Women Health Care News Articles

Parental Depression Affects Kids

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Parental depression can take a serious toll on children, and the whole family should be involved in depression care, according to a new report.

That report, issued today by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine, estimates that in any given year, 7.5 million U.S. parents are depressed and at least 15 million U.S. children live with a parent who has major or severe depression.

Those are conservative estimates, notes Mary Jane England, MD, who chaired the committee that wrote the report. England is president of Regis College in Weston, Mass., and a past president of the American Psychiatric Association.

Vulvodynia Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Women with vulvodynia have chronic vulvar pain with no known cause. Until recently, doctors didn’t recognize this as a real pain syndrome. Even today, many women do not receive a diagnosis. They may also remain isolated by a condition that is not easy to discuss. Researchers are working hard to uncover the causes of vulvodynia and to find better ways to treat it

Celiac Disease Cases Are on the Rise

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

The digestive disorder treated by banning wheat and other grains containing gluten from the diet -- is four times more common in the U.S. today than it was 50 years ago, a study shows.

The study by Mayo Clinic researchers also linked undiagnosed and untreated celiac disease with an increased risk for earlier death.

Even with increased awareness about gluten-free diets and celiac, the disease remains underdiagnosed, experts say.

"We believe that only about 5% of people with celiac disease know they have it," University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center Director Stefano Guandalini, MD, tells WebMD. "Many of these people have no symptoms, but many do have symptoms that are not recognized for what they are."

Daily Sex May Help Men Fertility

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Men with a history of fertility problems may curb DNA-damaged sperm by ejaculating for seven days in a row, a new study shows.

"It seems safe to conclude that couples with relatively normal semen parameters should have sex daily for up to a week before the ovulation date," David Greening, MD, of Sydney IVF in Wollongong, Australia, writes in his report, titled "Keep the River Flowing."

Experimental Vaginal Gel Doesnt Ward Off HIV

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

A microbicidal vaginal gel called Carraguard doesn’t protect women from HIV infection.

That’s the conclusion of a study that included more than 6,200 sexually-active, HIV-negative women at three sites in South Africa.

The women were given either Carraguard or a placebo gel and told to use one applicator of gel and a condom each time they had vaginal sex. The women, who were followed for up to two years, visited a clinic every three months to have tests for HIV infection and pregnancy, pelvic examinations, risk reduction counseling, and treatment for curable sexually transmitted diseases and vaginal infections.

What is Menstruation

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

For about 40 years of her life, a woman experiences a phenomenon called the menstrual cycle. Menstruation occurs every 26 to 35 days (more or less monthly) in every normal non-pregnant woman prior to menopause. Each month can be divided up into a follicular phase (an egg develops), ovulation (egg release) at mid-month, and a luteal phase (during which the uterine lining ready to receive a fertilized egg). If the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining is shed, and a woman has her menstrual period. Then, the entire sequence of events starts over again.

Parent Smoking During Pregnancy Raises Kids Heart Risks

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Damage to the arteries of children of smokers can be detected in the early decades of their lives, a new Dutch study finds.

"Smoking in families is harmful for children, including their cardiovascular system, as was found in many other studies," said research leader Dr. Cuno S.P.M. Uiterwaal, an associate professor of clinical epidemiology at the University Medical Center in Utrecht. "This study adds that tobacco smoke exposure may have such effects already in very early life."

Uiterwaal and his colleagues reported the finding in the December issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology that they used ultrasound to measure the thickness of the walls of carotid arteries, the major blood vessels to the brain, in 732 young adults, average age 28. Records showed that 29% of the mothers and more than 60% of the fathers smoked during the pregnancies.

How to Build a Better Body Image

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

If you’re like most women, looking in the mirror -- particularly a full-length mirror -- is rarely the experience you want it to be. Unlike most men, experts say, women are rarely satisfied with their appearance - and are always seeking a better body image.

"Research suggests that in general, women have slightly lower self-esteem overall when compared to men. But when it comes to body image, there is an enormous gender gap, with women reporting an overwhelmingly greater body dissatisfaction when compared to men," says Denise Martz, PhD, a clinical health psychologist, and professor at Appalachian State University in North Carolina.

Martz, who recently designed and supervised a 2,000-woman body image survey for Slim-Fast, says women of all shapes and sizes are affected. ...

Emotional Eating

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Practice of consuming large quantities of food -- usually comfort or junk foods -- in response to feelings instead of hunger. Experts estimate that 75% of overeating is caused by emotions.

Many of us learn that food can bring comfort, at least in the short-term. As a result, we often turn to food to heal emotional problems. Eating becomes a habit preventing us from learning skills that can effectively resolve our emotional distress.

Depression, boredom, loneliness, chronic anger, anxiety, frustration, stress, problems with interpersonal relationships and poor self-esteem can result in overeating and unwanted weight gain. ...

Vaginal Bleeding Menstruation

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Periodic blood that flows as a discharge from the woman’s uterus. Normal vaginal bleeding is also called menorrhea. The process by which menorrhea occurs is called menstruation.

Occurs as a result of cyclic hormonal changes. The ovaries are the main source of female hormones, which control the development of female body characteristics such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. The hormones also regulate the menstrual cycle.

Dengue Fever

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquitos. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with headache, fever, prostration, severe joint and muscle pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy) and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue.

Dengue (pronounced DENG-gay) strikes people with low levels of immunity. An attack of dengue produces immunity for a year or more. Once this outbreak ebbs, more people will be resistant to the viral disease and the cycle will begin again.

Dengue goes by other names including breakbone or dandy fever. Victims of dengue often have contortions due to the intense joint and muscle pain. Hence, the name "breakbone fever." Slaves in the West Indies who contracted dengue were said to have "dandy fever" because of their postures and gait.

Alcohol as Nutrition Diet

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Alcohol is a part of everything, from family dinners to parties, to sporting events and nightcaps. The problems associated with alcoholism are well known, but what about the impact of social drinking or a moderate intake of alcohol? Does alcohol belong in our diet, or does the risk that it presents outweigh any benefits that may be derived from consuming it?

Good nutrition can help to improve your health and prevent diseases. The nutrients that your body needs are carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Some people feel that alcohol is another necessity in their diet, while others feel that any amount is toxic and needs to be avoided. ...

How To Recognize and Prevent Dehydration

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

It can be defined as the excessive loss of water from the body. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to dehydration in various ways. Often, dehydration becomes the major problem in an otherwise self-limited illness. Fluid loss may even be severe enough to become life-threatening.

The following information is designed to provide some understanding and guidance in order to avoid the effects of dehydration. Treatment, however, should be individualized, and your physician should be contacted before using any of the measures outlined here. ...

Degenerative Disc Disease Sciatica

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

The vertebrae are the bony building blocks of the spine. Between each of the largest part of the vertebrae are the discs. Ligaments are situated around the spine and discs. The spine has seven vertebrae in the neck (cervical vertebrae), twelve vertebrae in the mid-back (thoracic vertebrae), and five vertebrae in the low back (lumbar vertebrae). ...

Exercise Benefits

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

This article includes information about Exercise Benefits and statistic information. What if someone told you that a thinner, healthier, and longer life was within your grasp? Sound too good to be true? According to a wealth of research, exercise is the silver bullet for a better quality of life.

Not only does regular exercise aid in weight loss, it reduces your risk for several chronic diseases and conditions. Finding activities that you enjoy and that become part of your daily routine is the key to a long and healthy life.

The list of Exercise Benefits for the health is impressive, and the requirements are relatively simple -- just do it. ...

Senior Exercise

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Related to al people aged 60 or more to help them start doing sports.

George Burns (who lived to be 100) used to say, "If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!" It’s true that some individuals are blessed with good genes, and no matter how many unhealthy lifestyle habits they have, they’re going to live into old age. But for the rest of us who might be concerned with quality of life as we age, exercise is one of the keys. Is it ever too late to start? Research proves it’s not. In this article, I’ll discuss the benefits of exercising into old age and then give you some tips on how to get started no matter how old you are. ...

Anabolic Steroid Abuse in young People

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Anabolic steroids is the familiar name for synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones (e.g., testosterone). They promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects) in both males and females. The term anabolic steroids will be used throughout this report because of its familiarity, although the proper term for these compounds is anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Anabolic steroids were developed in the late 1930s primarily to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes do not produce sufficient testosterone for normal growth, development, and sexual functioning. The primary medical uses of these compounds are to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by HIV infection or other diseases. ...

Reducing Dietary Fat Weight Loss

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

High fat intake contributes to excess body weight, since a gram of fat has about twice as many calories per gram as carbohydrates and proteins.

Whether you are trying to lose weight, lower blood cholesterol levels or simply eat healthier, you’ll want to limit total fat intake.

Why Do Most Diets Focus on Reducing Fat?
Fat gets a lot of the attention for many good reasons. Fat can raise cholesterol levels in the blood, increasing a person’s risk for heart disease.

In addition, some fatty foods (such as bacon, sausage, and potato chips) often have fewer vitamins and minerals than low-fat foods. ...

Aerobic Exercise

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:12:54 +0000

Imagine that you’re exercising. You’re working up a sweat, you’re breathing hard, your heart is thumping, blood is coursing through your vessels to deliver oxygen to the muscles to keep you moving, and you sustain the activity for more than just a few minutes. That’s aerobic exercise; any activity that you can sustain for more than just a few minutes while your heart, lungs, and muscles work overtime. In this article, I’ll discuss the mechanisms of aerobic exercise; oxygen transport and consumption, the role of the heart and the muscles, the proven benefits of aerobic exercise, how much you need to do to reap the benefits, and more. ...