5 Lifesaving Tests for Women

Just like we have stickers on our cars to get your inspection renewed, use this week or your birthday (as I do), to get your checkups.There is no reason not to. We know that the earlier we identify any potential health problems, the better our outcome will be. And if you are totally well, it gives you great reassurance about a whole list of things you don't need to worry about.

To make the task even easier, I've compiled a list of the top five lifesaving medical tests every woman needs and why.

No. 1 Heart Smarts

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women, and heart disease claims about 250,000 women's lives a year. That's nearly six times greater than the number of women that die from breast cancer, according to the American Heart Association. But it doesn't have to be this way.Without a doubt, 80% of coronary disease can be prevented with proper lifestyle modifications including healthy diet and increased physical activity.

The best way to know where you stand is to get a blood test for total cholesterol levels, HDL "good" cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol, and blood fats known as triglycerides.

If there is any question of extra heartbeats, chest pain, or shortness of breath, women should have a stress echocardiogram. A stress echocardiogram is usually done to determine whether you have a significantly reduced flow of blood to your heart.

Also, your doctor should test your blood pressure, as high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Diabetes is another risk factor for heart disease. If you have a family history of diabetes or are overweight, you are at particularly high risk of developing diabetes and you should talk to your doctor about a blood sugar test.

No. 2 The Power of the Pap Test

Starting three years after becoming sexually active or by age 21, whichever comes first, women need an annual Pap test to detect any abnormal cell changes that could lead to cervical cancer. During a Pap test, a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix is taken and examined for abnormalities that may indicate cancer or changes that could lead to cancer.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that the Pap test be done annually until age 30. After 30, if a healthy woman has had three completely normal Pap tests in a row, she can have a Pap test every two to three years (but should still see a gynecologist every year for an exam). Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., but the widespread use of the Pap test has significantly decreased deaths from this cancer.

But there's more. A human papillomavirus (HPV) test may be done as follow-up to an abnormal Pap test, says Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, president and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research based in Washington, D.C. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that is the main cause of cervical cancer. An HPV test can help determine whether one or more high-risk types of HPV caused the abnormal Pap test result.

If you are younger than 30, it's recommended you have the HPV test if your Pap smear test detects abnormal cells or is unclear, and if you are 30 or older, experts recommend you have the HPV test at the same time as your Pap test.

There is also an HPV vaccine, Gardasil, to help prevent cervical cancer. The CDC recommends the vaccine for 11- and 12-year-old girls, but it can be given as young as age 9. The HPV vaccine is also recommended for girls and women aged 13 to 26 who have not been previously vaccinated or did not receive the complete vaccine series. Recent research suggests that Gardasil offers protection against viruses that cause 90% of cervical cancers.

No. 3 The Benefit of Mammograms

Women aged 40 and older should get a mammogram (breast X-ray) every one or two years. If there is a history of breast cancer in her family, a woman should get her first mammogram 10 years before her relative was diagnosed.Women older than 50 should have annual mammograms. Unfortunately, studies have suggested that women may not be getting their annual mammograms. Some women just don't want to know, but with breast cancer being treatable in many cases and even curable, every woman should be getting this.

If we catch a breast cancer in stage I, 97% of women who have it will be cured. As inconvenient as it is to schedule a mammogram, if it comes back clean, we know we are in the free and clear for a year, and that's reassuring.

In addition, women in their 20s and 30s should have a breast exam by a doctor every three years to feel for suspicious lumps and bumps. After age 40, a doctor’s breast exam should be done every year. Although there are no definitive studies showing the benefit of breast self-exams, the American Cancer Society says breast self-exams are an option for women starting in their 20s. Talk to your doctor to determine if breast self-exams are a good idea for you, and have your doctor teach you how to do them correctly.

No. 4 The Katie Couric Test

Thanks to Katie Couric, more and more women are realizing that colon cancer is not just a man's disease. When Couric underwent a colonoscopy live on national television in March 2000, colonoscopies nationwide jumped more than 20% in the following days and months. She became a spokeswoman for this cause after the death of her husband, Jay Monahan, from colon cancer at age 42.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that nearly 75,000 women will be diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer in 2007.

A colonoscopy allows a doctor to see and closely inspect the inside of the rectum and entire colon for signs of cancer, polyps, or small growths that can eventually become cancerous. The patient is first given a medication in a vein that causes sleepiness and relaxation. A colonoscope is gently eased inside the colon; it has a tiny video camera, which sends pictures to a TV monitor. Small puffs of air are introduced into the colon to keep it open and allow the doctor to see clearly. Preparation-wise, you follow a special diet the day before the exam and take a very strong laxative the day before the procedure. You may also need an enema to cleanse the colon. Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and in women in the U.S.

Colon cancer is totally preventable and treatable if they find it early. Every man and woman should have a colonoscopy despite the fact that it is an unpleasant experience.

Beginning at age 50, men and women who are at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should have a colonoscopy every 10 years, according to the ACS. If you’ve had a family member with colorectal cancer, you should have a colonoscopy 10 years before your relative was diagnosed.

No. 5 Skin Sense and Sensibility

Every woman at the age of 18 should start having an annual skin exam by their dermatologist. This entails a head-to-toe skin exam looking for unusual brown or red spots. But every month you should do a skin self-exam using a hand mirror or hair blower to part your hair and look at your scalp. Don't forget to check for unusual or new moles on your fingernails, the bottom of your feet and toes, and your underarms. The earlier you start doing this, the better you will know your skin, and if you find something suspicious, your brain will set off an alarm and that will bring you in to see your doctor earlier.

Melanoma accounts for about 4% of skin cancer cases, but it causes most skin cancer deaths. The number of new cases of melanoma in the U.S. and Australia are on the rise. Early detection and treatment can save lives.

Ref: WebMd

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Clues you might be pregnant !

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Clue 1: Breast tenderness

Your breasts may be extra tender as early as a week or two after conception. You’re making so much estrogen and progesterone in early pregnancy that the glands in the breasts start growing. This hormone surge causes breasts to retain more fluids and feel heavy, sore or more sensitive than normal PMS tenderness.

What to do Buy a very supportive bra.

Clue 2: Implantation bleeding

When the fertilized egg implants into the plush lining of the uterus about six to 12 days after conception, spotting-light vaginal bleeding-may occur. This is harmless, but if you suspect you're pregnant, let your doctor know, just in case it's something else. (If the bleeding occurs as late as 12 days after you conceive, you may think it's your period.)

In the first trimester, bleeding should be evaluated for three things in particular-miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy or certain types of infections.Implantation bleeding is sort of a diagnosis of exclusion. That means we rule out the bad things before we can determine this is what it is.

What to do Call your doctor if you notice any bleeding.

Clue 3: Fatigue

During the first few weeks, your body is working 24/7 behind the scenes to support the pregnancy, and fatigue is a normal response. The extra progesterone produced after conception causes your basal body temperature to rise, which in turn contributes to a lack of energy.Your heart also pumps faster, as it has to deliver extra oxygen to the uterus; this, too, can make you feel tuckered out.

What to do Take prenatal vitamins early on, eat a healthful diet, drink plenty of fluids to keep your blood pressure high enough, and rest when you can.

Clue 4: Frequent urination

You might think this comes later, when the baby presses on your bladder, but frequent peeing sometimes starts early. Not only can the swelling uterus put pressure on your bladder, but the extra blood flow to the kidneys (which begins right away) also causes them to produce more urine.

What to do Nothing, unless the frequent urination is accompanied by burning, urgency or other signs of infection. (If so, notify your doctor.) Do not cut back on your fluid intake

Clue 5: Food aversions and nausea

This can start as early as two weeks after conception. Progesterone causes a lot of things to slow down. That includes your digestive processes, sometimes resulting in constipation or indigestion. Since your stomach doesn't empty as quickly as it normally does, it thinks there's too much going on in there and wants to purge in some way-either into the gut or out through the mouth. Nausea also is related to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone that can be detected in the mother's blood or urine even before a missed period. The higher the HCG level (as with twins), the sicker you may feel.

Another theory is that nausea and food aversions are a protective effect the body has toward the fetus. If things like free radicals or nitrates in some foods could hurt a growing baby, you may naturally develop a distaste to steer clear of them.

What to do Many women find ginger and lemons soothing. Ask your doctor about special vitamin B6 supplements that may alleviate nausea. Acupressure wristbands also can help. If you're vomiting frequently or can't hold down any liquids, see your OB for possible IV hydration and medication.

Clue 6: Mood swings

Find yourself weeping over a "Desperate Housewives" episode or raging because the DSL guy can't come until Tuesday? "Because of the flux in hormones, you can go from being tearful to angry instantly. Generally, mood swings in early pregnancy don't require any medical attention.

What to do Wait it out. Be aware of your mood shifts and make sure others around you also are aware of the reason and are supportive.

Clue 7: Bloating, cramps and backache

Many women mistake these common early signs of pregnancy for PMS symptoms, but actually they're caused by hormonal changes and the growth of the uterus.

What to do Nothing, unless the pain is severe or symptoms are accompanied by bleeding.

Clue 8: Dizziness and fainting

On soaps, the woman always faints before she finds out she's pregnant. Progesterone can contribute to lightheadedness by making your body "run hotter" and causing blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure. In addition, it takes a little longer than normal for blood that's been diverted to the uterus to make its way back to your brain when you stand up. Dizziness also can stem from low blood sugar. If you're not eating properly, you can feel lightheaded.

What to do Move slowly, and don't leap out of bed or off the couch abruptly. Keep blood sugar stable by eating every three to four hours, and drink plenty of water to keep your blood pressure steady. Avoid overheating, and if you do feel faint, sit down with your head between your knees.

Clue 9: Headaches

Some women have more headaches early in pregnancy. They’re related to the increased progesterone levels; plus, headaches can result if you don’t drink enough fluids or if you’re anemic.

The good news: Migraines become less frequent as pregnancy progresses. Fluctuating hormones tend to make headaches worse, and estrogen levels are more stable during pregnancy.

What to do Drink plenty of fluids, and get your blood work done to check for anemia. If headaches persist, ask your doctor about taking Tylenol.

Ref: Web MD

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Vitamin B: Your key to energy!

B vitamins are often called the energy vitamins, but they are more like keys that unlock it.

Fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, anxiety and depression—all can be signs of a B vitamin deficiency. That's because compounds in the B complex are needed for everything from the healthy maintenance of brain cells to the metabolism of carbohydrates, the brain's source of fuel.

Bs are also necessary for production of neurotransmitters, which regulate mood and conduct messages through the brain.The B complex includes B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, pantothenic acid, biotin, B12 and folate, also known as folic acid on vitamin bottles. It also includes choline, a nutrient found in eggs that is needed to produce cell membranes and may slow age-related memory loss.

Which B is most important? It's impossible to say.

"They all have important roles," says a registered dietitian at the Maryland Department of Education and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. A varied, healthy diet of lean meats, colorful vegetables and whole grains will usually cover the bases.

The subgroup of B6, B12 and folate is the subject of much research. Sufficient intake lowers rates of birth defects, cardiovascular disease, depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.T

he three work together and even marginal deficiencies have large effects.

B6 and B12 contribute to the myelin sheath around nerve cells, which speeds signals through the brain.

B12 and folic acid together are needed for making normal cells, including blood cells. Inadequate B12 or folic acid can yield blood cells unable to carry vital oxygen to the brain.

These three Bs aid in the manufacture of the excitatory neurotransmitter GABA, as well as serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters th

at regulate mood. All three neurotransmitters interregulate each other, but the ways they work in concert or against each other are only beginning to be understood.

Only rarely are the effects of a B vitamin deficiency clear-cut. The Centers for Disease Control reported that two children had severe motor and language skill delays because of a deficiency in vitamin B12. They had both been breastfed by vegan mothers who were also deficient in B12.

The vitamin occurs naturally only in animal products, although many cereal and soy products are fortified with B12, among others. Both children quickly improved after eating a new diet, but both also had lingering language and motor problems a year after treatment.

"The problem doesn't affect just vegetarians," says a CDC epidemiologist.

There are plenty of non-vegans who don't pay enough attention to what they eat and lack basic nutrients.

The key is a varied diet. The importance of some nutrients is only now emerging.

Choline is one that shows promise. Found in protein-rich food such as eggs, it is needed by everyone for the production of cell membranes and for making the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which affects memory. Pregnant women must also consume choline to support the rapid production of fetal brain cells.

Pregnancy may prove to be the most decisive period for many nutrients. Animal studies have shown that a diet with four times the normal amount of choline during pregnancy can actually prevent memory decline in offspring as they reach old age. Supplemented animals also have superior memory throughout their own lives. Early choline supplementation actually changes the brain, altering the structure and the function

Ref: Article from psychology today

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Stretching Basics

Stretching is a fundamental way to improve your overall health and fitness. By incorporating a regular flexibility program into your exercise routine you will:

• improve circulation
• improve range of motion
• improve posture
• decrease joint stiffness
• decrease muscle tension
• improve performance (there is limited evidence to support this)
• improve your ability to relax
• allow time for mental training, such as visualization

A complete stretching routine can take as little as 10 minutes. The best time to stretch is after you have warmed up and the muscles are warm. The best time to perform your flexibility routine is after exercise. This is when the muscle is the warmest and when you can use the relaxation. Focus on stretching the muscles you use the most during your specific exercise or sport.

Proper Stretching Technique

• Perform balanced stretching. This means you should always stretch the muscles on both sides of your body evenly. Don’t stretch one side more than the other side.
• Avoid over-stretching. Never stretch to the point of pain or discomfort. You will feel slight tension or a pull on the muscle at the peak of the stretch.
• Go slow! Always stretch slowly and evenly. Hold the stretch for about fifteen seconds and release slowly as well.
• Never bounce or jerk while stretching. This can cause injury as a muscle is pushed beyond it’s ability. All stretches should be smooth, and slow.
• Don't forget to breathe. Flexibility exercises should be relaxing. Deep easy, even breathing is key to relaxation. Never hold your breath while you stretch.

Recommended Stretches





Hamstrings: Sit on the floor with one leg straight in front of you and the other leg bent (with the sole of the foot touching the inside thigh of the outstretched leg). Keep your back straight and lean forward from the hips. Slide your arms forward toward your outstretched foot. Stop when you feel a pull in the hamstring. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat with the other leg extended.

Hips: Lie on your back. Bend your left leg and bring it toward you. Grasp your left knee gently with your right hand and pull it slightly down and to the right until you feel a stretch. Turn your head to the left. Your right leg should stay flat on the floor. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat with the other leg

Low back: Lay flat on the floor with knees bent. Use your hands to pull them toward your chest. Lift your head and shoulders off the floor until your head is approximately six inches from your knees. Cross your ankles. Gently rock yourself back and forth in this position for 30 second

Quadriceps: Lie on your right side with your right knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Bend your left leg and hold onto the ankle with your left hand. Gently pull your left heel in toward the left side of your butt. As soon as you feel a stretch in your left quad, slowly lower your left knee toward the floor behind your right knee. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat with the other leg

Calves: Stand an arm's length away from a wall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slide the left foot back approximately 18 inches, keeping the knee straight and both heels flat on the floor. Bend your right knee and slowly move your pelvis forward until you feel a stretch in the calf and Achilles of the left leg. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat with the other leg.

Ref: Article by Elizabeth Quinn

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Best foods to fight stress

Researches show that vitamins like B complex, C and E along with minerals like manganese, selenium and zinc are helpful in relieving stress. The food items rich in these substances should be included. It is better to include plant sources of these essential nutrients as animal sources as discussed above contain other nutrients which are harmful.

The food items beneficial are:

Fresh vegetables mainly green, yellow, orange and leafy vegetables fresh fruits
Soups

Yoghurts

Fish

Sprouted grams

Skimmed milk

Herbal products

Fresh vegetables, fruits provide all vitamins and minerals. Green, yellow, orange vegetables like tomatoes, carrots are rich in vitamins for stress and minerals. Vegetables also contain more fiber content which is helpful in treating constipation and the loose stools associated Irritable bowel syndrome which is one of the long term effects of stress.

Yoghurts provide minerals including calcium essential for proper nerve impulses and lacto bacillus which is essential for maintaining gut flora. More over yoghurt neutralizes the acidity of peptic ulcer aggravated by stress.

Skimmed milk contains less than 3% fat which is appropriate during stress. Milk also contains tryptophan which is essential for the synthesis of 5HTP or serotonin which is a mood stabilizer which helps in pacifying an anxious stressed person.

Sprouted grams provide all nutrients in a balanced and very importantly in an easily digestible and absorbable way. One should remember that stress affects digestion.

Fishes like Mackerel and Tuna contain more of Omega fatty acids which protect heart, from heart diseases which are precipitated by stress. Moreover fish also contains more of Choline which is a memory booster.

Whole wheat flour and yeasts provide B complex vitamins including pantothenic acid which is often described as anti- stress vitamin. Vitamin C which is an anti oxidant is provided by fresh fruits, gooseberry, broccoli and potatoes. Magnesium which is a natural mood stabilizer and pacifier is found in cereals, spinach pumpkin and chocolates.

Herbal products such as Kava Kava, Valerian, Dandelion,, Chamomile, Passion flower relaxes both the mind and the body

Does Chocolate Reduce Stress Level?

The role of chocolates in stress reduction is a controversial one. Chocolate contains more of Theo bromine. Theo bromine stimulates brain. A person affected by stress will be very anxious. Theo bromine further stimulates the brain and worsens it. But on a long term when the person is depressed and dull, it may act as a mood elevator.Another theory is that chocolate contains magnesium which is described as a Natural Tranquilizer' which calms down an agitated person.

Meal Management

The meal management to tackle stress should be
A heavier meal in the morning
A lighter meal at night
Salads before the meals
Fruits as desserts at the end of the meal
The food that reduces stress has got a significant role in all stress management programs. A well balanced nutritious food as advised by the dietician and avoidance of unhealthy food can thus help in stress relief.

Ref : Article by stressfocus.com

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Which Health Insurance is best for me?

When seasons take a turn and the winds of change bring along spells of allergies and sickness what adds to your misery the most? Yeah, you are thinking on the right track. I too am as dreaded by the medical and pharmacy bills as much you are.

Though we all think of safeguarding our family's health with the best we can, but the thought of timely covering our dear ones with a health insurance many times gets a cold shoulder from us on one pretext or the other. I must say, the thought of making the final choice for which health cover plan to opt for always croses our minds while we are in the doctor's wait room.

Have you too always wished for finding a way where you could compare all the available health insurance plans and decide what suits you and your family best? Here's answer to all your prayers and wishes. e Health Help offers a fantastic medium of comparing all the available health cover options with the click of a button. It assists in understanding how would our health plan work, how you can make your easy instalment payments and just every little detail you'd wish to learn about.

Helping us navigate through the puzzle of the healthcare arena, e health help has a strong backing of an experience of years with health insurance, managed care, and provider organizations in addition to working with consumers of health care services.Be it the medicare claims to the latest news of the healthcare world, to your health insurance claims, there are experts to help you in every front of health insurance field.

Having read that, what are you waiting for? Click onto the homepage of e Health Help to be able to make informed and guided decision about choosing the best Health Insurance for yourself and everyone in your family.

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Teething Facts & Fiction

Got a fussy baby on your hands? Can't sleep, doesn't want to eat, is running a low-grade fever -- must be teething, right? Maybe not. 

Several of the symptoms associated with teething simply aren't caused by cutting a tooth. Truth or Myth?:

Teething causes...

1. Fever
   "Viral and bacterial infections cause fever, not teething." However, a temperature might be due to broken gums that are exposed to bacteria or from the eruption of cysts on the gums, which can occur from teething. Keep in mind that your infant is also putting a lot more things in his mouth right around this time and has probably (or will soon) begin crawling. Both of these things expose him to more fever-causing viruses and bacteria unrelated to teething.
2. Ear Pain
   Because the ear drum and teeth share a common nerve center, teething can sometimes be experienced as referred ear pain. A child tugging at her ear might also have an ear infection which is why it's important to find out what other symptoms are associated with ear infections so you can rule one out.
3. Excess Drooling
   The body doesn't produce excess saliva while a child is teething. But because babies tend to want to chew on hard objects or their hand to help equalize some of the pressure and tenderness they're feeling, the mouth is open more, causing secretions to seep out instead of swallowed.
4. Runny Nose
   Not true, since teething doesn't produce more secretions. A runny nose is likely due to an allergy or cold.
5. Diaper Rash
   It's been said that the saliva becomes more acidic to help the tooth cut through the gum, but this isn't the case. Instead, a perineal rash could be due to a viral or bacterial intestinal infection, or even from eating more carbs, which are more acidic.
6. Lack of Appetite
   When your gums are tender and sore, it doesn't feel so good to munch on food or suck on a nipple.

Ref : Article by Maureen Connolly

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Ear Wax : Good or Bad ?

The body is a miraculous mechanism. Consider the once-lowly earwax. People used to try to remove it. Now, we now know that earwax has a job to do.

Think of it kind of like the oil in your car, except it doesn't ever have to be changed.
Earwax is created by a mixture of secretions from glands that line the ear canal, sloughed-off skin cells, and bits of hair.

It acts as a cleaning agent, which also protects and lubricates part of the sensitive ear canal.
Normally, excess wax eases its way out of your ear without any prompting on your part, helped along by the movement of your jaw.

That's when it can be cleaned out a bit, but it's advised that you not go looking for it and only clean out earwax once it emerges on its own.
So, although earwax is essentially good, too much of it can cause problems.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery Foundation are releasing the national guidelines to help clinicians recognize earwax buildup, find the best ways to remove earwax, and deal with patients when earwax becomes a problem. The guidelines do not apply to earwax impaction related to certain conditions, such as skin diseases of the ear.
The clinical term for earwax is cerumen.

"Approximately 12 million people a year in the U.S. seek medical care for impacted or excessive cerumen," according to news release comments from Richard Rosenfeld, MD, who led the Guideline Development Task Force.

He says nearly 8 million cerumen-removal procedures are performed yearly by health care professionals. "Developing practical clinical guidelines for physicians to understand the harm vs. benefit profile of the intervention was essential," Rosenfeld says.
The panel that created the guidelines was drawn from a pool of specialists in audiology, family medicine, geriatrics, internal medicine, nursing, surgeons, and pediatrics.
Here are some of the guidelines' highlights:

The panel made a "strong" recommendation that doctors should "treat" impacted earwax when it causes symptoms or gets in the way of an examination.

Symptoms of too much earwax:

Pain, itching of the ear, ringing of the ears (tinnitus), or hearing loss.

How do professionals remove it?

One way is with irrigation, gently letting water wash out the excess wax.
It is also recommended that doctors get into the habit of asking patients about their earwax history.
People with hearing aids are advised to get checked regularly for ear wax buildup. This can help maintain hearing aid function and lower risk of damage to the hearing aid.
It is "strongly advised" that people not use cotton swabs or ear candling to clean earwax on their own.
Those who are high-risk for impacted earwax are advised to get checked every 6- to 12 months for routine cleaning.
The complications from cerumen impaction can be painful and ongoing, including infections and hearing loss.It is hoped that these guidelines will give clinicians the tools they need to spot an issue early and avoid serious outcomes.

Ref: Article from webMD.com

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