Blissfully Domestic » Health

National Smile Month: 10 Ways to Keep Your Smile Healthy and White

AngelicaMD — Tue, 01 May 2012 07:19:02 +0000

Having white and healthy teeth gives us the confidence to flash a smile. Learn more about how to keep the teeth and gums in good condition.

Brushing, rinsing and flossing the teeth are basic oral hygiene practices done by most people every day. Celebrating the National Smile Month reminds us not to take these things for granted because a smile is probably the best thing we wear everyday!

Healthy White Teeth photo by Michael Dorausch

Oral hygiene plays a big role in keeping the teeth and gums healthy. Here are 10 ways to keep your smile healthy and white:

Choose the right size of toothbrush in terms of comfort and ease in use, with a nicely shaped handle and bristles that are not too hard. Whether you use an electric toothbrush or a simple non-electric brush, what matters most is the proper use.

Choose the right toothbrush photo by Vihljun

Brush gently, not too vigorously, for this may expose the root of the tooth and could irritate the gums. Brushing more often than four times a day or too vigorously can also erode tooth enamel.

Brush up and down your teeth with vertical strokes, not horizontal, and not across your teeth. Aim the bristles at the gum line at a 45-degree angle and do short downward strokes.

Proper Way to Brush Teeth photo by photostock

Remember to brush the inner surfaces of teeth, the surfaces in contact with the tongue, and especially the inner surface of the front teeth.

Celebrate Life! – Juice Your Way to Health

Christine — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:30:04 +0000

You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg at a retail smoothie shop to enjoy the delicious benefits of healthy fruit (and veggie!) juice drinks. You also don’t need expensive juicing machines and other fancy kitchen gadgets to create them at home.

So what is the secret to making yummy, healthy fruit (and veggie!) juice at home? Follow the following guidelines and tips; you’ll be well on your way to exploring the world of juicing and soon creating delicious recipes of your own:

First and foremost, decide if you want sweet or savory. Sweet? Go with fruits. Savory? Reach for the veggies.
Then, select in-season produce whenever possible. Produce that’s in season is fresher, more abundant, and less expensive. Other than that, what to look for? Grab oranges whenever possible as they make a great compliment for almost all juicing combinations, and add often-needed liquids. Carrots are the perfect base for a veggie juice drink, and bananas are idea for fruit drinks.

Dental X-Rays Linked to Cancer: How Many Bitewings Is Too Many?

Vicky Nicks — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:00:16 +0000

A meningioma is a tumor affecting the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

A new study published April 10 in the journal Cancer outlines a link researchers have found between dental X-rays and a form of brain cancer called meningioma. What’s the culprit? Something called ionizing radiation.

What is Meningioma?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a meningioma is a type of tumor that arises in the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. If the term meninges sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve probably heard of meningitis – another scary condition that affects the same membranes.

What is Ionizing Radiation?

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) defines ionizing radiation as radiation that, “has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions.” In other words, this is the more potent radiation that’s used in X-rays, radiotherapy for cancer, and to generate electricity. Ionizing radiation is also commonly known to cause cancer in high doses.

Study Details

The study, entitled Dental X-Rays and Risk of Meningioma, involved over 2500 people, including a control group of 1350 people. The conclusions were shocking, to say the least – the case study individuals, who had meningioma, were more than twice as likely as a control group individual to have had a bitewing X-ray at some point in their lives. An X-ray under the age of 10 years increased the individuals chances of having this type of brain tumor by nearly 5 times.

Meningioma and X-Rays: The Good News

Meningiomas are seldom malignant, and the study did not indicate any increase in malignancy for the cases associated with dental X-rays. The idea of a brain tumor is still scary to many people, however – and this research flies in the face of the common reassurance that we all hear when our kids are getting their X-rays… “Don’t worry, it’s perfectly harmless.” Now, we just have to decide – how badly do our kids need to get those screening X-rays?

10 Ways to Relieve Stress and Anxiety

AngelicaMD — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:42:05 +0000

Stress and anxiety are normal in everyday life and they can even motivate us to deal with challenges. However, constant worrying and tension have been linked to cardiovascular disease and can bring about symptoms like difficulty in sleeping, stomachaches and fatigue. Here are some anxiety self-help tips to improve your mood and relax your nerves.

Have a Positive Attitude

Think happy thoughts! It may not be easy to see the positive side of things when you are stressed or worried, but you must try to have a more optimistic attitude if you want to be free from anxiety. Is the sun shining? Then it’s a great day for walking in the park! Is it raining? Then it could be a good time to curl up and read a nice book!

Positive Attitude - photo by Ambro

Live a Healthy Life

It may be tempting and easy to turn to some ways to relieve stress such as overeating, smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs, but these do not help improve stress and anxiety. Instead, they may worsen them and compound health problems that can bring about more depression.

Eating a balanced meal and doing regular exercise have been proven to improve mood, increase energy and enhance general physical and mental health. So start your day with a good breakfast, get to work on time, do some walking and have good night’s sleep.

Manage Your Time

Stress at home and at work may be due to worrying about meeting deadlines, multitasking and lack of time for personal relaxation. Set realistic goals and make a priority list to manage your time and energy. This will help you cope with every task needed for the day, thus reducing stress levels. Remember to allot some time for relaxation and recreation to improve your mood and regain physical energy.

New Women’s Health Breakthrougs in March 2012

Vicky Nicks — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:57:59 +0000

Science makes amazing breakthroughs in women’s health all the time. Unfortunately, most of the press releases aren’t very sexy, and don’t make it past the media’s geek filter. Here’s a short list of the biggest breakthroughs in women’s health for the month of March, 2012.

Put Down The Acne Cream!
If you (like most of us) still get the occasional pimple, you may not have to turn to harsh commercial acne creams to get that baby-soft and smooth skin you yearn for. A study by the Society for General Microbiology showed that thyme is effective as an acne remedy. Yes, that’s the spice, as in parseley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Clear skin may be only a spice cabinet away!

Vitamin E: No Impact on Heart Failure Risk For Women
Antioxidant therapy has been suggested as a potential method of reducing heart failure risk, but it looks like they’re back to the drawing board. The American Heart Association recently published a study in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure that followed 40,000 women for 10 years, and found that Vitamin E supplementation does *not* change heart failure risks for women.

Pop Your Way to Good Health
Popcorn is good for you – I’ve always suspected that anything that tasted that good couldn’t be all bad. According to scientists at the American Chemical Society, popcorn contains more antioxidants than your favorite fruits and veggies. So pop another bag, and put in a movie!

Could these un-roasted coffee beans help you lose weight? Image by yenhoon

Coffee… It Does a Body Good
Also according to the scientific geniuses over at ACS, unroasted coffee beans make you lose weight. No, you don’t brew it, the experiment showed that people who consumed a tiny smidgen of green coffee extract via capsule (who were also dieting and exercising) lost a substantial amount of weight – an average of 17 lbs in 22 weeks, nothing to sneeze at!

Laugh Your Way to a Healthier You – April is National Humor Month

Selena — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:37:33 +0000

Photo by Followthelaughter.com

Rain showers, tax deadlines and in some instances, hurricane season. For many, the month of April is a time of frustration, anxiety, depression, and STRESS. It’s open season for energy loss, weight gain, emotional outbursts and strained relationships. In essence, we lose the ability to effectively handle life’s peak times of stress which sours our capacity to move beyond them. Sounds like a good laugh is just what the doctor ordered. No, really. It is.

April is National Humor Month and was founded in 1976 by Larry Wilde, best-selling humorist. According to Wilde, National Humor Month is designed to heighten public awareness on how laughter can improve health, boost morale, and enrich a person’s quality of life.

Did you know laughter reduces stress hormones like cortisol and ephinephrine while also increasing the levels of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters? According to Elizabeth Scott, wellness coach, a good laugh can increase the number of antibody-producing cells in your system. More antibodies equal a stronger immune system. You definitely cannot go wrong with that!

Psychology Today reports that laughter often defuses anger and anxiety; and much like yawning laughter is contagious. Not a believer? I pretty much dare you to look at Baby Micah laughing hysterically and not laugh out loud!

Aside from a strong immune system, laughter works the diaphragm, provides an emotional release, and it connects us with others. There is an intimate bond that develops between people who can share a good laugh. In truth, sharing a hearty giggle can keep things in perspective, draw attention away from negative emotion and empower us to refocus our attention and move forward.

Humor fun fact: Did you know that women, on average, laugh about 126 percent more times than men? I’m not rushing to conclusions, but that could be why we have a longer life span. Wink!

No matter what the month of April typically means for you, make the decision to laugh more, stress less and enjoy life’s little blessings along the way.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dieting Breakthrough: Smelly Food Makes You Lose Weight!

Vicky Nicks — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:31:18 +0000

If you’re looking to lose a few pounds, consider this: new research published in Biomed’s new Flavor journal suggests that you don’t have to try so hard: just cook foods with strong aromas!

Take little bites and lose weight! Image by Egilshay

Weight Loss and Bite Size

Science has long established that weight loss or gain is tied to bite size. When you take larger bites, you’re cleaning your plate more quickly. When you’re food is gone in just a few moments, you’re more likely to eat more, because you don’t feel full – that means you end up eating too much. Do this too often, and guess what – those skinny jeans aren’t so skinny anymore. When you take small bites, however, you feel satisfied sooner, and end up eating less. Over time, these smaller portions create weight loss, which sounds great, but if you’re in the habit of eating big spoonfuls of luxurious food, how do you remember to keep taking small bites all the time?

Can you eat burgers and still lose weight? Image by lockstockb

Food Aromas and Bite Size

A new study of this name, published on March 20th, 2012, illustrates the link between bite size and food smells. The study pumped vanilla custard into the mouths of volunteers, who were able to regulate the size of the mouthful via a hand-held pump. The volunteers had varying aromas wafted under their noses as they ‘enjoyed’ the custard. Yeah, that’s pretty gross, but I guess some people will do anything for science! Better them than me.

Once they were done, they measured the mouthful-sizes (Can you really measure a ‘bite’ of custard?) and determined that, “bite size decreases with aroma concentration, that is, the high aroma concentration resulted in significantly smaller bite sizes than the stimuli without aroma.” In English: People take smaller bites of smelly food – that doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be bad-smelling food, ’cause who wants to eat stinky food? (Except cheese, who doesn’t love stinky cheese?) It just means that a more intense aroma results in smaller bites, which will turn into weight loss over time.

Healthy Options for Easter Baskets

Tara Sabo — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:04:35 +0000

Have you seen Peter Cottontail? Perhaps hopping down the bunny trail? If so, then you might want to remind him that his Easter baskets, so welcomed by children (and adults) everywhere, don’t always have to be filled with unhealthy sweets. It is, after all, that time of year—stores everywhere are helping Mr. Cottontail out by stocking shelf after shelf with empty baskets, bags of candy and imitation grass so that we might build a few baskets of our own. But these baskets, so loved by our kiddos, border on the bad when stuffed full of candy as if it were Halloween, too. So let’s look at a few healthy options for those Easter baskets. They do exist:

1. Books
Kids of all ages love to read books. Even babies (see photo)! So throw one in—the more creative, the better—and encourage your child to let his or her imagination fly. Not sure what they’d like to read? There’s always a gift card. Or go with a coloring book and some sharp new crayons. Make note, sometimes the big kids like coloring books, too.

2) Fruit
Forgo the Peeps and throw in a piece of fresh fruit or two. Fruit is, after all, Mother Nature’s candy. Splurge on something exotic and enticing to the eye, something not usually purchased and have fun exploring the new flavor. Stick with an old favorite, or buy all of the ingredients for a delicious breakfast smoothie.

3) A New Water Bottle or a Fun Cup
Kids these days drink way too much soda pop and fruit juice. Encourage the consumption of water by adding a new, fancy water bottle or cup to the basket. Consider the Bobble, a water bottle with a replaceable filter that comes in two sizes. One for you, one for your kid!

4) An Experience
Create a gift card, or purchase one, that serves as a token for a “free” experience of some sort. Miniature golf. A movie. Dinner out at a favorite (healthy, of course) restaurant. Your options are virtually endless, and each one creates a memory for you and your child to cherish forever.

5) Candy
Yep, you can still pack a basket with some healthier candy options. Like chocolate covered peanuts, dark chocolate bars, a simple selection of lollipops. Maybe some jelly beans. The simpler the better when it comes to candy. And really, is an Easter basket an Easter basket without at least one piece of candy?

Twenty Healthy Snacks I Can Eat Guilt-Free

AngelicaMD — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:10:47 +0000

When we think of snacks many of us get mental pictures of cookies, doughnuts, potato chips or something we can get from a grocery rack. But snacks need not be eliminated from the diet or be a cause for guilt, if we are trying to maintain a healthy diet. They can be fun, easy to prepare and guilt-free healthy snacks that can be enjoyed by you or any member of the family. Here are some ideas:

Instead of those store-bought potato chips that are deep fried and saturated with trans-fats and salt, try making your own microwave potato chips. No need for oil, just sprinkle some salt, and add any flavoring like chili powder or Old Bay seasoning.
Microwave Potato Chips - photo by Ambro
Roast a can of chickpeas in the oven for about 45-50 minutes at 400F. Flavor with chili powder, cumin and curry powder as desired.
Just freeze some grapes or bananas – they make a great summertime snack!
Grapes for Snacks - photo by Ambro
Did you know that pumpkin seeds are nutritious? They’re high in protein and magnesium. Rinse the seeds from a carved pumpkin and boil them in water and salt for 10 minutes. Then place them on a baking sheet with olive oil, and bake for 10 minutes at 400F.
Pumpkin Seeds - photo by Lavoview
Dried fruits and nuts are loaded with protein, fiber, and natural sugars. Keep some in the pantry for an easy snack alternative.
Nothing beats fresh fruits and a handful of nuts when it comes to freshness and natural taste. Buy fruits that are in season and keep them fresh in the refrigerator when necessary.
To enjoy granola bars without guilt buy “fun size” versions that are low in sugar and fat but packed with whole grains and fiber.
Whole wheat, unsalted pretzels and low-calorie, the butter-free popcorn are a good snack for lunch boxes or on the weekends.

Best Free Apps to Help You Attain Exercise and Weight Loss Goals

Christine — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 04:56:26 +0000

Texting, taking photographs, checking email, checking Facebook, playing games, and even making phone calls (how quaint!)…our cell phones have multiple uses, with more applications added all the time.

So how about using some of those apps to boost your productivity and perhaps reach some of your healthy living goals? There are many fabulous free apps available for download that can make the journey easier and more fun. Following are five awesome apps to help reach your fitness goals:

GPS+ Pedometer. This app is not only a pedometer, it also calculates speed, distance, calories burnt, and logs your route. Plus, you can play your own music in the background through the app…even playlists. A wonderfully motivating app!

Lose it! This weight loss app allows you to establish a daily calorie budget depending upon your personalized weight loss goals, and then record food intake (there is a great search feature for calorie estimation, including specific brand name foods and restaurants) as well as calories burned through exercise.

Yogaspot. Yogaspot has a bunch of short, free yoga videos for when you have a few moments to spare and could use a quick yoga refresher. Longer videos are available for purchase, but I’ve found that the shorter ones pair perfectly with the convenient on-the-go nature of my phone and iPad. Bonus: here’s an article with three awesome arm toning exercises.

Epicurious. LOVE. This. App. It’s full of delicious recipes for which you can search in a variety of ways, from course to main ingredient to cuisine to dietary considerations, etc. The user reviews are inevitably helpful, and I’ve found many a new family favorite here. For further reference, this article highlights some of this year’s best and healthiest diets.

Relax & Sleep Well. Okay, well…I admit, I haven’t tried this one myself. But I came across it recently and it appealed to me, so I thought we could all try it together. Let me know what you think!

Do you have a favorite app that helps you reach a healthy living goal? Since my suggestions were from my experience with Apple products, I’d especially love to hear from you Android and other smartphone users!

The Mediterranean Diet – Fun and Healthy Recipes

AngelicaMD — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:30:22 +0000

Do you want a diet that is fun, colorful, with lots of olive oil and red wine but is very nutritious and exciting to the palate? Try the Mediterranean diet, known as a nutrient-rich, high-fiber diet, relatively low in protein and saturated fat. And along with it, learn to enjoy a Mediterranean lifestyle with lots of physical activity and relaxed, leisurely meals enjoyed with family and friends.

What is a Mediterranean Diet?

Mediterranean Diet - photo by healingdream

The people of Europe and the Middle East who are living in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea are known for their unique cuisine that is abundant in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes. This nutrient-rich, high-fiber diet is relatively low in protein and saturated fat.

A distinguishing feature of a Mediterranean-style diet is that 35 to 40% of calories come from fat, but the focus is on healthy monounsaturated fats from olives, fish, flax, and nuts. Cheese or yogurt may be enjoyed daily, while eggs, fish, and meat such as veal and lamb are taken only once or twice a week.

Best of all, sticking to the diet means enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle which plays an essential role in the diet plan. You see, this type of diet comes complete with a daily serving of wine, to be enjoyed in the company of family and friends, in a relaxed atmosphere, and certainly supported by lots of physical activity.

Planning a Mediterranean Diet

You don’t have to travel far to learn how to prepare Mediterranean meals. There are a lot of Mediterranean meal plans and recipes available online. Here are some examples of meals prepared Mediterranean-style.

Breakfast Ideas

Mediterranean Breakfast - photo by piyato

A Mediterranean breakfast may consist of whole-grain toast taken with ripe fruits like apricot, topped with low fat yogurt, honey and unsalted roasted pistachios, roughly chopped.
Another easy breakfast idea is to make fluffy pancakes using whole wheat flour, an egg, some yogurt and low fat milk, served with light maple syrup and fresh strawberries.
Whole wheat pita with butter and jam or tomato and cheese taken with brewed coffee or fat-free milk also make a simple Mediterranean breakfast.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

Selena — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:44:13 +0000

Today is International Women’s Day. According to its site by the same name, the tradition dates back as early as the 1900s. While the focus, purpose and underlying objective of International Women’s Day continues to evolve, annually on 8 March “thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements.”

Across the web and in local communities, there are an array of diverse activities, events, conferences, and performances purposed to highlight the plight of women’s equality across the globe as well as their access to quality health care and education.

Today, the premise of International Women’s Day continues to be one of women encouraging other women to take action, raise their voices and be heard. The time for silent suffering and the global, pervasive maltreatment of young girls and women needs to come to a close. Commemorating International Women’s Day is one way to help make that happen.

Efforts to promote equality and health care for women aren’t limited to local communities or individuals. The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (The Commission) is exclusively dedicated to gender equality and the advancement of women. According to the website, the Commission communes annually for 10 days to “evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide.” The United Nations is on board, why not you?

Are you looking to partner with an organization to take action but not sure where to go or what to do? Consider joining the Million Moms Challenge. There you can converse with others dedicated to working towards a future comprised of thriving young girls and women across the globe. Each one of us can reach one of us to help inspire others like us to take action and be heard. It’s like the old addage says “many hands, make light work.” If all of us commit to helping ensure brighter, more equal futures for the young women who will come after us, then we leave a legacy of promise and purpose that will change not only future generations, but nations as well.

Easy Ways to Burn 100 Calories at Your Own Pace

AngelicaMD — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:59:21 +0000

Perhaps it is easier to think of losing weight by imagining the calories you burn in every activity you do in a day, rather than aiming to lose a pound a week, or 10 pounds in a month. So to make losing weight more fun, think in terms of burning a hundred calories here and there without much effort!

Easy Ways to Burn 100 Calories (Photo by Ambro)

How Many Calories Does it Take to Lose a Pound of Fat?

To lose a pound of fat one needs to burn 3500 calories. That may sound like a tall order, but if you keep yourself active and burn a hundred calories here and there by just doing stuff you love to do or need to do anyway, the idea might sound practical, if not fun. Plus, you can also cut down on calories from your diet and eat healthy nutritious food that you need anyway. So are you up for it? Let’s go!

How to Burn 100 Calories Fast

For those who are always on the go or naturally active, burning a hundred calories (more or less) can be done in as easy as doing 15-20 minute activities like these:

Walk an extra mile each day at a fast pace.
Walk your dog around the park or community for a longer time than you usually do.
Activate the stationary bike you have put away in the garage.
Go swimming, moving the arms and legs. Do breaststrokes at least 250 times.
Dance to fast music like you were in a club or disco.
Wash your car, and wipe it clean. Wax it for another 20 minutes and you lose another 100 calories!
Mow the lawn but don’t forget to use sunscreen.
Put on your pants and jog around the block or park.
Get on your knees and do some gardening, pulling weeds and planting new flowers for spring.
Challenge your son or husband in boxing or tennis using Wii or Xbox consoles.
Pack a light picnic and toss a Frisbee with your son or daughter in the park.
Bounce up and down on a trampoline, adding more challenge by pulling your knees up to your chest.
After driving home from the grocery, carry your grocery bags to the kitchen, put the stuff away, clean up the kitchen, start dinner and take out the trash. (Don’t we all?)
Scrub your windows, vacuum the carpet and wash the dishes, all in a day!
Burn 100 Calories Doing Chores (Photo by Stuart Miles)
Shoot hoops with your son, practice the jump shot and dribble around.
Throw darts with a friend while translating points into calories, with 100 as the target.
Play badminton with a friend.
Stop putting it off – go ahead and paint your room like you have been planning forever.
Play dodge ball with your kids.
Give the dog a bath and do your own dog grooming.
Rake the leaves in your lawn, heap them into a pile and cart them away for composting.
Hit the beach (with sunscreen on) and play beach volleyball with your friends or family.
Jump rope or do jumping jacks.
Take out laundry from the dryer and fold clothes. Sort them to their proper closets or drawers.
Do Pilates or yoga and de-stress.
Trim your shrubs and show off your hedge.
Put on a costume and belly-dance.
Challenge your kids to see who does hula hoops longer.
Carry your own baggage in the airport.
Play table tennis.
Pretend you are a Star and go ballroom dancing.
Put on some new wallpaper and clean up the mess.

Detox Do’s and Dont’s

Christine — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:52:53 +0000

Detox diets tend to become popular at this time of year. Those who made weight loss one of their New Year’s resolutions are at this point either firmly in our out of the routine. Either way, it’s about now people want to add a little boost to their routine…summer fashions are going to be here before we know it!

Why are people attracted to detox diets? Some have the notion that it will “flush their system” or “give their bodies a break” and help them perform better. Others think it will purify and rid their bodies of toxins. Still others simply want to lose weight…there are as many reasons for going on a detox diet as there are people ON detox diets.

The problem is, there is no standard definition as to what a “detox diet” is. It can be as simple as someone deciding to stop eating sugar for a week, or drink more water, or going vegetarian for a period. It can also be as extreme as restricting calorie intake to zero for several days.

In other words: not all detox diets created the same, not all detox diets are safe.

Following are a few tips to help you decide whether a detox program you’re considering is a good idea or not:

If it reduces your daily caloric intake below what your physician recommends (or requires you to go without meals), run away from it. Stressing your body by not providing it with it’s nutritional requirements is not purifying.
If the detox diet eliminates solid food, that’s probably not a good idea, either. Speak to your physician before embarking on a liquid-only diet to ensure that it meets your nutritional needs.
Taking laxatives or other medications to “cleanse” the body is NOT a healthy option and should not be part of a weight loss or purifying system. Medications produced to help people with physical ailments; using them for off-label purposes can be dangerous.
DO drink lots of water…that’s a fabulous way to help your system function optimally.
Similarly, DO eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fiber.
DON’T entirely eliminate food groups…that’s not healthy eating, and not in your body’s best interest.
DO cut back on refined sugar and processed foods.

Detox diets can sound enticing…but they aren’t the quick fix they purport to be. Rather than adopting an extreme eating pattern for a week in the hopes of “jump starting” weight loss or “purifying” your body, why not consider simply eating a healthy, natural diet for the same amount of time? You may find it to be a lifestyle change that’s permanent!

Healthy Smoothies for Morning Meals

AngelicaMD — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:19:24 +0000

Photo by Flickr Sanchom

A smoothie is a very healthy way of starting the day. It is full of flavor, rich in texture and contains natural ingredients that can provide a good source of energy, protein and antioxidants. Learn how to make easy-to-prepare healthy smoothies and surprise the family with their morning meals!

Basics of Making a Smoothie

All you need to transform common ingredients found in your refrigerator into a healthy breakfast is a blender or a food processor. Be sure to put in the liquid base first, which may be water, fruit juice, milk or milk substitutes. Next, you can take your choice of whatever fruits you have, preferably those that are in season. However, frozen fruits are also great for making smoothies. Now the secret for making a successful smoothie, depending on how thick you want it to be, is balance the amount of liquid to the amount of fruit you use, and to incorporate some ice, frozen fruit, yogurt and/or a banana into the mixture. You can experiment on different recipes and make your own additions. For extra fiber you can slip in some raw wheat germ. Brewers’ yeast, an excellent source of vitamin B and enzymes that are beneficial to the digestive system, can also be added.

To enjoy your smoothie it is best to take it immediately after preparation, otherwise it will tend to separate into layers. If this happens just pop it again into the blender for a few seconds.

Try these simple recipes for healthy smoothies, an exciting way to prepare your morning meals.

Top Ten Foods to Boost Your Metabolism

Christine — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:50:57 +0000

Modern diets can be heavy on saturated fats, sodium, and preservative chemicals while low on fiber, fruits, and vegetables. This isn’t a natural nor healthy, and can have a variety of unwanted effects…weight gain being one of the most notable.

Want to boost your metabolism by adopting a healthier diet? Add these ten foods to your regular rotation and you’ll be well on your way.

Greek Yogurt. Richer in gastrointestinal-friendly probiotics than ordinary yogurt, Greek yogurt has been shown to encourage intestinal health and aid in metabolic activity.
Grapefruit. This fruit packs a wallop of Vitamin C, and has properties that help reduce insulin levels. This assists with weight loss and keeping metabolism humming along.
Almonds. High in fiber and essential fatty acids, almonds are a good choice forsnacking…just don’t eat too many as they are also loaded with calories.
Spinach. Spinach is sort of a wonder food, chock full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and is a great addition to any diet seeking to increase metabolism.
Beans. Packed with soluble fiber, beans help keep the digestive track functioning properly. Choose dry beans over canned whenever possible to avoid the sodium usually found in the canned version.
Jalapenos. Jalapenos burn more than your mouth…that capsaicin temporarily revs up your metabolism!
Eggs. Eggs are an awesome source of protein, which is readily converted to energy, thus encouraging one’s metabolism to run efficiently.
Whole Grains. Choosing whole grains are a fabulous way to burn more calories when compared to refined foods. Whole grain foods are more nutrient dense and richer in protein and fiber than their refined counterparts, and go a long way towards stoking metabolism.
Apples. An apple (or two or three!) a day may just keep a sluggish metabolism away. Low in calories and high in fiber, these sweet treats keep you feeling full, which also helps with weight loss goals.
Water. Drinking sufficient quantities of water throughout the day is critical to keep one’s metabolism functioning optimally…also, people often mistake thirst for hunger, so staying hydrated helps prevent overeating.

Birth Control Recall Alert: Pfizer Recalls 1 Million Packets

Selena — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:13:07 +0000

Do you use birth conrol? If you do, please be sure to head home and check the expiration dates on the back of your birth control package. If the dates are between July 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014, please DO NOT use the product as your risk of unintended pregnancy may increase.

According to the HuffingtonPost, Pfizer Inc. is recalling some 1 million packets of its birth control product due to mechanical and visual inspection failures in its packaging line. What does this problem mean? It means some packets have too many active tablets while other packets have too few.

The problem affects 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets. Both products are manufactured by Pfizer and have been marketed in the U.S. by Akrimax Rx Products. While there is no safety issue at play, the chances of becoming pregnant accidentally can increase if one of the faulty packets is used. According to Pfizer spokesperson, the problem has been corrected.

Dangerous Diet Fads: Spotting and Avoiding Unhealthy Eating Plans

Christine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:57:00 +0000

It’s that time of year…diet plans are being advertised everywhere, promising to help you keep that New Year’s resolution to lose weight. But beware: all diets plans aren’t created equal. In fact, some can be downright dangerous.

Fad diets come in many forms, so how to separate the wheat from the chaff? Consider the following when evaluating a diet and you’ll be ahead of the game.

Drastically reduces calorie intake. Calories in, calories out. That’s what it all boils down to…if you take in more calories than you expend, you gain weight and if you take in less calories than you expend, you lose weight. One pound of fat contains 3,500 calories…if you want to lose one pound per week, reduce your calorie intake by 500 calories per day. Don’t be tempted to reduce your calories dramatically to lose weight fast, and run away from any diet that encourages you to do so. A good rule of thumb is for women to not go below 1,200 per day and for men to not dip below 1,800.
Replaces healthy foods with sodium-laden processed, packaged foods. Many dieters love the convenience of package foods being delivered to their homes, but read those nutritional labels before committing. Steer clear of any diet that is providing you with empty calories devoid of fully balanced components we all require to remain healthy.
Bans one or more of the five food groups. Some diets attempt to carve a niche by dramatically banning entire groups of foods. Beware! A sound, balanced diet includes foods from each food group. Short cuts may seem enticing in the short-term, but in the end they will likely leave you lacking in nutrients.
Claims to remove fat from one area of the body (e.g., abdominal fat). As awesome as it might sound, fat can’t be targeted. Your body gains and loses fat in it’s own way…diets that promise to lose fat in one area are being deceptive.
Requires you to purchase pills, vitamins, or shakes. A diet that requires you to purchase items is definitely a red flag. This doesn’t mean that all diets that ride on the heals of products are automatically bad, just that they warrant further investigation. You don’t want to start following a diet that is only a means to make products more attractive that otherwise consumers wouldn’t be interested in purchasing.

Need more inspiration? Check out this article….it details diets that are nutritionally sound and come recommended by leading authorities.

Healthy Diets for the New Year

Christine — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:01:32 +0000

The holiday decorations have been put away, the new year is underway, and your resolutions…well, have they already been swept away?

If one of your resolutions was to adopt a healthier lifestyle in the form of losing weight, combat health issues such as hypertension or high cholesterol, or simply feed yourself and your family a more balanced diet, inspiration may be on the way! U.S. News and World Report recently released their best diets for 2012 list.

Diets are rated and categorized according to their primary benefits, such as overall healthy living, weight loss, diabetes control, and easiest to follow. Some highlights follow:

DASH Diet. Ranked as best overall diet, I like this one as it isn’t gimmicky. At its core it is simply smart eating by incorporating a certain amount of foods from specific food groups. Heart-healthy and nutritionally varied, the DASH diet was originally created to combat hypertension, but can function as a balanced diet for anyone looking to lose weight or make healthier foods choices. More information can be found here.
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Diet (TLC). Created by the National Institute of Health as a means to lower LDL cholesterol (the “bad” one), this diet took second place in the overall diet category. Essentially it espouses increasing fiber intake while decreasing unhealthy sources of fat such as fatty meats and whole milk. The dietary recommendations are approved for children and teenagers as well.
Mayo Clinic Diet.This diet is focused on weight loss, but still ranks third in the overall diet category. It doesn’t require you to count calories, and you are free to snack as much as you’d like on approved foods. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting intake of saturated fats and salt.
Weight Watchers (WW). Numero Uno for U.S. News and World Reports category for weight loss. Most are familiar with WW; no foods are off limits as their points system assigns values to everything based upon protein, carbohydrate, fat, fiber, and calories. The number of daily points you are allotted depends upon your current and goal weights. Support is a big part of the WW theory; with the option of in person WW meetings or online support, this is an attractive option for many.
Biggest Loser Diet. Ranked second for weight loss, the Biggest Loser Diet not only emphasizes healthy eating through appropriate portions of foods (heavy on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains), it also encourages keeping a food journal and exercise to help you slim down.

And remember…resolutions don’t need to start on the first day of the new year. If your goal is to adopt a healthier diet, for whatever reason, don’t let a day of bad eating cause you to give up this goal. You can start again…as many times as needed!

Healthy Meals: Creative Ways to Get Your Family to Eat More Veggies

AngelicaMD — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:41:39 +0000

There are many reasons why children and even adults are not particularly fond of eating vegetables. But we all know that they are a rich source of vitamins and minerals which serve as antioxidants and help in body building and growth. Find out how you can be creative in getting your family to eat more veggies and enjoy a healthier diet.

Dietary Guidelines

School age children should get 3-5 servings of vegetables per day. To achieve these, serve their veggies in a variety of ways. A serving might be one cup of raw leafy vegetables, 3/4 cup of vegetable juice, or 1/2 cup of other vegetables, raw or cooked. How can these guidelines be accomplished?

Reasons Why People Hate Vegetables

Many children and even adults avoid eating vegetables – they pick on their food, remove them from perfectly prepared sandwiches or completely avoid getting them into their plates. Some people even hate having anything green, red or yellow that looks like a part of a plant in their food!

Some people hate vegetables, like cabbage and broccoli.

The inherent bitterness of some vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, also referred to as cruciferous vegetables can turn off the appetite of a picky eater. Some people have extra-sensitive receptors for bitter tastes and this occurs in around 25% of the population. Some people also have unpleasant memories of being forced to eat vegetables in their childhood and associate these thoughts with the taste of veggies even when they are grown up.

Creative Ways to Include Veggies in the Diet

Maybe the most important way to encourage the rest of the family to eat vegetables is to be a good example of a veggie eater. Parents who buy, prepare and eat vegetables as a daily part of meals are more likely to succeed in showing their kids how these foods are essential to a healthy diet. So make sure kids see you eating your veggies like you’re enjoying them! If that doesn’t work, here are some ways you can creatively get your family to eat their daily source of fiber and nutrients from vegetables:

Large chunks of vegetables in sandwiches, salads and other side dishes can easily scare the kids. Try chopping carrots, zucchini or spinach and incorporate them in soups, lasagna, spaghetti sauce, omelets, pastries and other favorite foods where they can hardly be detected.
Hide vegetables in favorite foods like pastries and waffles!

Health Resolutions You Want to Start Now

AngelicaMD — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:49:07 +0000

After doing away with the shopping lists and Christmas wish lists it is time to make another – a list of resolutions for the New Year. Aside from relationships, career and finances, health is one of the top priorities one must focus on in 2012 and every year thereafter. But what are the most important health resolutions one must start now to improve one’s well being?

Have a Regular Evaluation of Your Health

Visit the doctor to check for early disease.

It is always better to prevent disease than to treat it. Whether you have a clean bill of health or are currently being treated for a condition it is ideal to evaluate your present state of health by having a checklist for essential screening procedures that can help you catch a disease early. This is important especially for men and women over the age of 40, when chronic diseases start to develop.

For women, screening tests may be recommended by their health providers for cervical cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis and thyroid problems, which are most common especially those in their 40’s. On the other hand, men may need to undergo prostate cancer screening. Both men and women who are especially prone to certain diseases at this age may also need to undergo colonoscopy for colorectal cancer and screening tests for heart disease and skin cancer. Depending on one’s personal and family histories, physicians may advise their patients to undergo common and special tests to evaluate their state of health before any of the chronic conditions become a problem.

Develop and Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

More Fruits and Vegetables, Less Meat and Fats

It cannot be stressed enough: living a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent disease and enjoy life to a ripe old age. Start making a list of healthy resolutions such as:

Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat, sugar and calories to maintain a healthy weight and avoid diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Exercise regularly and avoid being a couch potato to improve your circulation and your body functions, at the same time avoiding obesity-related conditions.
Get enough rest and sleep to prevent physical and psychological stress,
Avoid all bad health habits such as smoking, excessive drinking and other forms of substance abuse.
Drive safely and always wear a seat belt!

There are many more health resolutions one can come up with, tailored to his/her own needs, and the best way to keep them is to make realistic goals that can be accomplished in long terms, not just for a few weeks.

10 Immune Boosting Foods for Flu Season Health

Christine — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:08:27 +0000

Feed a cold, starve a fever.

Many of us grew up hearing this, but the real truth is that the right foods can help boost your immune system against both bacterial and viral infections, as well as a host of other illnesses and diseases. A healthy diet rich in nutrients that bolster your immune system is a first line of defense against getting sick, and then helping us kick a bug once we’ve gotten a cold or flu.

Following are ten amazing foods that pack a wallop for your immune system:

Apples. An apple a day…may just be a great immune boost! A recent study has shown that the pectin fiber in apples may have anti-inflammatory properties that help the immune system response.

Oranges and Other Citrus. Rich in Vitamin C, citrus fruits help protect the body against viruses by increasing the level of interferon, a critical antibody. As an added bonus, they tend to be relatively inexpensive and are super delicious!

Bell Peppers. See above! Bell peppers, especially the delicious red ones, are super rich in Vitamin C…as much as twice as much as citrus. Plus, they’re a great source of beta-carotene which the body converts to Vitamin A. See below!

Pumpkin, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, and Carrots. These orange-colored vegetables are full of beta carotene, which the body needs to create Vitamin A which in turns boosts production of infection-fighting cells such as T-cells and killer cells.

Black Tea and Coffee. Those who regularly drink black tea and coffee may have far higher levels of L-Theanine, which is believed to boost the body’s immune response to infection by boosting the types of cells in our bodies which fight infection.

Yogurt, Kefir, and Sauerkraut. These three are pro-biotic powerhouses, meaning they contain abundant amounts of the “good bacteria” our intestinal tracks need. Studies show that including them in your diet may help increase your body’s white cell count, resulting in an increased immune response.

Garlic. Garlic is rich in allicin, which is the “natural antibiotic” considered effective against bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections. Raw garlic, chopped or crushed, is richest in allicin.

Flickr Photo by Missy & the Universe

Button Mushrooms. Button mushrooms contain selenium, an antioxidant which can protect cells from damaging free-radicals. Luckily, these are the type of mushrooms that are commonly found in grocery stores.

Salmon. Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Salmon is a yummy way to incorporate these important healthy fats into our diet. Amongst many things, Omega3′s promote cell health.

Water. Yes, water! Drinking plenty of water daily is important for every aspect of your health, and all too many of us spend many hours somewhat dehydrated without even realizing it. A good rule of thumb is to drink 50-75% of your body weight in ounces. For example, for 50% take your weight (in pounds), divide in half, and then drink that many ounces per day.

So as we make our way through the flue season, try to incorporate some -or all- of these items in your daily diet. Your body with thank you!

5 Steps to Setting Realistic Health Goals for 2012

AngelicaMD — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:01:23 +0000

A new year is coming up, and we need to evaluate how we did this year, in terms of achieving health goals, before we move on to the next. Learn about how to set realistic health goals in five easy steps.

Evaluate Your Accomplishments and Pitfalls

Image by Stuart Miles

The first step in planning a future action is to evaluate what you have accomplished in the past and where you need to improve. Perhaps in the beginning of 2011 you planned to eat a balanced diet and exercise more, with a goal of achieving a desired weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is now time to evaluate if you have achieved these goals, what things you did to succeed and those that fell short of expectations.

Set Specific Goals

Image by jscreationzs

The next step would be to set specific goals. Sometimes we are not able to follow a clear direction in our plans because the goals are not specific enough to be visualized. For instance if you want to lose weight, think of it in terms of attaining a normal BMI (body mass index), which is a standard that indicates an individual’s body weight in relation to the square his or her height. The World Health Organization regards a BMI of less than 18.5 as underweight and may indicate malnutrition, an eating disorder, or other health problems, while a BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight and above 30 is considered obese. To achieve a normal BMI between 18.5-24, do the math and find out how much weight you need to gain or lose.

Set Goals that are Measurable and Achievable

Image by Stuart Miles

Gear up for success by setting up goals that are measurable and achievable. Wanting “to be healthier” may be measured by planning on how to improve your diet, doing more exercise or giving up bad habits like smoking. Think of how many cups of coffee you need to limit yourself per day, how many minutes or hours of exercise you can do per day or per week or how when you need to visit your doctor for an annual check-up. Consider taking medically recommended laboratory tests that may help you evaluate if your blood sugar and cholesterol levels are normal, and what you should do to improve them if they are not.

Keep Your Goals Realistic

Image by photostock

Sometimes goals are not met because they are not realistic. Planning on a daily exercise regimen that consumes a couple of hours may not be realistic for a busy working mom with many responsibilities, although it may be possible for someone who has fewer commitments. However, planning to incorporate a few minutes of exercise in between breaks may be more realistic for some and therefore, more achievable.

Consult a health provider to keep your goals realistic and within healthy limits. Planning to lose too much weight in a short period of time or doing strenuous exercises may not be recommended for you, so it is best to seek advice.

Set a Time Table

Image by Stuart Miles

To monitor your success in achieving goals, set a time table for your plans. Keeping a diary or a planner will help you keep track of your goals and evaluate your achievements and pitfalls. Know which steps can be done on a daily basis, a weekly schedule, or a monthly, quarterly and annual basis. Trying to maintain a healthy weight may require a daily effort and your success may be measured after a week, a month or so, depending on your target.

Try to schedule your medical visits for immunizations, screening tests and other medical check-ups according to your needs, and follow the time table. Give yourself a limited time to get rid of bad health habits like sleeping too late or drinking too much alcohol, but set enough time to replace them with good health habits like getting enough rest and relaxation.

Excedrin® Migraine Relaxation Basket (Giveaway)

Christine — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:05:13 +0000

Migraines. If you, or someone you love, suffers from them, you know how debilitating they can be.

For me, they start with a blind spot; an area where my vision just seems to drop off… a void in the world around me. Soon, the blind spot starts to twinkle, and becomes a little shimmering spot. Over the next couple of hours, the spot expands, turning into a row of sparkling geometric shapes. The row gets bigger and bigger, until it disappears from the edge of my vision entirely.

Not long after, as I start experiencing the visual symptoms, the headache and nausea sets in. I want to do nothing more than crawl into bed, turn off the lights, cover my eyes with a pillow, and lie still in an entirely silent room. However, it’s not always practical or possible to spend hours motionless, locked away from sights and sounds, while I wait for my migraine to go away.

Enter Excedrin® Migraine.

Over the years, I found that a combination of both acetaminophen and caffeine helped reduce the severity of my migraines. Excedrin® Migraine has both of these, along with aspirin. It’s also the first non-prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat all the symptoms of a migraine, and the #1 Neurologist-recommended, over-the-counter pain reliever for migraine pain relief. All of this from a trusted brand.

Even better, Excedrin® Migraine starts to relieve migraine pain in just 30 minutes. That’s music to my ears. With one tablet, (or geltab or caplet, Excedrin® Migraine is available in all three forms) you’re able to get back to your busy life, reclaiming those hours that otherwise would have been lost to the migraine. Considering that the average untreated migraine lasts for twelve hours, this is a HUGE gift of time.

Migraine Tips, and Prevention Techniques
There are many different ways to manage migraines. There is no simple solution and every treatment plan should be individualized. You should see your doctor for diagnosis of migraines and treatment options.

Perhaps the most important tool in tracking migraines is a migraine diary. It is used by doctors to track potential triggers and patterns related to your migraine. It helps you track food you eat when migraines occur, duration of migraines, type of pain, amount of sleep, etc.
Aerobic exercise has been shown to make an appreciable difference in reducing migraines and promoting a general sense of well-being.
Drinking plenty of water will help you keep hydrated, and can help prevent the frequency of migraine incidents.
When migraine pain does set in, consider finding a quiet place to rest, and applying a cool compress to the back of your neck.
Talk with your doctor about an over-the-counter pain reliever like Excedrin® Migraine, which starts to relieve migraine pain in 30 minutes.

Check out the Excedrin® Migraine facebook page, too. It’s full of great information, and there’s a coupon for $1.00 off Excedrin® Migraine.

If you’re lucky enough to not be a migraine sufferer, here’s a glimpse into how bad they can be: a recent survey done Excedrin® Migraine and the National Headache Foundation found that a third (33%) of people who suffer from migraines would give up five percent of their annual salary if it meant they wouldn’t have to endure the pain of a migraine. Furthermore, 87% of working Americans would give up something for an entire year to never have to go through the pain of a migraine again.

Do you suffer from migraines? If so, what do you do to avoid and alleviate them? Eye compress? Tea? Meditation? Dietary changes? Share them below, I’d love to hear what works for you!

As an added bonus, Excedrin® would like to give three (3!!!) lucky winners an awesome relaxation gift basket stocked full of items to help keep you mellow and migraine-free. The basket includes:

A therapeutic neck wrap that can be heated or frozen
Swarovski Crystal Ear Buds to listen to relaxing music
A soothing gel eye mask
$15 iTunes gift card to purchase relaxing tunes
$50 American Express gift card for additional stress-free needs
Foot massager
Back massager
Full value coupon for any Excedrin product ($13.99 max value)

So leave a comment below with your email address and your favorite tip(s) for relaxing and preventing migraines, and you may be one of the three lucky winners chosen. Giveaway closes Thursday, December 15 at 12 midnight EST. Good luck!

This is a sponsored post. Migraine relief and relaxation kit were provided by Novartis Consumer Healthcare, the makers of Excedrin® Migraine; my story and opinion is all my own!

Hidden Health Dangers for Women: How to Avoid Misdiagnosis

AngelicaMD — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:54:30 +0000

There are some diseases that present with vague symptoms and may be given a wrong diagnosis and treatment. In women these hidden health dangers can lead to delayed treatment and possible complications. Learn more about the common conditions that are often misdiagnosed, how to recognize them and get proper treatment.

Wrong Diagnosis

Misdiagnosed Diseases in Women

The worst thing that can result from a wrong diagnosis is getting the wrong treatment that can lead to worsening of one’s condition or even death. In fact, about 40% of mistakes doctors make are related to misdiagnosis and that there is around 10 to 15% error rate in diagnosis based on autopsy reports.

Factors that may lead to misdiagnosis may be due to non-specific symptoms which patients report, inadequate evaluation, errors in obtaining or interpretation of laboratory results and other human errors related to negligence and wrong judgment.

Diseases Commonly Misdiagnosed in Women

Medical malpractice claims also show that in general the top five conditions most commonly misdiagnosed include heart attack, breast cancer, appendicitis, lung cancer, and colon cancer. Misdiagnosed conditions among women in particular include:

Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of deaths in women. However, its diagnosis may be missed because its symptoms may be subtle, often unrecognized and unreported. These symptoms may include palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue. A heart attack may also be felt as chest tightness or pain which may be dismissed as symptoms of stress, anxiety or panic attack.

Stroke

As much as 14% of stroke cases in people under 45 are misdiagnosed because it is often thought that stroke occurs in older people. Symptoms often present as numbness on one side, headaches, dizziness, blurring of vision, lack of balance or muscle coordination, and slurred speech. During the early stages of a stroke these symptoms may be thought as related to vertigo, inner ear disorder or migraines especially in young women. If missed, a stroke may progress and result in loss of sensory and motor function or worse, leading to death.

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

Temporomandibular joint or TMJ syndrome is characterized by headaches, ringing or aching ears, plus aching back, neck, and/or teeth. These may be misdiagnosed as migraines, ear infection or dental disorder. TMJ disorder may also be a part of a syndrome called fibromyalgia, another disorder which is often misdiagnosed and inadequately treated.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones, leading to symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, muscle aches or stiffness and somnolence (sadness). One may also experience irregular menstrual periods so that women who are of age are often thought to be undergoing perimenopausal symptoms. These can also be mistaken for depression or a psychiatric disorder. If not treated properly, hypothyroidism can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and clinical depression.

Urethral Syndrome

Many women experience urinary frequency or increased urge to urinate and pain while urinating. These are often related to urinary tract infection or UTI, but many cases may not be due to infection of the urinary tract itself, but more on the vaginal infection that affects urination. Misdiagnosis can lead to failure of treatment with antibiotics not specific for the particular offending organisms. This results in prolonged discomfort in women.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

More than 12 million Americans, mostly women aged 25 to 60 years old, have fibromyalgia syndrome. This is a condition consisting of a set of non-specific symptoms like widespread pains (muscle aches, joint pains, TMJ, headaches, abdominal pain, etc), depression, incapacitating fatigue and tender points or increased perception of pain in specific parts of the body. Other symptoms also include anxiety, incontinence, increased sensitivity to cold and/or heat, dryness in mouth, nose, and eyes and more. Because of the nature of these symptoms, women may be misdiagnosed as experiencing arthritis, rheumatism, depression or menopause.

How to Get a Proper Diagnosis

Doctors rely on your accurate description of your medical history to make an initial evaluation. From these he/she can ask for the appropriate laboratory tests needed to confirm a diagnosis. Therefore it is important to be specific and that you relate every detail that is relevant to making an accurate diagnosis. Make a written list of your symptoms and the surrounding circumstances that relate to your experience.

Try to recall any congenital and family medical history of illnesses that may help, since many diseases have a genetic component in their development.

Give your doctor a complete list of medications you are currently taking to determine if you are taking them correctly.

Obtain a copy of your medical records with proper authorization, with proper documentation of what tests you have taken and their results. These can be used for obtaining another specialist’s opinion or for continuing a series of treatments.

Ask questions about the doctor’s diagnosis, treatment and any information you need to help you understand your condition. If necessary, get a second opinion from another specialist to confirm the diagnosis and treatment.

Be prepared for your next appointments with the proper information on the progress of your disease and effect of treatments.

References

WebMD