Sex, Health, Diet Info

Women that suffer from menorrhagia are not only inconvenienced each month, they may experience pain, emotional turmoil and difficulty getting pregnant. Menorrhagia is excessively heaving bleeding during menstruation. It is believed that this is one of the most common menstrual disorder, but it is often hard to diagnose because measuring menstrual flow is difficult. Women may experience a variety of other symptoms as well, and sometimes the heavy flow is a symptom itself. It is more common amongst women suffering from fibroids or cysts on their reproductive organs, and there may be a link to obesity and menorrhagia. In severe cases of menorrhagia, a woman may choose menstrual surgery to cope with her condition.

What Is It?

There are different surgical procedures commonly associated with menorrhagia. Hysteroscopic surgery places a small telescopic instrument into the uterine cavity for examination. There are no incisions during the procedure and the tool is inserted through the vagina into the uterus. The doctor is able to remove scar tissue, polyps, and small fybroid tumors. This procedure stops or reduces menstrual flow and preserves fertility. It is safer than a traditional hysterectomy, and in most cases, has less side effects.

A second minimally invasive option is laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure a thin, fiber-optic tube with a tiny video camera on the end of it is inserted into the uterus through a small incision in the navel. It is then guided to the problem area. The surgeon then inserts tiny surgical instruments through another small incision to perform the operation.

A third form of surgery, which is known as Uterine Balloon Ablation, or roller ball surgery, destroys the uterine lining of women that suffer excessive blood flow. It is an outpatient procedure, and many women experience only minor cramping as a result of the surgery. Some require only a 24 hour recovery period and most are back to a relatively normal life within a week. It is necessary to refrain from exercise and strenuous activity for 3-4 weeks. This procedure does carry the risk of sterility, but if someone intends to be sterile following the procedure, it is recommended that a tubal ligation be performed simultaneously.

Who Needs It?

Women that suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding are prime candidates for the surgery. While menorrhagia is not often a dangerous condition, severe cases of it can lead to anemia. Women suffering from fibroids and polyps are also candidates for the procedure. In the case of hysteroscopy surgery, women that still have a desire to conceive will most often be recommended for that procedure in lieu of other options.

Benefits

The major benefit of menstrual surgery is that more often than not, it will put an end to the condition. Women that suffer from a variety of menstrual disorders will benefit from surgery. The effects of suffering from fibroids, polyps and scar tissue can be limiting and unpleasant. Women may see a boost in their sex lives, confidence, and overall health once they have remedied the menstrual disorder that was plaguing them.

The majority of the non-invasive procedures is that there is minimal recovery time and many women are able to return home the same day. There is less pain and because there are no incisions, the risk of infection may be reduced as well.

Risks

Aside from the typical risks of surgery, such as a negative or severe reaction to anesthesia, menstrual surgery holds limited risk. There is some danger to the uterus, as any time instruments are inserted near tender tissue, the patient could suffer perforation. This, or other poor reactions, could lead to sterility. Some women desire sterility when having the operation, but young women that want their reproductive organs to remain functional should understand there are risks associated with the procedure. Granted, women that opt to undergo menstrual surgery often find it difficult to get pregnant due to their pre-existing conditions. Surgery may be the only hope a woman has for conceiving, and she is willing to accept the risk.

The options for women suffering from menorrhagia or other menstrual disorders are varied and safe. Depending upon a woman’s age, condition, and desire to have children, she and her doctor will choose the procedure that will work best for her. If you believe you have a condition that could be remedied through menstrual surgery, discuss your options with your doctor as soon as possible.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.

Kelly Brown is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a Surgeon or more Health and Medicine articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Menstrual Surgery Options Available to Those Suffering from Menorrhagia

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/menstrual-surgery-options-available-to-those-suffering-from-menorrhagia-1307625.html

There is a wide incidence of women in the Western world who experience breast changes that are a direct consequence of their menstrual cycle and it is believed that as high as 70 percent of women are so afflicted. These women may find their breasts have become very uncomfortable due to their becoming tender, swollen or lumpy. This is one of the many women’s health issues that need to be studied and understood if one is to be able to treat the ailment and provide much needed succor to the patients. It is important to find an explanation for the condition and know which natural and medical treatments are available for this women’s health issue.

Breast Health: The Facts

Broadly speaking, women’s health issues can be categorized into several important concerns, of which include: breast problems, cystitis, endometriosis, fibroids, heavy periods, hysterectomy, irregular periods, menopause, miscarriage, no periods, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts, PMS, polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy, prolapse, thrush and vaginal infections. Women also face problems such as weight control and infertility.

In the case of breast cancer, one can safely say that it is widely prevalent in women living in the United States. This means that such an important women’s health issue needs to be better understood and this involves knowing the stage of the disease, new diagnostic methods versus recurrence, the woman’s age as well as prior treatments. Mostly, different women would respond to the crisis of having breast cancer in different ways but what is most important is for them to know and obtain as much information as possible so that they are better educated about the disease.

It is important that this women’s health issue be taken notice of, and a study of the risk factors involved with contracting breast cancer needs to be undertaken as some factors may have stronger links to breast cancer than others. These important risk factors are: gender, age, personal history of breast cancer, family history of cancer, high breast tissue density, breast hyperplasia, long term estrogen exposure, menopausal hormone replacement therapy, not having children or having first child after age 30, exposure to radiation, Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, genetics as well as diet, environment, and smoking. There is no denying the fact that breast cancer is an important women’s health issue for which no amount of research and development can be said to be enough.

One of the advantages of reaching midlife is that we are finally finished with all those issues that make childhood and adolescence such a pain in the neck, such as needing set bedtimes as well as  regular dental and eye checkups; having to worry about using protection during sex and about cigarette smoking; getting all those shots to prevent diseases and wearing helmets to prevent sports injuries; needing to eat all our vegetables and avoid sugar as well as not missing gym class. What a relief to let these issues fade right along with our memories of tetherball on the school playground!

Not so fast. Would it surprise you to know that you still have to be aware of each and every one of the above so-called “child/adolescent” health issues?  

For instance, what about set bedtimes? The obvious reason that we needed enforced, regular  bedtimes each night was so that we would get enough sleep. Being tired and sleepy the next day in school caused everything from lousy concentration to crabby moods. Now that we’re in midlife, many of us believe that sleep is no longer an issue. This is not the case at all. It’s still essential to our health and wellbeing. Recent studies have shown that not only do sleep disturbances often indicate a serious health problem, but that lack of sleep can actually cause health problems, such as weight gain. Polls have shown that nearly two thirds of adults over the age of sixty-five have sleep complaints, but that less than 15 per cent of them have been formally diagnosed with a sleep problem. Why? Because we don’t mention sleep problems to our health care providers. Our mothers were right — we still need to be concerned about our bedtimes.

Once we’ve gotten the glasses we need and all our baby teeth are gone, we no longer need to get regular eye and dental checkups as we did in our younger years, right? Again — no. Although our vision does remain stable from young adulthood until we need bifocals, there are common eye diseases that begin to occur in midlife, and that can lead to blindness if not diagnosed.  And even though we no longer have our baby teeth,  other dental issues take the forefront upon reaching midlife, such as gum inflammation which has been shown to be associated with diabetes and heart disease. So, continued regular dental and eye checks are as important as in our younger years. 

And what about sex at midlife and beyond?  We’ve moved from groping and being groped in the backseat of the car to more sophisticated maneuvers in a comfortable bed, and finally, finally no longer have to worry about pregnancy. So we don’t need protection; or so many of us think. Although it’s true that once menopause arrives one can’t get pregnant (warning: make sure you have completed menopause before assuming this as diagnosing menopause can be tricky),  protection is still needed during sex because of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Yes, we can still get those, and in some cases are even more prone to becoming infected after menopause, even after a hysterectomy. And even though we’re past the childbearing years and our reproductive organs seem to have no further use, we still need regular pelvic exams and Pap smears. It is also important at that exam to discuss with our healthcare providers the need for testing for STIs; if there is a new partner or the worry that the current partner is not monogamous, this testing is a must.

STIs are not the only threat held over from our adolescent years; so is cigarette smoking. Many women in midlife think that there is no reason to stop smoking cigarettes at this age, since they wrongly assume that the damage is already done from all the prior years of smoking. This is not the case. No matter how many years one has smoked, stopping can prevent further damage to the heart, blood vessels, and lungs, and in some cases can reverse some of that damage.  

Also relevant to the lungs is the fact that asthma can begin in midlife, where once it was thought to only begin in childhood.  The two major causes seem to be occupational exposure to substances that damage the lungs, and the recreational exposure to air pollution by adults who run predominantly outside. So, a new onset of shortness of breath at this age — even if it occurs only with exercise — does not necessarily mean heart disease; remember that we can develop asthma now.

Did you think you were finished with all those horrible shots you had to have in childhood and adolescence? Sorry, you’re not. There is a recommended immunization schedule for adults in midlife and beyond, just as there are for children. At certain ages over 50 and at certain intervals, you’ll need shots against the flu, certain types of pneumonia, tetanus, and in some instances, shingles and hepatitis.  Ask your primary care provider about these.

And did you pack away your helmet when you gave away your bike with training wheels? Probably ok to have done this since now you will need a bigger size helmet. But you do need a helmet. A recent report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that sports-related injuries in the Baby Boomer population was on the rise, with over 1 million injuries in this age group in 1998 alone, most of the injuries being due to bicycling and basketball.  The same report said that the many head injuries associated with bicycling were probably due to the fact that Baby Boomers use helmets less than younger people do.

The fact that exercise and proper nutrition are as important in midlife and beyond as in childhood may not come as a surprise. Regular exercise at this age has been shown to increase longevity and wellbeing, postpone and possibly prevent dementia, strokes, heart disease, and diabetes, and aid in the treatment of depression. Important to know as well is that several different types of regular exercise are recommended at this age, including aerobic (cardio) exercise, weight-bearing exercise or strength training, and exercises to improve balance and flexibility.

What we eat as we get older is every bit as important as it was in our younger years. One particular healthy way of eating, the Mediterranean diet, has been shown to stave off dementia, prevent heart disease and diabetes, maintain a healthy cholesterol level, and improve longevity. One study showed that this diet even improved sexual function in certain women! This diet is exactly as expected given its name: lots of natural whole foods, like vegetables, fruits, and nuts, lots of fish and olive oil, moderate amounts of wine, and limited amounts of foods containing refined sugar. Controlling the portions of the foods we eat is even more important at this age. Our metabolic rate decreases with age, making it easier to gain weight while eating the same amounts of food as in our younger years.  

So, as you are rummaging through your mother’s attic looking at your old dolls, baseball bat and Ouija Board, and breathing a sigh of relief that you no longer have to worry about being picked for a baseball team or that your best friend copied your paper doll’s dress, don’t get lulled into complacency about your health. Although you once may have thought that taking care of yourself  health-wise would get easier as you get older, you know now that that’s not true. Make your appointments for regular checkups, get more than 5 hours of sleep a night, use protection when having sex, particularly with a new partner, stop smoking no matter how old you are, get the recommended immunizations, be careful and wear your helmet and seatbelts, and exercise regularly and eat well. Your mother’s recommendations from your childhood continue to apply!

©2008 Janet Horn, M.D.

Author Bio
Dr. Janet Horn is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, with training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She spent many years on the fulltime faculty of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she published articles in medical journals on her research interests, including sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, and women’s health. She was also the primary author of several chapters in medical textbooks.  She started her solo private practice in 1990 while continuing to teach as an Associate Professor of Medicine on the part time faculty at Hopkins. She has been selected by Baltimore Magazine as one of the “Top Doctors in Baltimore” and by the Maryland Daily Record as one of the “Top 100 Women in Maryland.”   She is included in the books Consumer’s Guide to Top Doctors (in the US) and Best Doctors in America, Southeast Region.  She is the co-author of The Smart Woman’s Guide to Midlife and Beyond, which will be available this September from New Harbinger Publications.

Women are naturally the caregivers. This happens to a woman by instinct, and this role usually allows them to slip into personal neglect. It so happens that women are the stronger of the two sexes when it comes to health and capacity of bearing pain both mentally and physically. It is a matter of debate whether this is the reason why they ignore their own health in the process or not.

Are The Existing Women’s Health Services Adequate For Women?

The question might be wrong, if you look at the general trends of real life. It should have read, “Are women responding or enjoying the facilities provided by the women’s health services?” Let us analyze this topic a little. There are certain health concerns and facts that every girl and boy should know right from the time of puberty. Actually the best time for the child to find out about the ‘birds and the bees’ is just around this time.

If the foundation is strong, there would be a habit formation that in turn will bring the woman for regular check-ups and enjoy the women’s health services offered in the area they live in. By default a woman tends to look beyond herself to take care of others. It is not uncommon to have women that have sold their entire house and every valuable thing they have to treat a member of their family.

However, when it comes to their own health, they tend to ignore it, even if they have access to the best of best women’s health services. Women need to give themselves more importance. The funny part is, that she has the knowledge and experience to take care of everyone, but she never applies it to herself.

It is imperative that women learn to pay attention to their own needs, too. Neglecting one’s health does not profit anybody, in anyway. Actually one should visit the women’s health services to make them laugh. All you have to do is to have one check-up once in two years, at least. This is sufficient to diagnose any life threatening diseases in time for curing; otherwise you will have to face the dire consequences.

The lives of many women have been lost for mere negligence. Hence, it is advisable to have a full-check up every two-three years once you are in the 30-40s. Some diseases are totally silent, and unless they are caught and cured in the earliest stages, these are the ones who can prove fatal.

Sexual health expert Dr. Catherine Hood answers how can I enjoy sex after childbirth in the company of Emma Howard.

Women’s health is not only monitored and maintained by the foods that she eats, or the exercise she completes throughout the week, but also by the status of her sexual health.

Women’s sexual health is quite important because there are so many complications that can occur within a women’s body that could result in life-threatening consequences.

What makes some of these sexual health issues differ from a man is not only the fact that two different genitals are involved, but also the fact that women give birth, thus increasing the complications that could arise and affect a woman’s health.

Vaginal Bleeding

One of the things that affect both the sexual and overall women’s health is the presence of vaginal bleeding after sex, also referred to as post-coital bleeding. If a woman is not on her period at the time, this could be a warning sign of something that needs the attention of a doctor.

Many possible culprits could cause such an act to occur. Understanding sexual and women’s health is important because some causes of vaginal bleeding are common and can be easily treated with no future affects to women’s sexual health, while other causes can turn into life-altering complications.

Cervical dysplasia can cause Vaginal bleeding, which means that there is the presence of precancerous cells within the lining of the cervix that could affect women’s health. The risk of developing these cells is increased when a women compromises her sexual health by having sex before the age of 18; having sex with multiple partners; having a child before they turn 16 or have had a STD in the past. Cryosurgery can treat this condition, as well as other procedures before the cells turn into cervical cancer.

Cervical Polyps

Another women’s health issue deals with cervical polyps, which are growths that extend, pass the cervix or cervical canal. These fragile, red, or purple pests can be easily removed without pain.

Bacterial Infections

Two well-known bacterial infections are transmitted during sex or other contact with semen, vaginal secretions or blood. They are called chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea offers several treatments that can be prescribed by a doctor.

Vaginitis, also called cervicitis, is the inflammation or swelling of the cervix or vagina, which is caused by an infection. Depending on what caused the vaginitis, a treatment is available.

Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by a protozoan, can compromise a women’s sexual health, as well as the health of their newborn. It is possible for a mother to pass this disease onto her newborn during a vaginal birth.

One of the most common infections to affect women’s sexual health is the vaginal yeast infection, which is an overgrowth of harmless fungi that found in the vagina. The result is an odorless, cheese-like discharge accompanied by itching and burning. Three out of four women will have at least one yeast infection throughout their lifetime.

When a woman wishes to prevent this sort of infection from affecting her sexual health, a few preventive measures are available – women’s sexual health tips concerning a yeast infection include:

· Wear white cotton panties

· Use only water-based lubricants for the vagina

· Always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement

· Eat one cup of yogurt per day when on antibiotics

· Avoid bath products containing perfume in the vaginal area

· Do not douche because it creates an attractive breeding ground for yeast to flourish.

Other sexual and women’s health concerns include endometritis, uterine polyps, fibroid tumors, as well as adenomysis, which can affect the uterus and ovaries. Never ignore vaginal bleeding.

Calling a doctor immediately is the best way to solve the sexual and women’s health issues.

Over 35% of all visits to the pediatrician are a result of an ear infection. Antibiotics are usually the treatment of choice, but more and more parents now understand the benefits of natural remedies. These natural approaches also happen to be the safest. Most infections are not even a threat to your child’s well-being. Developing a strong immune system for your child is a key component in making sure an infection does not occur.

Does your child have allergies?

Food allergies are a common problem in children, and often time are overlooked. In his book, “Childhood Ear Infections,” Dr. Schmidt presents over sixteen scientific studies that present many chronic ear infections are actually due to food or airborne allergies or hypersensitivity reactions. Eliminating the allergen allows the infection to go away on its own.

Cow’s milk and other dairy products are the number one allergen implicated in an ear infection. Other allergy prone foods include wheat, eggs, chocolate, citrus, corn, soy, peanuts, nuts, shellfish, sugar, and yeast. An elimination or rotation diet is an effective way to determine if a specific food is affecting your child.

Why is nutrition so important to ear infection prevention?

Nutritional deficiency is a major cause of an ear infection. We truly are what we eat. We can improve our health by eating more nutritious food and eliminating foods that contain high amounts of sugar, hydrogenated oils, and empty calories.

An organic, unprocessed, whole foods diet is essential for creating healthy cells and is a key factor in maintaining a vibrant immune system. Dietary fats can either enhance or impair our immune function, depending on what type of fat you eat. The incorrect types of fat can predispose a child to recurrent infections and inflammatory conditions. Bad fats include potato chips, hydrogenated oils, fried foods, processed and saturated fats.

Essential fatty acids promote normal immune and nervous system function. These fatty acids are found in extra virgin olive oil, cold water fish, flax seed oil, walnuts, almonds, and free range eggs. A recent study found that the U.S. has the highest incidence of essential fatty acid deficiency in the developed world. If our children were simply supplemented with a daily dose of essential fatty acids, our children would be far less sick.

What do you do if your child has an ear infection in the future?

An impaired nerve supply can make a child’s ears and eustachian tubes susceptible to fluid buildup or infection. Restoring proper nerve supply with safe and natural chiropractic care has helped thousands of children proactively fight off any ear infections, or keep a second one from returning.

An ear infection contains fluid that accumulates behind the ear drum. A structural blockage may be the cause of the chronic infection. The correction given by a chiropractor is a gentle movement to the bones of the head and neck. This allows for drainage of the fluid to be released from the ear drum.

Giving medication to block or suppress any illness can push the illness further into the body. Check your children for food allergies, maintain their healthy immune system with a natural, nutritional diet, and proactively seek chiropractic care so your child can be free from an ear infection.

Dr Joseph Fanning is a Chiropractor in North Fulton, Atlanta, GA. Helping health-conscious Suwanee/Johns Creek-area patients with today’s safe and natural chiropractic care is not only emotionally fulfilling, but also humbling. Seeing folks get better, each visit building on one the ones before is immensely gratifying! As a chiropractor, I get to witness miracles every day.

Dr. Fanning has a large family practice that focuses on the vitality of a properly functioning nervous system for all ages. Emphasis is placed upon diet, rest, exercise, and eliminating physical, chemical and emotional stress.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/natural-ways-to-proactively-fight-off-your-childs-ear-infection-1786266.html

Autistic EducationMany forms of attention problems interfere in on the learning of those suffering according to autism and similar types of problems. No doubts on it – autism is one very prominent disorder which extends well out of just the capacity of the child to learn and to the capacity to understand or continuing to feel. Students with attention deficits have more trouble concentrating on anything than most people around them. Some have trouble deciding what to focus upon while listening to a teacher, reading a text, or looking over a mathematics problem. But patients suffering from autism have serious difficulties in interacting and communicating with other people, making them that much harder to deal with. The fact that autism patients demonstrate impulsive behavior, which causes them to perform poorly in most learning environments, often requires that special concessions be made for them so they can learn also. For a fact, no single teaching approach is right for every child with autism, which has necessitated that Federal law obligate public schools to assess each child’s individual needs and provide the appropriate instructive setting to meet the specific needs of the child. Autistic Education This is because their learning capacities vary; some persons suffering from the psychological malady may end up needing special care throughout their lives while others may learn to function independently in society. There are now some treatment procedures for autism that are agreed upon in the medical community. That means lots of the medical experts agree about them. Some people still frown on a number of them, but most generally accept them above the rogue theories of certain clinicians and parents desperate for results. Ensure that you get help from your doctor about the right treatment procedure to get for your child. Who knows, the one he or she puts your child on, just might help! Don’t let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Autistic Education program now!

Feeling lost without solutions? Autistic Education is a proven Autism Solution for your Child.

Try The Program and change child’s life forever!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/autistic-education-how-autism-affects-education-of-your-child-and-what-to-do-about-it-1769787.html