Womens Issues

What you need to know about actinic keratosis

Jessica Padykula — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:02:00 -0700

The sun is shining, summer’s here and you’re probably already spending more time outside than in. You already know you need to protect yourself from the sun but it’s also important to be proactive when it comes to knowing how overexposure to the sun can affect your skin. For instance, actinic keratosis – also referred to as sun spots – is an often-overlooked form of pre-cancer, affecting more than 10 million Americans. AK is worth knowing more about because it has the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma , the second most common skin cancer.

Epilepsy facts: Epilepsy by the numbers

Jessica Keenan Smith — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:45:00 -0700

Epilepsy has been shrouded in stigma for thousands of years. However, recent media coverage in the New York Times and Newsweek has helped bring to light the staggering number of people affected by the disorder. You might be surprised to learn just how many friends, neighbors and colleagues are living with epilepsy.

When a detox diet is really necessary

Carrie Kelly, RD — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 09:24:00 -0700

With the summer season right around the corner, more and more people are looking to get it in gear and get fit with intensified workout routines. But if you’re just working out, you may not be seeing the results that you want, and this could be because of your eating habits. Have you considered a detox diet to see if it makes a difference? If so, make sure you know whether or not you really need one, since detox diets should not be taken lightly. Here are some tips to determine when a detox is really necessary.

Antioxidant power: Polyphenols and why you need them

Laura Carson Miller — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 08:10:00 -0700

You’ve surely heard about antioxidants and how important they are in the makeup of your healthy diet, but have you heard of polyphenols? These super-nutrients valiantly fight free radicals and are in your everyday foods -- if you're following a healthy diet. Here's more on polyphenols and why you need them.

Bladder control surgery

Karen Hawthorne — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 07:55:00 -0700

Shawna was only two miles into running a 10-mile road race when she realized she was soaked. She crossed the finish line feeling embarrassed about her bladder control issues instead of feeling proud of her accomplishment. A surgical procedure – MiniArc Precise – has put an end to her bladder leakage and has given her the confidence to run a half-marathon this September.

Expert tips to manage allergies at home

Michele Borboa, MS — Sat, 21 May 2011 13:26:00 -0700

If anyone knows how to turn a home space from drab into fab, it’s designer, TV personality and real estate agent Sabrina Soto from HGTV’s Get It Sold and Real Estate Intervention. As a longtime allergy sufferer, Soto is also an expert on managing allergies in the home. Here are the designer’s tips to reducing allergens in your home.

Focus on fibromyalgia

Jessica Padykula — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:16:00 -0700

May is National Women’s Health Month! Even if you make your health a top priority every day, use this month as incentive to take even more positive steps towards improving your physical and mental health. May is also National Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, intended to educate people about this oft-misunderstood condition. For some more insight into fibromyalgia we turned to Dr. Beth Hodges to find out what it is, who it affects and what can be done about it.

Summer skin health: Skin cancer awareness

Jessica Padykula — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:24:00 -0700

Now that the weather is warming up and the sun has finally come out of hibernation, people are showing a lot more skin. We’ve all been wearing layers for far too long, but celebrating summer shouldn’t mean risking your health. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, which means we need to do more to protect ourselves from harmful UV rays. You can still worship the sun; just make sure you’re not doing it sans sunscreen.

Causes of hormonal imbalance in women

Michelle Maffei — Fri, 06 May 2011 13:37:00 -0700

Menopause isn't the only cause of imbalanced body chemistry - lifestyle, medication and pregnancy can also throw off your body's hormone levels at any age. So before you give in to living with the discomforts of hormonal imbalance, discover the causes of hormonal imbalance and how you can reduce your symptoms.

Resiliency: Get skills to be happier and healthier

Kristina Marquez — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:41:00 -0700

Lance Armstrong faced a devastating diagnosis that changed his life. He battled cancer and survived – and came back to cycling and life physically and emotionally stronger. He was resilient. What does resiliency mean to you? Your health could depend on your resiliency. Here’s how to embrace it.

How to prevent urinary tract infections

Janice McDuffee — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:05:00 -0700

The onslaught of a urinary tract infection is clear: The constant urge to go; the burning; the discomfort. For those of us who’ve dealt with recurring urinary tract infections, we’re all too familiar with how the unpleasant events that follow those initial symptoms often develop at a rapid speed. Unfortunately, by the time we make it to the doctor and receive antibiotics to fight the infection, we are likely already experiencing a great deal of discomfort, and sometimes a great amount of pain. What can we do?

Teri Hatcher's mystery illness: Frozen shoulder

Karen Hawthorne — Fri, 06 May 2011 08:14:00 -0700

Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher is battling a debilitating and rare condition that has rendered her left arm practically useless, she told Extra TV. Now the actress wants to spread awareness about the problem and let people know it’s not slowing her down on a charity project to fight child hunger.

How to reduce your risk for depression

Michelle Maffei — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:01:00 -0700

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women are 70 percent more likely than men to experience depression during their lifetime. Although the causes and levels of depression vary, reducing your risk of depression through exercise, diet and other measures is possible. Here are some ways to help reduce your risk for depression.

3 Common female sex problems

Michelle Maffei — Tue, 03 May 2011 16:00:00 -0700

According to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, sexual problems were reported in 43 percent of women surveyed -- which means you're not alone! From pain during intercourse due to vaginal dryness to difficulty achieving an orgasm, learn more about the three most common sex issues for women.

Women’s health: Tips for finding the right doctor

Kristen Fischer — Sun, 01 May 2011 11:33:00 -0700

If you’re looking for a new doctor, look within before you start asking for recommendations from friends or scouring the Internet. Many of us are so intent on finding any doctor that we forget what matters most to us -- a doctor that meets our individual needs. Here’s how to take charge of your health care and find the right doctor.

Diet tips to manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Karen Hawthorne — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:02:00 -0700

Are you bothered by frequent constipation, gas, bloating and diarrhea? These are symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome , a disorder of the digestive tract. Most people, however, don’t realize they have it, but it affects a fifth of the population and is more severe in women. Researchers now suggest making dietary changes is the best way to manage symptoms and feel better.

Alcohol and your heart: What you should know

Jessica Padykula — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:37:00 -0700

Over the past several years we’ve heard a lot about the heart-healthy benefits of alcohol, but that doesn’t mean a green light when it comes to overindulging in beer, wine and spirits. Moderation is still key where alcohol is concerned – health benefits or not. In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, we’re taking a closer look at the safest way to raise a glass to your health.

Is your gym making you sick?

Linda Melone, CSCS — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:20:00 -0700

You expect to feel a bit sweaty and fatigued after a good workout -- not breaking out in hives and wheezing. If that's happening, something else may be at work. If you feel worse at the end of your workout than when you started, one of the following allergy triggers may be to blame. Here are a few common gym allergies and ways to sweat through them.

12 Health screenings women need

Jody Oomen-Early, PhD, MS, CHES — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:05:00 -0700

Being a woman today often means keeping track of schedules and deadlines. With so much to do, and so little time to do it, we often bypass our own needs to attend to the needs of others in our lives. Honoring ourselves and being vigilant about our health is central to being able to fulfill our responsibilities, strengthen our relationships, serve our communities and achieve our personal goals and life’s mission. Getting regular checkups, preventive screening tests and immunizations are among the most important things we can do for ourselves in our quest to stay healthy. In honor of Women’s Health Care Month, we present you with 12 health screenings every woman needs. Depending on your personal risk factors and family medical history, your primary care physician may recommend additional or more frequent screenings.

Anxiety: Should we fear natural disasters and global unrest?

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:51:00 -0700

Are recent global events keeping you up at night or consuming your thoughts all day, every day? Even if a natural disaster or a global event doesn’t happen in your backyard, you can still experience mounting – even debilitating – fear and anxiety over your family’s safety. We talked to Dr. Gregory Jantz, author of the upcoming book Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear: Practical Ways to Find Peace , about the health consequences of chronic anxiety and how to put your fears at ease.

The most important tips to stay healthy and live longer

Howard S. Friedman, PhD and Leslie R. Martin, PhD — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:21:00 -0700

We have the spent the past 20 years conducting an extraordinary research study of the lives and loves and careers of over 1,500 Americans. For the first time ever, individuals have been tracked for their whole lives -- from childhood though old age -- to study their health and well-being. We found one single most important way to live longer, look better and feel younger.