About.com Women's Health

Wear Red For Heart Disease Awareness

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:39:25 +0000

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women? While over 500,000 women die from heart diseases every year, the fact is that only about 13% of women are aware that heart disease causes so many deaths. The good news is that there are steps you can take to lower your risk of heart disease.

Show your support for heart disease awareness and wear your favorite red dress, shirt or blouse, shoes, or other clothes on Friday, February 5, 2010 -- National Wear Red Day^�-- the day when all across the Nation women wear red to show support for heart disease awareness.

Wear Red For Heart Disease Awareness originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 01:39:25.

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When MRSA Hits Home

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:10:09 +0000

You've probably heard about antibiotic resistance. You know, infections that fail to clear up even though you've taken all of your antibiotics. The medical term for this condition is MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA has been around for years -- in fact, MRSA has been the leading cause of hospital deaths. That's the hospital-aquired (HA) type of MRSA or HA-MRSA. But MRSA is no longer confined to hospital patients, it's showing up in the community in people who have not been hospitalized. This type of MRSA is known as community-acquired MRSA or CA-MRSA.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria that often lives on the skin, and sometimes in the nasal passages, of perfectly healthy people. Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, often shows up in skin infections such as boils and pimples, and more and more often is not healing after a round of traditional antibiotics. This is where MRSA comes in -- when traditional antibiotics such as penicillin-type drugs fail to cure skin infections, as well as other more serious types of infection that can affect the heart, blood, lungs, and bones.

Staph infections of the skin frequently present as red, swollen, and very painful boils on the skin. There may be pus draining from the infection and a fever is often present. Of course, I'd heard of MRSA, but I didn't worry too much about it until a few weeks ago, when a very painful boil popped up on my back in a matter of minutes one evening while I waited for my son to fix his first flat tire. I wasn't sure what was causing the pain -- maybe it was a suddenly painful pulled muscle. Once my son and I got home, he looked at my back and said it was an abscess, which I begged (because, as a medical assistant he knew better) him to "pop." He finally gave in to me, but that didn't really stop the pain or make it better.

Finally, two days later, I called my doctor (who actually often answers his own phone) and he told me to come right in. One look at my back and he knew what it was� and prescribed the treatment for MRSA -- a combination of three antibiotics. Wow, those antibiotics made me feel horrible, but I took them until they were gone and returned to the doctor for my follow up appointment. It was only after I had finished the antibiotics and been back to the doctor that I finally looked up the antibiotics I had taken -- I'd taken two of them before, but had never heard of one. I wondered about the antibiotics, at that point, because over twenty-four hours since I'd finished the medication I experienced the most incredible night sweats ever -- in spite of having a hysterectomy over 10 years ago. As I read the possible drug interactions for the new antibiotic, I saw that it said it could interfere with "female hormones, including birth control pills." It definitely interfered with my hormones, as bad as the sweats were I wouldn't have been surprised to have drowned in my bed. Now I have the deepest empathy for women who experience sweats on a regular basis, or as a result of using medications such as Lupron.

I've learned a lot about MRSA in the last few weeks, especially about how to prevent MRSA. Today, I go back to the doctor, and although the area on my back is still red, I think it's healing.

When MRSA Hits Home originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 10:10:09.

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Mirena IUD Approved For Treatment Of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:59:20 +0000

The FDA has approved the use of the Mirena (levonorgestrel intrauterine system) IUD for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in women who have given birth. The Mirena IUD is the only intrauterine device currently approved for this indication. This type of contraceptive is small and flexible, and releases hormones into the uterus that prevent pregnancy. Only a qualified health care professional can insert the device.

The Mirena IUD was originally approved for contraceptive use in 2000. Since its' approval, the most serious and rare side effects of the Mirena IUD have included ectopic pregnancy, intrauterine pregnancy (a pregnancy in the uterus with the IUD in place), group A streptococcal sepsis, pelvic inflammatory disese (PID), embedment of the device in the uterine wall, and perforation of the uterine wall or cervix.

More common side effects that were reported by patients in the clinical trial using the Mirena IUD to treat heavy menstrual bleeding included irregular spotting or bleeding, headaches, ovarian cysts, vaginitis, painful menstruation, pelvic pain, and breast tenderness.

Source: FDA News Release. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm184747.htm. Accessed 10/07/2009

Mirena IUD Approved For Treatment Of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 11:59:20.

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Lap Band Makes Weight Loss Easy

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:56:59 +0000

Lap band surgery, and other types of weight loss surgery, often appear to be an easy way to weight loss. The truth is that lap band surgery, as well as other kinds of weight loss surgery, are not the easy way to lose weight. The most important thing anyone considering getting the lap band, or any other weight loss surgery procedure, should understand is that these surgeries are not "magic," they are a tool that you can use to make losing weight easier.

If you want to lose weight permanently and safely, you must follow the instructions your surgeon gives you for eating after getting the lap band. How do I know? I had lap band surgery over 5 years ago. First I lost 90 pounds pretty quickly, unfortunately I regained almost all of my weight loss when a personal tragedy happened and I discovered how easily I could consume things like ice cream and chocolate.

Right now I'm, thankfully, on track with losing weight again -- partially due to having 9 teeth out and not replacing them yet. So now that I have only two teeth that I can chew with, I'm forced to take the small, well-chewed, bites of food that I was prescribed following lap band surgery. The weight is coming off slowly this time, and perhaps when I reach my goal weight I'll consider replacing the lost "chewing" teeth with implants or partials.

One of the most important things I've learned during my weight loss battle, is that exercise plays a key role in successful weight loss. In my opinion, regular exercise is almost more important than the food you eat. For many women, the thought of exercising is overwhelming, but no matter how overweight and out of shape you are, you can exercise. If twenties minutes of walking is too hard in the beginning, start with just five or ten minutes -- the important thing is that you make the effort, soon you'll be able to increase the time and effort you put� into your exercise routine.

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You?

Tips For Starting An Exercise Plan

Lap Band Makes Weight Loss Easy originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at 13:56:59.

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New Year, New You

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:50:46 +0000

As we look forward to another new year, many of us want to improve our overall health. Smokers may decide to quit smoking, and while most of us are aware of the risk of lung cancer to smokers. But did you know that women have many uniquely feminime� reasons to quit smoking? Take a look at these reasons women should be especially committed to not smoking.

Of course, the biggest New Years resolution we make is to lose weight and get in shape. Unfortunately, the weight loss resolution is also the most quit New Year's resolution. If losing weight and getting in shape is your goal, you are more likely to achieve your goal if you also start an exercise program. If you are severely obese, and you've tried many times to lose weight without success, you might want to explore your options in weight loss surgery.

What is your New Years resolution? Have you been successful with your previous New Years resolutions? What has made you successful? What has hinder your success?

New Year, New You originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at 19:50:46.

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Will The Flu Get You Down This Holiday Season?

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:11:54 +0000

According to the CDC the number of cases of the flu have declined recently; however, the CDC Flu Activity map reminds us that the flu season is far from over.

Have or will you get the flu vaccines? Either one or both the H1N1 or the seasonal flu vaccines? This year, I decided that I was not getting either type of flu vaccine. While the majority of people who get the vaccine never get the flu, I seem to get the flu within weeks of getting the vaccine. And as luck would have it, it's usually Christmas or New Years when I'm the sickest. This year is different in that I had the H1N1 flu a few months ago, and still have a pretty bad case of bronchitis as a result.

While getting the flu vaccine offers you the best protection against getting the flu,� there are a few other things you can do to lower your risk. Because the flu virus is believed to be spread by being around people who are coughing and sneezing, keep a supply of tissues handy to pass out to others you may see coughing and sneezing around you, as well as to contain your own coughs and sneezes. Always throw the tissue away, don't think you can save it to use again, it's just not worth the risk of spreading the flu virus.

Of course, not enough can be said about proper hand washing hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 15 to 20 seconds� using� mild soap and water throughout the day after eating, using the bathroom, etc. If you don't have soap and water available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers regularly. I avoided hand sanitizers for a long time, because they caused eczema breakouts on my hands. This year, I've found hand moisturizers that work the same as the regular hand sanitizers. The hand moisturizing sanitizers that I've found include ones sold at Bath and Body Works, as well as one made by Gold Bond and available at most drug stores. The CDC has more tips for proper hand washing, that may be helpful.

You should also avoid rubbing your face, eyes, and mouth -- this significantly raises your risk of infection.

If you do get the flu, make sure to stay away from others until you are well. You'll know when you are well enough to be in public when you have not had a fever for 24 hours without taking any fever-reducers such as acetaminophen or aspirin.

Finally, it goes without saying that you should follow all public health warnings that occur in your area.

Have you or your family had either the H1N1 flu or the seasonal flu this year? What are you doing to prevent the flu this year? Share your experiences with the flu, as well as what you are doing to prevent the flu from infecting yourself and your family.

Will The Flu Get You Down This Holiday Season? originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Sunday, December 20th, 2009 at 12:11:54.

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Oral Cancer Rise Linked To Oral HPV

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:18:03 +0000

In a typical year, more than 35,000 cases of new oral cancers are diagnosed. Historically, men have outnumbered women 6 to 1 in oral cancer diagnosis. Recently, this number has changed to two men for every one woman diagnosed with oral cancer. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer has previously been linked to cigarette smoking and alcohol use, but more and more cases are being diagnosed in women who neither smoke nor drink heavily. While cigarett smoking and alcohol use are still major factors as causes of oral cancer, often oral HPV-16 -- one of the types of HPV linked to cervical cancer -- is the cause of oral cancer. Like other types of HPV, oral HPV is linked to sexual activity, specifically oral sex.

Found early, oral cancer survival rates are about 80 to 90%. Unfortunately, many cases of oral cancer are not found until the late stages when the survival rate drops to about 45%. This late stage diagnosis of oral cancer could be significantly decreased if everyone stuck to the recommended every 6 months dental check ups. Dentists routinely check for the signs of oral cancer that can appear inside the oral cavity, including the tonsils and throat.

Going to the dentist has never been one of my favorite things to do -- maybe if I'd been aware of the possibility of oral cancer, I'd have stuck to the every 6 months schedule my parents insisted on while growing up. Knowing about the risk of oral cancer may have encouraged me to see the dentist more frequently.

Puberty and Menstruation Affect Dental Health

Top 10 Facts Your Dentist Wants You To Know

Oral Cancer Rise Linked To Oral HPV originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 23:18:03.

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New Pap Smear Guidelines

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:42:41 +0000

Just as we hear that mammograms are no longer necessary before age 50, we learn that the ACOG has changed their guidelines for Pap Smear frequency and age at first Pap. According to the New York Times, Pap smears are unnecessary before age 21. Prior guidelines suggested that first Pap Smears be performed at age 21, unless sexually active when Pap smears were recommended� starting three years after becoming sexually active. One reason for this change is that having Pap smears earlier may lead to difficulty maintaining a pregnancy later in life.

The recommendations also advise women over 30 only need a Pap smear every three years when they have a three year history of normal Pap smears.

Additionally, women who have had a hysterectomy for a non-cancer reason can stop having Pap smears altogether. Of course, this includes only women who have had both their uterus and cervix removed -- women who have opted to keep their cervix during hysterectomy will need to follow their doctor's recommendation on future Pap smears. The sad fact is that 15 million unnecessary Pap are performed annually in the US on women who have had hysterectomies that included removal of the cervix.

Another recommendation is for women between ages 65 to 70, who can stop having Pap smears if they have had normal Pap smears for three consecutive years and no abnormal Pap smears over the last ten years.

See: How To Prepare For Your Pap Smear

What do you think about these new guidelines? Will these new guidelines affect the frequency of your Pap smears?

New Pap Smear Guidelines originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 13:42:41.

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US Preventive Services Task Force Says Mammograms Not Necessary Until 50

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:03:05 +0000

The USPSTF said last week that screening mammograms should not be performed yearly on women aged 40 to 49. They also recommended not teaching breast self exam. According to them, women should only have mammograms every two years between the ages of 50 and 74, unless there is a special circumstance such as a family history of breast cancer. This decision has raised a great deal of controversy among women, their doctors, and cancer organizations.

However, the USPSTF is alone in their recommendation. Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Cancer Society recommend that women continue practicing breast self-exam and having a screening mammogram every one to two years beginning at age 40.

5 Reasons Young Women Should Practice Breast Self Exam

Will this new recommendation change how often you will have a screening mammogram for breast cancer? Will you continue practicing monthly breast self exam? If you have daughters, will you teach them to perform monthly breast self exam?

US Preventive Services Task Force Says Mammograms Not Necessary Until 50 originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 10:03:05.

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12 Ways To Prevent Vaginal Discharge

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:07:14 +0000

Many factors can play a role in the occurrence of vaginal infections and discharge. What can you do to reduce your risk of vaginal infections? Practicing these simple tips significantly reduces your risk of getting a vaginal infection.

12 Ways To Prevent Vaginal Discharge originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 19:07:14.

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