stimulating these points daily will bring quicker results. Consider a liver cleanse and moderating your diet to limit fatty foods, red meats, diary, and alcohol to regain a healthy liver function.
Eating dark green bitter vegetables like asparagus, swiss chard and spinach also cleanses the liver. Most women crave chocolate during menstruation as the bitter flavor in the cacao stimulates the liver's purifying action.
Consider using alternative modalities such as mediation, various breathing exercises and yoga if emotions such as frustration and anger get the best of you. And remember that your body is not working on a microwave time-line. It takes quite a while for an imbalance to manifest and cause various health problems. So be patient with your body and give it time to heal, and do its job properly again.
Vanessa Simpkins is an acupressure practitioner who specializes in teaching others how to stay healthy using natural alternative therapies. If you want to get in touch with Vanessa or learn more about acupressure please visit:Free Information On Women's Alternative Health
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