Actonel: also known as risedronate, Actonel is a drug that has been shown to build back bone density to help protect bones that are vulnerable to fracture. Actonel is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis and to treat other forms of bone mass loss in men and women. Atelvia (Risedronate) taken weekly after breakfast. Adjuvant therapy: treatment provided in addition to the primary

Approximately 75 percent of menopausal women experience hot flashes, a condition that can make it difficult for women to sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 40 percent of menopausal women have sleep problems caused by hot flashes.

How Can I Treat Sleep Problems Related to Menopause?

The traditional treatment for the symptoms related to menopause has been hormone therapy (HT). HT consists of estrogen given as a pill, patch or vaginal cream,

While post menopause hormone therapy (HT) is generally an effective way to manage menopausal symptoms and prevent osteoporosis, it is not recommended for everyone. The following quiz may help you determine whether or not HT is right for you.

Please answer yes or no to the following questions:

Do you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as extremely heavy periods, spotting between periods or missed periods?

Yes___ No___

Is there a history of breast cancer in your

A number of non-hormonal remedies are available for the treatment of hot flashes. Their goal is not to eliminate hot flashes altogether, but to diminish their intensity and frequency. Some of these interventions (e.g., vitamin E, black cohosh and soy products) are available over-the-counter. Others are available by prescription.

Drug Dosage Side Effects Evening Primrose Oil Variable Nausea, diarrhea, blood clots. Do not use if seizure

Not all women experience menopause in the same way. For some, menopause can bring on uncomfortable symptoms. Others may experience few discomforts. Visit the listing below for helpful tips on how to cope with your menopausal symptoms.

Relieving Hot Flashes

Identify and avoid your hot flash "triggers." Common triggers include stress, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, tight clothing, heat and cigarette smoke. Keep the bedroom cool. Use fans during the day. Wear light

It is common to have questions about what to expect during your menopause experience. View the questions below to learn more about common concerns, or print out these questions and answers to discuss with your doctor.

Can Menopause Cause a Woman's Voice to Change?

The majority of women do not experience a voice change during menopause. Rarely, some women may lose the upper register of voice.

What Can I Do About the Facial Hair I’ve Developed as a Result of

Seeing the Light

Ever see something drifting across the sky – then discover it’s actually drifting across your eye?

That would be a "floater." Floaters are bits of debris in the interior of your eye that appear when you look at something white or very bright. “People describe them as cobwebs, spiderwebs, bubbles or even ‘tadpoles’,” says Arun Singh, MD, of Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute.

Dr. Singh, an ophthalmologist, or physician

Animation and Competition Encourage Kids to Stay Healthy

New fitness equipment, expanded play areas and environmental program enhancements are just a few of the ways schools are benefiting from Clever Crazes for Kids (CCK), an online wellness program for children – ages 6 to 12 – that uses animated characters, competitive games and educational challenges to encourage students to adopt healthy lifestyles. Through its incentive competition, the program has awarded $70,000 to schools

Who is at Risk for Colorectal Cancer?

Every one of us is at risk for colorectal cancer. The lifetime risk is 1 in 18 people or about 6 percent of American men and women. Most people who develop colorectal cancer have no particular risk factors.

Although the exact cause for the development of pre-cancerous colon polyps that lead to colorectal cancer is not known, there are some factors that increase a person’s risk of developing colorectal polyps and cancer.

Comfort food at its finest! A bowl of yummy whipped potatoes can warm anyone, even in the coldest of temperatures. The cream cheese flavor sends your taste buds soaring.

By Margaret McKenzie, MD

There are few life events that can compare to the 280 or so-day journey called pregnancy. The roller-coaster ride of excitement and anxiety, combined with the vast changes going on in a woman’s body can be overwhelming. But a positive experience with pregnancy is well within your reach.

It’s important to understand the myriad of changes going on in your body during pregnancy. The first thing that develops when a fertilized egg attaches to the

What are the steps to successful aging?

As we age, we make choices about our lifestyle, health care, personal pursuits, and our plans for old age. A few "steps to successful aging" will help guide us to healthy and active golden years.

1) Adopt and maintain healthy habits and positive lifestyles:

Avoid cigarette smoking Have no more than one alcoholic beverage in a 24-hour period Exercise regularly, maintaining the triad of weight bearing, aerobic, and

Explore how breastfeeding your child can lower your breast cancer risk even if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Diet affects more than just your weight. Discover how women who use the DASH Diet and eat whole grains, low-fat milk, fruits and vegetables are 37 percent less likely to have heart failure.

The Self-Esteem Link

A direct connection exists between your physical health and your self-esteem. By becoming a role model for your daughter (and your son), you can help her live a healthier life. In addition, a mother’s weight, body image, attitude and health habits are strong indicators of whether her daughter is overweight, satisfied with her body and physically active. Girls look to their mothers for advice on healthy living. Boys look to their mother as how to interact with

There are many alterations you can make to your daily life to lead a healthy lifestyle. Consider adopting these tips to live a heart healthy life.

1. Exercise

Increasing your daily activity is a great and effective way to get heart healthy. Incorporate the ideas below into your daily routine:

Lack of exercise is a proven risk factor for heart disease. Physical activity helps maintain weight, blood pressure and diabetes – all risk factors for heart disease. A

Something as simple as kicking around a soccer ball in the afternoon with your daughter can expose your skin to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The good news is that you can protect your skin by understanding how UV rays work and the proper use of sunscreen.

Set-Up Time

Did you know sunscreen needs time to "set?" For maximum protection, apply sunscreen to bare, dry skin at least 20, and preferably 30, minutes before venturing into the sun. Remember to reapply every

6 Healthy Vision Tips

Sun Protection: UV rays can damage eyes. Wear sunglasses regularly and wear a hat on sunny days. Contact Lens Care: Wearing unclean lenses can contribute to bacterial infections. Follow manufacturer's directions for proper cleaning and storage. Safety: Wear goggles and protective eye shields when working in hazardous conditions and when playing sports. Eat Right: Studies suggest that foods rich in antioxidants and green leafy vegetables can support eye

Cervical Cancer & Human Papillomavirus

Cervical cancer is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer is not considered to be hereditary, and for the majority of women who have HPV, the body's defenses are enough to clear the virus. But for women who don’t clear certain types of the virus, cervical cancer can develop later in life.

There are more than 100 types of HPV, and most strains of HPV are relatively harmless. About 30 types can

Healthy eating for diabetics includes eating a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, poultry and fish. There is not one perfect food so including a variety of different foods and watching portion sizes is key to a healthy diet. Also, make sure your choices from each food group provide the highest quality nutrients you can find. In other words, pick foods rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber over those that are