women health tips

2007-01-01T22:40:00.000-08:00

Three shot at Skyway bowling alley/casino

SKYWAY, Wash. - Three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot at a casino and bowling alley in Skyway early Monday morning. The injured people, two 27-year-old women and a 28-year-old man, were taken to Harborview Medical Center. More...

WASHINGTON All pregnant women will now be given the choice to test for Down syndrome. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is recommending that every... More...

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is advising all pregnant women to undergo Down syndrome testing of their unborn children. More...

It's always a tough task for low- income families to meet expenses, and the challenge is especially diffi cult at this time of year. The Greater Newark Holiday Fund is helping out, but its ability to do so depends on support from readers like you. More...

Medical Group Recommends All Pregnant Women Get Tested for Down Syndrome More...

Minerals: Why We Need Them for Better Health

2006-12-23T22:50:00.000-08:00

MINERALS are basic elements found in the soil. Plants pick up these elements naturally. When we eat these plants [or animals who have eaten the plants], we absorb these minerals into our own tissues.

SODIUM, POTASSIUM, MAGNESIUM and CALCIUM are minerals the body requires in large amounts, the focus of this report will be on these four minerals. There are many other minerals the body uses but the amounts are very small.

SODIUM, known as salt, regulates the water distribution in our bodies. Salt is the most abundant mineral in our blood and active people need it. Low salt levels will cause dehydration and muscle cramps.

This does not mean piling on extra salt while cooking or eating, we get enough salt depending on the foods we eat.
Meat, fish, chicken, grains, and nuts contain salt.

Other foods high in salt: milk and margarine [except those advertised as low salt], canned foods, ketchup, popcorn, potato chips, french fries and sauerkraut.

According to a Harvard Medical School study, all our body requires is 0.2 grams of salt per day. Too much salt causes dehydration, potassium loss and serious medical problems.

POTASSIUM is a mineral that controls muscle heat and nerve conduction [the transmission of nerve impulses]. When we exercise and feel weak and tired, it's usually low mineral levels in muscle cells. Lack of Potassium is a common cause and there is no warning system to tell you this, unless a blood test is performed.

When exercising, muscle produces heat; Potassium released by the muscle prevents overheating by increasing blood flow. Sweat and urine excrete Potassium so replacing it is vital.

Fruit juices have high levels of Potassium, drinking generous amounts will replenish low levels of this mineral. Other Potassium rich foods are: fruits and vegetables, molasses, pecans, rye, flour, soy beans, walnuts and wheat germ.

MAGNESIUM helps to control muscle contraction and regulates the conversion of carbohydrates to energy. Low magnesium levels cause fatigue and muscle cramps.

A U.S. Department Of Agriculture report states that 36% of Magnesium is supplied through dairy products and meat. Other recommended foods are dark bread, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.

Believe it or not, beer is a great source of magnesium. Some professional athletes have been known to hit the beer cooler as a post game recovery drink.

CALCIUM is the most abundant mineral and the main structural material for bones and teeth. Calcium controls muscle contraction and regulates most of the chemical reactions in our body.

Unless you are growing, pregnant or nursing, calcium requirements are low. If your body needs calcium, your own bones will supply it.

Sources of calcium: almonds, asparagus, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, cheese, egg yolk, figs, lentils, milk, nuts, sardines and turnip greens.

Combining these four minerals into your daily diet will increase energy levels and add some snap to your exercise routine!

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breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

Facing Unplanned Pregnancy?

2006-12-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

While some women really want to be pregnant, some other women have to face with unplanned pregnancy. For some women, pregnant can be a stressful situation. this is especially for unplanned pregnancy, while in United States alone, almost half of the pregnancy are unintended.

Unplanned pregnancies can strike anyone, from the underage teenager to the married couple who just isn’t prepared for a child. The two issues that circle most commonly around unplanned pregnancies are how to prevent them, and what to do when they happen..

Read More

2006-12-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

Breast Health Information – Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms, Types

Breast Cancer
Overview of the conditon including causes, symptoms and treatment.
Source: www.emedicinehealth.com

Breast Cancer - MSN Health & Fitness
Find information, tips and news about breast cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, symptoms Feeling Whole: Post-Mastectomy Sexuality. Five of the most common challenges after mastectomy, plus
Source: health.msn.com

IBC Symptoms
IBC Pictures IBC Patients Write Use of Antibiotics: An Infection or IBC? Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, IBC. One or more of the following are
Source: www.ibcresearch.org

Can Passive Smokers Get Breast Cancer?

2006-11-28T06:28:00.000-08:00

US scientists have claimed that secondhand smokers are at higher risk of Breast Cancer. Earlier, their research also led to them to the conclusion that young women smokers are more likely to get addicted to smoking than young men.

Breast Cancer is the number one cancer among women and the count of its victim are rising very rapidly. This is for the first time that passive smoking has been directly linked with some sort of cancer.

World Health Organization links smoking with 25 Cancers: Some of these cancers are : uterine, kidneys, cervix, pancreas, head and neck... The study firmly proves that smoking is not only injurious to your health but also to the company you are with. Wake Up!

Smoking doesn't stop here with its side-effects. For women, smoking also increases the risk of strokes and heart diseases. And to add fuel to the fire, chances for heart related diseases gets ten-fold if they are taking birth-control pills side by side.

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2006-11-20T03:30:00.000-08:00

eFoodSafety.com, Inc. Secures Trademarked Name 'PurEffect(TM)' for ...

Genetic Engineering News (press release), NY - Nov 13, 2006... of infomercials, today announced that the trademarked name "PurEffect(TM)" has been secured for the Company's previously announced anti-acne skin care system. ... More...

MPDClick, UK - Nov 17, 2006... shadows. Minerals are said to soothe acne and protect against the damaging effects of the sun, reports McClatchy Newspapers. "We ... More...

MyFox Memphis, TN - Nov 13, 2006Memphis, Tenn. (WHBQ) -- They're usually unsightly scars commonly seen after surgery, body piercings or severe acne. For severe ... More...

Facts and Comparisons, MO - Nov 9, 2006... Medicis and Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences� Ziana (clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%) gel for once-daily topical treatment of acne vulgaris in ... More...

Runway Reporter, New Zealand - Oct 30, 2006... we Which celebrities have been spotted in a pair of J Brand or Acne Jeans, both of which are available in NZ for the first time. ... More...

Mass Media Distribution LLC (press release), FL - Nov 17, 2006... best. Their retouching service removes red eye, glare on eyeglasses and acne; taking off 50 lbs requires an additional charge. Greeting ... More...

This is London, UK - Nov 15, 2006... as being 'uncool'. Yobs are being shamed out of anti-social behaviour by bright pink lights which show up their acne. The lights ... More...

Kotaku.com, NY - Nov 16, 2006... The one who speaks looks like a grown-up version of the main character from Bully, complete with badly fitting dress shirt and unfortunate acne. ... More...

Statesman Journal, OR - Nov 18, 2006... That seven weeks was something else. I didn't feel some of the side effects that you hear about like "roid rage." But I did get a lot of acne on my arms. ... More...

2006-11-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

OHSU Center for Women's Health

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Morning-After Pill Is Over the Counter. The FDA has approved Plan B, the so-called morning-after pill, to be sold without prescription to women age 18 and older. Go To Article more

NOTE: This site is best viewed fullscreen with a minimum screen resolution of 800 x 600. more

Health information for consumers on first aid for medical emergencies, accidents and injuries Women's Health from WebMD Find Out What Women Need To Know more

Health information for women: menopause, sexual health, cancer prevention, and more more

The OHSU Center for Women's Health is creating a new model of health care for women based on the By Women's Health Specialty Adolescent Health Alternatives to Hysterectomy Breast Clinic Breast more

2006-11-11T10:52:00.000-08:00

Cancer awareness pushed 11/12/06

DEARBORN - To kickoff October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mayor Michael A. Guido held his ninth annual "Breast Cancer Awareness Program" on Oct. 10. More...

Guadalupe Norma Costanzino, 41 of Carmel Valley, was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, soon after her daughter, Isabella, was born. Throughout her treatment, which continues today, Norma has read to Isabella every night, in Spanish. More...

A talented group of young cancer patients has unveiled a new line of colorful cards and gifts in time for the holidays to benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). The patient-artists joined Roswell Park doctors, scientists and volunteers on October 24 at RPCI to show off their 17th annual collection from The Paint Box ProjectTM, themed Living Masterpieces, and to ask for the public's help More...

The Sixties icon Marianne Faithfull has made a full recovery from breast cancer and will resume performing next spring. More...

Sat, November 11, 2006 49ers legend Walsh battling cancer By SUN WIRE SERVICES Hall of Fame football coach Bill Walsh, who built an NFL dynasty with the San Francisco 49ers and revolutionized the sport with his West Coast offence, disclosed yesterday he has leukemia. "I'm positive, but not evangelistic," the 74-year-old Walsh told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and The Sports Xchange websites. More...

Think lung cancer and most people picture a disease that primarily strikes older men who smoke. Lung cancer is the most lethal of cancers worldwide, causing up to 3 million deaths annually in both men and women of all ages. More...

Bill Walsh , the Hall of Fame coach who built an NFL dynasty with the San Francisco 49ers and revolutionized the sport with his West Coast offense, has told friends and colleagues at Stanford University that he has cancer. More...

A team of Sheffield doctors wins an award for discovering a new way of diagnosing and treating bowel cancer within a day. More...

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Singer Kylie Minogue will take to the stage wearing feathers and sequins in Sydney on Saturday, resuming a world tour cut short by a diagnosis of breast cancer last year. More...

2006-11-08T02:47:00.000-08:00

Women's eNews | News for Women | Resources for Journalists

MODELS.com Participating Agencies: Women Model Management
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Source: models.com

Women 2 Women - for women, by women
Our July spotlight forum is the Digiscrappin' Mamas. Come join us for weekly challenges including a font challenge, a sketch challenge and lots more. Coming soon there will be a monthy Crop that takes
Source: www.mywomen2women.com

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Motorcycle Superstore carries a complete selection of Street Bike Motorcycle Jackets - Women
Source: www.motorcycle-superstore.com

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Source: www.limaladies.com

NASA Quest > Women of NASA ::
NASA Quest is dedicated to bringing NASA people and science to classrooms through the internet. Don't miss our 7th Annual Virtual Take Our Daughters to Work Day. The Women of NASA resource
Source: quest.arc.nasa.gov

Center for Women Policy Studies
Welcome. to the Center. The Center for Women Policy Studies was founded in 1972 as the nation’s first feminist policy analysis, research and advocacy institution.
Source: www.centerwomenpolicy.org

OBGYN.net Women's Pavilion: Women's Health Resources for Women
Peer reviewed women s healthcare website bring medical professional, medical industry professionals Featured Sections - AAGL Presentations Adhesions Advertising Opportunities Breast Care CME:
Source: www.obgyn.net

African American Women's History - Black Women's History
Uncover the history of African American women: the history of black women in America, from slavery Uncover the history of African American women: the history of black women in America, from
Source: womenshistory.about.com

2006-11-06T08:46:00.000-08:00

Exercise during Pregnancy Deemed Safe for At-Risk African-American Women

(Taylor Media Services) A recently completed study says exercise during pregnancy appears to be safe - even for Black women who were considered at high risk for pregnancy complications. More...

Millions of women around the world urgently needed better access to contraception to prevent 100,000 deaths a year from unsafe abortions, health experts warned. More...

The best initial cervical cancer screening tool for younger women is still the traditional Pap smear. However, a large Danish study has found that for older women (age 40 and older), a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) is a much more effective way to screen for potential cancer. More...

PALO ALTO, Calif. What if we turned the life cycle upside down I am sitting in the office of Laura L. Carstensen, director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, and we're exploring ideas for a new chronological agenda that would be more appropriate for a life span of 80 years or more. More...

2006-10-30T09:48:00.000-08:00

The Breast Cancer Fund Provides funding for advocacy,

The Breast Cancer Fund
Provides funding for advocacy, support, education as well as research into better ways to prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer.
Source: www.breastcancerfund.org

What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer
Information from the National Cancer Institute to help people understand and cope with the illness.
Source: www.cancer.gov

Breast cancer
Breast calcifications: Are they cancer ... And they don't mean you're more likely to develop breast cancer. ... Breast cancer is the illness that many ...
Source: www.cnn.com

2006-10-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

Shiatsu, Acupressure, Complementary Therapy in Bristol - James Adamson

Fertility Jobs Ohio | Menopouse | Trying To Conceive A Boy | Central
The Most Amazing Fertility Jobs Ohio Information On the Internet! The latest research on fertility clinic fort lauderdale florida ? One of the internets biggest
Source: www.ccann.com

Tumor
Umum (Masyarakat Bertanya-Dokter Menjawab) ----- => Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak => Keluarga Berencana => Kemandulan (Infertilitas) => Tumor => PMS (Penyakit Menular Seksual) => Menopouse
Source: www.kesehatanreproduksi.com

Menopouse-sorg
Vroue wat vervroegde menopouse ervaar (voor die ouderdom van 45 jaar) of wat in menopouse is en ongemaklike simptome ervaar, kan 'n ginekologiese assessering en ondersoek ondergaan.
Source: capegateway.gov.za

34 Menopause Symptoms - Web Catalog
The information on menopeiuse 34 menopause symptoms careers in clinics, hospitals, and menopeuse is the efforts menopouse menopuuse menopiuse menopouse famous menopajuse of menopaowse menopayse
Source: butaba.com

Billie Krstovic & Studio Athena
Menopouse? Pregnancy? Men trouble? Anything goes! I CAN SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE. This is great! AWNS will try to eventually have this website in as many languages as there are speaking members!
Source: lucid.co.uk

SureHalal.Biz
Wanita sesudah kahwin 8 kapsul sehari. Wanita Menopouse (putus haid) juga digalakkan mengamalkannya. This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 05 October, 2006.
Source: www.surehalal.biz

NAGARASFIRE ::
Ayat tersebut menjelaskan bahawa wanita-wanita yang sudah mengalami menopouse boleh untuk menanggalkan jilbab (pakaian luar)-nya. Akan tetapi, mereka tetap wajib menutup auratnya dan tidak menampakkan
Source: azzuhrie.blogdrive.com

Die Matie online: Nuus / News
NEEM N goed gemanierde Sondagskoolseun, voeg daarby n pêrelglimlag en n : bekoorlike sangstem wat selfs die vroulike geslag se gevreesde menopouse
Source: student.sun.ac.za

Leesa Formula
dan cantik. Menghasilkan kesan yang dapat dilihat antara 1 hingga 3 bulan, dan pembesaran payudara antara 1 hingga 3 inci. Mempunyai sifat melawan penyakit kanser payudara, serta menghalang menopouse
Source: www.leesaformula.com.my

2006-10-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

From The Archives

Cleveland Plain Dealer - He had a rash or acne on his face. He was wearing a green camouflage coat, grey hooded sweatshirt, black T-shirt, black jeans and red-and-white tennis shoes. At noon, a man came up behind a General Store employee at Quaker Square Plaza on East Mill More

KCBD - Abdominal Aneurism Achilles Tendon Tear ACL Tear Acne ADHD Allergies AIDS Alzheimers Disease Amniocentesis Angioplasty Ankylosing Spondylitis Anthrax Appendicitis Assisted Delivery Asthma Astigmatism Atrial Fibrillation Benign Prostate Hyperplasia More

Gamasutra - Wheeling out various acne-riddled, overweight children and teenagers to illustrate the problems of obsessive gaming, the program attempted to illuminate the issue with a series of unsavoury and unrepresentative anecdotes, such as one Dutch gentleman More

Half Moon Bay Review - Instead, California can have a bright future, with clean air and water, no traffic jams, happy kids who get high SAT scores and big scholarships to top universities, longer life expectancies, a cure for acne, and 38 percent fewer cavities. But Step 1 More

2006-10-17T23:16:00.000-07:00

Misunderstood and Often Untreated: Melasma, or ‘Pano,’ Affects

Hola Arkansas - While 50 or 70 percent of pregnant women will exhibit some degree of melasma, the incidence of melasma in Hispanic pregnant women is as high as 80 percent. Of the Hispanic women who develop the condition during pregnancy, 30 percent will have the More

WOOD - (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A child's risk of developing asthma may be established long before he ever takes his first breath. According to a new study out of the Scotland, kids born to mothers who consumed the lowest levels of vitamin E while pregnant More

South Coast Today - Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Annie's Mailbox Dear Annie: My friend, "Lois," is pregnant and due in three months. On several occasions, I have observed her drinking and smoking heavily. Several of her friends have spoken to her about this, as has More

Argus Leader - Sixty-eight years ago, my grandparents were forced to beg forgiveness for shaming the family by getting pregnant before they were wed. My grandmother still is bitter at the way she was treated. She knew other women who died from attempts at abortion More

WOOD - Thorough prenatal care helps ensure the birth of a healthy baby. Shortly after you become pregnant, you should begin seeing your physician or midwife on a regular basis. During these prenatal visits, you will undergo certain routine examinations, and More

LifeNews.com - Pregnancy discrimination still occurs in the workplace and abortion makes it more difficult for women as some employers view abortion as a quick solution to the so-called "problem" of a pregnant employee More

Wave 3 - In addition, overweight and obese women are likely to benefit from weight loss is they are planning to become pregnant." The authors write that more research needs to be done to find the best way for women to not gain too much weight while pregnant or More

Slate - Pregnancy triples your risk of a heart attack. The odds remain minuscule—six attacks per 100,000 pregnancies—but that's because women who get pregnant tend to be young. If you get pregnant over 40, your risk of a heart attack is 30 times that of a More

How To Choose A Breast Pump

2006-10-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

The milk production in the breasts, much like so many other things, work on the shear principal of supply and demand. The more breast milk your baby consumes, the more your body will need to make.

Breast pumps are generally used to insure continued production of breast milk when you cannot feed your baby - whether you are back to work, traveling, taking medication, or just out of town.

Basic types of pumps
Breast pumps can either be battery operated, hand operated, semi automatic electric, or even self cycling electric.

Hand pumps
Manual hand pumps are designed to use the strength of your hand or arm muscles for pumping one breast at a time. You can also get pumps that will use the leg and foot muscles for pumping both breasts at one time. Mothers that with carpal tunnel syndrome may want to consider using a pump designed for the arm or leg muscles or even an automatic model.

Battery operated pumps
Pumps with battery operation are the best for women who have an established supply of milk and want to pump once or even twice a day. These pumps use batteries to create suction, minimizing any type of muscle fatigue. Most battery type pumps are designed for pumping one breast at a time and are recommended for occasional usage.

Electric pumps
Even though electric pumps are more efficient than hand or even battery operated pumps, they also tend to be more expensive. You can however, rent them if you need to. Electric pumps can normally plug directly into an outlet and are designed for pumping both breasts at a time and even frequent use. Hospital grade pumps are the most efficient for initiating and maintaining milk supply, and are available for rent or purchase.

Tags:
breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

2006-10-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report Summarizes Articles On ...

Medical News Today (press release), UK - Oct 4, 2006... The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in two of the cases on Nov. 8 ( Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report , 9/29). ... More...

Monroe Times, WI - 44 minutes ago... 18 to unveil the new women's health license plates that will support the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation (WWHF) and other community projects focused on ... More...

Chicago Tribune, United States - Sep 18, 2006... Topinka said in Chicago that she would back legislation for her initiatives. Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been active in women's health care issues. ... More...

Portsmouth Herald News, NH - 5 hours ago... a Democrat running for re-election against New Castle Republican Dan Hughes, asked participants what the Legislature could do to improve women's health care. ... More...

Preventing Ovarian Cancer

2006-10-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

There are ways to reduce your risk factors for ovarian cancer. You may want to consider looking into the research and finding a good strategy that works for you. The following are a few ideas on prevention tactics you might want to add to your life so you can reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer.

The easiest way to reduce your chance of ovarian cancer is to take oral contraceptives or birth control pills. Studies have found that these medicines have reduced the risks of ovarian cancer by over fifty percent for women who have taken them for three or more years. Those who have undergone genetic screening and have found that they have mutations of the genes that cause ovarian cancer may also get additional benefits but more study by doctors is needed to confirm this.

Another option is the tying of the fallopian tubes. This option can help significantly reduce your risks of ovarian cancer by two-thirds, that’s sixty-six percent. This is also a good option for those women who are sure they don’t want kids anymore.

Some studies have shown that hysterectomies will also decrease the risk of ovarian cancer. However, it is not recommend to have this procedure done unless that is a good medical reason to do so. If a woman has already been through menopause or is nearing menopause then it may be a good idea to have the ovaries removed through a hysterectomy.

In addition, those who have more than one child and breast feed them for more than one year have been found to have a reduced risk of developing ovarian cancer.

However, no matter what it is always best to discuss the issues of ovarian cancer prevention with you doctor. They will be able to provide you with screening and a strategic plan to help reduce your risks of ovarian cancer. However, before speaking to your doctor it is a good idea to know your options so you can have time to think over what you would like to do.

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of ovariancancerdomain.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about ovarian cancer prevention.

2006-10-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

Women�s Hockey World Cup : China beat India 1-0

CCTV, China - 6 hours agoThe Chinese Women Hockey team are celebrating their first win of the hockey World Cup in Madrid, edging India 1-nil in a thrilling game held on Wednesday. ... More...

Associated Baptist Press, FL - 4 hours agoATLANTA (ABP) -- Sixteen women leaders from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship just returned from a two-week trip to China, where they visited women leaders of ... More...

Edgewood College Eagles, WI - 8 hours ago(October 4, 2006) -- The Edgewood College women�s tennis team wrapped up its regular season with a flawless 9-0 rout of Lakeland College Wednesday night. ... More...

ASU Appalachian Mountaineers, NC - 11 hours agoThe ASU men and women will compete against the same field, consisting of Division II schools Milligan College, Kings College, Lenoir-Rhyne College and host ... More...

CSTV.com, NY - 5 hours agoDALLAS (SMU) - The SMU women's soccer team (9-2-1, 2-0 C-USA) looks to extend its winning streak to seven games Friday evening in Tulsa (5-6-0, 1-1 C-USA) for ... More...

Chicagoist, IL - 9 hours agoAfter bringing them home, however, we realized what all sane women do when they see themselves in a pair of skinny pants: Our thighs had grown in circumference ... More...

Edgewood College Eagles, WI - 8 hours agoLISLE, Ill. (October 4, 2006) -- Freshman Elyse Clouthier (Oconomowoc, Wis.) scored a goal and assisted on two others while fellow ... More...

di-ve.com, Malta - 10 hours ago... the same man. The Zurrieq taxi driver, the Romanian and the Ibrag women were in the garage at the time of the raid. The police also ... More...

Times of India, India - 8 hours agoNEW DELHI: The Women's Reservation Bill is most likely to be introduced in the winter session of Parliament. This was decided at ... More...

CSTV.com, NY - 13 hours ago... Regan, Jr. and head women's lacrosse coach Stephanie Ridolfi announced this week the schedule for the Crusaders' 2007 season. The ... More...

7 Tips To Kick Your Sugar Habit

2006-10-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

Are you often overcome with an urge to splurge on candy, cookies, and cake – and do you then hate yourself for caving into your cravings?

Do you pop by the drug store for paper goods but always leave with junk food, too? And do you feel like an incurable sugar addict with zero will power?

Take heart. You can quit (or at least cut back on) both sweets and processed, “much-like-sugar carbs” such as white bread, white rice, and pasta.

Back in 1998, I did just that. After diagnosing hypoglycemia, my M.D. told me that eliminating quickie carbs could banish my low-blood sugar symptoms, including my ferocious headaches, unexpected mood swings, debilitating “brain fog” and severe PMS.

Amazingly, all 44 ailments disappeared! I do not exaggerate! After kicking sweets, I felt reborn!

That’s why I’m now on a mission to help you, too, break free of your habit. I know that spurning inferior sweets and quickie carbs could turn your life around. You could benefit if you're hypoglycemic, diabetic, overweight -- or if you're just wanting more energy and better concentration.

Here’s the non-sugar-coated scoop. If you continue to over-indulge in these nutrient-lacking foods you could:

• Pack on the pounds
• Sap your energy
• Become unfocused
• Undergo Jekyll-Hyde personality transformations
• Jeopardize your love life, and
• Possibly develop hypoglycemia, insulin resistance or diabetes.

If, instead, you choose quality, fiber-filled carbs, you could:

• Peel off excess weight
• Increase your energy
• Concentrate better
• Boost your moods
• Maybe rev up your libido, and
• Possibly reverse your pre-diabetes

Pretty promising, eh?

Here, then, are 7 tried-and-true tips and tactics to help you “just say no” to quickie carbs:

1. Adjust your mindset – and pronto! Before you can begin to make better dietary decisions, you need to totally change your thoughts. Toss away such negative views as: “Oh, boo hoo, I don’t want to quit sweets!” Instead, dwell on positive ideas like this: “Wow, I’ll feel so great by kicking quickie carbs.” Now fill your mind with pleasant, powerful images. Visualize yourself easily turning down low-quality carbs and becoming a happier, healthier, sweeter you. See yourself in charge instead of enslaved.

2. Plan a pity party. I know this might sound counter-productive, but I’m convinced that before you cut out low-quality carbs, allotting a specific, short amount of time – say, a week – to feeling sorry for yourself can work wonders. But then get over it and get on with it!

3. Watch yourself like a lab rat. Begin to face your truth by keeping a food journal. Jot down what drives you to simple carbs, when you clamor for them, where you eat them, why you want them, and how you get them (i.e., do you stealthily drive across town in the middle of night to buy a carton of ice cream because you need it?) Journaling can be potent preparation for stomping out your sugar habit!

4. Power up with PFF. By this I mean, pump up the protein (such as fish, chicken, tofu, legumes and lean meats), fill up with fiber (lots of vegetables, and some fruits and whole grains), and embrace healthy fats (olive oil, flax seeds, avocado, etc.) – consuming them all in moderation, of course. These three dietary changes alone can help moderate your blood sugar levels, take the edge off your appetite, keep you feel satisfied longer, and provide needed nourishment.

5. Relish the goodies provided by Mother Nature. Learn to savor the flavor of fresh, natural, wholesome, colorful, nutritious, preferably organic vegetables and low-sugar fruits. Next time you yearn for something sweet, enjoy a few tasty cherry tomatoes, a chunk of red pepper, or several fresh strawberries. Yum! (Nibble on some protein at the same time to keep your blood sugar stable.)

6. Begin with breakfast. Always start your day with a healthy meal – you know, something like a veggie-filled omelet with a piece of orange or a small bowl of slow-cooking oatmeal. Many research studies show that breakfast eaters concentrate and perform better. If you skip that vital first meal of the day, you’re setting yourself up for overwhelming sugar cravings. (Many nutritionists and physicians I interviewed often emphasized the benefits of breakfast.

7. Develop a kick-butt attitude. Abandon that woe-is-me stance! Tap into your inner strength instead. Even if you’re furious with yourself for having eaten nutrient-poor foods for so long, use that anger to reinforce your “I-can-do-it” attitude. Because you can! Now go for it and trust in your ability to succeed. Believe me, you can “Enjoy a Sweeter Life Without Refined Sweets."

Copyright © 2005, All Rights Reserved, Connie Bennett, http://www.SugarShock.com
About the Author: Connie Bennett is an experienced journalist, stop-sugar-addition expert/coach, author of SUGAR SHOCK! (upcoming), and founder of http://www.SugarShockBlog.com. Get a free report and free e-zine at http://www.StopSugarShock.com

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breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

2006-10-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

50 Ways To Beat Insomnia

About a third of us have sleep difficulties occasionally, but for some people insomnia can be a chronic problem which lasts for months or even years. If you need a bit of help getting off at night, follow some of these tips to help you get a better nights sleep.

1; Instead of counting sheep, count peacocks, giraffes, or emus!

2; Go to bed at the same time every night, and get up at the same time every morning.

3; Sleep on a good, firm mattress.

4; Lie on your back and gently rub your stomach in a circular motion. Gradually let the circles get bigger and bigger.

5; Avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.

6; Start at one, two, or five hundred, and count backwards down to one.

7; Try to recall a poem that you used to know off by heart when you were at school.

8; Think of a boy and girl’s name starting with each letter of the alphabet. For example; Albert and Alice, Bryan and Betty, or Carl and Camilla. See how far you can go.

9; Listen to a recording of crashing waves, dolphin sounds, heartbeats, or raindrops.

10; Don’t have tea, chocolate or cola in the evening.

11; Imagine walking through a lush valley. Hear the birdsong, smell the trees and visualise the beauty of the countryside.

12; Sleep in a well ventilated room.

13; Don’t have the temperature of your room too hot, or too cold.

14; Sleep on your back, as this enables your internal organs to rest.

15; Do not fall to sleep on your front, as this results in shallow breathing and causes pressure on your internal organs.

16; Drink warm milk ten to twenty minutes before retiring.

17; Stretch your body. Point your toes, arch your back and stretch your arms above your head, then relax completely.

18; Try to recite the National Anthem in your head.

19; Make a long list of words in your head by changing just one letter at a time, for example; part, past, post, most, mast, etc.

20; Have a drink of herbal tea before retiring to bed. Some health food stores sell blends which are designed to aid restful sleep.

21; Fifteen minutes of exercise a day will supply your body with the activity and oxygen it needs to relax at bedtime.

22; Make a list of everything that is bothering you and therefore keeping you awake. Imagine yourself writing the list onto a piece of paper and then screwing it up and throwing it away.

23; Try to settle yourself by repeating soothing words to yourself, such as calm, peaceful, relaxing.

24; Imagine you are sewing the hem of an extremely wide curtain. Use tiny stitches and visualise in detail every stitch you make.

25; Try to get your partner to give you a relaxing massage just before bed, or while you are both in bed.

26; Make love.

27; If your partner is in bed with you, listen to his breath and try to synchronise your breathing with his.

28; Go back to a special time and place in your mind. Relive the sights, smells and feelings you felt at the time.
29; Avoid naps during the daytime.

30; Take a warm soothing bubble bath, or use bath salts or aromatherapy oils in the water to help you relax before bed.

31; Try to keep your bedroom as dark as possible by hanging thick lined curtains if possible.

32; Imagine you are on the beach. Feel the hot sun on your body, smell the salt water and feel the warm, granular sand under your feet and between your toes.

33; Avoid illuminated bedside clocks. A lit clock face can be extremely disturbing if you have a hard time getting to sleep.

34; Practice slow, deep breathing for five minutes.

35; Sleep with your head facing north. Sounds bizarre? Try it and see if it makes a difference for you.

36; Imagine you are decorating your dream house. What colour scheme would you use? What style of furnishings and decoration would you prefer? See each colour and pattern in detail.

37; Keep your bed a place for sleep. Don’t read, watch television, work, or do crossword puzzles in bed. Let your body and mind associate bed with sleep.

38; Think of as many famous people as you can with double initials, for example; Anthony Andrews, Tina Turner, Bobby Brown.

39; If you really can’t sleep, get up. Don’t lie awake for more than thirty minutes. Read a book, have a drink, and when you feel tired again, go back to bed.

40; Lie on your back and try to relax. Wiggle your toes up and down, both feet at the same time, 20. This should relax your whole body.

41; Listen to soft and soothing music. Classical or folk music is particularly good for dropping off to.

42; Imagine it’s morning and time to get up. The alarm has already gone off, and you are in that sleepy period when you just want to drop back off to sleep for a few more minutes. It’s surprising how sleepy you will start to feel.

43; Think back on everything you did throughout the day, from getting up, having breakfast, going to work, right through to getting ready for bed and lying where you are now.

44; Try to remember what you were doing this time last year.

45; An hour before you go to bed, light an oil burner with some lavender oil in.

46; Mentally visit the town you were born in. Think back to how the streets looked, and imagine where you used to play, or the places you used to visit.

47; Repeat to yourself ‘I am getting sleepy, I am growing tired, I am falling to sleep.’

48; If you are a fan of soap operas, replay some of the scenes in your mind, with yourself as one of the characters.

49; Stare with your eyes closed at the insides of your eyelids.

50; Build a two letter word into the biggest word you can make. For example; on, one, lone, alone.

Sweet Dreams!

About the Author

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gail Miller is a UK artist and writer. View her vibrant, contemporary artwork at her website, Gails Art Gallery
http://home.freeuk.net/gails-gallery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2006-09-28T23:25:00.000-07:00

... on health and wellness, along with daily

... on health and wellness, along with daily health news, full ... Heart Health Center. Eight Steps to Preventing Heart Disease. Women and Heart Attacks ... more

Advocacy organization providing women with health information and monitoring federal legislation to make sure that women's health needs are not overlooked. more

Electives in Women's Health. Faculty Development. Meetings and Seminars. WH Resource Bibliography ... unique to or more prevalent or serious in women, ... more

UW Women's Health National Center of Excellence. Obstetrics - Normal and Problem Pregnancies ... Information for Women on Food Safety, Nutrition and Cosmetics ... more

The Importance of taking a Calcium Supplement

2006-09-25T23:29:00.000-07:00

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and also an important supplement to take. Calcium is needed to form bones and teeth and is also required for blood clotting, transmission of signals in nerve cells, and muscle contraction. The importance of calcium for preventing osteoporosis, however, is probably its most well-known role.

While anyone can benefit from taking a calcium supplement, it's a MUST for those that rarely consume dairy products, especially women because of the threat of osteoporosis. It seems that few people realize how important calcium is to their body, but if you consider the fact that it's needed for healthy bones, that in itself is a strong argument to make sure you're getting enough calcium daily. What's the adequate daily intake of calcium? 1,000-1,200 mg daily.

So how do you choose a calcium supplement. A form of calcium has recently emerged called coral calcium. It's a natural form of calcium derived from Okinawa marine coral. The amazing thing about coral calcium is that it naturally contains calcium and magnesium in a 2:1 ratio. This biologically perfect ratio gives your body a perfect pH balance while supplying the basic ingredients for the rejuvenation of the body.

2006-09-24T01:33:00.000-07:00

SOAP OPERA UPDATES: 'B&B': Bridget discovers that she is pregnant

Colby hides in the tunnels at the mansion after overhearing she could face jail time for the boating accident. Jack gets Jonathan released on bail and asks him to try to help Lily. Lily finally speaks, as she calls out for Jack. Jonathan is devastated when Lily doesn't want him near her. Erica and Jeff grow closer when she feels herself drifting away from Jack. Krystal lets her anger out on Tad More...

Illinois police are still searching for three small children after their pregnant mother was killed and had her fetus cut out of her stomach. A suspect is in custody, but no charges have been filed and there is no sign of the children. More...

Authorities returned Saturday to a thickly weeded lot where a woman's body was found two days earlier -- her fetus missing, cut from More...

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill., 3:55 p.m. Sept. 23 (AP): A woman was charged Saturday in the deaths of a pregnant friend and the fetus authorities believe she cut out from the slain woman's womb. More...

The three children were last seen on Monday with a woman who has been taken into custody by police. More...

Bodies are uncovered in Illinois hours after a family friend is charged in their mother's killing. More...

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - Three missing children have been found dead, days after their mother's body was discovered with the fetus cut from her womb, authorities announced late Saturday. More...

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. | Three children missing since the body of their pregnant mother was discovered last week with the fetus cut from the womb have been found dead, authorities said Saturday. More...

The magic of digital photography allows you to see a pregnancy progress over a mere 10 seconds, and the result is eerily science-fictiony. In Table of Malcontents. More...

Man Attacks Women's Health Center

2006-09-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Ms. Magazine, CA - Sep 14, 2006A man drove his car into the lobby of a women's health center in Davenport, Iowa on Monday, attempting to destroy what he thought was an abortion clinic. ... More...

Roseville Press Tribune, CA - Sep 8, 2006... The program, dubbed "KP Coach," will be unveiled during Pruitt's keynote speech at Kaiser's upcoming Body in Balance Women's Health Expo. ... More...

Kaiser network.org, DC - Sep 1, 2006... According to Reuters , most women prefer to undergo birth defect testing early in a ... defects to newly created cells, they can become cancerous ( Health Day News ... More...

U.S. Newswire (press release), DC - Sep 18, 2006... than 20 years of medical practice in New York, Dr. Allan Warshowsky is pleased to announce that he has relocated his comprehensive women's health practice to ... More...

Wilkes University, PA - Sep 15, 2006Wilkes University Health Services, in conjunction with the Maternal and Family Health Services, will sponsor its Women's Health Night. ... More...

Topics.com, IN - Aug 22, 2006INDIANAPOLIS -- WFYI Public Broadcasting will honor three central Indiana professionals who have contributed to women's health during the ninth annual Speaking ... More...

International News Service, Australia - Sep 10, 2006... We hope it won't happen to our students, therefore we organised this workshop to give the young women a positive message about health, fitness and sex," said ... More...

Penn State Digital Collegian, PA - Sep 18, 2006... University Health Services has already announced plans to offer the emergency contraception by the beginning of next semester. Before the FDA's decision, women ... More...

7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

2006-09-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

It is always important to take whatever steps you can to be healthy, but while you are pregnant it is even more important: not only do you need to take good care of yourself, you are also profoundly affecting the life of another person – your baby. Here's 7 tips to help you along the way.

1.If you smoke, one of the most important things you can do is to stop smoking: babies born to mothers who smoke have a lower average birth weight, are more likely to be born prematurely, and are at greater risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome than babies of non-smokers. Sometimes mothers feel having a low birth weight baby could be an advantage as it will make the baby easy to deliver. This is not necessarily the case, as it may lead to an emergency delivery, which can result in all sorts of complications. Even if you are already pregnant, stopping smoking will benefit the baby for the rest of your pregnancy. It is not only the baby who benefits. You are likely to suffer from less morning sickness, experience fewer complications and have a more contented baby after the birth.

2. It is also important to pay attention to your diet. Many women feel they should ‘eat for two’, but research has shown that women only need an extra 200-300 calories a day while pregnant, and you may be eating those extra calories anyway. What is important is to ensure that you get the protein, vitamins and minerals necessary to build another human being. Those extra 200-300 calories should not be squandered on chocolate or crisps, but should be eaten as fruit, vegetables, etc. It is also important to increase your water intake, which will help avoid constipation.

3. It is generally a good idea to take a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement too. There are now ones specially formulated for pregnant women. Ideally these should be started before you become pregnant, so that you are in the best shape possible for the pregnancy, and then continued throughout your pregnancy. An adequate supply of vitamins and minerals is important right from conception. For example, a deficiency of one of the B vitamins, folic acid, in the first month of pregnancy may lead to the baby being born with a cleft lip, congenital heart disease or spina bifida. Omega-3 fatty acids (obtained by eating oily fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts, spinach and spirulina, or taken as a supplement) are important for the development of the baby’s eyes and brain. Omega-3 also reduces the risk of premature birth and post-natal depression.

4. Nobody knows how much alcohol it is safe to consume during pregnancy, so many health experts feel it is better to avoid alcohol entirely for the sake of the baby. This can seem hard on the pregnant woman when everyone else is drinking, but it is important to remember that alcohol is a poison for the growing baby, and no caring mother willingly gives her baby poison.

5. Pregnancy is not a time to sit still. Although adequate rest is vitally important, most experts believe that healthy pregnant women should be taking 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.

6. It is also important to minimise exposure to toxic chemicals while pregnant, so spending a lot of time painting the house and laying new carpets is not a good idea, especially in the early stages of pregnancy when the baby is particularly vulnerable.

7. Many women find pregnancy stressful, and this can be a particularly good time to turn to safe, non-invasive options such as Bach flower remedies, homeopathy, kinesiology and other therapies.

Making a new life is something miraculous. Doing the best you can for that new life starts long before you have the baby in your arms for the first time.

Jane Thurnell-Read is an author and researcher on health, allergies and stress. She has written two books for the general public: "Allergy A to Z" and "Health Kinesiology". She also maintains a web site http://www.healthandgoodness.com with tips, inspiration and information for everyone who wants to live a happier, healthier life.

2006-09-08T04:01:00.001-07:00

Are More Older Women With Younger Men?

ABC News - Sex and relationships columnist Valerie Gibson would call them "cougars" — women who date men more than eight years their junior — and they're part of a trend that's coming off the screen and out of the bedroom. Gibson says the term originated in More

Joplin Globe - Megan Walker's goal with 10 minutes remaining lifted Missouri Southern's women to a 2-1 victory over Southwest Baptist on Thursday night. The Lions opened MIAA action with the decision at Bodon Field. Southern tied for second in the conference last More

Arizona Daily Star - JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Officials are considering an unprecedented proposal to ban women from performing the five Muslim prayers in the immediate vicinity of Islam's most sacred shrine in Mecca. Some say women are already being kept away. The issue More

Asbury Park Press - A Women's Art Walk takes place 2-5 p.m. Saturday in Asbury Park, with female artists' work on display in participating galleries on Cookman and Bangs avenues. The event is part of the fourth annual Black Box of Asbury Park's Women's Art Festival More

Chico Enterprise-Record - One team is as gifted and deep as its ever been. The other graduated more talent than ever before. This is what Chico State cross country coach Gary Towne is up against for the 2006 season. The Wildcats host their season-opening meet, the five-team More

Pregnancy scare for Kerry

2006-09-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

Unison.ie, Ireland - Aug 24, 2006MOTHER-TO-BE Kerry Katona was taken to hospital over a pregnancy scare, it emerged yesterday. The worried star went to her local ... More...

Houston Chronicle, United States - Aug 29, 2006... Now the government of President Vicente Fox wants to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. It's gone to work with utter practicality. ... More...

PensacolaNewsJournal.com, FL - Aug 31, 2006... And this may convince more adolescents to avoid the teen pregnancy that often starts a spiral toward poverty and other problems. ... More...

Malaria in pregnancy on rise in Africa: heath specialist

2006-09-01T23:18:00.000-07:00

People's Daily Online, China - Aug 27, 2006... has increased in most African countries, as the disease is not getting the attention it deserves, especially concerning malaria in pregnancy, a Zimbabwean ... More...

Independent Online, South Africa - Aug 25, 2006... in KwaZulu-Natal are running the risk of being infected with the dreaded HIV and Aids scourge owing to the alarmingly high rate of teenage pregnancy in schools ... More...

National Ledger, AZ - Aug 29, 2006By Susan Hatch. After a whirlwind Australian wedding and what must have been a romantic and beautiful honeymoon the Aussie Power ... More...

MedIndia, India - Aug 28, 2006Taking anti-depressants during pregnancy do more harm than good according to a new Canadian study. The study conducted by researchers ... More...

China Post, Taiwan - Aug 27, 2006A group promoting women's rights in Taipei has published a book to teach women to deal with unexpected pregnancy. The Taipei Association ... More...

In Case of Emergency, Take Pill

2006-08-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

Shorthorn - The pill stalls ovulation and fertilization and terminates a zygote, the union of an egg and sperm, if pregnancy has already occurred. The pill does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. More

NWITimes.com - It will offer a complete range of services, including screenings for AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy tests and counseling, and children's immunizations. "We'll do everything there we do here -- the whole gamut," Letta said. The More

Beaver County Times - On Thursday, the Federal Drug Administration ruled that women 18 years and older would be able to buy the pills, which reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Women will need to show pharmacists, who More

Asheville Citizen-Times - The cast is varied in age as well as in their paths to and from pregnancy. Veteran local actress, C.J. Breland (Jillian) is outstanding as a matriarch among the cast. Fairly newcomer Lorraine Roberts (Beth), also 'of-a-certain-age,' carries her More

Lincoln Journal Star - The report shows that one-quarter of all child deaths in 2003 were pregnancy related, including premature birth or complications during pregnancy, labor and delivery. Birth defects were the second most common cause, with 22.5 percent of all deaths. The More

University Daily Kansan - Now, before I get myself into any trouble with feminists or mothers out there, let me say this: there should probably be an interpretation in Butler’s case, because, let’s face it, we men have no argument when it comes to pregnancy. We helped, but More

Palladium-Item - And while teen pregnancy rates nationally have been declining steadily over recent years, teen sex and the incidents of sexually transmitted diseases may not be. HPV is one of the more common among those diseases. The Centers for Disease Control in More

WISH-TV - But pro-life organizations and the Catholic Church say a morning-after pill is not the answer to teenage pregnancy or any unintended pregnancy. "The pills themselves, as I said, can produce abortion because it prevents implantation of the embryo in More

Tags:
breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

Mother 'didn't know she was pregnant

2006-08-29T04:02:00.000-07:00

A Sydney mother who dumped her newborn baby in a garage belonging to a 1960s rock star told police she did not know she was pregnant, the former entertainer said on Monday. More...

A pregnant wife wanted an abortion and also wanted to divorce her husband after seeing his intimacy with another woman last week. But, the husband stopped her, saying that she had no such right. More...

Pedestrians walk past an advertisement for the Japanese edition of Harper's Bazaar magazine. A heavily pregnant Britney Spears has finally bared all in Tokyo after subway bosses reversed a decision to censor an advertisement showing the US pop diva in the nude. More...

Tags:
breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

Breast cancer drug placed on PBS

2006-08-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

Women with the early stages of breast cancer will get cheap access to a wonder drug that could save thousands of lives every year. More...

A woman from Rugby hopes to raise money for charity with a journal of her fight against breast cancer. More...

Jayne Collins remembers the blur of pink ribbons as she drove home past Kirkland's Juanita Beach Park, exhausted from her second round of chemotherapy. It was barely two months since her breast cancer diagnosis, and the shock was still a personal, isolating trauma. More...

They wore pink. From their fuzzy boas to their baseball caps and Mardi Gras beads, pink was everywhere. Even electric-pink hair dotted the... More...

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breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

Women's Center to hold an open house

2006-08-22T00:24:00.000-07:00

MACOMB - The Western Illinois University Women's Center will host an open house and a 20th anniversary celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, at the center, which is located on the third floor (east end) of Seal Hall. More...

Swedish researchers report women with rheumatoid arthritis are less likely to have a decrease in symptoms after being treated for the disease. More...

The Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) has recruited seven women to work as fire fighters, the first time in the countrys history. TAAs Director General, Prosper Tesha, yesterday said that out of 23 newly employed fire fighters, seven were women. More...

Springfield Business Journal's 2006 Twenty Most Influential Women met for an early breakfast this morning at Springfield's historic Mansion at Elfindale to have photographs taken for a Sept. 22 recognition event. More...

Australia's defending champion women's eight won through to the final with a comfortable victory at the World Rowing Championships. More...

Oconomowoc-based consultant and author Susan Marshall will be the closing speaker of the fourth annual Women's Executive Leadership Summit presented by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business Executive Education program. More...

GNOME's Women's Summer Outreach Program (WSOP) is underway, with twice the number of projects originally scheduled, thanks to Google's generosity. The program has not only brought a few more women into the GNOME fold, but it seems to have jump-started efforts to actively recruit female developers within other open source projects as well. More...

POLICE are hunting a pervert they believe responsible for a string of increasingly violent assaults on women. Casuarina police received five reports from young women claiming they had been indecently assaulted at Darwin suburb Nightcliff in just six days by a man fitting the same description. More...

MedlinePlus: Acne

2006-08-09T00:13:00.000-07:00

Acne - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Acne is a group of skin rashes that have different causes. Acne vulgaris - most commonly experienced around puberty, typically of the face and ...
Source: en.wikipedia.org

Acne Support Group
Support group for people with acne and rosacea. Basic information, membership fees, links, and contact...
Source: www.m2w3.com

Acne
Acne Doggs/Characters is a digital production company. Acne Creative bring brands to life through advertising, design and product development. ...
Source: www.acne.se

Acne.org Message Boards (Powered by Invision Power Board)
To have an acne related question answered, make sure to post in one of the other ... Discuss acne medications that require a prescription from a doctor, ...
Source: www.acne.org

National Institutes of Health - Questions and Answers About Acne
Illustrated information on causes of acne skin lesions, and tips and information on common treatments,...
Source: www.niams.nih.gov
Tags:
breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

Acne information treatments and more from ZENMED

2006-08-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Proactiv Acne Solution: Acne Products & Information
Proactiv Acne Solution: Acne Products & Information. Acne Creams Site offers acne information on Proactiv Acne Solution: Acne Products & Information. Many people choose Proactiv Solution to cure
Source: www.acne-site.com

ADULT ACNE - Acne Treatment, Natural Acne Product
If you've been, looking online for ACNE Tretment, you know there are hundreds of different kinds.
Source: acne.tvev.com

Acne
Information for kids explaining the causes, myths, tips, and articles.
Source: www.kidshealth.org

Acne Treatment All Natural Acuzine Treats Acne
Acuzine is all-natural and scientifically formulated to treat acne from the inside-out. Health Resources. Acne Articles. Hair Removal. Authentic Strivectin-SD. Our Health Sites Network
Source: www.us-online-pharmacy.com

Striae® Acne System
Striae stretch mark Cream from Regenetrol Labs has guaranteed results in reducing and removing the Striae Home. Order Now. Dr. Lawrence Moy. Our Guarantee. Media mentions. Retail Locations
Source: www.striae.com
Tags:
breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy

2006-07-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

Am I Pregnant
When you want to know if you are pregnant it can seem like a sea of possibilities. When do you listen to your body When should you take a pregnancy test
Source: pregnancy.about.com

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Pregnancy (No Sex Please, We're ...
The URL for this page is http://www.snopes.com/pregnant/nosex.asp Urban Legends Reference Pages � 1995-2004 by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson ...
Source: www.snopes.com

Pregnancy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The medical term for a pregnant woman is genetalian, just as the medical term ... A woman who is pregnant for the first time is known as a primigravida or ...
Source: en.wikipedia.org

Pregnant - What's a Birth Plan
Pregnancy resource not only for Los Angeles pregnant women providing tri-weekly Belly Scoops full of information, trends, style, and fun!
Source: www.lapregnancy.com

Crisis Pregnancy - Adoption Options Parenting Abortion Alternative ...
forums · chat · games · journals · photo albums · e-magazine · email lists · events. you are here: adoption.com > pregnant.
Source: www.crisispregnancy.com

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Youngest Mother
It soon became obvious to the stunned Lozada, however, that the little girl was pregnant. A medical history revealed that she had been having regular ...
Source: www.snopes.com

Information for Pregnant Women
Offering nutrition suggestions from the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and the FDA.
Source: www.cfsan.fda.gov

Tips for Diabetic Women

2006-07-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Do's For Women With type II Diabetes

It has been observed that women who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. The exact cause of this type of diabetes is unclear, but it does appear to be associated with weight gain. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle, along with poor dietary habits, popular in the culture today, is among the explanations for the dramatic increase in the numbers of women suffering with Type 2 diabetes.

The connection between diet and diabetes is that, if you eat a high-fat, high calorie diet, which a lot of us do today, you put yourself at risk for weight gain, and if you are more than 120% of your desirable body weight, in simple terms, more than 20 pounds over what you should weigh, you become more insulin resistant, you use your own insulin at less capacity than you should, and you will have higher blood sugars, which will lead to diabetes. Diabetes is on the rise, and women with diabetes have an elevated risk of heart disease and stroke.

The good news is that there are steps they can take to reduce their risk of diabetes complications. From the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), here are Top 10 do's to help women with diabetes live longer, healthier lives.

Do review your treatment plan with your doctor or health care provider at least once a year. Make changes if your plan is not working well.

Do work with a dietitian. Create a meal plan that gives you healthy choices and is just right for you. A dietician will guide you on how to exercise portion control & make healthy food choices.

More..

Am I Pregnant?

2006-07-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The medical term for a pregnant woman is genetalian, just as the medical term ... A woman who is pregnant for the first time is known as a primigravida or ...
Source: en.wikipedia.org

Pregnant Pause
Information on abortion, euthanasia, infanticide and related topics. For students, people facing decisions on these issues, or anyone interested in ...
Source: www.pregnantpause.org

The Pregnant Prom Dress
I can't decide if this is a cruel punishment for a teen that got pregnant before her prom or if this is someone's idea of a new maternity fashion. ...
Source: www.uglydress.com

Information for Pregnant Women
Offering nutrition suggestions from the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and the FDA.
Source: www.cfsan.fda.gov

RATED: Trying to Get Pregnant PREGNANCY
Trying to Get Pregnant For those of you who have been trying to conceive for a while, you might be wondering Why Can�tI Get Pregnant ...
Source: www.pregnancy-info.net

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Pregnancy (No Sex Please, We're ...
The URL for this page is http://www.snopes.com/pregnant/nosex.asp Urban Legends Reference Pages � 1995-2004 by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson ...
Source: www.snopes.com

Pregnancy 101: Getting Pregnant Naturally
Preconception: A practical guide to getting pregnant naturally by timing intercourse: Get the Facts on pregnancy, ovulation, and Conception.
Source: www.fertilitext.org

First Human Male Pregnancy, The
Egyptian Weekly Magazine: Pregnant Men! Cover Page 1 Page 2. USA Today: Male Pregnancy, Weird Science Read More. Gender and Society: A Sociological Tour ...
Source: www.malepregnancy.com

Am I Pregnant? Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy

2006-07-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

A look at the common and not so common signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Including information on pregnancy tests and testing. more

I can't decide if this is a cruel punishment for a teen that got pregnant before her prom or if this is someone's idea of a new maternity fashion. ... more

Information on abortion, euthanasia, infanticide and related topics. For students, people facing decisions on these issues, or anyone interested in ... more

Offering nutrition suggestions from the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and the FDA. more

Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. Show off your favorite photos to the world, securely and ... more

Advice for mothers to be concerning pregnancy, getting pregnant, baby care and ... Pregnancy BLOG A word of advice for the pregnant mother: keep a pregnancy ... more

Women's Health - Illinois Department of Public Health

2006-07-22T00:24:00.000-07:00

Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. Frequently Asked Questions. What is the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program? The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offers free mammograms more

National Institute of Health site with up to date information on women's health issues, covering everything from domestic violence to ovarian cancer. more

For all the joy, marvel and experience. of being a woman… We’re here for you every step of the way. We’ve developed this website to let you know just how much we understand what being a woman more

You Can Get Pregnant Over 40, Naturally - Sandy Robertson

2006-07-20T18:13:00.000-07:00

Angry Pregnant Lawyer
Break Stuff" by Limp Bizkit (for when I'm a really angry pregnant lawyer) "Who Let the Dogs Out" by Baha Men "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba "Superman (It's Not Easy)" by Five for Fighting
Source: angrypregnantlawyer.blogspot.com

NAF Are You Pregnant? Am I Pregnant?
Information to help women establish whether or not they are pregnant. Symptoms of pregnancy. If you have just had unprotected sex you may not yet be pregnant. Emergency contraception is not
Source: www.prochoice.org

RATED: Pregnant MOM Best Site
Pregnant MOM Best Site Select topic Home page Trying to Get Pregnant Infertility Am I pregnant? Medical Tests Prenatal Care
Source: www.pregnancy-info.net

Murder: The Leading Cause of Death for Pregnant Women
NOW document Murder: The Leading Cause of Death for Pregnant Women April 23, 2003 By Kim Curtis, Associated
Source: www.now.org

Getting-Pregnant Articles
A collection of articles related to getting pregnant and trying to conceive Links: AmazingPregnancy.com - Trying to conceive and pregnancy information. Pregnancy related
Source: www.thelaboroflove.com

MaybeMOM/ ovulation calendar and ovulation calculator, signs of
ovulation calendar and ovulation calculator, signs of pregnancy, symptoms, ovulation, pregnancy calendar, fertility calendar, conception, early signs of pregnancy symptoms, trying to get pregnant
Source: www.maybemom.com

Reese Says 'I'm Not Pregnant' -- Sues Star Mag - TMZ.com
Reese Says 'I'm Not Pregnant' -- Sues Star Mag. Posted Jun 21st 2006 6:14PM by TMZ Staff. Filed under: Celebrity Justice , Baby Watch. TMZ has obtained a lawsuit filed by Reese Witherspoon claiming
Source: www.tmz.com

Pregnant - welcome to Are U Pregnant
Pregnant, Click here to visit the best wesbite on Pregnant. Explore and see the wonders of what this site has to offer you. this website is free and for your education and enjoyment.
Source: www.areupregnant.com

A Very Pregnant Pause… » 2005 » December
It’s official. My wife’s favourite brown suit has been retired until some yet-to-be determined point in the distant future. Despite her protestations to the contrary, she is beginning to show.
Source: averypregnantpause.com

2006-07-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

Statistics of Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Statistics for health professionals regarding breast cancer. ... Australia's leading breast cancer resource for health professionals ... more

Alcohol generally appears to increase the risk of breast cancer in women. ... Among women, breast cancer comprises 60% of alcohol-attributable cancers. ... more

Breast Cancer Care is the UK's leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer or breast ... more

NCI's gateway for information about breast cancer. more

Walk in a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising event and help make breast cancer a thing of the past. Find other events in our Calendar of ... more

Information about detection, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. NIH Publication No. 05-1556</nobr> more

Breast cancer information including early signs and symptoms of breast cancer, myths, early detection, breast cancer research and more from National Breast ... more

Articles on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and prevention. more

Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UKs leading charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research and education. more

The incidence rate for breast cancer rose 24% in the US between 1973 and 1991 ... Maternal relative with breast cancer. Women whose mother or sister or aunt ... more

2006-07-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Evidence-Based Medicine for Student Health Services. Robert J.

Evidence-Based Medicine for Student Health Services. Robert J. Flaherty, MD. Swingle Student Health Service. Montana State University. Bozeman, MT 59717. Acne. Etiology. No evidence is cited. Epidemiology. No evidence is cited. Diagnosis ... and effective treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in women with no known ... more

... Treatments for Hormonally Influenced Acne in Women. Clues that help the doctor determine whether acne in an adult ... to treat women with this type of acne. Low-dose estrogen birth ... more

Information about acne in teens from the American Academy of Family Physicians. ... What causes acne Acne commonly starts in the early teen years, when the oil glands in the body ... In people who have acne, these cells mix with the oil and ... more

2006-07-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

LBBC - Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Dedicated to empowering all affected by this disease. Includes a newsletter, transcripts and an email list. Headquartered in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. more

A story of battling inflammatory breast cancer. more

Founded in 1998, the HANYS Breast Cancer Demonstration Project® (HANYS BCDP®) has a goal of making breast cancer care better for women in New York State more

Aimed solely at funding clinical and genetic research related to this condition. Located in New York City. more

Extensive information on cancer and noncancerous breast conditions, including prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment. Sponsored by Siemens. more

Latest News; Chest X-Rays May Boost Breast Cancer Risk for Some (06/26/2006, HealthDay) Breast Cancer Treatment Safe During Pregnancy (06/23/2006, HealthDay) Cadmium Linked to Breast Cancer (06 more

Breast Cancer [ Printer-friendly version -- PDF file, 55 Kb] Why should I be concerned about breast cancer? Where can I learn more about breast cancer? See also more

News, links, education and help for the underserved. Located in Addison, Texas. more

Breast Cancer Foundation Inc Western Australia. Site dedicated to information and support for sufferers of breast cancer. more

Breast cancer symptoms and information on breast cancer to help with early detection of breast cancer. more
Tags:
breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

2006-07-10T15:18:00.000-07:00

New federal guidelines ask all females capable of

New federal guidelines ask all females capable of conceiving a baby to treat themselves -- and to be treated by the health care system -- as pre-pregnant, regardless of whether they plan to get pregnant anytime soon. more

Get a static domain name for your dynamic IP address - dynamic dns. more

Patient-Education Materials. 1) "Need help putting out that cigarette " Booklet produced by. Smoke-Free Families. A self-help booklet for pregnant smokers that includes benefits. for the pregnant smoker and her baby, ways to prepare to quit, more

Contraception is an important key to your sexual health and state of well being. ... of birth control will become pregnant within one month and 85% will become pregnant within one year ... more

Find out how to boost your chances of getting pregnant, what you can do if you're having a problem conceiving, and more. ... Ten things HE should do before you try to get pregnant. Big Story: Top 5 parenting trends ... should do before you try to get pregnant. What you need ... more

... mom's dental health and birth weight. Pregnant women will want to include a periodontal evaluation as ... thinking of becoming pregnant or who are pregnant receive a full periodontal ... more

keson.alphabox.com- 108 - Cached - More from this site - more

Mom, I'm Pregnant. (How to tell someone you are pregnant.) One of the greatest problems a young woman faces, when she first thinks she maybe pregnant is, "How to tell her parents." more
Tags:
breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

2006-07-07T14:09:00.000-07:00

Am I Pregnant?

Do you need to see a doctor or midwife right away? Here are some answers to your biggest questions about being pregnant and taking the pregnancy test. more

It's a serious tool for people who seriously want to get pregnant. MommyMaker fertility software predicts your optimal dates of conception more

NIEHS Booklet with information and guidance to help you with your questions about getting pregnant and the health of your baby-to-be more

A pregnant tobacco user should receive encouragement and assistance throughout the pregnancy. Pregnant tobacco users should be offered extended or augmented psychosocial interventions that exceed more

There are many options available in the United States for pregnant teens. more

Dietary Precautions During Pregnancy

2006-07-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

When you are pregnant, you should be sure to wash all raw vegetables prior to consumption. Raw vegetables have the potential to carry toxoplasmosis, which is a parasite that is typically carried in the feces of cats. It can sometimes get into the soil and contaminate fruits or vegetables.

Many women are interested in trying natural alternatives to medications during pregnancy. Some turn to herbal remedies. It is important that you consult with your healthcare provider during pregnancy to ensure that an herb is safe before you take it. Some herbs can be harmful to you or your unborn fetus, and result in premature labor, miscarriage or even birth defects. Some of the more commonly known herbs to avoid during pregnancy include:

- Goldenseal
- Mugwort
- Penny Royal
- Aloe Vera
- Black Cohosh
- Blue Cohosh
- Buchers Broom
- False Unicorn
- Feverfew
- Juniper
- Lady’s Mantle
- Wormwood

Most of these herbs are known for their ability to stimulate the uterus, which might lead to premature contractions or miscarriage. That said, midwives have used some herbs in the last trimester to help restart a stalled labor or initiate an overdue labor. It is essential that you not try to use any of these herbs however without first consulting a qualified healthcare provider. The consequences could be devastating.

Article by Beverley Brooke, author of "Ensure a healthy safe pregnancy for you and your baby", visit http://www.pregnancy-weight-loss.comfor more on pregnancy weight loss

Effects of xanax while pregnant

2006-06-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

Pregnant Yoga
Pregnant Yoga: Classes are specifically designed to teach moms-to-be how to use yoga to ease pregnancy and childbirth. Poses are taught that will relax the tailbone and open the pelvic area; both
Source: www.annkatzyoga.com

Pregnant Pause
Companion web sites. Pro-Life Science and Technology Symposium; Greene County (Ohio) Right to Life. Copyright 2000-2006 by Pregnant Pause. Hosted at Lunar Pages
Source: www.pregnantpause.org

PREGNANT IMAGE CD-ROMS
Pregnant and lactating image CD-ROMs packed full of images. Select-- ALPHA BLUE AVICA B & D PLEASURES BELLADONNA BIG TOP BLUE COYOTE CABALLERO CINDERELLA DIGITAL
Source: www.pregnantstore.com

Pregnant Movies Pregnant Bellys Pregnant Smoking Pictures Of
One of the Coolest Pregnant Movies Information Available! While the web continues to develop hugely pregnant small business as well as major corporations
Source: www.thumbustermusic.com
Tags:
breast cancer, Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips, women/'s health

Exercise After Pregnancy

2006-06-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

Generally most women can begin a formal exercise program within 6 weeks of giving birth, though this time frame might be slightly longer for some women, including those recovering from a C-section. Most women recovering from a C-section will be able to exercise after there incision has healed and their doctor has cleared them for exercise.

Just how soon you begin an exercise program will depend in part on how you feel. If you had an easy delivery with no tearing and few interventions and regularly exercised prior to birth, you may feel up to some light exercise within 2 weeks of giving birth.

If this is the case, your doctor will probably allow you to engage in some light activities, including walking. Strenuous activity should generally be avoided however until several weeks after birth.

For some women however, even light exercise in the weeks following delivery is not possible. If you had an episiotomy or tore severely while delivering for example, your body may not physically be ready for a formal exercise program for at least 4-6 weeks after birth (note… this is also how long most physicians recommend that women abstain from intercourse!).

How soon you begin exercising thus depends on your body and your unique situation. Be sure you consult with your physician before embarking on a new exercise program regardless of your activity level before and during pregnancy.

Let’s say that one more time because it is important… YOU MUST CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF YOU WANT TO EMBARK ON AN EXERCISE PROGRAM. Your body goes through a lot of physical trauma when you deliver a baby. Starting an exercise program too soon will delay your recovery and could potentially injure your body permanently. It may also take you longer than six weeks to heal fully if you start exercising too soon.

Now, if you feel better and capable of working out before you hit the six week mark, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider. Most will encourage light exercise including walking, and some may encourage other types of activity particularly if you were active before you got pregnant.

Each and every individual is unique and different, thus their ability to return to a regular exercise routine will vary after delivery. It is important that you listen to your body.

About the author:

Article by Beverley Brooke, author of "Ensure a healthy safe pregnancy for you and your baby", visit http://www.pregnancy-weight-loss.com for more on pregnancy weight loss

Cancer Control PLANET - Breast Cancer Screening

2006-06-23T20:01:00.001-07:00

About Breast Cancer Statistics
Summarizes recent statistics relating to breast cancer in men and women. About Breast Cancer Statistics. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women with one in
Source: www.breasthealthfocus.com

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - Breast Cancer - Alternative Breast
Get breast cancer treatment and research information as well as support and education resources from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Source: www.mdanderson.org

What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer - National Cancer Institute
General information from the National Cancer Institute's Cancer.gov resource giving an overview of the subject.
Source: www.cancer.gov

Sloan-Kettering - Breast Cancer
Although breast cancer is rare in men, it does occur: an estimated 1,400 cases will be diagnosed in Select a Breast Cancer Topic - Our Approach & Expertise - Our Team of Experts - Overview - Risk
Source: www.mskcc.org

Personalized Trial for Breast Cancer Launched - National Cancer
Options for Treatment (Rx), or TAILORx, was launched on May 23, 2006, to examine whether genes that are frequently associated with risk of recurrence for women with early-stage breast cancer can be
Source: newscenter.cancer.gov

Tags: breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

2006-06-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

pregnant Pregnancy and Childcare ... The thread "pregnant

pregnant Pregnancy and Childcare ... The thread "pregnant " has not received any replies for a month ... The thread "pregnant " has not received any replies for a month ... more

Overview of tests performed prior to and during pregnancy ... resolved prior to a woman getting pregnant or, if she is already pregnant, should be resolved and ... more

Britney Spears is now engaged, and according to one British tabloid, is expecting a baby in December. ... is reporting that the couple became engaged because Spears, 22, is pregnant. The News of the World reported that Spears ... more

... hospital complaining of stomach pains discovered she was pregnant and gave birth to a 1-pound, 4-ounce ... Allen was told she was 6 months pregnant. Three hours later, she ... more

... experience the same joy and excitement that a pregnant woman feels nurturing a child within her own body ... Men getting pregnant used to be a big joke a point of ... more

Tags: breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

Breast cancer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2006-06-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UKs leading charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research and education.
Source: www.breakthrough.org.uk

Breast cancer - MayoClinic.com
Breast cancer � signs, symptoms, causes, risk factors, screening, diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies.
Source: www.mayoclinic.com

The Breast Cancer Site
Founded to help offer free mammograms to underprivileged women nationwide. With a simple, daily "click"...
Source: www.thebreastcancersite.com

ACS :: What Is Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that has developed from cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells...
Source: www.cancer.org

ACS :: All About Breast Cancer
All About Breast Cancer. Whether it's in our Overviews, Detailed Guides, or one of our other cancer documents, chances are you will find the information you ...
Source: www.cancer.org

Breast Cancer Information and Resources Oncolink
Breast Cancer information including risk, prevention, screening, symptoms, research, treatment, and support. Provided by Oncolink - The Web's First Cancer ...
Source: www.oncolink.org

About.com: Breast Cancer
Welcome! Whether your interest in Breast Cancer is from the perspective of a someone who wants to reduce their risk of breast cancer, or a newly diagnosed ...
Source: breastcancer.about.com

What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer - National Cancer Institute
Information about detection, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. NIH Publication No. 05-1556</nobr>
Source: www.cancer.gov

Web MD: Breast Cancer
Articles on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and prevention.
Source: www.webmd.com

Tags: breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

Depression During Menopause

2006-06-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

As women approach midlife and menopause one of the things to be on the lookout for is depression. While menopause is not thought to be a cause of depression the two can occur at the same time. What is believed to be a cause of depression is changes in estrogen levels which occur during menopause. It is known that women are affected by depression over twice as much as men and that a family history of depression can factor into this as well.

The symptoms of depression and menopause are very similar and include sleep disorders, hot flashes, fatigue, anxiety, and irritability. Many women associate these symptoms with the changes that menopause brings, but they may be a sign of depression that needs to be understood and dealt with. There is no reason women need to suffer from depression during menopause. It is important that they accept the physical changes happening to their bodies during this time and work with their doctor to mitigate the symptoms of menopause, but it is also important that they realize that depression and menopause can be mutually exclusive and both can be dealt with.

As women approach menopause their menstrual cycles begin to change and start to become unpredictable. This unpredictability of their monthly cycle is a sign of erratic ovulation. Erratic ovulation causes unpredictable releases of the hormones estrogen and progesterone leading to mood swings, forgetfulness, hot flashes and all the other symptoms associated with menopause.

Most women going through menopause feel that they are loosing control of their bodies when in fact it is just their natural reaction to the aging process. This feeling of loss of control can lead to symptoms of depression. As the symptoms of both menopause and depression worsen they start to feel that there is nothing they can do and a feeling of hopelessness falls over them. This feeling of hopelessness is a major part of depression and left untreated can lead to severe depression.

Untreated depression is a major health risk. Researchers have found that depression is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and in some cases it can lead to bone deterioration increasing the likely hood of osteoporosis and broken bones.

The treatment for depression and menopause can follow a two pronged approach. It is important to treat not only the depression with antidepressant medications and counseling but also to treat the symptoms of menopause as well. Menopause can be treated with hormone replacement therapy where synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone are used to even out the woman's hormone levels.

Author: Andrew Bicknell is a writer and owner of Depression and You.com. Visit his website for more information about depression during menopause and depression itself.

Tags: breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

The longer a woman takes to get pregnant

2006-06-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

The longer a woman takes to get pregnant, the more likely she is to have a boy, scientists suggest. more

New Age, Classical, and Jazz Harp Music for parenting, mothers and children more

Is Britney Spears pregnant Or just really, really hungry Her publicist says she's not expecting, but Spears and her increasingly voluptuous figure are sparking a flurry of speculation. ... Life & Style says Spears, 23, is not pregnant, and it attributes her "bump" to mom's home cooking ... Leslie Sloane Zelnick tells USA TODAY: "Britney told me she's not pregnant ... more

... where characters rarely get pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease ... because fewer teens are becoming pregnant, and in recent years, fewer pregnant teens have chosen ... more

... Hart, 29, is reportedly three months pregnant. The baby is slated for a January arrival ... more

... NEW Explore and refine pregnant photos with our brand new clustery goodness! Sponsored Results. Pregnant Your Choice. Watch 3 minute cord blood movie ... more

This page is about pregnancy questions ... to tell not only if you are pregnant, but "how" pregnant. The home pregnancy tests test for the ... reliable a way to tell you are pregnant. If you still don't ... more

Online Medical Dictionary and glossary with medical definitions ... Definition of Pregnant. Pregnant: The state of carrying a developing fetus within the body. The word "pregnant" comes from the Latin pre- meaning before + (g)natus meaning birth ... more

Today's Top News from People.com ... Tom Cruise's fianc e, Katie Holmes, is pregnant with the couple's child, Cruise's spokesperson, Lee Anne DeVette, tells ... more

... Jennifer Garner to Become Pregnant Spy on 'Alias,' but Situations Will Be Realistic, ABC Says ... to embrace the fact that she's pregnant," ABC programming chief Stephen McPherson said ... more

Tags: breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

2006-06-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Women's Programs Office

Women in Mining
Women in Mining: Mineral Resources for Teachers. Women In Mining is dedicated to educating students, teachers and the general public about the importance of minerals.
Source: www.womeninmining.org

Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Women's History
For millennia women have left their mark on the world, at times changing the course of history and at other times influencing small but significant spheres of life.
Source: www.britannica.com

Tags: breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

Fourteen Simple Things You Can Do To Reduce Your Risk for Breast Cancer

2006-06-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Fourteen Simple Things You Can Do To Reduce Your Risk for Breast Cancer

There are many articles talking about breast cancer. Below you can read the list of things you can do to avoid and reduce your risk for breast cancer.

1. Consumtion of fruits and vegetables.
2. Don't use any perticides on your home.
3. Don't drink tap water.
4. No alcohol
5. Exercise your body
More

Tags:
breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

2006-06-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

Komen Foundation Grants and Funding

For eighteen years, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has provided funding ... Credited as a leading catalyst in the fight against breast cancer, ... more

Breast cancer information including early signs and symptoms of breast cancer, myths, early detection, breast cancer research and more from National Breast ... more

Breast Cancer Care is the UK's leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer or breast ... more

Support and information about the condition from this non-profit entity. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. more

Overviews; Male Breast Cancer (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and ... Specific Conditions; What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Men ... more

Tags:
breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

Breast Cancer Treatment Center: Individualized Care & Support

2006-06-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

Breast Cancer
Breast cancer occurs when there is a malignant tumor inside the breast. Each year more than 185,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and the incidence of this disease is rising in developed
Source: www.umm.edu

Breast Cancer Center
Health Centers Health Encyclopedia Interactive Human Atlas Quizzes and Tools ----- Women's Health Men's Health Children's Health Seniors' Health Alzheimer's Disease Breast Cancer
Source: www.wtkr.com

Breast Cancer
breast cancer detection and treatment in black women Breast Cancer and African American Women. Breast cancer is the most common
Source: www.blackwomenshealth.com

Sloan-Kettering - Breast Cancer
Although breast cancer is rare in men, it does occur: an estimated 1,400 cases will be diagnosed in Select a Breast Cancer Topic - Our Approach & Expertise - Our Team of Experts - Overview - Risk
Source: www.mskcc.org

Breast Cancer - Medscape Resource Center
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the US. Extraordinary progress has been made in recent years in reducing mortality from the disease, as well as in developing more
Source: www.medscape.com

Imaginis - Breast Cancer: Statistics on Incidence, Survival, and
Imaginis also covers related breast cancer health topics such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), heart disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer, as well as
Source: www.imaginis.com

BreastCancer.Net: http://www.breastcancer.net
A clearinghouse for information on the detection and treatment of breast cancer. Bringing you the latest news on breast cancer research and treatment since 1996
Source: www.breastcancer.net

End Breast Cancer from Care2.com and TBCF!
Care2com free donation site for breast cancer.
Source: breastcancer.care2.com

Tags:
breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

Concerned Women for America

2006-06-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

League of Women Voters
Nonpartisan political membership organization encourages informed, active participation of citizens...
Source: www.lwv.org

National Organization for Women
Information on women's issues for women's activists.
Source: www.now.org

Tags:
breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

Acne. Acne prevention for adult

2006-06-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

Technorati Tag: acne
... Acne prevention - adult acne treatment adult acne treatment - Pujols' trainer: I'm not named in the ... Blackhead - acne solution acne solution - Consumer Health BIRMINGHAM, Ala ...
Source: www.technorati.com

Acne
Acne Information ... Acne is common. It affects more than 90 percent of people at some point in their lives. Acne usually begins soon after the start of ...
Source: www.childrensspecialists.com

Patient resources : Acne
... Select a ChannelAcneAddictionsAIDS and HIVAllergy OtherAlzheimer'sAnaemiaAnaesthesiology OtherAngina ... and information for patients or friends/parents of patients diagnosed with acne ...
Source: www.docguide.com

Tags:
breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

Best Acne Treatment? Treat Acne Naturally and Effectively

2006-05-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

Acne will affect almost every person at some stage of their life. Some are lucky and only ever get a pimple or two, but for many, acne can be a socially demoralizing condition... and it's not just in teens, adult suffer too. Studies suggest that 20-25% of males and 40-45% of females suffer prolonged bouts/occurrences of acne, whether it be persistent acne or regular breakouts.

In a lot of cases, the acne treatment that is administered ends up making the situation worse and can be damaging to the skin. You see, most people either scrub their skin really hard in the hope of cleaning it more thoroughly, and some see a pimple and just can't wait to squeeze it. That's the wrong approach for 2 reasons. First and most importantly, when you are squeezing your skin you are damaging it. Our skin is a very fragile commodity, and acne scars happen all so easy, so squeezing pimples isn't desirable. Second, when you squeeze a pimple or scrub the skin very hard, you invariably push some of the sebum (the oil that causes the pimple) back into the pore and down the hair follicle shaft. This can magnify the problem by creating a further blockage and swelling which may just end up causing an infection. So instead of suffering once, you suffer twice.

To better understand how acne happens, we can simply describe it as the result of the blockage of a skin pore. The blockage is typically caused by excess sebum and/or dead skin cells which haven't exited the hair follicle via the skin pore. (Sebum is naturally occurring fatty oil that moisturizes the skin and hair. Without it, your hair would be thin and brittle, and your skin would be dry and hard). What happens is that as your body continually replaces its skin, sometimes the skin cells do not shed evenly causing a blockage. The sebum (oils) keep producing in the hair follicle and when these oils cannot exit via the pore, they back-up in the follicle and swelling occurs.... and you have a pimple!

Acne treatment is a science that is progressing at a phenomenal rate. In the 80's and 90's the best acne treatment on offer were chemical-based products that worked for most cases. Some were very harsh on the skin, and some actually made the situation worse. In recent years, a switch to a natural acne treatment has seen far more positive results because scientists have been able to study closer how/why the acne is caused, and apply ingredients that actually correct the problem rather than mask it.

So what is the best way to treat acne ? The best acne treatment for you will obviously be the one that rids you of your unwanted condition quickly and with little or no side effects. But there are just so many products to choose from and so many different approaches/rationales. Some say that all acne is caused by hormonal imbalances, some say that it is totally to do with skin care and hygiene. Reality suggests that it is a combination of these two variables. The human body is an ever-changing organism and it needs balance, so an approach that recognizes this fact could very well be labelled as the best acne treatment.

Choosing your solution is more complex than this. For example, should the best treatment for adult acne differ from the best treatment for teenage acne ? Behind every one of the so-called Best Acne Treatment Products, will be a legacy of FAQ's, customer testimonials, comparisons with other brands/solutions and claims of how long it will take to rid you of acne. The truthful ones will tell you that there is no single product that will solve your acne problem, and they will also tell you that acne cures are not an overnight magic solution. The truthful ones will also tell you that the chemical-based products have side effects, and that natural solutions have little or no side effects.

The Zenmed system fit's this profile as it promotes healthy/supple skin condition while attacking the problem from the inside too. Instead of being a harsh skin tonic, it is like an Acne Cure and a Skin Care System at the same time. You get relief from acne, and you get a skin care regime all in one. The products combine together to alleviate the internal cause of the swelling/acne, while cleaning and nourishing the skin at the same time.

Written by Jim McDonald, a contributing writer for http://www.natural-acne-treatment.info an informative website about the Best Acne Treatment and natural skin care.

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Proportional Safe Breast Enhancement

2006-05-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

Proportional safe breast augmentation, breast enhancement, enlargement, lift / mastopexy and equalization procedures. AskPeer forum on breast enhancement AskIllustrationsHave a look at these illustrations which show how breast reduction and breast enlargement are done. By herbal breast enhancement cannot be breast enlargement herbal either breast enhancement herbal supplement by herbal remedy for hemorrhoids. The best thing about herpes herbal treatment by breast enhancement herbal supplement is the same as breast enlargement herbal. by Danna Schneider There have, in very recent years, been a flood of breast enhancement and breast enlargement supplements put on the market.

ReadIn this episode: Breast enhancementGuest expert on breast enhancementA plastic surgeon answers your questions on breast reduction and breast enlargement. Natural enhancement enlargement guide Natural breast enhancement : herbal breast enlargement augmentation implant enhancer guide. Takeing natural breast enlargement pills can creast natural breast enhancement and breasts splendor to admire! Reasearch your breast enhancement and breast enlargement options, view before and after photos and speak with breast augmentation patients and surgeons. WC works as well and sometimes better for men seeking breast enhancement, enlargement.

But so can breast enhancement surgery. However, there are several disadvantages to breast enhancement surgery. The swelling that follows breast enhancement surgery gradually subsides and becomes undetectable in one month's time. With Breast Success breast enhancement, adding inches to your bust is now a less expensive alternative to costly surgery. Find the plastic surgeon that is just right for your breast enhancement surgery. Natural-Looking breast enhancement Breast augmentation, also known as breast implant or breast enlargement surgery, represents the most commonly requested procedure in America.

The decision to have breast enhancement surgery is a life-changing one. To achieve a larger chest size, there is the option of breast augmentation surgery, or natural breast enhancements. has specialized in breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast enlargement, breast reduction, breast implants, plastic surgery , cosmetic surgery and related procedures since 1981. Patients should fully understand what will take place before, during, and after breast enhancement surgery. There are a number of risks and benefits that are associated with breast enhancement surgery. Complications from anesthesia, bleeding, and infection are rare but possible side effects associated with breast enhancement surgery. The best candidates for breast enhancement surgery are emotionally and physically healthy individuals who have realistic expectations about the results of their surgery.

Whatever the specific purpose, women who undergo breast enhancementcan expect larger, firmer, and more visually satisfying breasts. This highly rated herbal breast enhancement pill is a favorite among scores of less endowed women looking for a non-surgical solution to breast enhancement. In fact, it contains all 13 herbal ingredients that are essential for rapid breast enhancement in women of all ages. Many women report that both types of natural breast enhancement products have worked for them. In their pursuit of breast enhancement, many women have undergone dangerous and painful surgeries, resulting in serious problems.

We have honest breast enhancement, breast enlargement products that are made by women, for women. For whatever personal reason, many women want to have breast enhancement to create a larger, fuller, and shapelier bust line. If you're one of the millions of women who suffer the embarrassment of small breasts, natural enhancement may change your life. In this situation, women turn to breast enhancement procedures. Natural breast enhancement methods are becoming a more popular method for women who want to have firmer and fuller breasts. A recent poll found that only 20% women who underwent breast augmentation / breast enhancement were happy with their breast implants final size. The second group of women that commonly seek breast enhancement are those that lost volume after pregnancy, a condition called post-partum breast involution. You have to feel sympathy for the women who fall for miracle breast 'enhancement' scams. If you're one of the millions of women who suffer the embarrassment of small breasts, natural breast enhancement may change your life.

All natural breast enhancement supplements are a painless, less costly, more convenient alternative to surgical breast augmentation. To gain the information you need to make a decision about Breast Enhancement Augmentation, please consult with a plastic surgeon. A breast enhancement augmentation procedure requires the plastic surgeon to insert a saline shell behind the breast. To find out more about breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast implants and other procedures, please contact us. Nelson is the perfect surgeon you have been looking for to perform your breast augmentation / breast enhancement procedure.

Identification, quantitation and biological activity of phytoestrogens in a dietary supplement for breast enhancement. Taking a breast enhancement supplement has become a popular way for people who prefer a cheaper, less invasive way to increase their breast size. A breast enhancement supplement will contain a form of animal or plant estrogen that acts on the breast to enhance its size.

Our website sells herbal breast enhancement and search for herbal supplement for diabetes cannot be breast enhancement herbal supplement. More information on breast enhancement herbal supplement, herbal remedy for arthritis. About herbal treatment for rosacea when erectile herbal product or breast enhancement herbal supplement. The good news is that Breast Success is an all-natural herbal breast enhancement supplement specially formulated to produce results.

The placement of the incision will vary according to body type and the specifics of each breast enhancement procedure. As is the case in TT, the most popular cosmetic procedure is breast enhancement, which can cost between US$1,000 and US$3,500. This breast enhancement procedure is completed in one to four hours. This enhancement procedure can raise and reshape sagging breasts, either with or without breast implants... The self-hypnosis procedure for breast enhancement begins with the hypnotic induction.

The breast enhancement pill usually contains plant estrogen. Effective breast enhancement with Quickbust Click the link below to find out how this premium herbal breast enhancement pill works ... And here's why : Quickbust is an advanced formula herbal breast enhancement pill that contains the highest grade botanicals available. Now you look around and it seems every other website is pushing some kind of breast enhancement pill, capsules or tablet. http://www.phuketherb.com/

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Overcome The Symptoms In The First Trimester Of Your Pregnancy

2006-05-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

Surprised with the outcome, you abruptly told your husband about this news soon after having a home pregnancy test in one early morning. Afterward, both of you were so contented that you hugged each other for minutes while tears were dropping on your cheek.

All the emotions of joy, fear, amazement and acceptance, assembled within you. There was no exact word to describe the feeling.

Now you should prepare yourself for the next huge things. The upcoming nine months will be more thrilling than before. You'll experience unexpected, remarkable changes in your body.

In general, pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. Each one has its own nature.

Take a look at the general symptoms you may have in the first trimester of your pregnancy - a crucial time when you should be careful with your fetus. Also, the tips given will hopefully help you go through this wonderful journey. Enjoy.

1. Morning sickness - Nausea and vomiting are two common symptoms of early pregnancy. Hot drinks, crackers, and fresh fruits are great choices for relieving them.

2. Frequent urination - The growing of uterus causes some pressure on your bladder. You'll be going to the restroom more often.

3. Tender breasts - The increasing hormone lets your breasts become more sensitive, fuller and heavier than usual. This time you may replace your bra with a more comfortable one.

4. Uncommon Exhaustion - Don't push yourself by working too hard. Try to get some rests whenever you feel fatigue.

5. Increased craving - Acquire nutritious and balanced food intake. Make sure you and your baby are well nourished.

6. Bad moods - The change of hormones in your body causes your moods to switch as well. Mild exercises can help your moods. Moreover, just think that it's a preliminary change and challenge you'll have before and after your baby arrives.

Some of you may not recognize that you're pregnant until it reaches five to six weeks from your last period. But soon when you find it out, it's best to think which health care provider you'll go to for a routine check-up.

Ask your pregnancy condition to your obgyn. Some of the congenital abnormalities may be observed at the end of the third month of pregnancy by a USG examination. Consult with him when unexpected things occur.

Read also lots of information about pregnancy. Knowing what happens in your uterus - and your pregnancy in general - will make you feel safe and comfy.

Most of all, enjoy your bigger size. It's an amazing experience you'll never forget in your life.

About The Author
Adwina Jackson is a wife and mother of a young boy. She's also the editor of Inspiring Parenting, an online source of valuable parenting information. Please visit http://www.InspiringParenting.com for helpful and free parenting info. Observe your children's health, growth and development by clicking the website.

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Acne Treatment: Options For A Solution For Young Women

2006-05-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

There are many options for acne treatment. If you are like most, you have tried many and have not found the right solution to your needs. This is common for individuals simply because they do not know what they should be doing. Will the over the counter products work on your acne? Will you need to have a laser treatment in order to make it finally go away? The problem with acne treatment is that what works for one individual will not work for someone else.

What Do I Do?

The first thing that anyone that has acne needs to do is to have a good face cleansing regimen. Acne skin care is vital to getting rid of the acne in the first place. For this, you will need a good quality facial cleanser at the very least. Consider where acne comes from and you will understand this idea. Acne is caused by bacteria that get into the warm, wet pores in your face. They multiply there and the body reacts. The actual acne is an infection on the skin. So, proper acne skin care can help simply by removing the bacteria from your face.

But, that is likely to not be enough. Often, you will need to use an acne medication or an acne treatment. These can be purchased over the counter to be used. The fact is that something that works for you may or may not work for someone else. The acne treatment can be hit and miss then. Another option that you have that has shown great progress is that of using natural acne treatments. These too can be found throughout the web.

Acne skin care is essential to your health. What is the best acne treatment? That will depend on your specific need and your body's chemistry. You'll find that there are acne medications that do work and they work very well. Take care of acne now can help you to avoid needing acne scar removal later.

About the Author
We have made a research to find the best acne treatments. Find it only on http://www.leandernet.com/Acne/Acne_treatments.php All about acne treatments on LeanderNet - http://www.leandernet.com

Article Source: OneHealthReview.com

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Pregnancy, Diabetes, and Your Feet

2006-05-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

There are so many changes the body undergoes during pregnancy that it becomes easy to ignore the changes in the feet. During pregnancy the body releases hormones that allow the ligaments to relax in the birth canal. The ligaments in the feet also relax, causing the foot to lengthen and widen. Many will complain of a shoe size increase by one or two sizes. In most circumstances, this flattening and widening of the foot is benign and no problems result.

In the diabetic, this change in foot size is important to recognize. Despite the increase in foot size, many moms will continue to wear the same size shoes. As a diabetic, properly fitting shoes are of utmost importance. Increased pressure on the foot can cause areas of rub or irritation and potentially result in ulceration. Once there is an ulceration, one is at risk for infection, delayed healing and further diabetic foot complications.

Diabetic neuropathy is the single greatest risk factor for developing foot ulcerations. Neuropathy is the loss of sensation in the feet commonly caused by diabetes. Many individuals will develop neuropathy before they are diagnosed with diabetes. Others will develop neuropathy years after being diagnosed with diabetes. Luckily, gestational diabetes is not typically associated with neuropathy.

Unfortunately, type I diabetics develop neuropathy much earlier than type II diabetics and may have neuropathy during their pregnancy. Regardless of the type of diabetes, it is still extremely important to have the feet evaluated to assess the status of the nerves. Even mild neuropathy increases the risk of ulceration. Wearing shoes which are too small causes an increase in friction and an increased risk of skin breakdown.

Wearing properly fitting shoes during and after pregnancy is of particular importance. Although the ligaments relax in the foot during pregnancy, they do not stay relaxed. The post-pregnancy foot is at higher risk for developing foot problems. There are multiple reasons contributing to the increased risk. The flattened foot places excess stress on the ligament that holds up the arch. The weight gain from pregnancy places excess stress on the feet. Moms are also carrying their baby, added weight which transmits to the feet. Moms are staying at home more often and walking around in slippers and flexible shoes which are generally not supportive.

To decrease your chances of foot problems during and after pregnancy follow these steps:

1. Check your feet everyday: This is an absolute necessity if you are a type I diabetic or if you have diagnosed neuropathy. It is a good habit to practice. Look for cuts, sores, bruises, openings or areas of irritation. Remember, if your nerves are not functioning properly, then you may not feel everything in your feet. If you cannot reach your feet, have a family member check your feet or place a mirror on the floor and put your feet over it.
2. Check your shoes before you put your foot in them.
3. Don't walk around barefoot: Wear a supportive shoe, one that has a rigid sole and bends only where the foot bends (at the toes). If a shoe seems too confined, find a slipper which has a semi-rigid sole, or try a clog or slip-in shoe with a more rigid sole. The remaining aspect of the shoe can be soft and flexible and allow for swelling, but the sole should be rigid from the heel to the ball of the foot.
4. Buy shoes that fit your feet: Be aware of the changes your feet are going through. The feet are most likely widening and lengthening. Make sure the shoes don't cramp the toes. Your feet will not shrink after the birth.
5. Watch out for folds in your socks: A simple fold can cause rub or irritation on your feet. Swelling will be greater by the end of the day and the small crease that didn't bother you in the morning can rub an open sore or blister on the toes. Serious consequences in diabetics can include ulceration and infection.
6. Dry your feet and between toes after showers: Increased moisture between your toes can lead to skin breakdown and eventual ulceration.
7. Don't be a victim of fashion: Most moms will avoid high fashion during pregnancy, but many try squeezing into that strappy heel after. Wearing high heeled shoes puts excess stress on the ball of the foot, cramps the toes and increases the chances of ankle sprains. Tight shoes will increase the chance of ulceration for those with neuropathy.
8. Test the bath water before stepping in: If you have neuropathy, you will not recognize when the temperature is too hot. Check the water by inserting your hand into the water to wrist depth.
9. Don't use a heating pad on your feet: Although the idea of heat on your feet may sound soothing after a long day, the heat will increase swelling and inflammation. Sore feet respond better to ice. Roll your foot over a frozen sports water bottle to help ease the achiness in the arch. Wear a sock while doing this and don't put ice directly on your feet. The heating pad can cause burns in those who have neuropathy.
10. Don't use any medication on the skin: Be careful of topical medications during pregnancy and during breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before use. Don't use medicated corn pads from the local drug stores if you have neuropathy.
11. Visit your podiatrist: At the first sign of a problem, make an appointment with your podiatrist. Prevention is much easier than treatment.

Christine Dobrowolski is a podiatrist and the author of Those Aching Feet: Your Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Foot Problems. To learn more about Dr. Dobrowolski and her book visit http://www.skipublishing.com/ or at http://www.northcoastfootcare.com

Article source: OneHealthReview.com

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breast cancer,Health Care for Women, menopause, menstruation, natural acne treatment, Osteoporosis, postmenopause, Pregnancy, premature aging, reproductive system, Sexual Health, women health issue, women health article, women health tips

Menopause and Vaginal Dryness

2006-04-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

Many women feel vaginal dryness during menopause due to the thinning of the mucus membranes and the loss of elasticity in the walls of the -vagina. The reduction in the production of estrogen in the ovaries may cause the thinning of the vaginal lining. This, in itself, does not cause any problems, unless the lining of the -vagina becomes inflamed and dry; then it is painful.

Vaginal dryness is medically known as 'atrophic vaginitis,' and it sounds like a disease, though it is not. It can be overcome with simple remedies, such as, a good nutritional program during your menopause. This is an excellent way of preventing your -vagina from becoming dry and thin. Other solutions to the problem are the estrogen replacement creams, tri-estrogen cream or triple estrogen cream, and pills that your doctor can prescribe. Certain Over- The-Counter (OTC) vaginal lubricants could be helpful too. Applying Vitamin E oil helps hydrating the vaginal membranes.

If you are on medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants or other drugs with drying potential, these can cause drying of the mucous membranes, aggravating the problem. Doctors suggest a perineal wash (area
between the posterior vulva junction and the anus in females) once a day. Women need to rinse the vulvar region (the external genital organs of the female, including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and entrance of the vagina) with plain water. Opening the labia gently with one hand, water is either sprayed from a squirt bottle or poured gently from a square container.

Menopause, Vaginal Dryness and Sex

Though menopause is nature's contraceptive, women need to wait at least a year before giving up on contraceptives.

During Perimenopause, the period leading to menopause, the sexual desire gets diminishes often. The thinning of the genital membranes and vaginal dryness often lead to discomfort during masturbation and sexual intercourse.

Women who have infrequent intercourse could gently stretch the vaginal tissues by inserting a couple of fingers in the vagina during bath. This may prevent vaginismus, a muscular contraction causing the vagina to close, and pain on penetration. Maintaining regular sexual activity, and/or masturbation will help. To aid vaginal lubrication, which is delayed with age, women can ask their partners to prolong foreplay. This could make penetration easy and comfortable.

Treating Thinning of Membranes and Vaginal Dryness

Start with drinking 2 liters of water and herbal tea every day.
Consumption of soybean stimulates estrogen production, leading to elimination of vaginal dryness in many women.
Adding canola, olive, sunflower, or soybean oil to your diet will add lubrication to your body.
Doctors suggest applying intra-vaginally, natural progesterone cream once a day.
In doses of 200 IU at a time, take 600 to 800 IU of Vitamin E daily. Vitamin E is contra-indicated for hypertension, diabetes or a rheumatic heart. You will need to consult your doctor.
One effective way of easing vaginal dryness is to insert a Vitamin E capsule intra-vaginally.

About the Author
Cathy Taylor writes frequently on mid-life issues for women and men particularly menopause and andropause. A copy of her book can be found at http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com

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Women's Health Supplement

2006-04-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Women are more often afflicted by certain illnesses than men, including such problems as chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Inflammation is a key problem in many of these disorders, so when a "new" health supplement product appears on the market claiming to treat the many related ailments it is cause for some investigation, if not outright celebration.

One of the latest health supplement discoveries, drawing on ancient remedies from Southeast Asia, is the Mangosteen fruit. An extremely potent source of antioxidants, many people have found that drinking this juice has helped them successfully stop taking a host of other medications for pain, inflammation, fatigue, depression, and more.

Mangosteen Studies Look Hopeful

Could the natural Mangosteen health supplement provide you with some of the answers you've been looking for? Numerous testimonials and initial studies on inflammation are hopeful.

While it is important to remain aware that not every herbal health supplement is necessarily safe for use by everyone in spite of their natural sources, a fruit juice like Mangosteen is probably one of the least likely to be harmful. There is always cause for a healthy amount of skepticism and caution when exploring new products, however, the way Mangosteen works is encouraging in both its simplicity and its profound applications for inflammation.

Powerful and Effective

It is effective because its high levels of powerful antioxidants provide the body with support for our own natural healing processes at a cellular level, helping to repair damage, and prevent future occurrences of inflammation, degeneration and illness.

If you have lived with chronic pain and illness, the implications of such a natural treatment for woman are great indeed. It is difficult to find relief from inflammation, and too often people end up taking a large number of medications to ease their symptoms, only to create more problems. The toll this takes on our bodies, not to mention our relationships, jobs, and lifestyle in general is hard to adequately summarize.

Using food for a natural health supplement such as Mangosteen offers the benefits of working to repair the damage in our bodies and address the underlying issues, not just mask the resulting pain.

Relief From a Natural Health Supplement

Mangosteen is a natural health supplement food source that can provide the antioxidants lacking from fruits and vegetables. Unhealthy eating habits, as well as lower nutritional value in much of the food we eat, are just some of the culprits in our imperfect state of health.

While it is important to make every effort to eat a healthy diet and lead a balanced lifestyle, including adequate rest and exercise, natural medicine and health supplements can help fill in the gaps, and give us the extra support we need to maintain our health and vitality. Read further about the benefits of natural approaches to health, and look forward to a healthier future, starting today.

About the Author
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Breast Enhancements A Review

2006-04-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

We live in a society in which technology has made it possible for us to change areas of our body that might be a problem. This is why numerous women and men choose plastic surgery each year to accomplish this. A common area for women to have modified is the chest area. Breast enhancement surgery is quite popular but the whole process might seem a little daunting to women who are not knowledgeable about the procedure. As a result, this article will go through a step-by-step breast enhancement review highlighting what is generally to be expected by someone undergoing this surgery.

During the first step of this breast enhancement review, it is important to discuss how breasts are enhanced or enlarged. This is commonly done using breast implants, which are silicone bags containing a saline liquid. The plastic surgeon you select will be able to show you exactly what the implant will look like.

The next step in this breast enhancement review would be to describe the actual surgery. Usually the implants are placed either below the glandular tissue or below the muscle. When the surgeon places your implant below the muscle, the recovery period is usually longer.

The surgery usually lasts from one to two hours and is under general anesthesia. Some women are either admitted to hospital or the procedure is done as an outpatient. The actual surgery is straightforward as the surgeon will discuss where he will cut you and place the implant. From there it is just a matter of using stitches to close the skin where you were cut.

The last step in the breast enhancement review would be your recovery at home. For most women who had routine surgery, a few days are all that is needed. But most surgeons will caution that exercise should be avoided for a few weeks.

Feeling Full & Firm by using PUERARIAN Breast Cream

This amazing cream is excellent for breast firming and enlargement. Various studies confirmed that this product has a high success for enhancing women breast. All Skin Type

Ingredients: Pueraria Mirifica and other herb extracts

Direction: Use once in the morning and in the night. Apply onto breast area and massage for 3-5 minutes until it is fully absorbed.

Precautions: Not recommended for pregnant women, feeding mothers or women diagnosed with medical conditions of the breast.

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About the Author
Anchalee Saechin is the webmaster of the natural breast enhancement, enlargement, and healthcare product review and advice website http://www.phuketherb.com/ - providing information on alternative breast care for women seeking more beautiful and healthy breasts.

Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com

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Eating for Two: Before, During and After a Pregnancy

2006-04-12T06:41:00.000-07:00

Eating healthy is one of the most important things you can do for your baby. During pregnancy, a developing child may require expectant moms to double some of their normal nutrient needs. But proper nutrition is also something to strive for even before you conceive. Low levels of iron and folic acid, even months before you become pregnant, have been linked to premature births and stunted growth.

If you are eating a balanced diet already, you may only need to make a few, simple changes. Although cravings may rule your appetite, it is important to learn how to make the most of your meals and effectively eat for you and your baby.

Eating Before a Pregnancy

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the originators of the food pyramid, women should focus on a balanced diet, including:

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk or dairy
Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts
Foods and oils low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt and added sugars
The total amount of calories you need depends on your height and how much you exercise, but in general, women should consume between 1,600 to 2,200 calories a day.
A proper diet for any woman should include all of the important nutrients. But you may want to pay particular attention to the following:

Folate—Consuming about 400 µg daily of folic acid both before and during pregnancy is recommended to prevent birth defects. Foods like orange juice, strawberries, spinach and broccoli are high in folic acid.
Iron—Foods rich in iron include red meat, fish, poultry, dried fruit and fortified cereals. Getting 15 mg of iron a day can help prevent anemia during a pregnancy and low birth weight.

Eating During a Pregnancy

You can stick to your same healthy diet during the first trimester of pregnancy, but after that, women should add an extra 300 calories a day, totaling 1,900 to 2,500 calories. Throughout your pregnancy, avoid alcohol, raw fish, soft cheeses and large amounts of caffeine. If you are already at a reasonable weight, you should strive to gain about 25 to 30 pounds during pregnancy. Women who are very thin to begin with may need to gain more weight, while those who are obese should look to only gain 15 pounds, according to the American Dietetic Association (ADA) . Excess weight during pregnancy may increase the risk of transferring weight-related problems to infants.

The ADA recommends the minimum daily servings (6 ounces) for each during pregnancy:

9 servings of breads, cereal or pasta
4 servings of vegetables
3 servings of fruit
2-3 servings of milk, yogurt or cheese
2 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs or nuts
Women should up their folic acid to 600 µg a day and double their intake of iron and protein. Pregnant women often crave dairy and sweets and have an aversion to meat. Other good sources for protein also include peanut butter and eggs.
A multi-vitamin supplement is generally recommended to help women meet their extra nutrient needs, which also includes vitamins A, B-6 and B-12. Calcium is better absorbed during pregnancy, but women should continue to get 1,000 mg of this nutrient a day to build strong bones for both mother and child. Iron can interfere with the absorption of other minerals, so women should take supplements containing 15 mg zinc and 2 mg of copper.

Eating After Pregnancy

Women who are breast feeding will need to maintain about 200 more calories than normal until the child moves on to regular food. Pediatric groups generally recommend breastfeeding because it can reduce the rate of serious infections for the baby. However, breast milk does not provide enough vitamin D, so children who are breast feeding should also receive vitamin D drops (200 IU) to prevent rickets.

After you deliver your baby, your health will be improved by returning to a normal weight. But work at it gradually. Strive to lose about a pound a week, while enjoying your new life with your growing family.

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Unraveling Estrogen's Effect in Older Women

2006-04-11T06:10:00.000-07:00

Researchers believe they now know how estrogen turns from friend to foe as a woman ages. The finding could explain why hormone replacement therapy raises the risk of coronary artery disease after menopause.

In younger women, estrogen relaxes coronary blood vessels, but because of chemical changes that occur during menopause, the same hormone can suddenly do the opposite, claim scientists from the Medical College of Georgia. They hope that by tinkering with those chemical changes, they can make it safe once again for women to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

"Many clinical and experimental studies to date have shown that estrogen preserved cardiovascular function in postmenopausal women. So, when the Women's Health Initiative released its findings indicating that it could actually increase CAD [coronary artery disease] and stroke risk, we couldn't believe it," said study author Richard E. White, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology. "It didn't make any sense because we knew that estrogen was a vasodilator and did so many good things, so we wanted to know how it could be harmful," he said.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute was intrigued enough by White's research to award him a $1.2 million, four-year grant to definitively answer that question. White presented his findings last week at the Second International Conference on Women, Heart Disease and Stroke in Orlando, Fla.

By studying estrogen's effects on coronary blood vessel walls in pig heart tissue, White and his colleagues determined that, in young women, estrogen acts as a vasodilator, stimulating nitric oxide synthase (NOS) to produce nitric oxide (NO). That's a good thing for the heart, since nitric oxide regulates dilation of blood vessels.

They already knew that estrogen could relax blood vessels, but finding out that estrogen might be equally capable of constricting blood vessels after a certain age was a surprise.

"We thought it was a mistake," White said. What they found upon closer examination is that when estrogen stimulates NOS in the arteries in the absence of two chemical helpers (tetrahydrobiopterin and L-arginine), which are found in younger women but less so in postmenopausal women, superoxide is formed instead, and that's when trouble starts. Superoxide enhances oxidation and promotes aging, White explained.

The effect of estrogen seems to be dose-dependent, too. "The more estrogen we had, the bigger the effect," White said, explaining that estrogen is an antioxidant and, like other antioxidants, it has the potential to do harm at higher doses.

But don't blame estrogen, White said; blame the aging process, since that's what causes a natural decrease in some of those vital molecules that are needed to make nitric oxide. For estrogen, it's just a matter of being in the right place at the wrong time, he noted.

"We know of two molecules [tetrahydrobiopterin and L-arginine] that are involved for sure, and there may be others," he said.

The jury is still out on estrogen, suggested Dr. Frederick Naftolin, director of the Center for Research in Reproductive Biology at Yale University School of Medicine. "The advent of the WHI, HERS and ERAS trials has led to a rash of misinterpretation and concern that estrogen is 'bad for the blood vessels.'" In fact, he says, it's the "lack of estrogen, plus aging, [that] are associated with deterioration of blood vessels."

"What this study does do is help us better understand vascular biology, but it needs to be tested in more lifelike circumstances," Naftolin said. "More than half of people die of vascular disease, and estrogen is important in vascular health. We need this and other research to continue and even increase."

White's team will be scrutinizing the estrogen-NOS relationship, and trying to find out what other signaling molecules may affect their interaction. Like going through a fuse box one at a time to find the blown fuse, the researchers will be knocking out or overexpressing certain molecules to see which ones are involved.

White estimates it will be at least two years down the road, after completing a number of clinical trials, before their findings can be translated into something clinically useful, such as changing hormone therapy.

By Angela Pirisi
HealthDay Reporter

Breast Cancer, what you should know about Testing and Diagnosis

2006-04-09T12:03:00.000-07:00

The chance, that breast cancer is found early, it is more likely to be treated successfully. Checking for cancer in a person who does not have any symptoms is called screening.

Screening-Tests for breast cancer include, among others, clinical breast exams and mammograms and there is a very important base in the health-service for women.

The doctor or other health care professional can check the breasts and underarms for lumps, during a clinical breast exam, which could be a sign of breast cancer.

What is the “mammogram”?

“The mammogram is a special x-ray of the breast and that can often detect cancers that there are too small for a woman or her doctor to feel them. “

A lot of studies show's that mammography screening has reduced the number of deaths from breast cancer. But also, some other studies have not shown a clear benefit from mammography. So- you can't get a 100% results!

But, to day there are no other ways to check out the breast cancer with a good percentage. Concerning that, the Scientists are continuing to examine the level of benefit that mammography can produce. The National Cancer Institute recommends the following:

• you are a woman in your 40s, you should have mammography screening every one to two years.

• you are a woman age 50 and older, you should have mammography screening every one to two years.

• If you are a woman who is at higher than average risk for breast cancer, you should seek expert medical advice about whether to begin screening before age 40 and how often to have screening mammography.

The results are between 5 and 10 percent of mammogram not normal and require more testing. The one good information - the most of these follow-up tests confirm that no cancer was present.

What will be this "more testing"? The doctor will call it a “Biopsy”. The procedure which is needed is to take a small amount of fluid or tissue must remove from the breast to make a diagnosis. A doctor might perform fine needle aspiration, a needle or core Biopsy, or a surgical Biopsy.

This tissue goes to in the lab, this tissue will be checked on the pathologist examines under the microscope and the results let him see if any of the cells are cancerous.

In the last time, the Doctors are studying another new type of surgical biopsy that removes less breast tissue. This new type is called an image-guided needle breast biopsy, or stereotactic biopsy.

With this new system - If approved for general use, we can await, that the result's are much more efficient and clearly, so that the doctors would become an important surgical tool.

Please take note, that eighty percent of U.S. women who have a surgical breast biopsy do not have cancer!

***But take also note, that women who have breast biopsies are at HIGHER RISK of developing breast cancer than women who have never had a breast biopsy.***

If you know that “- you will have perhaps a second opinion of the doctor's information's.

The last technical review - With the magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, and ultrasound we have two other techniques which the researchers think might detect breast cancer with greater accuracy and with lower risk!

What's can help you?

Other new techniques used to find cancer include a new way of reading mammograms called digital mammography.

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, and ultrasound are two other techniques which researchers think might detect breast cancer with greater accuracy.

Fritz Frei, director of public relations
Health-Service-Online
Phone - +41 71 630 06 86
E-mail: support
http://www.cancer-info.info

About the author:
Fritz Frei make it easy to check out the important details about the diagnoses and test's of the breast-cancer. To receive more information's about all cancer -questions - Links and last research NEW's - visit the http://www.cancer-info.info

Pregnancy Tests

2006-04-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

All pregnancy tests look for a special hormone in the urine or blood that is only present when a woman is pregnant. This hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), is also called the pregnancy hormone.

What's the difference between a urine and a blood pregnancy test? Is one better than the other?

There are two types of pregnancy tests - blood and urine tests. Both tests look for the presence of hCG, the pregnancy hormone. Today, many women use a urine test, or home pregnancy test (HPT), to find out if they are pregnant. HPTs do not cost a lot, are easy to use, can be done at home, and are private. When a woman has a positive result on an HPT, she needs to see her health care provider right away. The health care provider can confirm a positive HPT result with a blood test and a pelvic exam.

There are two types of blood tests you can get from a health care provider. A quantitative blood test (or the beta hCG test) measures the exact amount of hCG in the blood. This means it can pick up very small amounts of hCG, making it a very accurate test. A qualitative hCG blood test gives a simple yes or no answer to whether you are pregnant. This test is more like a urine test in terms of its accuracy.

Blood tests can pick up hCG earlier in a pregnancy than urine tests can. Blood tests can tell if you are pregnant about 6 to 8 days after you ovulate (or release an egg from an ovary). Urine tests can determine pregnancy about 2 weeks after ovulation. Some more sensitive urine tests can tell if you are pregnant as early as 6 days after you conceive, or one day after you miss a menstrual period.

How is a home pregnancy test done?

There are many types of home pregnancy tests, or HPTs, that can be bought over-the-counter at drug or discount stores. Some involve collecting your urine in a cup and dipping a stick into the urine, or putting some of the urine into a special container with an eyedropper. Others are done by placing a stick into your urine stream. Tests vary in how long you have to wait for the stick or container to turn a certain color or have a symbol on it (like a plus or a minus). All tests come with written instructions. Most tests also have toll-free phone numbers to call if you have any questions about how to do the test or read the results.

How accurate are home pregnancy tests?

Home pregnancy tests (HPTs) are very accurate. Most brands of HPTs say they are 97% to 99% accurate, but this can vary with actual use. Each brand varies in how sensitive it is in picking up the pregnancy hormone hCG. If a test is not done correctly, it will be less accurate. And, always check the package to make sure it is not past its expiration date - if it is, it will not be accurate. Most brands of HPTs tell users to do the test again in a few days, no matter what the results.

If you use an HPT too early in your pregnancy, you may not have enough of the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine to have a positive test result. Most HPTs will be accurate if you test yourself around the time your period is due (about 2 weeks after you ovulate, or release an egg from your ovary). You can get a negative test result if you are not pregnant or if you ovulated later than you thought you did. You may also have problems with the pregnancy, which affects the amount of hCG you have in your urine. If your HPT is negative, test yourself again within a few days to 1 week. If you keep getting a negative result and think you are pregnant, talk with a health care provider right away.

Can anything interfere with home pregnancy test results?

Most medications, both over-the-counter and prescription drugs, including birth control pills and antibiotics, should not affect the results of a home pregnancy test (such as Profasi, Pregnyl or Novarel). Only those drugs that have the pregnancy hormone hCG in them can give a false positive test result (where the test says you are pregnant when you actually are not). Drugs that have hCG in them can be used for treating infertility (not being able to get pregnant). Alcohol and illegal drugs do not affect HPT results, but you should not be using these substances if you are trying to get pregnant.

You can find out more about pregnancy tests by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) at (800) 994-WOMAN (9662).

Calcium Cuts Pregnancy Complications

2006-04-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY, March 10 (HealthDay News) -- Boosting the calcium intake of pregnant women with low dietary calcium can help prevent complications from a dangerous condition known as preeclampsia, in which a woman's blood pressure rises dramatically, a new global study found.

However, the extra calcium did not significantly reduce the number of women who got preeclampsia, according to Dr. Jose Villar of the World Health Organization, lead author of the study that appears in the March issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

"It was not as positive as one would like," Dr. Marshall Lindheimer, professor emeritus of medicine and obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago, said of the calcium-preeclampsia prevention link. He is a co-author on the study.

The 1.5 gram calcium supplement taken daily by women in the study "didn't prevent the disease, all it did was to decrease the severity," Lindheimer said. But it did decrease the rate of maternal and newborn deaths, he said.

Preeclampsia affects about 9 percent of pregnancies worldwide, according to Villar. It can lead to premature delivery and the need for a Caesarean section. If it progresses to a more serious condition, eclampsia, the woman can suffer seizures or coma. In the worst cases, preeclampsia can cause disability or death of mother or fetus.

In the study, Villar and his team assigned more than 8,300 women who were receiving health care from one of eight centers in six countries to either the calcium-supplementation group or a placebo group. Before the study, all the women took in less than 600 milligrams a day of dietary calcium, or about half the amount recommended during pregnancy.

When the researchers followed up, they found the rate of preeclampsia was not statistically different between the groups. But eclampsia was lower in those treated, with 17 women in the calcium group stricken with eclampsia compared to 25 in the placebo group. Severe gestational high blood pressure was higher in the placebo group, too, with 59 of the women developing hypertension vs. 43 in the calcium-treated group.

Newborn death was also less likely in the supplementation group, with 0.9 percent infant deaths in the calcium group compared to 1.3 percent in the placebo group.

Finally, the risk of early preterm delivery -- before 32 weeks -- was 2.6 percent in the calcium group, but 3.2 percent in the placebo group.

Women in the study received health care at centers in Argentina, Egypt, India, Peru, South Africa and Vietnam. Each center is part of the World Health Organization's Maternal and Perinatal Research Network.

The cause of preeclampsia is still unknown, and there's no way to prevent it. A relationship between calcium deficiency and preeclampsia has long been suspected.

Lindheimer said it's not clear how calcium may help. "It may affect the contractability of the blood vessels," he said. "Intracellular calcium is very important in muscle physiology." Insufficient calcium consumption may lead to more constriction of the vessels, he said. "When you replenish the calcium, they [vessels] are in a more dilated state. It may be that effect which makes the disease less severe."

The study results are of greatest value mostly outside the United States, Lindheimer said, where calcium deficiency is a bigger problem.

But the study might also serve as a useful reminder for U.S. doctors to urge their pregnant patients to get enough calcium, he said.

While the study results don't necessarily apply to American women, the findings are interesting, said Dr. Ashley Roman, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the New York University School of Medicine.

"It helps us to understand the process of preeclampsia better," she said. "When it comes to preeclampsia, we are still in the dark ages. We have been studying it for years, and we don't know what causes it, how to predict it well, and we really don't know how to prevent it."

Roman tells her pregnant patients to be sure to take in 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily, if not from diet, then from a calcium supplement.

By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter

Menopause Relief

2006-03-31T00:15:00.000-08:00

It's easier to get menopause relief today than ever before. Store shelves and Web sites offer a multitude of products promising menopause relief for the menopause weary. Before buying and/or taking any type of medication, whether over the counter or prescribed, it's a good idea to explore your options and become educated on what's available.

In order to begin searching for menopause relief treatments, it's a good idea to make a list of your menopause symptoms. After you've made your list, rate each symptom for its severity and the impact it's having on your daily living. Different medications and different dosages will give varying menopause relief and are used for specific menopause issues. It won't do you any good to take a herbal menopause treatment for hot flashes if it isn't specifically for hot flashes. Many women do not get the menopause relief they need because they're simply using the wrong medication to treat the conditions caused by menopause.

Another reason many women do not get adequate menopause relief is because their health care providers and physicians are not as up to date on menopause treatments as they might be. So going into your doctor's office with a list of symptoms and perhaps even menopause home test results can be a big help in letting your physician know what sort of treatment you really need. If you feel your health care provider isn't all that knowledgeable in regard to menopause and treatments for menopause relief, shop around for one that is. Yes, it's perfectly okay to change doctors in order to find one who is both up to date on the latest treatments as well as one who will treat the whole you rather than just a symptom or test result.

And don't forget there's a great deal you can do on your own to get menopause relief. Exercise, diet, stress management, and adequate sleep are all things that can provide you with a great deal of menopause relief. There are also many books on menopause that will give you strategies and tips for relieving menopause symptoms. Online discussion boards and forums are also a good way to find support that can give you much needed menopause relief. No matter what, don't give up. Menopause relief is possible if you just keep looking for the treatment or treatments that are best for you.

Author: Allan Wilson. If you are interested in your health and well being then you will find some great reading at: http://www.findhealtharticles.com

Symptoms Of Hormone Imbalance In Women

2005-10-13T06:21:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of hormone imbalance in women may begin as early as the late twenties to the forties. Symptoms of hormone imbalance in women tend to increase as a woman ages, especially if ignored in the earlier years. Hormone imbalance symptoms can be any one or more of the following:

• Allergy symptoms
• Depression, fatigue and anxiety
• Endometriosis
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Hair loss and facial hair growth
• Headaches, dizziness and foggy thinking
• Low sex drive
• Osteoporosis
• PMS
• Urinary tract infections and incontinence
• Uterine fibroids
• Weight gain, water retention and bloating
• Wrinkly skin

Symptoms of hormone imbalance are caused primarily by the incorrect relationship between progesterone and estrogen levels in the body. The two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, exist in a delicate balance. Variations in that balance can have a dramatic effect on your health, resulting in symptoms of hormone imbalance. The amounts of these hormones that the woman's body produces from month to month can vary, depending on factors such as stress, nutrition, exercise and most importantly - ovulation or the lack of ovulation.

In the first 10-12 days of the menstrual cycle, only estrogen is produced in the female body. If ovulation occurs, then progesterone is produced by the ovaries. On day 28 or so, levels of both hormones drop, resulting in menstruation. However, if ovulation did not occur, you can still have the menstrual period, but the estrogen is never "balanced" by progesterone, which needed ovulation to trigger its production. And this results in symptoms of hormone imbalance appearing - you have estrogen but progesterone production drops to very low levels.

In the industrialized countries, women take birth control pills, are exposed to household chemicals at home, car exhaust and other environmental xenoestrogens. In addition, women often have stressful lives, eat processed foods or skip meals, take synthetic estrogen HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and have hysterectomies. All these factors can add more estrogen to the female body, resulting in excess estrogen which will cause hormone imbalance symptoms.

How can a woman tell if she is experiencing hormone imbalance symptoms? An easy, fast and effective way is to take the online test provided by a leading womens health clinic for early signs of menopause and symptoms of hormone imbalance in women. The online test takes just a few minutes and is free. Learn more about your health, symptoms, what the symptoms are telling you and what to do about it based on your answers to important questions. Read more about hormone imbalance, estrogen dominance symptoms and physician-recommended natural treatments for eliminating the symptoms of hormone imbalance.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
Author Info:
Olinda Rola: Read more about symptoms of hormone imbalance and natural treatment at http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com where Olinda Rola is the webmaster as well as President of InfoSearch Publishing. Visit the website, take the online women's hormone health test and find information on a variety of women's health issues.

What Every Woman Needs!

2005-10-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

As a woman, your body is very complex. Throughout every phase of your life you will require extra care and nutritional support. Today's scientific advances support a number of natural choices for women, like soy. Still, the fact remains that calcium, folic acid and iron continue to be the most important nutrients that can impact a woman's total health. All women should take a daily multiple vitamins with these essential nutrients.

Calcium is essential to strong healthy bones.

As a woman you have a much greater risk of developing osteoporosis because you have less bone tissue and lose bone more rapidly then men do. Be sure to consume adequate calcium throughout life, as this may reduce your risk of osteoporosis later in life. Calcium is essential to the health of bones, teeth and skin, yet few adults get enough of it in their diets. Make sure you find a high quality calcium supplement to ensure you receive a health-enhancing daily allowance.

Folic acid impacts women in many ways.

It plays an important role during rapid fetal growth and development. In fact, adequate intake of folic acid as part of a healthy diet before and in early pregnancy may reduce the risk of having a baby with a birth defect of the brain or spinal cord. All women of childbearing age are recommended to consume 400 mcg of folic acid everyday starting at least one month before conception into the early weeks of pregnancy.

Folic acid also plays a role in the maintenance of normal homocysteine levels; elevated levels of homocysteine are believed to be a risk factor of heart health.

Iron

Iron is a vital nutrient that plays an essential role in forming healthy red blood cells and transporting oxygen. It's estimated that as many as 62% of women over the age of 20 are not meeting the RDA for iron. Women also tend to be low in iron because they tend to eat foods low in iron and lose iron through menstruation.

Drinking a glass of orange juice with your cereal can boost iron absorption by the body. Vitamin C helps the body metabolize the iron. A high quality Vitamin C supplement rich in antioxidants to help fight the harmful effects of free radicals is a wonderful supplement not only to assist iron absorption, but also to combat ageing.

Vitamin C is coveted for its many benefits, including a contribution to healthy bones, teeth, blood vessels and the production of collagen.

In addition to taking a daily multiple vitamin, routine exams are key to prevention and healthy living. You should have a yearly gynecological exam that includes a pelvic exam, breast exam and PAP test. Also, consider performing monthly self-breast exams to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. If you are over 40, you should have a mammogram every year.

(c) Kim Beardsmore
About The Author
Kim is a successful weight loss coach who will cut through the diet-hype and help you reach your goal weight. No public 'weigh-ins', meetings that cost you money or fads...simply results you will love! You can receive a free consultation. Visit today: http://tinyurl.com/5xsw5. Are you interested in earning money from home? We can help you grow a profitable home business: http://tinyurl.com/5wyma.

Breast Cancer Statistics

2005-10-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

Breast Cancer Statistics – How Breast Cancer Survival Rates Increased 50%

Breast cancer statistics show that over 1.2 million persons will be diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide this year, according to the World Health Organization. For breast cancer and prevention, it has long been known that regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the likelihood of having breast cancer. What has not been known or studied has been the effect of regular physical activity on the breast cancer survival rates or likelihood of death in women that already have breast cancer. That is, until now.

The breast cancer statistics and findings as reported by the American Medical Associations Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in May 2005 were astounding! Certain participants in the study of women with Stage I, II or III breast cancer achieved a 50% reduction in the death rate from breast cancer.

Here are these breast cancer statistics: the journal reported that in the study 2,987 female registered nurses had been diagnosed with breast cancer during the years 1984-1998. What the study found was that the women who had physical activity equivalent to walking at a steady pace of 2.0-2.9 miles per hour for 3-5 hours a week had a death rate of only 50% of the death rate of women who had physical activity equivalent to walking less than one hour a week. The conclusion of the breast cancer statistics in the study was that physical activity after breast cancer has been diagnosed may reduce the risk of death from breast cancer. The study found that there was little evidence of any relation between increased physical activity and increased benefit.

It’s time to dust off those walking shoes!

As a physical activity, walking can be done almost anytime by anyone anywhere. All that is needed is a good pair of walking shoes. Walking is fun and reduces stress. As for injuries, walking has the lowest injury rate of all the various kinds of exercise.

You can walk with a partner, friend, family member or dog, maybe even a neighbors dog. Or you can walk with your favorite headset and music. If you are walking outdoors with a headset, keep one ear open to hear the sounds around you.

As for basic walking tips:

· As you begin regular walking, take it easy. Standard advice is to check with your physician before starting any exercise program. If it has been years or decades since you walked regularly, perhaps you can begin with 5 minutes of walking and slowly increase your time and distance.

· Walking at a pace of 75–95 steps a minute will have you walking at a speed of about 2-3 miles per hour.

· Walk with your head up, looking out in front of you. Do not walk looking down right in front of you except to navigate any obstacles.

· Really take it easy the first 5 minutes of walking to warm up. Afterwards, gently stretch for 5–10 minutes while your muscles are warm.

· Practice good walking form. Your arms should swing naturally in the direction you are walking, not from side to side across your body. Your foot should strike the ground on your heel, then a rolling motion forward toward the ball of your foot, then pushing off with your toes.

And here are some basic walking shoes tips:

· Buy your walking shoes from a sporting shoes store with large selections. Doing so will give you plenty of choices. And buy your walking shoes later in the day when your feet will be larger.

· Buy cushioned, supportive walking shoes. To see if a shoe is supportive, do this test: take a shoe and turn it upside down. Holding each end of the shoe, try to fold it. If you find the shoe bends in the middle, then that shoe is not a supportive shoe. A supportive shoe should bend where your foot normally bends, near your toes.

· You should allow the width of your index finger between the end of your shoe and the end of your longest toe, or about one-half inch.

· Buy two pairs of walking shoes, one for home and one for the car or workplace. And if one pair gets wet, you can use the other pair that day.

Walking is the closest thing to the perfect exercise. In today’s fast-paced society, regular walking can be a welcomed break from the stress of the day. Maybe you will get to know your neighborhood or neighbors better. There may be walking trails you have never seen but wanted to.

Wherever and however you choose to walk, not only can the experience be fun, you will know you are being good to your body in a variety of ways. Besides the incredible breast cancer statistics and findings of the breast cancer study, walking helps with weight control and bone strength, elevates mood, helps build and maintain healthy muscles, joints and heart. With so many great health benefits, why not get started walking today!

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
Author Info:
Olinda Rola: Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of natural treatments for a variety of health problems. For information about preventing breast cancer, breast cancer treatment and related articles, visit the website to read more.

Prepare For Menopause

2005-09-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

Do You Need To Prepare For Menopause?

You’re probably asking, "Is there really a way to prepare for menopause?" The answer is yes and no. It’s not like you can go to your calendar and write "menopause" on September 22, 2025. It’s not that easy, although most women sure wished it was; however, although we may not know the exact date that menopause will begin, we can prepare for it by being informed and learning as much as possible about the subject.

From the time of your first period until your 40’s, your ovaries produce estrogen in response to monthly follicle maturation. Both estrogen and progesterone are responsible for the monthly menstrual cycle and both are produced using male hormones. During her reproductive years, a woman’s ovaries produce more estrogen than testosterone. As menopause nears, the estrogen level declines while the male hormone levels stay about the same. Lacking former levels of estrogen to counteract them, hair growth on the face and oily skin may begin to crop up during the years right before menopause in some women.

As Age Reach 40, Changes Happen

A woman is born with approximately one half million eggs. Over time, that number decreases as some are reabsorbed back into the ovarian lining. As a woman ages get older, the number of eggs available for release also diminishes. As a result, from about age 40, a woman’s period will begin to change.

In her mid-40s a woman becomes perimenopausal. The period of time from perimenopause to postmenopause can take 5 to 10 years. A full decade before you become menopausal, changes are happening in your body that begins to set the stage for the transition from reproductive to nonreproductive states. Up to 50% of women are beginning to experience hot flashes in the two-year period before cessation of menstruation. Menstruation at this time is also likely to be erratic. During this period a woman is considered to be perimenopausal.

As soon as you begin noticing changes in your menstrual cycle, especially if you’re in your 40’s, you should consult with your gynecologist, who will probably want to run a battery of tests. One of the tests your doctor should perform is a blood test that will check your hormone levels.

But change is certain. There is no predicting your own passage through menopause; it may be long or short, bumpy or smooth. Nor can you foresee the time when you will begin it.

Whenever and however menopausal changes appear, it can be valuable to have information beforehand and while you’re experiencing menopause. Studies have shown that women who are prepared to take charge of their own health care tend to do best through the menopausal passage. Information can function as your survival kit as you negotiate your way through this very important change in your life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alicia Simpson is a mother and housewife who experience menopause. Her new guide book: "Menopause without Stress" is to tell women that menopause is part of life you cannot avoid. Visit her Website MenopauseWithoutStress.com at http://www.menopausewithoutstress.com

Healthy Reproductive System

2005-09-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Vitamins and Minerals for a Healthy Reproductive System

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development and proper performance of the reproductive system. Nutrition plays a vital role in the development and maturity of the reproductive system through childhood and adolescence and can even affect the endocrine system which regulates the hormones that rule the functions of the reproductive system.

Nutrition can affect fertility and fetal development as well. Striving each day to consume the standard recommended daily intake levels of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that the body needs is an important part of the good health and proper functioning of the reproductive system. The nutrients that a child consumes while growing up can greatly affect the developing reproductive system. Zinc for example is essential to the development of the reproductive organs themselves. A deficiency in zinc can result in significantly delayed sexual maturity. Zinc also serves in the regulation of male hormones and has a role in prostate functions and sperm production. Iodine helps to regulate thyroid function which in turn helps to regulate growth and body weight.

Body weight has to do with the onset of puberty which will not begin until the appropriate threshold of body weight and fat has been crossed. The endocrine glands secrete hormones and hormones are essential to the ptoper functioning of the reproductive system. Thus the wellness of the endocrine gland is a precursor to mature reproductive functioning and health. While several nutrients are directly associated with the production of hormones like manganese which serves to maintain the production of sex hormones many other vitamins and nutrients act as cofactors to a variety of complicated chemical reactions that carry out the tasks for the benefit of the reproductive system.

Proper nutrition is essential in fetal development as well. Folic acid for example can serve as a way to prevent serious birth defects by reducing the incidence of neural tube defects such as the type that causes spinal bifida. However, this defect occurs so early in fetal development that at the point at which it occurs when the woman has yet to find out that she is actually pregnant. Therefore it is best for any woman of childbearing age to be especially careful to get enough folic acid each day.

The vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex have a primary role in red blood cell production. The developing fetus gets all nourishment and oxygen via the mother’s blood stream. Therefore, making sure to keep red blood cell production up to par is important to the reproductive system, particularly during pregnancy. The nutrients received by the developing fetus will affect every aspect of his or her being. Proper nutrition is essential to each part and every stage of the reproductive system from development to maturation to the creation and nurturing of new life. It can be difficult particularly at the rapid pace of life today to get the full amount of each and every vitamin, mineral and other nutrient that serves to support the reproductive system.

However, nutritional supplements can offer a safe and reliable way to achieve your dietary needs for you to be able to meet your dietary goals, when used with care and attention to standard dosage amounts. It is important to take note that moderation is key to everything.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

4 Must-Know Ovarian Cancer Facts

2005-09-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

This disease kills more than half the women who get it. Here is what you need to know to beat the odds

Eight years ago, amateur rock climber Sean Patrick had indigestion so severe it was waking her up at 3 am. Her doctors advice, Find a new hobby. A year later, she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.

Although the disease kills more than half the women who get it, she has survived seven surgeries. "My doctors have no idea why I am still here, but that is okay with me," says Patrick, now 53, who founded the HERA (Health, Empowerment, Research, and Advocacy) Womens Cancer Foundation to raise awareness about ovarian cancer.

Here's what you need to know.

Ovarian cancer is not silent.
Symptoms include nausea, bloating, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, more frequent urination, abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual fatigue, and unexplained weight changes. "Doctors often dismiss it as irritable bowel or acid reflux," she says. That's a fatal error: Survival odds are four times higher with early diagnosis.

Got symptoms? Get tested.
Ask for a pelvic/rectal exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, and a CA125 test. (Your Pap test doesn't screen for ovarian cancer.)

Birth control pills high in progestin may cut risk up to 60 percent.
Doctors suggest that women at high risk due to family history consider taking the Pill.

Breast cancer raises your risk.
Researchers suspect that these cancers share common pathways in the body.

by Caroline Bollinger, Prevention's fitness editor

Silicone Breast Implants

2005-09-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

First used in the 1960s, silicone breast implants provide what millions of women have desired throughout history, a fuller and shapelier chest. Prior attempts to change the size of breasts included fat transplants, paraffin implants and even direct injection of silicone. All of those attempts had fairly predictable results, but the new surgical silicone implant offered both safety (relative) and acceptable results.

Silicone is made by man and has had many uses including lubricants, adhesive sealants, silly putty and gaskets. When used in a breast implant silicone resembles the natural look and feel of real breast tissue. It was an obvious choice when the first breast implants were created.

However, problems with silicone breast implants began to appear in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Thousands of lawsuits left several chemical companies bankrupt and left millions of women reeling from debilitating conditions caused by the silicone. Even though studies failed to show a link between silicone implants and negative health conditions, the FDA banned the use of silicone implants.

Today the United States only allows silicone implants as part of a breast reconstruction or replacement procedure. The FDA is currently testing a new wave of silicone implants but results of the test are still years away. Outside of the US 90% of all breast augmentation surgeries performed still use silicone implants.

Author Info:
T.Going To learn more about breast implants and reconstructive breast surgery please visit Dr. William Adams at http://texas.resource4cosmeticsurgery.com/dallas.html This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyperlinks.

Breast Enhancements

2005-09-27T05:04:00.000-07:00

Breast Enhancements – Different Ways To Increase Your Breast Size

Most women would like to change the size and the shape of their breasts. And while the cosmetic changes are easy to achieve and reverse, if needed, breast augmentation surgery is not for everyone.

Surgical breast augmentation is a substantial investment of time and money, it has a lot of health consequences and the results can never be fully predictable. All together, these factors can make breast augmentation a last resort for those who want to change the size and shape of their breasts.

There are several alternatives that women can try to improve the shape of their breasts before resorting to surgery. These breast enhancement techniques range from breast enhancement creams and pills to easy breast enhancement exercises that tone all of your upper body.

Breast Enhancement Pills

Breast enhancement pills usually offer a combination of several herbal ingredients. Most often, the formula includes fenugreek, saw palmetto, Mexican wild yam, fennel, Dong Quai, damiana, and blessed thistle.

The herbal components of breast enhancement pills start a reaction similar to those that occur during puberty, when women’s breast tissue starts to grow. These herbs deliver plant estrogen, which stimulates the growth of the delicate breast tissue from inside by causing hormonal changes. Plant estrogen, as scary and medicinal as it sounds, is a natural product derived from plants and is quite mild.

It may take time to achieve the desired results with breast enhancement pills. Women with small to medium cup size when taking breast enhancement pills usually achieve their optimum results within two months. Some women continue to take breast enhancement pills on an ongoing basis because they notice other positive changes in health.

Herbal remedies, including breast enhancement pills, have many advantages over surgical breast augmentation, due to lower costs, less health risks and fewer side effects.

Breast Enhancement Creams and Lotions

This type of breast enhancement is not the most effective when used on its own. When combined with pills and exercises, breast enhancement creams can yield substantial breast size increase.

Breast enhancement creams act in pretty much the same way that the breast enhancement pills do. Typically breast enhancement cream contains a mix of herbs along with mild chemicals that stimulate the growth of fat cells in the breast without growing fat cells on other parts of the body.

Breast enhancement creams have other cosmetic effects, as they make the breasts firmer and more smooth, enhancing the total look and feel of the breasts.

Breast Enhancement Exercises

Breast enhancement exercises are perhaps the cheapest and most natural method for promoting breast growth although they require a dedicated approach to make them work.

The most popular breast enhancement exercise is a push-up. Here’s the right way to do push-ups:

1) Lie facing down on your stomach on a flat surface

2) Bend your knees and cross your ankles.

3) Now start bending your elbows while keeping your palms in line with your shoulders.

4) Remaining balanced on your palms and elbows raise your body - keeping your ankles crossed. This way, you don't raise too much weight. Don't straighten your elbows when raising the body - it may cause damage to your joints.

5) Slowly lower your entire body, but don't lie down. You should decrease the angle only until your arms become in line with the floor.

You should try to repeat push-ups ten times, gradually increasing the repetitions as you get stronger.

Breast enhancement exercises, like any form of exercise, should be performed in sportswear, on a comfortable flat surface. If done without caution, these exercises can strain the muscles, so speak to your doctor first if you have any concerns. Don't push yourself too hard, and stop immediately if you feel unwell, be it pain or tension. Performing these breast enhancement exercises daily, or at least two to three times a week should help you achieve more round "perky" breasts. Plus, it has the added benefit of strengthening your back muscles to help improve your posture, too.

Following an exercise regime that includes push-ups you can also use breast enhancement creams and pills. When all the breast enhancement techniques are used in conjunction with each other, you can achieve optimal results.

Author Info:
Kathryn Whittaker: Kathryn writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Breast Enhancements please visit http://www.breastenhancementsguide.info and for additional articles on Breast Enhancements

Menopause Symptoms

2005-09-22T07:08:00.000-07:00

34 Menopause Symptoms - Are You Suffering From One Or More Of These?

34 menopause symptoms? Really? It is a logical question to ask. After all, millions of women are experiencing one or more of the 34 menopause symptoms right now! What is going on? We all remember a grandmother or older aunt, how they made the transition into menopause. The so-called change will happen, but something tells us that experiencing many of the symptoms of menopause as early as ages thirties or forties is not normal.

First, here is a list of the most common 34 menopause symptoms. Take a moment to consider each one, as some are subtle and at first glance may appear to have no relation to being menopause symptoms:

1 - Aching joints and muscles

2 - Allergy symptoms

3 - Breast tenderness

4 - Chronic fatigue and morning sluggishness

5 - Cold or tingling hands or feet

6 - Craving sweets, caffeine, carbohydrates and unstable blood sugar levels

7 - Depression, anxiety and mood swings

8 - Dizziness, lightheadedness

9 - Dry, thin or wrinkly skin

10 - Endometriosis

11 - Facial hair growth

12 - Fibrocystic breasts

13 - Hair loss, thinning hair

14 - Headaches, migraines

15 - Heart palpitations

16 - Heavy or light periods

17 - Hot flashes

18 - Incontinence

19 - Irregular periods

20 - Irritatibility, inability to handle stress

21 - Lack of concentration, foggy fuzzy thinking, memory lapses

22 - Leg cramps

23 - Low metabolism

24 - Lower sex drive, loss of sex drive

25 - PMS and menstrual cramping

26 - Night sweats

27 - Osteoporosis

28 - Ringing or buzzing in ears (tinnitus)

29 - Sleep disturbances, insomnia

30 - Spotting, light bleeding

31 - Symptoms of hypothyroidism with normal T3 and T4 levels

32 - Uninary tract and yeast infections

33 - Uterine fibroids

34 - Water retention and unexplained weight gain, especially in hips, waist and stomach

Menopause is a natural process for a woman, not an illness. As a woman ages, there will be an expected slowing and ultimately shutdown in the reproductive cycle and system. This is normal. However, most of the 34 menopause symptoms are indications of underlying hormonal imbalance or damage to the body from poor eating habits, stress, obesity and other factors. Millions of women in the industrialized countries experience one or more of these 34 menopause symptoms many years before the normal age of menopause, which is about 51 years of age.

Why? There are several reasons. Women often put tremendous demands on their bodies, much more stress than it was designed to handle, and then do not give it the support it needs. Women have demanding and stressful careers. There are family responsibilities. The relationship with the spouse or partner may not be the best. Aging parents can add to the burden. All of these and other responsibilities are cumulative in the toll they take on the body and health of a woman.

And at the same time, the womans body may not be receiving the support it needs to function as it was designed to do. Poor eating habits, lack of exercise, obesity, excess caffeine and alcohol add to the problem instead of helping the body cope with the demands placed on it. This lack of balance between the demands made versus support given contributes to many of the 34 menopause symptoms.

Then there is the issue of the menstrual cycle and hormone production in the body. In the normal menstrual cycle and a healthy woman, estrogen is the dominant hormone that is produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. If ovulation occurs, ovulation then signals the female body to produce progesterone, which happens for the next 12 days or so. If pregnancy does not occur during ovulation, progesterone and estrogen levels will drop at around day 28, allowing menstruation to begin. However, if you do not ovulate, you will not produce progesterone that month. This event, called an annovulatory cycle, is a typical occurance today for women even 10 to 20 years before the normal age of menopause. This leaves the woman with an excess of estrogen and a deficiency of the vital hormone progesterone which can only be produced if ovulation occurs.

Many women in their thirties or forties are actually having fewer ovulations, creating hormone imbalance, resulting in many of the 34 menopause symptoms. And once ovulation ceases at menopause, progesterone levels fall to virtually zero. At the same time, estrogen is still being produced, again leading to hormone imbalance and the resulting symptoms. If a hysterectomy has happened, surgical menopause means the woman no longer produces progesterone.

Besides the problems created by missed ovulations or hysterectomy, excess estrogen is regularly obtained from other sources. Birth control pills, household chemicals and pesticides, certain foods that have been sprayed or given chemicals and many construction materials used in homes are all sources of unhealthy estrogen. Doctors call this hormone imbalance condition where excess estrogen exists - estrogen dominance. What are the symptoms of estrogen dominance? The symptoms are nearly the same as the 34 menopause symptoms!

When your estrogen and progesterone hormones are balanced, you feel more alert and energetic. And balancing family, career, stress and your own needs becomes much easier to do, like it was when you were younger.

How can a woman tell if the symptoms being experienced are because of hormone imbalance? One easy and effective way is to take an online test for early signs of menopause and the 34 menopause symptoms. Used daily in their practice by a leading womens health clinic, the health test takes just a few minutes online and the test is free. By taking the clinic health test, you can find out more about your health, symptoms you have, what the symptoms are telling you and what to do about it. Take the online hormone health test and read more about hormone imbalance, estrogen dominance symptoms, hysterectomy side effects and physician-recommended treatments for premenopause symptoms and the 34 menopause symptoms.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
Author Info:

Olinda Rola: Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com where you will find physician-recommended natural treatments for premenopause and menopause symptoms. Visit the website and learn more about ways that really work for improving health.

Prevent Premature Aging

2005-09-22T06:55:00.000-07:00

Help Prevent Premature Aging With Nutrition-Science

Aging occurs when the body’s cells die at faster rates than new cells are generated. People age prematurely because inadequate nutrition resulting from poor diet stimulates cellular destruction and increases the potential for obesity, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases.

With improper diet, the body produces vast quantities of highly reactive oxygen molecules, known as free radicals. Free radicals attack healthy cells and accelerate the aging process. This occurs especially when we eat high-fat foods.. but also occurs when we are exposed to environmental pollutants, such as pesticides and ultraviolet radiation...or consume too many calories in the diet.

Simple Steps to Help Prevent Premature Aging:

1. Take a high-potency MULTIVITAMIN/MINERAL SUPPLEMENT DAILY... to provide valuable nutritional protection against free radicals and help eliminate toxins.

2. Eat Plenty of BERRIES . . . Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries..as well as grapes and cherries all contain valuable phytonutrients called flavonoids, which have potent antioxidant activity that can fight heart disease. The naturally-occurring Ellagic Acid from these berries, also promote excretion of carcinogenic chemicals.

3. Drink GREEN TEA . . . Green tea comes from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, the same plant used to make black tea....but it has more of the potent antioxidants called polyphenols than black tea.

Green Tea helps protect the liver and fight cancer. One recent study examined Japanese women with breast cancer. Increased green tea consumption was associated with a decreased risk of lymph node metastasis. Researches also found that when women with breast cancer drank five cups of green tea a day, they were more likely to be in remission six months later.

Green tea also has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, fight tooth decay and aid in weight loss.

Drink two or more cups of green tea daily or take at least 1,500 mg daily of Green tea extract in capsule or tablet form.

4. Reduce Dairy Food Intake...No more than 3 - 4 servings of dairy per week.

Milk, cheese and other dairy foods contain Casein, one of the most common food allergens. It can deplete immune cells. Milk also contains xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that may increase plague buildup in the arteries.

Adults don’t need dairy to get adequate Calcium. Increase daily intake of Calcium-enriched foods, such as juice and soy, rice and almond milk. Broccoli, collard greens, sardines and canned salmon also are rich in Calcium.

5. Supplement with FISH OIL, PRIMROSE OIL AND FLAXSEED OIL . . . These oils contain essential fatty acids...fish oil is a source of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA)...evening primrose oil is a source of GLA. These beneficial fatty acids are involved in proper functioning of the brain and immune system. They also reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer...and help relieve pain and inflamation.

Take 3,000 mg to 5,000 mg of fish oil and 1,000 mg of evening primrose oil daily. If you are on blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), check with your doctor first. Vegetarians can substitute Flaxseed oil for fish oil, if so desired.

6. Increase GARLIC Intake . . . Garlic contains allicin, a sulfur compound that builds immunity and prevents infections. It reduces risk of colon, esophageal and stomach cancers. One study of 41,000 American women found that one or more servings of garlic a week decreased colon cancer risk by 35%. It also lowers cholesterol and has valuable blood pressure-lowering effects.

One-half to one whole raw clove daily (cooking reduces its benefits), or an odor-free Garlic supplement with 4,000 micrograms (mcg) to 5,000 mcg of allicin.

7. Supplement with SPIRULINA 2,000 mg to 3,000 mg per day . . . Spirulina is a nutritive blue-green algae that grows in warm waters around the world including Africa, Central America and Hawaii. It has become a staple for knowledgeable health practitioners because it contains all the essential amino acids in a highly absorbable form and is a rich source of protein. It also contains carotenoids, fat-soluble pigments that act as antioxidants . . . gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid . . . chlorophyll, a pigment that has potent antioxidant and anti-cancer properties...and phytocyanins, which stimulate red blood cell production. Several studies have shown that spirulina improves immune system activity. Spirulina also has been shown to have antiviral effects and a mild cholesterol-reducing benefit.

Author Info:
Steve Stanley is a Nutrition Sciences Writer and a Distributor of Vitamin Power Poducts. You will find a world of health at: http://www.supervitaminpower.com

Calcium: For Every Stage of a Woman's Life

2005-09-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

Vitamin sources of this crucial mineral vastly improve the quality of life

ARA – Calcium has become a buzzword of late. We hear about it in our doctor's office, in advertisements and on food labels. We often associate calcium with our childhood years, when we were told to "drink your milk" for strong teeth and bones; or it is considered important during our older years when we become concerned with maintaining strong bones. The reality is that women, whose need for calcium is far greater than their male counterparts, often have not been told how crucial calcium is during every stage of their lives.

Calcium is a mineral that, even before birth, plays a significant role in almost all our body functions, including the development and health of our teeth and bones, and ultimately in protecting the body against debilitating bone loss as we age. The National Institute of Health recommends that, in addition to a healthy diet, adult women have a daily supplemental calcium intake of 1000 to 1200 mg before menopause and 1300 to 1500 mg after menopause.

Although it would be ideal if these recommended amounts could be obtained through the nutrients in the foods we eat, the fact is that most women lead a fast-paced, pressure-packed life that makes this difficult. Women today are choosing multi-vitamin and mineral supplements more than ever before to ensure they get adequate calcium.

SuperNutrition, a scientifically-based vitamin company founded in 1977, tracks research advances in nutritional biochemistry to ensure that their multivitamins contain the highest quality and optimum amounts of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. SuperNutrition's "Women's Blend," a daily multi-vitamin created to meet a woman's unique nutritional requirements, offers a wide array of high potency vital nutrients, including 1,000 mg of calcium.

Michael Mooney, one of SuperNutrition's founders, explained his company's philosophy about recommended daily allowances. "At SuperNutrition, we believe that the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of vitamins and minerals is no longer adequate for today's busy world, in part because our nutritional needs vary, depending on such things as our weight, age, lifestyle, environmental stresses such as pollution, and our individual genetics. Our multi-vitamin blends deliver the modern optimum dosages. These are the dosages which have been shown in scientific studies to be more effective at promoting overall health than the somewhat antiquated 'just barely enough' amounts in the RDA's."

By way of example, a child's need for calcium begins while still in the womb, so SuperNutrition's "Prenatal Blend," a vitamin for moms-to-be, is enriched with a full 1200 mg of calcium, a dosage shown in scientific studies to improve bone density in newborns by 15 percent. This type of optimum dosage is crucial in getting an infant off to a good start.

According to a statement issued by the National Institutes of Health in December 2001, a "calcium crisis" is affecting American youth. "Only 13.5 percent of girls and 36.3 percent of boys ages 12 to 19 in the United States get the RDA of calcium from their diets." This places them at serious risk for osteoporosis, other bone diseases and stunted growth. Further, research has recently shown that a woman's midlife bones are much stronger if she had adequate calcium intake during her teen years. Because nearly 90 percent of adult bone mass is established by the end of this age range, the nation's youth do indeed stand in the midst of a calcium crisis. There is no doubt that teens need optimum calcium intakes just like adults, and with their busy lives today, a strong calcium-containing multi- vitamin provides easy, fast nutritional protection.

As a woman ages, her need for calcium continues to be in the forefront of her health concerns. Women generally start to experience an increase in the rate of bone loss at around age 30. Experts now agree that to protect against this trend, whatever else she is doing, a woman must pay close attention to her diet, especially her calcium intake, and at least three times a week perform regular weight- bearing and resistance exercises, such as swimming and weight lifting, both of which improve calcium absorption and bone mass.

After menopause, when the body produces less estrogen than it did during the reproductive years, women lose between 2 to 5 percent of bone mass per year for about five years, after which the bone loss continues but at a somewhat slower rate that is still more rapid than during the premenopausal years. When the loss of bone density becomes serious, bones become brittle, fragile and are more likely to break during even a minor fall.

According to Dr. Robert Heaney, who has been involved in publishing more than 500 calcium studies since 1962, "the calcium requirement for skeletal maintenance is said to rise with age." Dr. Heaney further states that "supplemented intakes of 1300 to 1700 mg per day have been shown to arrest age-related bone loss and to reduce fracture risk in people 65 and older."

In addition, recent scientific research and government recommendations have raised questions about the effectiveness and potential risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), causing many women to look for safe, natural alternatives. SuperNutrition's "Menopause Multiple Blend" is such a safe, natural alternative designed specifically for peri through postmenopausal women. It features all the essential multivitamins and minerals but with the new higher recommended potencies of the key nutrients, like 1500 mg of calcium, that help keep bones strong.

For additional information, visit www.supernutritionusa.com to view "Fact vs. Fiction: The Truth About Calcium," and suggestions about safe alternatives to HRT. Or call (800) 262-2116 to receive these reports free in the mail. SuperNutrition's multi- vitamin blends are available where natural products are sold

Things You Should Avoid During Pregnancy

2005-09-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy is a time where you have to be careful with yourself. Many factors affect the development of a fetus into a healthy child. Whether you like it or not there some activities you should avoid for the sake of your healthy baby. There are pregnancy risks that you have to aware of.

To help you knowing what they are, here is some checklist you might want to consider:

• Don’t drink alcohol! You going to jeopardise your baby’s development. If you don’t want to have low birth weight baby, and having medical problems, better stop drinking once you know that you are pregnant.

• Don’t smoke! Chemical inhaled while smoking may cause premature birth, miscarriage, bleeding, etc. Also it reduced the amount of oxygen that baby receives. What ever you are, don’t smoke and avoid second hand smoke.

• Don’t drink coffee. Caffeine in the coffee has been shown to affect fetal heart rates. Caffeine can also increase risk of stretch marks. If you can’t stop immediately, try to stop gradually.

• Don’t do too much exercise! No doubt if moderate exercise is helpful for mother's mental state and can increase oxygen flow to the fetus. However, too much exercise can be dangerous. Better you do activities like walking, swimming, and yoga.

• Don’t get near to chemicals substance! Be careful with unnatural chemicals, such as pesticides. If you consume vegetables or fruits, don’t forget to wash them. Or remove the outer surface of vegetables or fruit so pesticides which rest on the outside of the vegetable or fruit will be thrown away.

• Don’t consume drugs or herbal remedies that are not prescribed by doctors. What you consume might affect your unborn baby.

• Don’t forget to eat nutritious foods. Good nutrition is crucial to a developing child. At least you consume 400-1000 micrograms of B vitamin (folic acid) which can be taken from leafy vegetables, orange juice, and beans.

• Don’t have multiple sex partners which may lead to birth and pregnancy complications cause by STD's risk. Once you infected by STD, you may have premature baby or low birth baby.

Preventing is better than curing. If you can prevent yourself by not doing those kinds of activities, hopefully you going to have a healthy and normal baby. Try to acknowledge this on your first month of pregnant.
Author Info:

Sara Jameson: Sara Jameson writes her experiences in "The Very Happy Pregnancy: Avoiding Stress and Depression." Check this out http://www.stage-of-pregnancy.info and http://www.earlysign-of-pregnancy.info

Five Ways To Have A Healthy Pregnancy and Baby

2005-09-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

The recent report from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) suggests that more and more women deliver babies without receiving adequate medical attention or prenatal care during their pregnancy. This obviously will severely heart the baby's health and weight. The report says that the babies will be born with a low birth weight and are likely to die.

Pregnant women should know that there is plenty of help available. There are various state programs that help pregnant women with medical care, offer support, information with health insurance and pregnancy related advice.

Rips from MCHB on Healthy Pregnancy
1. See a doctor or other health care provider from the start of your pregnancy.

2. Don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or take drugs.

3. Eat healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, eggs, cheese, and grains.

4. Take good care of your health and exercise sensibly.

5. Have your baby checked by a doctor or health care provider right after birth and throughout childhood.

Questions and Answers

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care is medical attention given to the expectant mother and her developing baby. It also involves the mother's caring for herself by following her health care provider's advice, practicing good nutrition, getting plenty of rest, exercising sensibly, and avoiding things that could harm her or her baby.

Why is prenatal care important?

Habits that may not harm an adult may still harm your baby's development. Remember that your child's health begins long before it is born. Through proper prenatal care, you can reduce your baby's risk for health problems.

Is smoking bad for my baby?

A pregnant smoker is at a higher risk for problems in her pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who smoke have a lower average birthweight, an increased rate of premature birth, and are at greater risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), than babies of nonsmokers.

Studies show that women who quit smoking early in their pregnancies can reduce the risk of damage to their babies. Even quitting in the last month of pregnancy can help your baby by increasing the amount of oxygen available to him/her during delivery.

Will alcohol harm my baby?

There is no guaranteed safe level of alcohol consumption if you are pregnant. Any alcohol you drink enters both yours and your baby's bloodstream. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS babies may suffer from physical, behavioral, and mental problems.

Should I avoid taking medicine?

Don't take any medication without first consulting your health care provider. Even over-the-counter medication—for example, antihistamines or pain medications that contain aspirin or ibuprofen—can be harmful to a developing baby.

Be careful about vitamins. Take the prenatal vitamins prescribed or recommended by your health care provider, but don't take any additional vitamins on your own. Although you need more of some things, like iron, calcium, and folate, too much of other nutrients can harm your baby.

What foods should I eat?

A healthy baby starts with healthy food. When you are pregnant, everything you eat or drink nourishes your baby, too. That's why it's important to eat healthy foods. A pregnant woman only needs about 300 extra calories a day to meet her needs and give her baby the necessary nutrients. Therefore, your goal should be to eat highly nutritious foods while avoiding excessive calories, fat, sugar, and sodium.

Do I need to see a health care provider before pregnancy?

All women of childbearing age are encouraged to visit a health care provider annually. See your health care provider immediately if you suspect you are pregnant.

Do my baby and I need to see a health care provider after delivery?

Yes, following your pregnancy, it's important to make and keep your health care appointments for both you and your baby.

Where can I find health care and social services?

There are many free or low-cost services for pregnant women and their babies. For more information, call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229). For information in Spanish, call 1-800-504-7081.

You also may find services through the following places:

• Hospitals

• Churches

• Doctors' offices

• Other human service programs

• State or local Health Departments

__________________
eMaxHealth with http://www.hrsa.gov

Obesity and Diabetes Carry Risks for Pregnant Women

2005-09-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy

The risks that obesity and diabetes carry for adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as cesarean section and low birth weight, vary among racial and ethnic groups, yet both conditions are bad news for all women hoping for a healthy pregnancy.

Researchers collected data from the 1999, 2000 and 2001 New York City birth files for 329,988 singleton births that included information on the mother's pre pregnancy weight and weight gain during pregnancy. They found that chronic and gestational diabetes were significant risks for a primary cesarean and for preterm birth in all women. Diabetes as a risk for low birth weight varied by group. For example, whereas chronic diabetes increased the risk for low birth weight among Asians, Hispanics, and whites, it was not a significant predictor of low birth weight among blacks.

The bottom line, say the study's authors: "In this large, population-based study, obesity and diabetes were independently associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, highlighting the need for women to undergo lifestyle changes to help them control their weight during the childbearing years and beyond.”

[From: "Maternal Obesity and Diabetes as Risk Factors for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Differences Among 4 Racial/Ethnic Groups."]

The American Journal of Public Health is the monthly journal of the American Public Health Association, the oldest organization of public health professionals in the world. APHA is a leading publisher of public health-related books and periodicals promoting high scientific standards, action programs and policy for good health. More information is available at www.apha.org

The Surgeon General's Tips for Mothers and Mothers-To-Be

2005-09-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., today gave a Mother's Day gift to mothers and mothers-to-be (and dads, too) - an even dozen tips for keeping their babies healthy and safe. This is the first in a series of "Healthy Dozen Tips" that Dr. Carmona will release as part of "The Year of the Healthy Child" agenda.

1. Eat Healthy. It's good for you and your baby. Follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Also, every woman of childbearing age should consume at least 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. Folic acid can prevent neural tube defects (including spina bifida) and congenital malformations, which are the leading cause of infant mortality.

2. Don't drink alcohol when you are pregnant or might become pregnant. There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption for pregnant women. Alcohol can affect an unborn baby even before a woman knows that she is pregnant, and the problems caused by prenatal alcohol exposure are lifelong. Alcohol-related birth defects are completely preventable, and eliminating alcohol will prevent all alcohol-related birth defects, including growth deficiencies, facial abnormalities, central nervous system impairment, behavioral disorders, and intellectual development.

3. Get prenatal care early. As soon as you think you may be pregnant, see a health care professional for prenatal care. And continue going for prenatal care during your pregnancy. Immediate and consistent prenatal care can prevent preterm delivery, and improve pregnancy and childbirth.

4. Don't smoke. And don't allow anyone else to smoke around your baby. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to a low birthweight baby and can reduce your baby's lung function. Even second-hand smoke can have a harmful effect on your baby's breathing and can have long-term respiratory consequences like impaired lung growth, chronic coughing, and wheezing. In addition, disorders related to preterm birth and low birthweight are the second-leading cause of infant death. Diseases of the respiratory system (aggravated by second hand smoke) are one of the leading causes of infant hospitalization and infant doctor visits.

5. Breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life has significant health benefits, and maintain a healthy diet after that. Babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea, and respiratory illnesses. Mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Breast milk has agents called antibodies to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses and to help them fight off infection and disease.

6. Place your baby "back to sleep." A baby should sleep on a firm mattress, on his or her back, with no fluffy pillows or stuffed animals. Following these simple steps can lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the third-leading cause of infant death in the United States.

7. Always use a car safety seat. Be sure your baby rides in an age-and weight-appropriate child safety seat, correctly installed, on every trip. If you have any questions about how to install your child safety seat, many local fire and police departments will help you. And children should always ride in the back seat.

8. Never leave your baby unattended. To prevent unintentional injuries, the sixth-leading cause of infant death, never leave a baby unattended on a bed or changing table, always use the harness on a stroller or high chair, and use baby gates and window guards. Never leave a baby unattended in a bath or near a pool.

9. Safety-proof your house. To prevent accidental poisoning, move all medications and cleaning products to high shelves. To prevent burns, set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and never leave cups of hot liquid on tables or counter edges and never carry hot liquids or food while holding your child. To prevent choking, be sure that any toys your child plays with do not have parts that are small enough to choke on. You can test any toy part by simply dropping it through a paper-towel roll. If it goes through, the piece is too small and could become a choking hazard. Never allow infants to play with balloons or plastic bags. To prevent drowning, install a toilet lid lock on every toilet in the home. Drowning can happen in less than a couple of inches of water.

10. Never, ever shake your baby. Shaking a baby, even a little, may lead to severe brain damage and death.

11. Fully immunize your baby. Be sure your baby gets all immunizations on time. Immunizations have prevented death and disease for millions of children throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Talk with your child's pediatrician about keeping up to date on all vaccinations.

12. Learn infant first aid and CPR. Be prepared. Know how to call for help and learn infant first aid and CPR. We hope you will never have to use this skill. But if you do, the life you save could be your child's.

"Being a mom is the toughest job in the world, and I'm proud to be able to give you these tips as a gift on this Mother's Day. May you and your family have a safe and healthy year," Dr. Carmona said.

_________________________
HHS - http://www.hhs.gov

Ovarian Cancer Still a Silent Killer

2005-09-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), ovarian cancer accounts for 4 percent of all cancers among women and ranks fifth among all female cancer deaths. And while mortality rates for other cancers have declined over time, the death rate for this disease has not changed much in the last 50 years.

"The real problem with ovarian cancer is screening for it because the incidence is so low," says David Mutch, MD, chief of gynecologic oncology at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.

"It's not like breast cancer where it shows up in one in eight women, with ovarian cancer it's more like one in a hundred."

With awareness of the disease so important, the Siteman Cancer Center helps the ACS raise awareness of the disease during Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in September.

Education about ovarian cancer is essential, as almost 70 percent of women with the common epithelial ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until the disease is advanced in stage.

That's why when word of a new test to detect ovarian cancer makes headlines, it grabs people's attention. "The reason that screening tests don't work is that the prevalence of the disease is so low that tests must be very sensitive and specific to reliably detect the disease," says Dr. Mutch.

Many news reports hailed CA-125 as the holy grail of ovarian cancer detection – a simple blood test that could detect ovarian cancer. However, Dr. Mutch says that while CA-125 is a marker for ovarian cancer it is not very sensitive or specific, and the test can do psychologically do more harm than good as it turns up more false positives than anyone would like.

Dr. Mutch says a new "proteomic test" has strong potential. In a recent study, protein signatures were generated by comparing blood serum samples from 50 women with ovarian cancer and 50 women without ovarian cancer. The patterns were then used to classify another 116 samples. Of those, all 50 cases of cancer --including 32 in stage I -- were correctly diagnosed. Dr. Mutch feels this "proteomic test" needs to be researched further in the general population before it can be deemed a standard test.

"While we have made progress with this disease in that median survival is increasing rapidly, we still aren't able to detect it early," says Dr, Mutch. "At this point, what's more important is for women to get yearly examinations from their OB/GYN and they need to be aware of their symptoms."

He says the symptoms of ovarian cancer are very non-specific, for example bloating, abdominal pain or feeling full early after eating. "These symptoms are common when you have the flu or other problems, but the thing to remember is that if these symptoms persist or get worse they need to seek the care of their physician," says Dr. Mutch.

______________________

The source of this news article is http://barnesjewish.org

Early Clinical Signs of Ovarian Cancer

2005-09-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Many women diagnosed with ovarian cancer actually complained of symptoms of the disease at least four months before they were diagnosed, according to a new study to be published in the October 1, 2005 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. Although patient complaints of abdominal pain and swelling are not specific for ovarian cancer, the researchers found that only about one quarter of women with these symptoms underwent pelvic imaging, or other tests to diagnose ovarian cancer, in a timely manner.

Ovarian cancer has been thought of as a silent killer, coming to the attention of physicians only at its late stages when prognosis is poor. Adding to ovarian cancer’s deadly pattern is that it is a fast growing tumor, progressing from early to advanced disease in as little time as a year. There has been increasing evidence for this poorly studied disease to indicate patients may exhibit symptoms many months before advanced disease and diagnosis occurs.

Lloyd H. Smith, M.D., Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and colleagues compared diagnosis codes and claims for diagnostic procedures among 1,985 elderly women with ovarian cancer, 6,024 elderly women with localized breast cancer, and 10,941 age-matched Medicare-enrolled women without cancer.

As early as 12 months before diagnosis, women with ovarian cancer were at least twice as likely to present to a physician with abdominal swelling or pelvic pain. As early as nine months before diagnosis, women with ovarian cancer were also more likely to complain of abdominal pain. Overall, about 40 percent of these women had physician claims indicating one or more visits for abdominal or pelvic symptoms between 36 and 4 months before their ovarian cancer was diagnosed.

Only 25 percent of ovarian cancer patients had diagnostic pelvic imaging or CA125 serum tests during the period from 36 to 4 months before diagnosis. Most received abdominal imaging or diagnostic gastrointestinal studies, which would be less likely to help establish the correct diagnosis. By contrast, 54 percent of ovarian cancer patients received pelvic imaging or CA125 serum testing within 3 months before their ovarian cancer was diagnosed.

"Our findings suggest that ovarian cancer could be diagnosed earlier in some patients whose diagnosis is currently delayed by at least 4 months because physicians order abdominal imaging or perform gastrointestinal procedures before they order a test more likely to diagnose ovarian cancer, such as pelvic imaging and/or CA125," conclude the authors.

"While increasing 'lead time' is the manner in which a successful screening test can find cancer at a more favorable stage, the value of increasing lead time can only be determined if it is associated with a reduced death rate," said Ted Gansler, MD, the American Cancer Society's director of medical content. "In and of itself, demonstrating longer survival is not the outcome of importance for making decisions about screening or diagnostic testing. Unless earlier detection measurably increases survival, reduces mortality, or improves quality of life, its relevance to real medical practice remains uncertain. The dilemma we often face in thinking about early detection is: 'Are you detecting cancers early enough to make a difference in clinical outcomes, or are you just giving someone bad news a few months earlier (hence, the appearance of a longer survival time)?' Of course, it's always important for clinicians to keep ovarian cancer in mind when women mention symptoms, but that situation is far different than offering screening tests to an asymptomatic, average risk woman."

Article: "Ovarian Cancer: Can We Make the Clinical Diagnosis Earlier?" Lloyd H. Smith, Cyllene R. Morris, Shagufta Yasmeen, Arti Parikh-Patel, Rosemary D. Cress, Patrick Romano, CANCER; Published Online: August 22, 2005 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21310); Print Issue Date: October 1, 2005. - ATLANTA 2005/08/22

Physical Activity Associated With Improved Survival For Women With Breast Cancer

2005-09-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

Breast Cacner Treatment and Exercise
Women with breast cancer who engaged in an amount of physical activity equivalent to walking 1 or more hours per week had better survival compared with those who exercised less than that or not at all, according to a study in the May 25 issue of JAMA.

There is reason to believe that physical activity might extend survival in women with breast cancer, according to background information in the article. Physical activity has been linked to lower levels of circulating ovarian hormones, which may explain the relationship between physical activity and breast cancer. Lower estrogen levels among physically active women with breast cancer could potentially improve survival, although few data exist to support this hypothesis.

Michelle D. Holmes, M.D., Dr.P.H., of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues conducted a study to examine whether higher levels of physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis would be associated with longer survival. The study was based on responses from 2,987 female registered nurses in the Nurses' Health Study who were diagnosed with stage I, II, or III breast cancer between 1984 and 1998 and who were followed up until death or June 2002, whichever came first. Physical activity was measured as metabolic equivalent task (MET) hours. Three MET-hours is equivalent to walking at average pace of 2 to 2.9 mph for 1 hour.

The researchers found that compared with women who engaged in less than 3 MET-hours per week of physical activity, the adjusted relative risk of death from breast cancer was 20 percent lower for 3 to 8.9 MET-hours per week; 50 percent lower for 9 to 14.9 MET-hours per week; 44 percent lower for 15 to 23.9 MET-hours per week; and 40 percent lower for 24 or more MET-hours per week. The benefit of physical activity was particularly apparent among women with hormone-responsive tumors. The risk of breast cancer death was 50 percent lower for women with hormone-responsive tumors who engaged in 9 or more MET-hours per week of activity compared with women with hormone-responsive tumors who engaged in less than 9 MET-hours per week. Compared with women who engaged in less than 3 MET-hours per week of activity, the absolute unadjusted risk of death reduction was 6 percent at 10 years for women who engaged in 9 or more MET-hours per week.

"It has been estimated that women decrease their levels of physical activity by 2 hours per week after a breast cancer diagnosis, with greater decreases among obese women, and that less than one third of breast cancer survivors participate in levels of activity recommended by government agencies. Women with breast cancer who follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for all individuals in the United States to exercise at moderate intensity for 30 or more minutes per day for 5 or more days per week may survive longer," the authors conclude.

(JAMA. 2005;293:2479-2486) - Chicago

Understanding Breast Cancer

2005-09-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

Breast Cancer

In the US, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Rarely diagnosed before a woman reaches 25, the number of incidents rises with age, peaking at menopause and decreasing once menopause had passed. About 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and about 40% of those diagnosed die within 10 years. Scientists believe these numbers are increasing.

Overwhelming evidence into the cause of breast cancer suggests the female hormone estrogen plays a central role in this disease. Studies indicate that estrogen stimulates the cells of the breast to form cancerous cells. Thus a prolonged uninterrupted presence of high estrogen levels in the body may predispose a woman to breast cancer.

These studies also indicate the less time a woman is exposed to her own reproductive hormones, the lower her risk of developing breast cancer is. This includes women who enter menses at a later age as well as women who enter menopause, both naturally and artificially, before the age of 45. Pregnancy, breast feeding, physical activity, a low fat, high fiber diet also helps to reduce the amount of estrogen flowing through the body.

Additional risk factors for developing breast cancer include a family history of breast cancer. If your mother, sister or aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, it may indicate a genetic predisposition to this disease. Women who have not had children or women who did not have their first child until after the age of 30 have been identified as having a two to five times greater risk. Women who take birth control pill or utilize estrogen replacement therapy after menopause are also at a greater risk. Other factors that can increase your chances of getting breast cancer include: weight, dietary fat intake, alcohol consumption, dietary deficiencies and certain types of fibrocystic breast disease.

Recommendations For Wellness For Breast Cancer
Do monthly breast self-examination. If you don't know how, ask your gynecologist. I am sure he or she will be happy to show you how. If you are over 40, it is recommended that you get a mammogram and begin a regular screening program.

Get rid of your under wire bras. Under wire bras don't cause breast cancer, however, they do restrict the flow of lymph in the breast tissue thus allowing toxins and waste products to build up.

If it is possible, have your babies earlier than later. Having your first child before the age of 30 will help reduce your risk. Breast feeding your child for 6-8 months will reduce your risk even further.

Think twice before taking birth control pills as a form of contraception or for menstrual irregularities.

Reduce your fat intake. Studies have shown that women who eat a low-fat, high fiber diet have lower estrogen levels than women that don't.

Eat soy. Soy has been shown to block the type of estrogen involved in the formation of breast cancer. Note: If you suffer from hypothyroidism, soy may reduce thyroid hormone levels.

Nutritional deficiencies weaken the bodies systems. Begin a diet filled with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, make sure you take a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure your body is getting all of the nutrition it needs.

Barley Greens and Nature's Sunshine's Immune Stimulator can be used to strengthen the body and support the immune system.

Do a liver cleanse! The liver is responsible for breaking down hormones that have served their function and eliminate them from the body. Use herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion root, burdock to keep your liver healthy.

Indole-3 carbinol is found in cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts). It has been shown to reduce the amount of the carcinogenetic forms of estrogen and increase the good kinds of estrogen in the body.

Essiac Tea is popularly used as an additional supplement to support the immune system of individuals suffering from cancer.

In preliminary studies paw paw twig extracts have be used to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In one study, some breast cancer patients experienced partial or complete tumor reduction. Talk to your health care provider before taking this supplement. It should not be taken with a number of other supplements such as antioxidant products and Co-Q10. If you have Parkinson's Disease you should not take this substance.

© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2005. All rights reserved.
Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author of the books "Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4" and "The Power Within." It is it is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant that illuminates and enlivens her work. Let Dr. Louise help you bring health healing and wholeness back into your life. Medical Intuition & Energy Medicine Certification training classes are now forming. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or call (972) 475-3393 for more information.

Menopause and Hair Loss

2005-09-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

The onset of menopause can often lead to hair loss and has long been a part of aging that many women fear the most. These days many more women are also experiencing thinning and bald spots as they mature, and both men and women are reaching out for new solutions. Even though there is no real ‘cure', there are many things that can be done to help.

Both hormones and genes are to blame for menopause causing acute hair loss, as is the aging process. Confirming the causes of your loss with a competent and experienced dermatologist is the first step in determining your best treatment options.
It’s possible to have temporary loss of hair caused by physical stress, emotional stress, thyroid abnormalities, medications and hormonal changes (such as androgens and estrogens during menopause) normally associated with females. Tension on the hair by prolonged use of hair weaving or corn rows can also cause permanent loss.
There are autoimmune disorders such as Alopecia Areata that cause patchy loss of hair often in small circular areas in different areas of the scalp. Alopecia Totalis is a total loss of hair on the scalp and is considered an advanced form of Areata. Alopecia Universalis is total hair loss of the entire body. People with diseases such as diabetes and lupus have also reported losing hair as a result.

It’s normal to shed some hair each day as about 90 percent of the hair on your scalp is growing at any one time during a normal phase that lasts for 2 to 6 years at one time. Some women notice they are losing hair about 3 months after delivering a child. This is related to a hormone loss and is usually temporary.

Several medicines have been known to cause hair loss such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines used for gout and in chemotherapy to treat cancer. Also, the use of vitamin A, birth control pills and antidepressants has been known to cause hair loss.

Male pattern baldness is usually inherited from your genes. An over abundance of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is an active form of testosterone, within the hair follicle can create this type of hair loss. Current medications are aimed at slowing this common type of baldness including Minoxidil which is commonly called Rogaine and is available without a prescription. Both men and women can apply this product to the scalp. Another medicine, Finasteride, and called Propecia is available in pill form without prescription but is meant only for men. It can take up to 6 months in order to tell if these medications are helping.

Remember, the onset of menopause can often lead to hair loss and has long been a part of aging that many women and men fear the most. Even though there is no real cute, there are many things that can be done to help. Select the Hair Loss Doc Shop to locate a doctor near you.

Cathy Taylor
E-mail:creative-com(at)cox.net
For more articles on this topic and others visit http://www.article-directory.net

Menopause and Osteoporosis

2005-09-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

We know that our bodies require calcium and vitamin D in order to build and maintain powerful bones. According to his recent book entitled, “Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis,” by Dr. Alan Gaby, it takes more vitamins than we think to prevent brittle bones including Vitamins K and B; as well as minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, fluorine, silica and boron.

The idea is to provide enough combined supplementation for our bodies to make an abundance of healthy collagen which is the connective tissue used to create cartilage and bones. Collagen also ‘binds’ our cells together and as a result, someone with good collagen has healthy looking skin whereas another will have thin and wrinkled skin.

A healthy bone cut in half looks similar to a sponge. The body deposits calcium, phosphorus and other minerals onto all of those connective fibers and you get healthy bones! The holes give the bone its flexibility, and you won’t have healthy bones if you don’t have plenty of collagen on which to deposit the minerals.

Collagen is primarily a protein which is made from amino acids. Our bodies can create some of our requirements but we also need additional amounts from our foods and supplements including lysine and praline. Vitamin C is also required to create collagen.

Now we know how bones can be made stronger, but how is this process affected by menopause? The loss of estrogen due to menopause or possibly surgical removal of the ovaries can accelerate bone loss for a period of up to 8 years. It is well established that replacing that estrogen helps protect against the risk of osteoporosis.

More often, women’s bones become fragile as we age and it’s not uncommon to break bones in the wrist, spine and hip due to osteoporosis. Unfortunately, a fracture such as in the hip, can even shorten our life span so it is important to pay attention to our bone health.

What should be done to prevent osteoporosis from happening after menopause?

First of all, eat the foods that are calcium-rich (about 1,000 mg per day) and can enhance bone growth including: sardines, salmon, seafood, and green leafy vegetables such as swiss chard, beet tops, kale, mustard greens, collards, spinach, dandelion greens, watercress, parsley, chicory, turnip greens, broccoli leaves, almonds, asparagus, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, cabbage, carob, figs, filberts, oats, prunes, sesame seeds, tofu and other soy products.

Vitamin D-rich foods include fish oils such as found in salmon, mackerel, sardines), eggs (including the yolks), sweet potatoes, tuna, vegetable oils and cod liver oil. Getting 15-20 minutes of sunlight exposure daily can also boost production of vitamin D.

Exercise is crucial; in particular, you need weight-bearing exercise such as walking, Tai chi, dancing and weight training to reduce the chances of brittle bones at least two times a week. Include 15 to 60 minutes of aerobic activity two to three times a week. Avoid high-impact activities and include stretching exercises.

Finally, use high-quality supplements prescribed by your doctor or health-care provider, and oh yeah, don’t forget to have fun.

Cathy Taylor
E-mail:creative-com(at)cox.net
For more articles on this topic and others visit http://www.article-directory.net

4 Ways to Prevent the Number One Women's Health Problem

2005-09-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

1. Get your cholesterol tested every year. Many women don't know they have high cholesterol. They assume that heart disease is a man's problem. Even many doctors don't realize the risk that women have of heart disease so they fail to suggest testing.

2. Increase your weekly exercise. We now know that as little as 10 minutes of exercise three times a week can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk the dog a little bit longer each day. Get your heart pumping by dancing to your favorite music while you clean the house. Walk during your lunch hour instead of eating at your desk.

3. Eat more fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables are low in fat and high in fiber. They contain heart healthy nutrients. Leafy greens are particularly healthy. Orange juice is high in folic acid, a nutrient known to protect the heart and prevent birth defects. Add one vegetable or fruit to every meal and you will likely double your current intake. You can make it easier by keeping prepared vegetables in the refrigerator to throw into a salad or munch on for snacks.

4. Learn about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS affects as many as 5-10% of all women. It is one of the most common endocrine disorders and is one of the most common causes of infertility. PCOS is a cluster of symptoms that can include: unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, depression or mood swings, painful or irregular periods, absent periods, acne, hair loss, unexpected hair growth (face, arms, stomach, etc.), infertility, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and more. Untreated PCOS can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and endometrial cancer. Protecting your heart is easier than you might think and it will reward you every moment of every day. Take care of yourself. You are worth it!

***
Julie Lenz is a life coach who helps professional women cope with the effects of chronic illness. She writes the weekly e-newsletter "PCOS Success!" She is also the author of "A PCOS Daybook: Daily Meditations for Coping With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" to be
released May 2004. You can learn more at: www.pcoscoach.com

Hormone Replacement Therapy And Breast Cancer

2005-09-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

Janet M., a fifties-something woman, entered my office and said as she sat down, "I have read that if I take hormones I will increase my breast cancer risk. I am going crazy without sleep and with these mood swings, but I don't want to increase my breast cancer risk by taking hormones."

Like many women, Janet had heard that a recent study, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), definitively showed that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases breast cancer risk. Janet, like most people, didn't realize that this study found no statistically significant increase in breast cancer risk to women who took HRT.

When differences are not significant, an increase in risk may well be due to other factors, not the one being studied, such as HRT use. As often happens when a medical story is reported, the emphasis was on the increase in risk, not whether the increase was likely to be due to the agent being studied or to the size of the risk.

The actual size of a risk is important in any woman's decision making process. In this case the risk was exceedingly small -- only 8 in 10,000 women a year -- which is 0.08% or eight hundredths of one percent! Janet was amazed to learn the actualsize of the increase, and said, "You mean I was getting allconcerned for a risk that small."

"And," I pointed out, "even this very small difference in risk may not be due to hormone use." I explained that breast cancers take an average of eight years to reach about half an inch in size. This means that breast cancers started in the first year of the study would not be detected for eight or more years. The study followed women for only about five years, so all or most of the breast cancers found were probably present in an undetected state before the study began.

Janet asked if HRT use might have caused some breast cancers to grow more rapidly and therefore be detected sooner than eight years. This is unlikely. A number of studies find that breast cancers in women who were using HRT were not larger and were not dividing more rapidly than breast cancers in non hormone users. Since breast cancers grow more slowly in older women and the average age in this study was 63, breast cancers in this group would tend to grow more slowly and so take even longer than the eight year average to be detected.

Women in the WHI study used a particular type of hormone Prempro. The results of this study therefore do not apply to other, newer approaches in which more natural hormones are used and a woman's menstrual cycle is more closely approximated.

Janet was surprised to learn that many studies find that women who use HRT do not have an increase in breast cancer risk compared to women who don't use hormones, even when hormones are used for twenty years. Also, in another large study in which some women were assigned to take Prempro and others not, women who used Prempro had no significant increase in breast cancer risk.

As Janet left, she said, "I can see now that when I hear about a study I need to know how big a risk is and not just that it is increased. I'll also ask how long a study it was. This discussion has given me a whole different perspective."

___________________________

Patricia T. Kelly, Ph.D. is a medical geneticist who specializes in providing information about cancer risk to individuals and health professionals. She is affiliated with Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. Information about her book, Assess Your True Risk of Breast Cancer, can be found on her web site: www.ptkelly.com

Ten Things Women Can Do To Have a Happier and Healthier Life Right Now!

2005-09-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

If you are a woman and looking for some simple and unique ways to increase your health and happiness, try adding a few of these ingredients.

1. Drink Tea - Get brewing! Research has shown that drinking green, and black tea offers extraordinary health benefits. It can help reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and protect the skin. Drinking tea is also an easy ritual that helps busy women slow down and savor each moment.

2. Live Whole-heartedly - Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for women. Eliminate the number of "heart bypasses" this year by living whole-heartedly. Decide what you want to put your whole heart into. Make a commitment from your heart rather than what you think you should do to please others.

3. Catch the Joy Virus - Observe others for signs of the Joy virus. Symptoms may include an inability to contain spontaneous outbursts of laughter, playfulness and smiling for no apparent reason. If you catch the Joy virus remember to pass it on.

4. Just Smile - Not only is a smile a great workout for the 16 muscles in your face, it actually increases the production of serotonin; the happy juice in your brain. Try smiling and notice how a gray mood can be instantly lifted with the upturn of the lips. Smiling connects you to a better mood which also helps to connect you with those around you.

5. Eat Chocolate - Yes, it has finally been proven that chocolate is actually good for the heart. You must limit yourself to dark chocolate and only eat an ounce a day. By controlling the amount you eat youll get the heart benefit without the guilt of those extra calories.

6. Lighten Up - Dont take yourself too seriously. Most of the time we take things too personally. Often, it really isnt about us at all. Find ways to bring humor and Joy into every day.

7. Keep a Journal - Journaling is not only good for the soul but there is plenty of research that proves that people who journal also have stronger immune systems. So grab a pen or pencil and start writing.

8. Forgive Yourself - Holding on to old wounds or grudges only drains the energy for living today. What do you need to do to forgive yourself or someone else? Pick up the phone and call someone, write that letter. By forgiving yourself and others, you free up emotional energy you can use right now to create a happier future.

9. Live This Day As If It Were Your Last - Begin to view the rest of your time on earth as sacred time. The next opportunity you have to choose how you will spend your time, ask yourself these three questions: Is this a priority in my life right now? Will this enhance my life or spiritual growth? Am I spending my time freely without resentment and regret?

10. Take Life Sip By Sip - By simplifying your personal and professional life, identifying your values and prioritizing your time, you will discover your own unique recipe for success. In the process you will find more time, energy and abundance for the things that really matter to you.

About The Author
Nancy Bishop is a Life Coach, Writer and Speaker. She blends her passion for tea with life coaching to help busy women catch their breath and connect with their heart to restore balance naturally. For more information, or, to subscribe to her free monthly newsletter, visit her website at www.yourlifeyourway.com

A Woman's Guide To Health

2005-09-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

Hysterectomies
Women are having unnecessary hysterectomies. Sixty thousand hysterectomies a year are performed in Canada, resulting in 60 deaths every year. Half to a third of all hysterectomies are unnecessary. The majority of hysterectomies are performed on women between 35 and 44, and a whole new generation of women are going into premature surgical menopause because many of them are talked into having their ovaries out as well. When women have hysterectomies, their ovaries will fail earlier, their sex lives will be affected, and some women will have their sex lives permanently damaged. In general, they will have a long recovery period, unless they have this new operation through laparoscopy, and there are side effects in the bowel and bladder as well. We do have natural treatments for a lot of the problems that necessitate hysterectomies such as one of the most common causes of hysterectomies, fibroids.

Caesarian Sections
We have thousands of repeat Caesarians every year. Most of them are not only medically unnecessary, but they are more dangerous than vaginal birth. All the medical colleges have verified this, but doctors don't necessarily practice according to science.

Episiotomies
Women are cut and mutilated for no medical reason during episiotomies. No scientific studies have ever found that episiotomies are necessary. They don't prevent prolapse; they don't prevent urinary problems; they don't prevent anything. They are basically more convenient for the doctor, especially the doctor who believes that women's bodies were not designed to give birth, and a lot of doctors believe that. Doctors actually believe that it is necessary for them to be there. They have to be there with their scissors, cutting through three layers of tissue and causing great disability for most women after childbirth. In Britain, they have found that in most first births, episiotomies can be prevented, because in Britain, mid-wives are used.

Antibiotics, Steroids and Hormone Treatment
In my practice, I see that women are getting sicker, and part of it is caused by doctors' overuse of antibiotics, birth control pills, hormones and steroids. Even steroid skin creams are over used and can affect the immune system. Germaine Greer pointed out that estrogen has a sedative effect on women, and that taking hormones has unknown effects upon the body's own hormonal system. We have no idea what the long term use of birth control pills and hormones are doing to women's bodies. Birth control pills are related to increased gall bladder disease and could be related to breast cancer and cervical cancer. There are much safer methods of birth control such as the barrier methods, the diaphragm, the cervical cap and the condom, and all have the advantage of protecting you from sexually transmitted diseases as well.

Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue is a number one complaint among women today. At least 25 to 35% of chronic fatigue has real physical causes such as anaemia, low thyroid, allergies, yeast and a number of physical problems which are usually being missed by doctors. Most women with chronic fatigue do not have chronic fatigue syndrome. I believe that one of the main causes for chronic fatigue in women is overwork. Women are now working harder than ever at home or at two jobs and they are working in less than favourable working conditions. I still see so many women suffering because they are doing most of the work in the household. This calls for a fundamental change in the way women are looking at the situation. They are setting a very bad example for their whole family if they allow themselves to do most of the work in the household. Many doctors and naturopaths don't recognize the kind of stress this kind of unequal division of labour creates. Then you add environmental stresses to this kind of overwork, polluted food, air and water, drug overuse, antibiotics, and all the other things we have mentioned. Dietary changes and supplements such as B6, mega B vitamins, vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil, calcium, magnesium and zinc are helpful in overcoming stress and fatigue.

Yeast Infection
The yeast syndrome is another thing which has been pretty much ignored by the medical profession, and it has been partially created by the medical profession through their use of antibiotics and birth control pills. It seems to be a vague syndrome because of the quite general symptoms like chronic fatigue, chronic digestive problems, brain fog, lack of concentration and depression. Children can get yeast infections too. For example, when a child's school performance suddenly drops, it could be due to a yeast infection triggered by tetracycline which was given for acne. A lot of scientific research has been conducted, and there are many treatments available, yet they have not been implemented in the medical field. Yeast infections are basically treated through diet, a diet that eliminates sugar, excess fruit, yeast and bread. You must take supplementary bacteria, acidophilus, and an anti-yeast medication or a natural form of an anti-yeast preparation, which is what I prefer. It can be garlic capsules or Nutribiotic, a grapefruit seed extract which is very good. It is both anti-yeast and anti-parasitic. You can also take things like caprylic acid a natural product that you can get in a health food store. Women on the birth control pill or hormones tend to have a lot more yeast infections.

Cystic Breast Disease
A researcher in Kingston, Ontario, Dr. William Ghent, discovered that a simple form of iodine, a non-toxic substance, can completely reverse cystic breast disease about 90% of the time. There are no side effects, and it also seems to lower the rate of breast cancer. We know that a low fat diet will also lower the rate of breast cancer. The iodine therapy is still being held up by the government, probably because it is a very inexpensive solution, and of course, it is also very safe.

Breast Cancer
We don't know how much of the current epidemic of breast cancer is caused by doctors and the whole pollution of the atmosphere. There are some very well designed studies which have linked the birth control pill with breast cancer and even more convincing evidence linking hormone replacement therapy with breast cancer. The best designed studies have shown a doubling of breast cancer rates for women on hormone replacement for long periods of time, from 10 to 25 years. Unfortunately, the medical profession is controlled by the drug industry, and the drug industry controls the medical journals and medical education.

Heart Disease and Osteoporosis
There are better ways to prevent heart disease and bone loss than taking hormones. There is a wonderful creme made from wild yams called progesterone creme which you apply to the skin. It can prevent and reverse osteoporosis and it is a wonderful alternative to hormone treatment. It is available at Supplements Plus.

Endometriosis
Endometriosis is diagnosed when tissue which normally lines the uterus is found in other parts of the abdomen and pelvis. It can be in the bowel or the bladder and all kinds of areas. It usually causes severe pelvic pain. We have an Endometriosis Association in the U.S., with a branch here in Toronto, which has accumulated a great deal of information about endometriosis. Recent research sponsored by the Endometriosis Association has shown a link between dioxin and the development of endometriosis. Women are exposed to a lot of dioxin in sanitary napkins and tampons and all women should switch to unbleached sanitary products. They should also phone up the manufacturer and tell them why they are making the choice to change brands. Women are the main consumers of health care and they can initiate change in both product manufacturers and the medical profession.

Electromagnetic Pollution
There are enormous risks in this electromagnetic age, such as health hazards connected with using computers, and a lot of these computer risks are being completely dismissed. I was just in the new CBC building here in Toronto and I was shocked. The computer work stations are situated completely incorrectly. They have people sitting directly behind the computer in front of them. That is the place of maximum exposure for electromagnetic radiation, higher even than directly in front of the screen, and it has enormous side effects on women's health. You should be at least four feet from the back of another person's computer and three feet from your own computer screen. In addition, that whole building is full of formaldehyde, gassing off from the new rugs, causing headaches and illness.

Diet
It is mainly women who buy all this unhealthy food. We should be aiming at a diet with no sugar, or very little sugar, just as a treat, and no sugar substitutes, which are very harmful and cause a lot of symptoms like headache and insomnia and allergic reactions. Diet Coke, caffeine and alcohol should be eliminated as much as possible. Alcohol has a very detrimental effect on women's health. Women's bodies were not designed to handle alcohol; it is not metabolized well, and it has a detrimental effect on the whole hormonal system. Fresh fruits and vegetables are good things to eat, preferably organic. Through eating organic products, you can reduce your environmental pollution. Whole grains and beans, supplemented with chicken and fish are good. This is a current diet recommended for the prevention of cancer and heart disease. A lot of women are still allowing their families to eat a less than healthy diet and wondering why they are tired all the time.

Guidelines For Beginning Natural Therapy
People are often afraid to start a natural therapy. The first guideline is that if it works for you and has no side effects, then use it. To find an alternative practitioner, ask around, ask your friends, ask at health centers and health magazines. Choose your practitioner as you would any other service, according to his quality, experience, reputation, and lack of sexism. Herbs, vitamins and homeopathic remedies very rarely have side effects. It is very difficult to overdose on vitamins or herbs. They can't even compare with the list of side effects for any drug that you will find in every doctor's reference manual. In natural medicine, we believe that if you take drugs, they can suppress the body's own natural healing system and drive the illness further down into the tissues, only to resurface later as allergies or asthma.

Chronic Bladder Irritation
There are two types of bladder irritation. One is an infection and the other is an inflammation. Dr. Andrew Bruce, the head of Urology at Toronto General Hospital conducted a study and found that he could prevent recurrent urinary infections through using acidophilus capsules which are applied in the vagina. The inflammatory bladder irritation is harder to treat. It is usually related to chronic yeast infections, but it can be treated with natural and dietary treatment as well.

Conclusion
When you have a chronic illness, your immune system is shot and you have to go back to basics of diet, simplifying your diet, going on a cleansing diet, like brown rice and vegetables for a short time. You are going to do a lot of cleansing. Build up your immune system through vitamins and herbs. Look at all the emotional co-factors in your life and address them. Natural healing is a positive journey because you learn a lot about yourself. Women also have to educate their doctors as well as choosing their own alternatives. You can bring in scientific articles to your doctors which you can obtain through various self-help organizations.

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Dr. De Marco practices as a consultant in holistic medicine in Toronto and British Columbia, specializing in women's health issues. She has been a pioneer in promoting natural childbirth and training midwives. She is a writer and medical advisor for Health Naturally magazine and has written a wonderful book called Take Charge of Your Body: Women's Health Advisor, which tells you all you need to know about avoiding unnecessary drugs and surgery, and making the best health choices for yourself.

Women must take charge of their own health, educate themselves, and not depend primarily on their doctors for their health care. Women have fallen in love with technology, and easy solutions, unfortunately. It is women who are the main victims of the overuse of drugs and surgery in the medical world. It is women who accept medical treatments without asking any questions, who have lousy diets and buy lousy food for their children.

This article is published by permission from http://www.consumerhealth.org

Women's Lifestyles Increase Cancer Risk

2005-09-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

One in five women are doing no exercise at all, according to new statistics from Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, supported by Tesco.

Race for Life and Tesco surveyed the state of female health in the UK to launch the women-only fundraising events for 2005. The worrying results illustrate how women's lifestyle choices are increasing their cancer risk.

This year, Cancer Research UK's Race for Life 5km walks or runs will give 425,000 women the opportunity to start or maintain a healthy lifestyle and step up their levels of activity: a key factor in reducing the risk of cancer.

The research shows that less than a third of women are doing the recommended levels of exercise, despite the fact that almost half of women know that taking regular exercise can reduce their risk of some cancers*. Of those surveyed by Race for Life, almost half perceive themselves to be overweight or obese. Excess body weight can substantially increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with the disease.

In terms of diet, which is linked to around a third of all cancers, only one in three women are eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables every day. And, despite intense publicity about the dangers, almost a third of women surveyed smoke.

Louise Holland, National Events Director, says, 'Race for Life gives women a fun and simple way to reduce their own risk of cancer while also raising money for Cancer Research UK's life-saving work. In the last 12 years the events have encouraged almost one and a half million women across the UK to get moving, which is testament to the fantastic experience Race for Life offers everyone who takes part.

'While initially the events help women to increase their exercise levels, we hope that feeling the positive effects of a healthier life will encourage them to think about other changes they can make, for example improving their diet or giving up smoking.'

Dr Lesley Walker, Director of Cancer Information at Cancer Research UK, says, 'We are very concerned by the results of this survey which show that, in many areas, women are making lifestyle choices that are likely to increase their risk of cancer.

'Many people think that cancer is purely a matter of chance but in reality at least half of all cancers are preventable. We can reduce our own risk of cancer and we can do this throughout our lives.'

Catherine Stewart, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Tesco, says, 'At Tesco we really appreciate the importance of a healthy lifestyle and try to encourage staff and customers alike to take steps towards achieving this. Race for Life is an event that we are very pleased to support and one that our staff thoroughly enjoy, with almost 50,000 of them having taken part over the past three years.'

Race for Life is supporting Cancer Research UK's landmark campaign, Reduce The Risk, which aims to help people learn how lifestyle changes can drastically alter their odds of being diagnosed with cancer. To encourage Race for Life women to reduce their risk, information on the campaign will be included in the goody bags given to each woman taking part.

Singer Shaznay Lewis, who is supporting Race for Life in 2005, says, 'I'm really excited to be getting together with friends to take part in my first Race for Life in 2005. Everyone I've met who has been involved before has talked about the amazing atmosphere on race day and I'm looking forward to experiencing that for myself.

'Race for Life gives women of all ages, however fit they are, the chance to raise money for the great work that Cancer Research UK does.'

This year, Race for Life is expected to raise £23 million to help cure cancer faster with 162 events taking place across the UK from 4 May to the end of July. Race for Life began in 1994 and since then has raised over £70 million for Cancer Research UK.

For more information or to enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life log on to www.raceforlife.org or call the hotline on 08705 134 314.

For the fourth consecutive year, Tesco is the national sponsor of Race for Life. Other sponsors include Buxton, Nivea, Reebok, getfitstayfit.co.uk and Masterfoods.

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* The data is strongest for colon cancer with research showing that regular exercise can cut the risk of the cancer by up to 50 per cent. There is also evidence that regular physical activity may help prevent breast, lung and endometrial cancer. The most effective way of maintaining a healthy body weight is by combining a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables and low in foods that are high in fat and sugar with regular physical activity.

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading independent charity dedicated to research on the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer. Website: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org

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2005-09-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

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