February 2014

If you’re a woman living in the United States there is a 1 in 3 chance that you will have a hysterectomy by the time you reach age 60. Many women have hysterectomies as a result of a cancer diagnosis but most women make the decision to have a hysterectomy to treat heavy bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.  In the old days doctors just took out everything – uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Today women’s health professionals are able to offer several types of hysterectomies and there are several different ways they can be performed based on a woman’s individual medical need. 

A hysterectomy in which the uterus and cervix are removed (Total Hysterectomy) is the most common type of hysterectomy.  The medical community agrees that in cases where hysterectomy is recommended keeping healthy ovaries will help protect the patient from heart disease and thinning bones.  However, there are differing opinions when it comes to the removal of a healthy cervix.  Some in the medical community are firmly against the removal of a healthy cervix arguing that the cervix is important for sexual function and that during a cervix-sparring hysterectomy (Supracervical Hysterectomy) there is less potential risk to a woman’s bladder, rectum and bowel.  But according to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a leader in the cause of women’s health, “there does not seem to be much benefit to keeping the cervix” and that a woman who would like to keep her cervix may experience continued vaginal spotting.  Brigham and Women’s makes this recommendation based on what they describe as three “well-designed studies” that found no difference in sexual function or complication associated with the bladder, rectum or bowel and no significant difference in pain and time to recover.  And, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “Choosing to preserve the cervix to reduce adverse effects of hysterectomy on sexual and urinary function is not supported by data from prospective randomized trials.” The bottom line . . . The decision to keep/remove the cervix during a hysterectomy should be made after careful consideration of a woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer and is one of those medical situations when you should probably get the opinion of more than one doctor before having surgery.   

It’s Heart Month! Not only is it the favorite month of romantics, it’s also a time when women should remember how important it is to protect ourselves against heart disease.  In this, the season of LOVE, I hope you make the time to be good to you and commit to living your best life.

Happy Valentine’s Day and Good Health!

Terry

“Never give anyone and excuse to say that you’re crazy.”

~Taylor Swift

January 11, 2014

This month I decided to share this selfie Todd and I took at the halfway point of our daily  5-mile walk from Cottagewood to Excelsior.  The air temperature was a refreshing -6 with a -26 wind chill -- Crazy!  It’s been crazy cold in most of the United States over the past week.  Thankfully the forecast is for warmer temperatures but there’s still a lot of winter left. Short, cold days can be particularly difficult if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that is 4 times more common in women than in men.  If think you might be experiencing severe depression caused by SAD you should consult a doctor immediately.  But if the recent sub-zero temperatures are giving you a minor case of the winter blues here are a few things that might improve your outlook:

• Increase your exposure to light -- It’s very tempting to hibernate. Instead spend as much time as you can outside or by a sunny window.  Even when it’s not bright and sunny outside the exposure to natural light is better for you than artificial light.
• Watch what you eat -- Beware of those carb cravings caused by decreased serotonin levels.  Apricots, apples, pears, grapes, plums, grapefruit and oranges are all great ways to boost serotonin levels.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine -- Unfortunately alcohol is a depressant.  And caffeine can cause anxiety, muscle tension and gastrointestinal problems. Sipping herbal tea is a better choice.
• Get moving -- Invest in some really good warm weather gear and brave the elements.  Or, take a walk in the mall.  Any kind of physical activity will help you feel your best.
• Buy a new coat -- A bright colored coat would look fabulous on you and at this time of the year they’re all on sale!
• Take a vacation -- This is my favorite way to beat the winter blues.  Of course travel is not always an option.  But if you can swing it I would suggest you grab the sunscreen and head to a warm, sunny location where you can consume all the alcohol and caffeine you want.

Make the time to be good to you and don’t let yourself get stressed out.  So many things in life are totally out of our control.   But, if you can stay positive it will help you stay healthy.

Embrace the Polar Vortex & Good Health!

Terry

"It was so cold . . . I left Starbucks with a mocha latte' and got into my car with a Fudgesicle."

~Anthropolis.com

December 2013

No one wants to find a beautifully wrapped gym membership under the tree on Christmas morning. But if you want to give/receive holiday gifts that promote a healthy lifestyle you should check out my Good Health! holiday gift ideas for 2013 . . .

Nut of the Month Club Membership -- Sounds like a crazy gift but nuts may be the ultimate healthy gift.  A recently released study said that consuming a handful of nuts at least five times a week corresponded to a 29% drop in mortality risk for heart disease, a 24% decline for respiratory disease and a 11 % drop for cancer.

Vitashower SF-1, Vitamin C Shower Filter  -- The Vitashower Vitamin C Shower Filter uses pharmaceutical grade vitamin C as a dechlorinating agent to remove the potentially harmful chlorine used to disinfect most public water supplies. It’s a fact that exposure to chlorinated water dries out the skin.  But according to Vitashower, using their vitamin C shower filter will gradually improve the condition of your skin and texture of your hair.

Gift Certificate for a Pedicure  -- Pedicures were once considered a luxury for ladies. Now we know that it is important for everyone to take good care of his or her feet.   If done properly, a pedicure promotes circulation in the calves and feet and helps maintain the health and performance of the muscles of the foot.  It’s a great stress reliever too.   Add some OPI “Underneath the Mistletoe” polish and the recipient of this healthy gift will sparkle this holiday season.

Nordicware Microwave Popper -- This is a great gift for the popcorn lover on your list.  Popcorn can me a healthy treat but not if you are consuming popcorn made in those prepackaged microwave pouches.  With a Nordicware Microwave Popper you can enjoy fiber rich popcorn without all that added artificial butter flavor, excessive salt and preserving/packaging chemicals.

Boob Glue Gravity Defying Adhesive -- Roll on Boob Glue and instantly improve the appearance of your breasts by keeping them positioned exactly where you want them.  Boob Glue helps to eliminate sagging, bulging, side spillage, unaboob or the dreaded quadraboob. Boob Glue was developed by a woman for women.  It has been called “a boob job in a bottle” and the “breast friend” of today’s bride and her bridesmaids.  Now every woman can enhance their cleavage without expensive plastic surgery.

Make the time to be good to you and ask Santa for one or all of these healthy holiday gifts.

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and Good Health! in 2014.

Terry

“What is Christmas?  It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.”

~Agnes M. Pahro

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