Tag Archives: womens health

What Are The Latest Advances In Migraine Treatment?

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Are you one of the 18% of women who deal with the life-stopping pain of migraines? Wouldn’t it be nice to find a new breakthrough treatment?

You, in fact, may.

Lifescript.com discusses some of the newest developments in migraine treatment:

  • Botox injections. It’s true. In October 2010, injections of onabotulinumtoxin A (otherwise known as Botox) were approved for more than reducing wrinkles; they were approved by the ADA as a treatment to prevent chronic migraines. A study proved that Botox injections help to reduce migraines by an average 2.3 attacks per month, compared with those who took a placebo.
  • Mixing meds and therapy. A 16-month study funded by the National Institutes of Health showed that those who took medication to relax blood vessels (preventive beta-blocker medication) along with behavioral migraine management showed the greatest improvement. Behavioral management simply helps ease any lifestyle-related issues that trigger migraines, such as work or relationship stress.
  • Light, blind people and migraines. If you find that your migraines are made worse by daylight or bright light, you’re not alone. Bright light can actually trigger a headache. The reason is unknown. In a study at Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, researchers studied 20 migraine sufferers who are completely or almost completely blind. The patients who could still see shades of light experienced intensified migraine pain. Light-sensing cells in the eye (the ones that maintain sleep-wake cycles) travel to parts of the brain involved in migraine pain which remained activated after the light was removed. This discovery helps pave ways for doctors to block certain paths in the brain to endure light without causing migraine pain.

Visit Lifescript.com or more information on the latest developments in migraine treatment.

Also, be sure to click on Lifescript’s new online Headache and Migraine Health Center for even more migraine help.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

How To Beat A History Of Diabetes

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As we grow older, there are many things to consider about aging and health. And if you have a family history of medical conditions, there’s much more to consider. Julia Hoyle, a 50-year-old financial analyst with Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina, was worried about contracting diabetes.

She was middle-aged and overweight with a family history of diabetes. To prevent getting diabetes, she started a diet promoted by Dr. Eric Westman, a co-author of the book New Atkins for a New You: The
Ultimate Diet for Shedding Weight and Feeling Great.

The Atkins diet promotes eating protein, such as cheese, meat and eggs, and also veggies. But it prohibits breads, pastas, rice, cereals and sweets. She was unsure she’d survive on a diet lacking bagels and ice cream, but her physician prodded her along, helping her hang in there two weeks to see what a difference it could make. And see a difference she did. Julia now keeps her carb levels below 20 grams per day.

In the morning, she’ll have eggs, or an omelet, usually paried with sausage or bacon.

She’ll have a mid-morning snack consisting of yogurt; lunch is a salad containing a protein, such as tuna, chicken, steak or cheese. Dinners include meat, chicken or fish and vegetables and sometimes nuts, berries and a little alcohol. To curb sugar cravings, she may have a piece of low-fat cheesecake.

Her efforts paid off. In seven months, she lost 40 pounds and dropped 4 dress sizes, from an 18 to a 12. By far the biggest reward? Seeing the numbers improve, showing her type 2 diabetes risk was dropping. When she started her diet, she had extreme signs of insulin resistance with a 42-inch waist.After losing the weight, levels evened out — and her waist was whittled down to 32 inches.

For more diabetes information, visit Lifescript.com.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Top Causes of Cancer

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Does the possibility of cancer frighten you? Most people know those who have been cancer victims. But new research indicates many of the leading risk factors and causes of cancer are actually preventable. In this story on Lifescript.com, a leading women’s health website, find out the top ways to avoid cancer. Learn the top 5 causes and how to protect yourself, your children and your loved ones and lessen major cancer risks.

According to director of nutrition at the American Cancer Society, Colleen Doyle, 50% of adult cancer deaths in the United States could be prevented just by lifestyle changes.

Encouraging a healthful diet, exercise and preventing children, teens and adults from smoking can help lower risks.

Here’s a sneak peek at the 5 things included in this article on how to reduce your risk of getting cancer:

1. Tobacco: Nearly 20% of high school students said they smoke according to a 2009 study. If you’re a parent, stop smoking to set an example for your child, plus avoid the cancer risks.

2. Tanning: Despite increasing risk of skin cancer — including deadly melanoma — many teen girls and young women continue to tan. But speaking to women who tan about the toll it takes on their appearance — such as increasing wrinkles and causing spots and discoloration — has been proven effective, according to a study of 430 college women who visited tanning salons.

3. Obesity: This plus exercising are both top causes of cancer, second only to tobacco use. Being overweight boosts risk for 12 different cancers in women, including endometrium, colon, kidney and breast cancers.

4. Cell phone use: Cell phones release small amounts of radiation, which are possible carcinogens, and some physicians and scientists recommend limiting cell phone use for children. But experts haven’t proven that cell phone usage causes cancer, nor do they know the full extent usage has on children. But some studies have unearthed a relation between heavy cellphone usage and occurrance of the brain tumors meningioma and glioma.

5. The HPV virus: The CDC recommends the vaccinations Gardasil and Cervarix for young women to prevent HPV, or human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection that causes anogenital and cervical cancers.

Continue reading to get the in-depth article at Lifescript.com and get more cancer information.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Top Cancer Fighting Foods

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Certain foods are better equipped to ward off cancer than others. Want to know the top 10 to cancer-fighting foods? Plus get quick and easy recipes using these foods; also find out if you’re equipped with enough cancer information by taking a quiz. We’ve got you covered in this expert article from Lifescript.com, a leading resource for women’s health information.

Many nutrients, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants mixed together can give the most protection against cancer, according to Colleen Doyle, M.S., R.D., and the American Cancer Society director of nutrition.

Here’s a sneak peak at what’s included in the article, and a teaser of just some of the information included on 5 of the top 10 foods in this article:

1. Berries
Berries contain antioxidants that protect cells from cancer-related damage, and can boost your immune system. They also contain vitamin C and fiber, both top cancer-fighters.

2. Grapes
Containing antioxidants, grapes, especially purple and red types, have been shown to keep cancer cells at bay.

3. Tomatoes
These red beauties contain an antioxidant taht kills cells that aren’t growing properly and protects cells from damage.

4. Cruciferous vegetables
Broccoli, kale and cabbage are some of the veggies that contain glucosinolates, crambene and indole-3-carbinol, all possible cancer-fighters, according to the American Insititute for Cancer Research.

5. Garlic
Garlic bulbs contain a special type of antioxidant phytochemicals known as allyl sulfides that are thought to halt several different steps of cancer development, according to experts.

For much more cancer information, plus 5 more cancer-fighting foods and recipes, check out the full article at Lifescript.com.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Tips for an Anti Cancer Diet

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If you or a loved one is facing cancer, find out all you need to know about the best anti-cancer diet you can create in this comprehensive article written and reviewed by expert nutritionists and top physicians. Here’s a sneak peek at the top anti-cancer foods explained even more in-depth in the full article at Lifescript.com, a leading resource for women’s health information:

#1. Smelly veggies: Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower all help ward off cancer.

#2. Strawberries: The ellagic acid contained in strawberries gives it potential as a breast-cancer fighting food.

#3. Pistachios: This small, tasty nut is full of cancer-fighting vitamin E.

#4. Beans: The potassium, folate, fiber and magnesium found in beans are known to lower cancer risk.

#5. Yellow, orange and green veggies and fruit: Chock-full of carotenoids, beneficial anti-cancer antioxidants.

#6. Honey: Studies have indicated eating honey may decrease growth of tumors and that they have anti-bacterial properties that can help with stomach ulcers.

#7. Whole grains: Those who eat a diet with lots of whole grains have about a 21 percent to 43 percent diminished risk of getting cancer compared to people who eat fewer whole grains. Whole grains contain germ, starchy endosperm and bran. Whole grains contain phenols, saponins and phytoestrogens that help ward off cancer, as well as antioxidants.

Are you savvy to which foods actually boost your cancer risk? Those include:

#1. Red meat

#2. Processed meat

#3. Alcohol

#4. Sugar-sweetened drinks

Continue reading for the full, 9-page article at Lifescript.com to get much more valuable cancer information, including more specific foods and ingredients. Plus, get great-tasting recipes that include these foods and ingredients.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Facts About Breast Cancer

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Get 10 facts about breast cancer from an expert doctor in this article from Lifescript.com, a top women’s health resource.

Here’s a sneak peek at the facts included in the full 9-page article:

#1: Breast cancer is the second-leading cancer in women, after lung cancer. And it’s the most frequently occurring cancer, second only to skin cancer.

#2: Detecting breast cancer early on is key because when cancer hasn’t had a chance to spread beyond the breast(s), survival rates over a five-year period are nearly 100 percent. By age 40, women should have annual breast exams and mammograms by a physician, as well as doing self-exams each month.

#3: Mammography is the top way to detect breast cancer. And due to mammography’s increased use, it’s more and more common for women to get diagnosed during the early stages of breast cancer. Twenty-five percent of breast cancers are found in breast exams — 40% by a combination of breast exams and mammography and 35% by mammography alone.

#4: You can check yourself for possible signs. The most common symptoms are: changes in the feel or look of the breast(s); changes in the feel or look of the nipple and/or nipple discharge.

#5: You may need to do more than get a mammogram. A physican may suggest a patient receives magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other imaging tests, such as ultrasound, positron emission tomography, stereotactic, scintigraphy and lymphatic mapping.

#6: Many factors are linked to high risks of getting breast cancer, but the presence of risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you will get breast cancer. Nor does the absence of risk factors mean you won’t get breast cancer, either.

#7: Two genetic mutations called BRCA1 and BRCA2 boost risk of breast cancer. Women with these usually have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.

#8: Race and ethnicity plays a role due to inherited risk factors, and/or a gap in the amount of medical care and/or screening rates. Caucasians have the most incidences of breast cancer while Native Americans the lowest.

#9: Exercise and diet can help. Weight gain after the age of 18 or after menopause boosts your risk. Losing weight can lower your breast cancer risk factors.

#10: Hormone replacement therapy could increase risk of getting breast cancer, according to research findings.

For much more on the above facts and more vital cancer information you should know, check out the full article at Lifescript.com.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Expert Tips on Exercise and Depression

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Learn how to workout the right way; make your exercise regimen effective and consistent so you’re better equipped to fight depression symptoms with these tips from Lifescript.com, a leading resource for women’s health information. Exercise and depression go hand-in-hand, if you want to get better, that is.

Find 7 doctor-recommended tips to guide you on the path to creating a workout routine tailored to improving your mood and your health. Become educated on your choices — many different exercises can target a wide range of depression symptoms.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s included in the full 8-page article:

Short, intense workout sessions lasting 30 minutes helps release endorphins that can numb pain and boost your mood.

According to experts, it’s imperative to switch back and forth between weight training and heart-pumping cardio workouts; lifting weights encourages healthy bones, muscle tone and improved posture, among other health perks.

A great workout regimen would include:

Walking on a treadmill slowly for 90 seconds, then increasing the speed to run for 30 to 45 seconds at a level tolerable to you. Then go back and forth, alternating the pattern, for a half an hour.

Try lifting free weights on day two of your workout regimen.

Continue to repeat the above workout throughout the week. Ultimately, one of the most important things to do is make sure you exercise consistently — this helps keep the chemicals in your brain at steady levels.

Often it’s difficult when you’re depressed to jump-start a workout routine and maintain motivation to keep at it. Here are some expert tips to help inspire you:

Make it fun: Ask a friend to join in or walk around the mall several times window shopping. Adding in a social aspect to your workout makes it more fun — plus, social activites are another great mood-booster.
Add varitey: Switch up your workouts. Try different methods, machines or listen to different kinds of music.
Establish a reminder: Place your exercise gear out where you can see it as a cue for you to remember to work out.
Build a support network: Ask a friend or family member to help you stay consistent — he or she can check with you on whether you’re exercising.

For a more detailed look at exercise and depression, check out the full article and many more depression articles at Lifescript.com.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

COPD And Insomnia

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With chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), getting enough shut-eye can become more difficult. The condition typically causes breathing to become labored because it kills off healthy lung tissue. Other health conditions combined with COPD can make getting enough shut-eye even trickier. Other conditions that can add to the problem and worsen COPD include sleep apnea, pregnancy and acid reflux.

COPD is a group of medical diseases that hurt the lungs. Bronchitis and emphysema are the top two making up COPD. Emphysema is when the lungs break down over time, while bronchitis is a long-term wet cough. This story outlines not just COPD, but how other ailments paired with COPD can make sleep more difficult, plus things you can do to remedy it. The topics covered include how to address, treat and manage each of the following sleep-obstructing issues:

Lung problems: Whether your COPD stems from chronic bronchitis or emphysema, the symptoms remain the same: chronic cough, wheezing and/or shortness of breath.

Acid reflux: This ailment can encourage heartburn and worsen the bronchitis element of COPD, causing a cough to become more persistent.

Medication issues: COPD medications allow the airway muscles to relax and widen, but those containing beta agonists in particular can inhibit sleep since they stimulate the central nervous system.

Sleep position: This plays a role because lying flat can make breathing difficult since your diaphragm is working overtime trying to inflate COPD-suffering lungs.

Sleep apnea: This combined with COPD increases your risk of hospitalization.

Pregnancy: An increase in estrogen during pregnancy can cause mucous membranes to become inflammed, which can make breathing difficult. Also, pregnancy can cause narrowed upper airways, boosting the chances of snoring and experiencing sleep apnea. Also, the growing fetus can put pressure on the mother’s chest cavity, causing difficulty sleeping.

Anxiety and depression: About 40% of patients with COPD also have depression and/or anxiety, which contribute to sleep issues.

Read on to find doctor-recommended solutions to COPD and sleep and other COPD-related problems at Lifescript.com, a leading resource for women’s health information. Get doctors’ tips and COPD information to help you overcome symptoms and start to sleep better. Plus, do you know much about getting enough zzz’s? Take our quiz to find out now.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Natural Remedies For Fibromyalgia Pain

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When joints and muscles begin aching from fibromyalgia, it’s easy to reach for your medicine cabinet. But natural remedies can work, too. And they can work along with traditional medications. For some fibro sufferers, being an active part of their healing by participating in natural remedies can speed their recovery.

In fact, some research has shown that when patients used a mind-body approach, about a quarter were free of fibro symptoms after 6 months.

(Can’t hurt to try, right?)

So what are some of the most effective natural ways to ease fibromyalgia pain?

  • Exercise Many fibro sufferers find relief from exercise, but the key is to start slow. If you try to do too much too soon, you might end up feeling worse than when you started (and then you’ll never want to try it again). Ultimately, you’ll want to work up to 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, but you can start with even just 3 minutes a day of gentle stretching, say the experts at Lifescript.com, a women’s health and wellness web site. Slowly add minute by minute even just 3 minutes a day, then 4, and so on until you’re working out for the full 30 minutes. Always warm up and cool down (about five minutes each) with gentle movements.
  • Getting your vitamins You can reduce inflammation by filling your plate with more colorful veggies and fruits, and trading refined carbs (bread, pasta, etc.) for smaller amounts of whole-grain products. You can also get vitamins through supplements. Studies have shown that grape seed extract, turmeric, decaffeinated green tea, and others can help bring down inflammation. (For more information on supplements, read page 3 of Natural Ways to Ease Fibromyalgia Pain at the link below.)
  • Yoga Because it’s a gentle-on-the-joints exercise, yoga is a popular choice for fibro sufferers. But it has an added bonus, too: lowering stress. In fact, according to one study, women who participate in yoga have lower levels of a certain protein that causes inflammation and is linked to other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. One patient said her fibro felt better after just 6-8 classes.

Visit Lifescript.com to learn more about these natural solutions for fibromyalgia pain (as well as 3 more solutions).

Also be sure to swing by Lifescript’s new online Fibromyalgia Health Center for complete fibromyalgia help.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).