Archive for the ‘Women's Health’ Category
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 |
Adolescence is the time when girls face many changes as they not only become physically mature, but sexually, too. In order to maintain good health, they need to consult gynecologist, adolescent medicine physician and obstetrician. Teenagers who are sexually active need to get some test done like pelvic examination, Pap test and test for checking sexually transmitted diseases. This helps the early determination of conditions that can affect reproductive, gynecological and sexual health.
Schiller test is conducted where the iodine solution is used to cover the cervix. In colposcopy, colposcope is used to check the cervix and the vagina. Cancer is checked by biopsy. In this a small quantity of cervical tissue is removed and a pathologist checks the tissue for abnormal cells.
The most important test is the Pap test or a pap smear. The cells from the mouth of the womb or the cervix are collected to check for cancer, abnormal cells, infection or inflammation. The detection of abnormalities shows signs of cancer. Therefore it is recommended that every female must take Pap test regularly to check out for invasive cancers in the early stages itself. And if invasive cancer is detected, it can be successfully treated in the early stages. Apart from detecting invasive cancer, other changes, such as cancer cells or dysplasia and inflammation, of the vagina and cervix can also be determined. Inflammation can be caused by pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, hormones, trichomoniasis infections, viruses, bacteria, yeast infections, and other medication.
The repetition Pap test will be suggested by the gynecologist. When a girl becomes sexually active, she will have to test for cervical cancer after three years of becoming active because it usually takes many years for the significant development of cancer or abnormality. Usually there are some cervical cell changes and transient human papilloma virus infections or HPV infections which are very common. Therefore, a Pap test for cervical cancer is recommended every three years. But women who are under thirty years are at a higher risk of getting HPV infections of higher risk. It would be more feasible if every individual takes advice from her doctor about when she can begin screening, the frequency of the test to be taken, and when she can discontinue the tests.
In a Pap test, if abnormal cells are determined, usually more tests are recommended to detect abnormalities which will require treatment. Abnormal Pap test will be handled differently for teenagers when compared to adults. Usually the low grade cervical lesions will not require any treatment and will go away on their own. That is the reason why the Pap test is repeated after a gap of six to twelve months, after the original Pap test which identifies abnormalities. But this repetition will vary from individual to individual depending on her health status and kind of abnormalities found.
A replacement of the Pap test is thinprep test. It involves new technique for testing cells from the cervix for abnormalities. But the cost of getting a thinprep test done is double the cost of getting Pap test done. The advantage of getting a thinprep test is that it requires to be re-done less number of times and detects lesions in initial stages itself. The cervical cells, instead of getting smeared on a slide, are introduced into a liquid vial. After the filtration of the liquid, the cells from the cervix are examined by being placed on the slide.
Posted in Kids Health, Women's Health | No Comments »
Thursday, February 21st, 2008 |
No one knows exactly what causes migraine headaches, or even what happens in the body and brain when someone has one. One thing that is known, however, is that three times as many women as men have migraines. Many female migraineurs will also confess that their headaches are likely to coincide with the period just before their menstrual period.
A whopping sixty percent of women migraineurs have migraines during their period and during the rest of the month. Fourteen percent only have a migraine headache during their period. Look at the numbers; seventy-four percent of all women migraineurs associate their period with their headaches, and while medical science does not deny the connection, the reason for it is still unknown.
In addition, many women who become migraineurs later in life say that their pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms became much more acute since the headaches began. A study published in the January 2006 issue of Headache confirmed the apocryphal evidence. Women participating reported that bloating, weight gain, breast tenderness, mood swings, back pain, and abdominal cramps all became more severe during a migraine.
The women in the study were given a medication to induce a temporary artificial menopause by halting the action of the ovaries. Even with the hormonal ups and downs of regular periods eliminated, they still reported worsened PMS symptoms during a migraine attack.
The fourteen percent of women who only have migraines during their period are said to have “menstrual migraines”. There is hope, though. For some lucky women, taking a brief course of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen) for several days prior to their period as well as the first few days of it can stave off a menstrual migraine. Women who want to try this type of prophylactic treatment should discuss the option with their doctor.
Posted in Migraines/Headaches, Women's Health | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 |
Menopause is a difficult time, both emotionally and physically. The symptoms can be tiring, frustrating and miserable, making it difficult for a woman to keep up with the active life she’s used to leading. Migraines, heart palpitations, difficulty sleeping, irritability, depression, weight gain, aches and pains and mood swings are among the common symptoms, but are by no means the only symptoms a woman may experience.
While hot flashes are not dangerous, they can be frightening when you first start to experience them. They come on unexpectedly, causing great discomfort that distracts you from whatever you’re trying to do (including sleep). Some women also experience cold flashes. It all has to do with the hypothalamus - the body’s thermostat - being unable to regulate your temperature in the face of fluctuating estrogen levels.
There are ways you can lessen the intensity of hot flashes. Hormonal replacement therapy is one option you can discuss with your doctor. But there are less invasive dietary changes you can make, too. Avoiding alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine and high amounts of sugar can reduce the number and severity of hot flashes. Drinking lots of water can help. Processed foods - loaded with simple carbs such as refined flour and sugar - are also good to avoid; these include white bread and white rice, candies, cakes and cookies.
Unless you are estrogen dominant (and again, this is something you need to consult a doctor about), you will benefit from phytoestrogens found in vegetables, fruits and legumes such as carrots, beans, and green leafy vegetables. Even if you are estrogen dominant, these are generally good foods for anyone. The phytoestrogens in soy, however, have been overrated in the media and are believed to cause a worsening of symptoms in those women who are estrogen dominant.
Regular exercise and/or yoga seems to help many women, as do acupuncture and certain herbal supplements.
Posted in Women's Health | No Comments »
