Free Women Health Blog

International Women’s Day 2011

2011-03-08T06:02:00.000-08:00

International Women’s Day 2011

International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some countries like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, IWD is a national holiday. The first IWD event was run in 1911 so 2011 sees the Global Centenary.
International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.

1908
Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.

1909
In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until 1913.

1910
In 1910 a second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named a Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day - a Women's Day - to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women's clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin's suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women's Day was the result.

1911
Following the decision agreed at Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. However less than a week later on 25 March, the tragic 'Triangle Fire' in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labour legislation in the United States that became a focus of subsequent International Women's Day events. 1911 also saw women's 'Bread & Roses' campaign.

1913-1914
On the eve of World War I campaigning for peace, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February 1913. In 1913 following discussions, International Women's Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained the global date for International Women's Day ever since. In 1914 further women across Europe held rallies to campaign against the war and to express women's solidarity.

1917
On the last Sunday of February, Russian women began a strike for "bread and peace" in response to the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war. Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. The date the women's strike commenced was Sunday 23 February on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere was 8 March.

1918 - 1999
Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as International Women's Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

2000 and beyond
IWD is now an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers. The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.
However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatre performances, fashion parades and more. Many global corporations have also started to more actively support IWD by running their own internal events and through supporting external ones. For example, on 8 March search engine and media giant Google some years even changes its
logo on its global search pages. Year on year IWD is certainly increasing in status. The United States even designates the whole month of March as 'Women's History Month'. Globally there are many very large scale highly organized IWD events.
So make a difference, think globally and act locally! Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding. The International Women's Day website at www.internationalwomensday.com is a global hub for sharing International Women's Day news, events and resources. It provides a free service to women and organisations around the world wanting to share and promote their IWD activity, videos, opinions and ideas. Please feel free to submit gender-related items for the site that you consider relevant and useful.

2011 IWD Global Centenary Year
2011 is the global centenary year for International Women’s Day – 100 years since the first International Women's Day event was run. More than one million women and men attended rallies in 1911.

Video: Most Women Do Not Understand Health Benefits of Cervix

2008-01-22T10:42:00.000-08:00

Women Health Article: Obesity (Weight Loss)

2008-01-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

What about weight-for-height tables?

Measuring a person's body fat percentage can be difficult, therefore, other methods are relied on to diagnose obesity. Two widely used methods are weight-for-height tables and body mass index (BMI). While both measurements have their limitations, they are reasonable indicators that someone may have a weight problem. The calculations are easy, and no special equipment is required.

Most people are familiar with weight-for-height tables. Doctors and nurses (and many others) have used these tables for decades to determine if someone is overweight. The tables usually have a range of acceptable weights for a person of a given height.

One small problem with using weight-for-height tables is that doctors disagree over which is the best table to use. Several versions are available. Many have different weight ranges, and some tables account for a person's frame size, age and sex, while other tables do not.

A grave limitation of all weight-for-height tables is that they do not distinguish between excess fat and muscle. A very muscular person may appear obese, according to the tables, when he or she in fact is not.

What is the body mass index (BMI)?

The body mass index (BMI) is a new term to most people. However, it is now the measurement of choice for many physicians and researchers studying obesity.

The BMI uses a mathematical formula that accounts for both a person's weight and height. The BMI equals a person's weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (BMI=kg/m2).

The BMI measurement however, poses some of the same problems as the weight-for-height tables. Not everyone agrees on the cutoff points for "healthy" versus "unhealthy" BMI ranges. BMI also does not provide information on a person's percentage of body fat. However, like the weight-for-height table, BMI is a useful general guideline and is a good estimator of body fat for most adults between the ages of 19 and 70 years of age. However, it may not be an accurate measurement of body fat for body builders, certain athletes, and pregnant women.

It is important to understand what "healthy weight" means. Healthy weight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 19 and less than 25 among all people aged 20 or over. Generally, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30, which approximates 30 pounds of excess weight. Excess weight also places people at risk of developing serious health problems.

The table below has already done the math and metric conversions. To use the table, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column. Move across the row to the given weight. The number at the top of the column is the BMI for that height and weight.

BMI (kg/m²)	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	35	40
Height (in.)	Weight (lb.)
58	91	96	100	105	110	115	119	124	129	134	138	143	167	191
59	94	99	104	109	114	119	124	128	133	138	143	148	173	198
60	97	102	107	112	118	123	128	133	138	143	148	153	179	204
61	100	106	111	116	122	127	132	137	143	148	153	158	185	211
62	104	109	115	120	126	131	136	142	147	153	158	164	191	218
63	107	113	118	124	130	135	141	146	152	158	163	169	197	225
64	110	116	122	128	134	140	145	151	157	163	169	174	204	232
65	114	120	126	132	138	144	150	156	162	168	174	180	210	240
66	118	124	130	136	142	148	155	161	167	173	179	186	216	247
67	121	127	134	140	146	153	159	166	172	178	185	191	223	255
68	125	131	138	144	151	158	164	171	177	184	190	197	230	262
69	128	135	142	149	155	162	169	176	182	189	196	203	236	270
70	132	139	146	153	160	167	174	181	188	195	202	207	243	278
71	136	143	150	157	165	172	179	186	193	200	208	215	250	286
72	140	147	154	162	169	177	184	191	199	206	213	221	258	294
73	144	151	159	166	174	182	189	197	204	212	219	227	265	302
74	148	155	163	171	179	186	194	202	210	218	225	233	272	311
75	152	160	168	176	184	192	200	208	216	224	232	240	279	319
76	156	164	172	180	189	197	205	213	221	230	238	246	287	328

Table Courtesy of the National Institutes of Health

Body weight in pounds according to height and body mass index.

Below is a table identifying the risk of associated disease according to BMI and waist size.

BMI	Category	Waist less than or equal to 40 in. (men) or 35 in. (women)	Waist greater than 40 in. (men) or 35 in. (women)
18.5 or less	Underweight	N/A	N/A
18.5 - 24.9	Normal	N/A	N/A
25.0 - 29.9	Overweight	Increased Risk	High Risk
30.0 - 34.9	Obese	High Risk	Very High Risk
35.0 - 39.9	Obese	Very High Risk	Very High Risk
40 or greater	Extremely Obese	Extremely High Risk	Extremely High Risk

Table Courtesy of the National Institutes of Health

source: medicine net .com

Women Health Article: What are the obesity health risks?

2008-01-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

Body fat is good for you. It protects internal organs, isolate the organism thermically and softens blows.

However, obesity is harmful and excessive weight can provoke serious disorders and obese people have from double to triple the probability of dying prematurely, compared to people with normal weight.

A person is called obese when the Body Mass Index greater than 30. When the BMI is greater than 40 we speak about grave obesity, which implies a serious risk for the person’s health.

An obese person has a weight that exceeds by far the ideal one estimated from a health point of view (and also from an insurance point of view).

An obese person runs the risk of a range of diseases that are linked to obesity and are more probable when the obesity level is higher.

These diseases are: diabetes, bilary calculosis, respiratory insufficiency, nocturnal apnoea, cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, arthrosis of backbone and of lower limbs, fertility anomalies, cancer.

The obesity state is also a specific risk factor for anaesthetic accidents, if you need a general anaesthesia to undergo a surgical operation.

It has been proved that these risks can be greatly reduced by keeping some parameters under control. Paradoxically, among them weight will be less influential. Recent research has demonstrated that a 10% initial weight loss is enough. It is an easy goal to reach and to maintain and in time it is a sufficient factor to decrease mortality caused by obesity by 20%, decrease by 40% mortality linked to the cancer risk, and decrease by 30% mortality linked to diabetes.

So a little weight loss can bring great benefits to health. But how can we define the risk index more accurately? How can we know when it is opportune to lose weight?

After having calculated your BMI, you also need to measure the waist, as it measures the abdominal obesity level, because abdominal obesity level is another factor directly linked to the health risk of obesity.

However, waist measurement is a useful figure only when the BMI value is under 35%, because if it is greater it means that the risk index is too high. To decrease the pathological risk index linked to obesity, waist measurements should be kept below 88 cm for women and 102 cm for men.

Weight loss is therefore highly advisable when:

BMI is greater than 30
BMI is between 25/30 but waist measurement is greater than 88 cm for women and 102 for men
There are pathological conditions linked to obesity (respiratory, cardiovascular, diabetes, etc) that are already in progress.

In all these cases, following a weight control program nowadays available in many hospital centres, it is possible to significantly decrease pathological risks linked to the obesity condition, even without submitting to an exhausting and inadequate diet.

source: web 4 health .info

Women Health Article: Healthy Life During Pregnancy

2007-12-28T16:07:00.000-08:00

You have been leading a sportive life before pregnancy and would like to continue while pregnant. Of course you should continue exercising consulting your health care provider beforehand. But doing your trainings doesn't forget to avoid moves that can harm you anyway in your new state.Note that all of the following must not be avoided, but you need to be careful how you do them.

Jogging.

If a woman didn't jog before she became pregnant, she shouldn't start now. The risk of injury increases. If a pregnant woman is a jogger, she shouldn't run more than two miles a day. Pay special attention to terrain and running surfaces because of connective tissue changes associated with pregnancy. And be sure to wear running shoes with suitable support.

Walking.

Even if you feel yourself unable to jog you could engage in a rapid walking program. This could include a four-to-six-mile walk, depending on terrain and climactic conditions. Avoid exercise during times of high temperatures and humidity.

Aerobics.

When selecting aerobics classes specifically for pregnant women, make sure the class is led by a qualified exercise leader who is aware of the basic physiology of pregnancy and has formal training in physical education. And as far as aerobics is a weight-bearing exercise, the risk increases for potential joint and ligament injuries and unrecognized fetal distress. Avoid exercises that involve overextension or anything performed while lying on your back.

Bicycling.

Exercising on a stationary bike (with a fan) is non-weight-bearing and can be started during pregnancy. It is preferred to standard bicycling because of weight and balance changes. Bicycling should be avoided outdoors during high temperatures and high pollution levels.

Swimming.

Swimming is the most adequate aerobic exercise for pregnant women. Lap swimming, water calisthenics and wading programs are all non-weight-bearing. Women should avoid water that is too cold or too hot and should stay away from a Jacuzzi if the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius.

Strength Training (Weight Lifting).

Training with light weights can be carefully continued through pregnancy. Proper breathing techniques are important. Most doctors recommend that pregnant women avoid weight training and sit-ups after the first trimester, especially women who are at risk for preterm labor. Lifting reduces the blood flow to the kidneys and uterus, and exercises done on your back (including sit-ups and leg lifts) cause your heart rate to drop, also decreasing the flow of oxygenated blood to your body and the baby. It's better to tone your abdominal muscles while on all fours, by relaxing and then tightening your muscles as you exhale.

These precautions can help assure that your exercise program is safe for mother and baby:

* Avoid activities with a high risk of falling, such as gymnastics, horseback riding, downhill skiing and vigorous racquet sports.

* Avoid overheating, especially in the first trimester. Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise. Wear layers of "breathable" clothing and do not exercise on hot, humid days.

* Avoid contact sports and any activities that can cause even mild trauma to the abdomen, such as ice hockey, kickboxing, soccer and basketball.

* Avoid scuba diving throughout pregnancy. This activity puts the baby at increased risk of decompression sickness and may contribute to miscarriage, birth defects, poor fetal growth and preterm labor.

* Avoid exercising on your back after the first trimester. Also avoid prolonged periods of motionless standing. Both can reduce blood flow to the uterus.

* Avoid jerky, bouncing or high-impact movements that may strain joints and cause injuries.

* Avoid exercising at high altitudes (more than 6,000 feet) because it can lead to reduced amounts of oxygen reaching the baby.

* Eat an adequate diet to gain 25 to 35 pounds (or the amount of weight recommended by health care provider) over the nine months. Most pregnant women require approximately 300 additional calories a day. Those who exercise regularly may require more. Diets should include plenty of carbohydrates, as pregnant women who exercise use this fuel source more quickly during exercise than nonpregnant women.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it's also a good idea to avoid any activities that include: Bouncing, jarring (anything that would cause a lot of up and down movement), leaping, a sudden change of direction, a risk of abdominal injury. Typical limitations include contact sports, downhill skiing, scuba diving, and horseback riding because of the risk of injury they pose. If you do choose to do aerobics, just make sure to avoid becoming extremely winded or exercising to the point of exhaustion.

Source: baby art .org

Women Health Article: Planning a baby?

2007-12-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

Start watching what you eat. Load up on your fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains (such as whole-wheat breads or crackers).
Get 400 micrograms (or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily from foods fortified with folic acid, or a vitamin, or folic acid pill before you get pregnant and in the first three months while you¿re pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you smoke or use alcohol or drugs. Quitting is hard, but you can do it. Ask your doctor for help.
Get enough sleep (try to get seven to nine hours every night).
If you can, control the stress in your life.
Move your body. Once you get pregnant, you cannot increase your exercise routine by much.
Get any health problems under control.
Ask your mother, aunts, grandmother and sisters about their pregnancies. Did they have morning sickness? Problems with labor? How did they cope with them?
Find out what health problems run in your family. Tell these to your doctor. You can get tested before getting pregnant for some health problems that run in families (genetic testing).
Make sure you have had all of your immunizations (shots), especially for Rubella (German measles). If you haven't had chickenpox or rubella, get the shots at least three months before getting pregnant.
Get checked for hepatitis (hep-uh-tie-tus) B and C, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and HIV since these can harm both you and your baby. Tell your doctor if you or your sex partners have ever had an STD or HIV.
Go over all of the medicines you take (prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines you buy without prescriptions, and herbals) with your doctor and ask if they are safe to take while you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant.

Source: National Women's Health Information Center

Women Health Tips: Maintaining a Healthy Life

2007-12-17T15:16:00.000-08:00

Following a few simple guidelines can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and may help prevent or lessen the severity of some of the issues listed above. Womens' health is built on a few simple principles.

Eat a healthy diet - Keep your diet balanced and include fresh fruit and vegetables. Watch your intake of saturated fats. Be sure to include low fat or non-fat dairy products to supply calcium. If your diet is lacking in some areas, consider a good womens' multivitamin to fill in gaps.<.p>

Watch your weight - Overweight and obese women have greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Increase activity - More than one-half of women do not get enough exercise. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week will provide significant health benefits. Be certain to consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program especially if you are currently sedentary.

Don't Smoke - Smoking can lead to lung disease, cancer, early menopause, infertility, and complications with pregnancy. If you smoke right now, quit as soon as possible. Noticeable improvements in health will occur quickly.

Get routine screenings and tests - Early detection is important for successful treatment. Routine screenings should be completed for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancer of the skin, cervix, breast, and colon.

Control stress- Uncontrolled stress can lead to a myriad of health problems. It can also affect relationships both at home and work. Learn what triggers stress in your life and avoid it or develop coping mechanisms.

Taking care of your health does not have to be complicated. Natural supplements may also support a healthy lifestyle. Women's multivitamins can supply nutrients lacking in the diet or lost through the monthly cycle. Herbs like black cohosh, dong quai, evening primrose oil and wild yam may be helpful in reducing symptoms of PMS or menopause. Borage oil and fish oils provide Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Folic acid is a necessity for women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy.

Source: nutra sanus .com

Women Health Article: Cholesterol Disturbances Impair Stroke Recovery

2007-12-17T08:09:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research suggests that people are at an increased risk of memory problems and greater disability after stroke if they have low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid acquired mostly from eating meat. "These findings show metabolic stress plays a significant role in stroke recovery," lead author Dr. George C. Newman, from the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, said in a statement.

The study involved 3,680 men and women over age 35 in the United States, Canada, and Scotland who had suffered a mild to moderate stroke within the past three months. All of them completed tests of brain function and disability and were followed for two years.

The researchers identified several factors that predicted memory and disability problems after stroke: increased age, non-Caucasian race, recurrent stroke, diabetes, stroke in the left side of the brain, higher levels of homocysteine and lower levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), otherwise known as "good" cholesterol.

"People with low levels of HDL, high levels of homocysteine, and diabetes are twice as likely as those without such problems to have poorer cognitive function and greater disability after stroke," Newman noted in a statement.

"The study also found stroke recovery was the most difficult for people over the age of 57 with high levels of homocysteine, which is a risk factor for heart problems and associated with low levels of vitamin B6, B12, folic acid and kidney disease," he added.

It's currently unclear why these factors are contributing to a slower stroke recovery and more research is needed, Newman said. "We need to focus our attention on identifying and treating these vascular risk factors since they can be modified."

Source: life script .com

Women Health Article: Stop Smooking!

2007-12-17T07:57:00.000-08:00

Lung cancer, not breast cancer, is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Almost all lung cancer deaths in women are caused by smoking.

If you smoke, quitting now is the best thing you can do for your health. You'll have more energy, you'll breathe easier, and your children and other people in your home will be healthier too.

There are plenty of important reasons to quit smoking now. It's good for your heart, good for your lungs, and good for your family. When you stop smoking a pack a day, you'll save $1,800 a year on cigarettes.

Here are some more good reasons to quit smoking:

Working women smokers report more days lost from work from illness and injury than working women who do not smoke.
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. You are 4 times more likely to die from coronary heart disease if you smoke.
Women who smoke have more heart attacks, cancers, oral health problems and lung conditions.

Women who smoke are more likely to have a miscarriage or a lower birth-weight baby.
Tobacco is responsible for 17% of all female deaths in the United States.
Most deaths attributable to tobacco are from lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and chronic airway obstruction.
Women who smoke are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than their male counterparts.
Females appear to be more sensitive to second-hand smoke than males.
Men and women may start smoking for different reasons. Men report starting to smoke to be more energetic and alert, whereas women start smoking for stress reduction.
When women smoke and drink alcohol, the nicotine appears to enhance the effects of alcohol. In men, the nicotine appears to dilute some of the sedating and intoxicating effects of alcohol.
Although high school girls and boys use tobacco products at approximately equal rates, among those who do not smoke, girls were 54% more likely than boys to report that they had considered smoking.
Women are less successful than men in quitting smoking, although they join smoking cessation groups more often than men for social support.
Women experience more severe withdrawal symptoms than men when quitting smoking.
Girls born to mothers who smoke have worse lung function compared to boys.

Source: her healthy life .org & her cancer .com

Women Health Article: What is Obesity ?

2007-12-08T13:01:00.000-08:00

Excess body weight can indicate obesity as an independent condition. Obesity can also arise due to various underlying conditions. Excess weight or unexplained weight gain need careful professional medical attention for correct diagnosis.

Causes of Obesity:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Obesity. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

Middle age spread
Reduced metabolic rate
Pituitary gland disease
Pituitary gland tumor
Pituitary gland cancer
Underactive thyroid gland
Prader-Willi syndrome
Syndrome X
Stein-Leventhal syndrome
Frohlich syndrome
Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome

Source: wrong diagnosi s.com

Women Health Article: Causes of Obesity and Overweight in Children and Adults

2007-12-08T12:57:00.000-08:00

Usually there is not only one single cause for obesity. Overweight is caused by eating to much fat. Biological as well as life-style factors contribute to this problem. A lot of obese people are not aware of their physical hunger and satisfaction. They lack a natural control of their eating and can, because of that, more easily be caught in an abuse of food. Such a person eats in order to suppress negative feelings, and to escape problems instead of facing up to them.

Source web 4 health.info

Women Health Article: The Obesity Health Risks

2007-12-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

Body fat is good for you. It protects internal organs, isolate the organism thermically and softens blows.

However, obesity is harmful and excessive weight can provoke serious disorders and obese people have from double to triple the probability of dying prematurely, compared to people with normal weight.

A person is called obese when the Body Mass Index greater than 30. When the BMI is greater than 40 we speak about grave obesity, which implies a serious risk for the person’s health.

An obese person has a weight that exceeds by far the ideal one estimated from a health point of view (and also from an insurance point of view).

An obese person runs the risk of a range of diseases that are linked to obesity and are more probable when the obesity level is higher.

The obesity state is also a specific risk factor for anaesthetic accidents, if you need a general anaesthesia to undergo a surgical operation.

So a little weight loss can bring great benefits to health. But how can we define the risk index more accurately? How can we know when it is opportune to lose weight?

Weight loss is therefore highly advisable when:

BMI is greater than 30
BMI is between 25/30 but waist measurement is greater than 88 cm for women and 102 for men
There are pathological conditions linked to obesity (respiratory, cardiovascular, diabetes, etc) that are already in progress.

Source web 4 health.info

Women Health Article: Depression in Women

2007-12-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

Is depression common in women?
Yes. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 19 million people in the United States -- 1 in 10 adults -- experience depression each year. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. In fact, more than 6 million women experience depression each year.

What are the symptoms?
Doctors continue to learn about how women are affected by depression, but there are some common symptoms. If you're depressed, you may have some of these symptoms nearly every day, all day, for 2 weeks or longer:

Feeling sad or crying a lot
Losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy (including sex)
Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
Thinking about death or suicide
Sleeping too much, or not being able to go to sleep or stay asleep
Losing your appetite and losing weight (or eating too much and gaining weight)
Feeling very tired or slowed down
Having trouble paying attention and making decisions
Having aches and pains that don't get better with treatment

What causes depression?
Depression seems to be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain that makes it hard for the cells to communicate with one another. Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce or moving (such as leaving home to go to college), may lead to depression. Taking certain medicines, abusing drugs or alcohol, or having other illnesses can also cause depression.

Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are more likely to become depressed. Depression is more common a week before a woman's period and in the weeks after a woman gives birth (this is called postpartum depression). In some women, taking birth control pills may cause symptoms of depression.

How is depression treated?
Depression can be treated with counseling, medicine or both. It's also important to take good care of yourself, to exercise regularly and to eat healthy foods. See the list of dos and don'ts later in this handout. Counseling alone may help if the depression isn't severe.

Antidepressant medicines are very effective in treating depression. There are many different kinds of antidepressants. Your doctor will decide which one is right for you. Medicine alone or medicine with counseling can help most women who have depression.

Some dos and don'ts when you're depressed

Don't isolate yourself. Stay in touch with your loved ones and friends, your religious advisor, and your family doctor.
Don't make major life decisions (for example, about separation or divorce). You may not be thinking clearly right now, so your decisions may not be the best ones for you.
Don't blame yourself for your depression. You didn't cause it.
Don't be discouraged about not feeling well right away. Be patient with yourself.
Don't give up.
Do exercise every day to make yourself feel better and to get more energy.
Do eat balanced meals and healthy food, and get enough sleep.
Do take your medicine and/or go to counseling as often as your doctor tells you to. Your medicine won't work if you only take it once in a while.
Do set small goals for yourself, because you may have less energy.
Do encourage yourself.
Do get as much information as you can about depression and its treatment.
Do call your doctor or the local suicide crisis center right away if you start thinking about suicide.

Are antidepressants safe for any woman with depression?
If you're planning to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about your medicines before you try to get pregnant. If you accidentally get pregnant while you're taking an antidepressant, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor will know if your medicine is safe to take.

Almost all medicines for depression can pass into your breast milk. If you are planning to breast feed or you currently breast feed, talk to your doctor about your medicine.

In most cases, it's OK to take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (also called HRT) at the same time as depression medicines. Taking hormones may even help some depressed women feel better. However, if your birth control pills seem to be causing symptoms of depression, discuss this with your doctor. He or she may suggest you use another method to prevent pregnancy for several months in order to find out if your birth control pills are causing depression.

Do antidepressants have side effects?
Like most medicines, antidepressants can cause side effects. However, not all people taking antidepressants experience side effects. Any side effects you have will depend on which medicine your doctor has chosen for you.

If you're taking a tricyclic antidepressant, you may have a dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, a "spacy" feeling, bladder problems, tiredness, sleepiness, dizziness, shaky hands, fast heartbeat or weight gain.

If you're taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), you may have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, sleepiness or trouble sleeping, or problems with sex (inability to have an orgasm).

Other antidepressants can cause similar side effects. If a side effect of your antidepressant bothers you, talk to your doctor about it

How will I know if an antidepressant is helping?
You'll sleep better. Your appetite will improve, and you'll have more energy. You'll have a better feeling about the future. You'll feel less sad, and it will be easier to make decisions. Be patient -- you may notice improvement as soon as 1 week after you start taking an antidepressant, but you probably won't see the full effects for about 6 to 8 weeks.

How long will I need to take the medicine?
How long you'll need to take the medicine depends on your depression. If this is the first time you've been depressed, your doctor will probably want you to take the medicine for about 6 months. If this is the second time you've been depressed, you'll probably take the medicine for about 1 year. However, if this is the third or fourth time you've been depressed, you may need to take the medicine for years so the depression doesn't come back.

Source: family doctor.org

Women Health Article: What is Menopause?

2007-12-07T08:58:00.001-08:00

What is menopause?
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her periods stop and she can't have children anymore. This happens because as a woman ages, her ovaries stop making enough of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

When does menopause occur?
The average age for women to have their last period is about 50. But it's normal for menopause to occur any time from age 41 to 59. A woman often goes through menopause at about the same age as her mother.

Women who have both ovaries removed will go through "surgical menopause" at the time of their surgery. If the uterus is taken out but the ovaries are left, a woman won't have periods but she will only go through menopause when her ovaries stop making estrogen.

If you stop having periods early--before age 40--your doctor can do a blood test to see if you're going through menopause.

Menopause is a gradual process that can take several years. You're not really through menopause until you haven't had a period for 12 months. (During this time, keep using birth control if you don't want to become pregnant.)

Talk to your doctor if you have:

A change in your monthly cycle
Heavy bleeding
Bleeding that lasts longer than usual
Bleeding more often than every 3 weeks
Bleeding after sexual intercourse
Any blood staining between periods

What are the common signs and symptoms of menopause?

Some women just stop having periods. Others experience symptoms, such as the following:

A change in your menstrual cycle. This is one of the first signs of menopause. You may skip periods or they may occur closer together. Your flow may be lighter or heavier than usual.

Hot flashes. Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause.

When you have a hot flash, you'll feel warm from your chest to your head, often in wave-like sensations. Your skin may turn red and you may sweat. You may feel sick to your stomach and dizzy. You may also have a headache and feel like your heart is beating very fast and hard.

Thinning of your vagina and vulva (the area around your vagina). The skin of your vagina and vulva becomes thinner with menopause. Your vagina also loses its ability to produce as much lubrication (wetness) during sexual arousal. These changes can lead to pain during sex.

You can use an estrogen cream (put in and around your vagina) or a water-based lubricant (such as K-Y Jelly) to make sex less painful.

Urinary tract problems. You're more likely to have bladder and urinary tract infections during and after menopause. Talk to your doctor if you have to go to the bathroom often, feel an urgent need to urinate, feel a burning sensation when urinating or are not able to urinate.

Headaches, night sweats, trouble sleeping and tiredness are other symptoms. Trouble sleeping and feeling tired may be caused by hot flashes and night sweats.

Does menopause have emotional symptoms?
Many women experience emotional symptoms during menopause. These symptoms may include sadness, anxiety and loss of sleep. For some women, symptoms can be severe. If you find that you're having emotional problems, talk to your family doctor.

What is hormone replacement therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves taking estrogen alone or estrogen combined with another hormone, progestin. Some women have found that HRT can relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and some urinary problems. However, HRT is not for everyone. New information from recent studies suggests that for many women, the risks of using HRT may outweigh the benefits. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of HRT.

Are other treatments available?
Yes. Medicines such as estrogen cream, antidepressants, soy products and certain herbal supplements may help ease some menopausal symptoms. Discuss these options with your doctor.

Source: family doctor.org

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2007-12-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

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