Diabetes Educators Make A Difference
I am a 40-year-old Hispanic woman living in Sacramento, California, and I have diabetes. When I was diagnosed five years ago, I thought I was well-prepared to deal with the disease. Both my late mother and my brothers already had diabetes, and since I work in health care, I figured I knew everything there was […]
Heart Disease: Not Just A Man Is Disease
Often labeled the “silent killer,” heart disease is a leading cause of death for women in the Unites States. Yet, only 56 percent of women are aware of this fact.Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common form of heart disease. It is caused by the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries supplying the heart […]
Why Second Opinions Count
Actress Rita Wilson, who recently announced her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent double mastectomy, did the right thing when she sought out a second opinion. And doing so might have saved her life. But too many of us are hesitant to question a medical diagnosis: a 2005 Gallup Poll that surveyed 5,000 Americans found that […]
On Being a Breast Cancer Survivor
Getting through treatment is only the beginning. The impact of breast cancer is as individual as the women who survive it. It can be an arduous though temporary challenge or an experience so transformative that it divides existence into two parts before and after. Perry Colmore has experienced the disease both ways. When she was […]
Fighting Cancer Takes Personal Strength And Modern Medicine
Two months ago, my sister, Marie, underwent emergency surgery. They discovered cancer throughout her abdomen, including a tumor on the outside of her colon that had blocked the colon and necessitated removal of much of her large intestine. Monday she began chemo treatments. Today, she is teaching. This speaks to both her strength and the […]
My Post-50 Yoga Journey: The First Step
In January I started training to become a yoga instructor. I thought I would share my transformative journey as it unfolds. For fellow yogis, my stories will remind you of why you practice. For non-yogis, come along for the ride maybe I’ll entice you to try a class or two. Welcome to yoga training Methods & Techniques I,” said my instructor B […]
Are You In A Postmenopausal Desert?
“I’m itchy down under,” I told the gynecological nurse practitioner during my last visit. I was going to purchase an over-the-counter medication for what I thought was a simple vaginal infection. Glad I didn’t self-medicate. It’s not a good idea. “You have postmenopausal dryness,” said the nurse practitioner. “Your vaginal walls are thinning and irritated […]
How Healthy Is Your City?
You know those lists? Healthiest cities. Fittest cities. Best cities for retirement. Best cities for singles. If memory serves me, the only list my city has appeared on was something about cities with the most overweight people. Not exactly a great claim to fame. recently released its list of the Top 10 Healthiest Cities for […]
7 Questions Women Should Ask About Their Meds
Did you know that women have different side effects to medicine than men? And oftentimes, research doesn’t look at the effects of drugs on women. If your health care provider recommends a medication, ask questions about the risks and benefits before accepting the prescription. Review medications yearly “Patients should go over their medications with their […]
Top 10 Threats To Women’s Health
Women and men just aren’t the same, particularly when it comes to their health risks. Do you know what conditions pose the biggest threat to American women’s health? You may be surprised. The first step to staying healthy is knowing what you’re up against, and then taking the necessary precautions to reduce your risk. The […]
Why We All Need To Strength Train For Women
Having celebrated a big birthday recently has made me more sentimental about aging than normal. But with sentimentality comes complaints. Granted, they’re not in a “woe-is-me” kind of way, but with a bit more humor and irony attached to them. Humor? My feeling is that if we don’t laugh about creaky joints, gray hair and diminishing eyesight, […]
What It Means To Be Thankful For Your Health
Think back to the last time you had a major cold or flu the last time you had a fever and body aches so bad your hair hurt. The thousand daggers in your throat, the puffy, burning eyes, the roaring headache, the plugged sinuses and clogged lungs, the crippling fatigue. In the throes, you likely […]