After working in my garden for a few hours, I am experiencing pain in my lower back. I do not take any prescribed drugs, but should I ask my doctor for a muscle relaxer?

I do lie down and put my feet flat on the floor, which helps ease the pain. After several days of rest, I start to feel better, but I do need to work in my garden again.

Read Nurse Mary's blog post about how to be prepared for a flat tire and her tips on how to stay safe and calm during an emergency.

Pick up a bag of shredded cabbage for effortless preparation of this vibrant salad with a mixture of sweet and savory ingredients in a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. Whenever I make coleslaw, it is always for a crowd, and this recipe feeds them all.

Find more recipes from Holly Clegg's trim&TERRIFIC Gulf Coast Favorites cookbook.

Common Women's Digestive Problems The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, some say. But why isn't that true for a woman? Maybe it's because men's and women's digestive systems aren't the same. For one, women's stomachs tend to process food more slowly than men's. That may explain why women experience nausea and bloating more frequently. And women are more likely to have the following common digestive problems: Gallstones. Women are twice as likely as men to have gallstones,…

A staggering 55 percent of women and men age 50 and older have low bone mass and osteoporosis in the United States. But most won’t know it until they break a bone. That’s a shame, since like many diseases, osteoporosis is preventable and treatable. Why not take steps today to protect your bone health before you run into trouble?WHY DO BONES WEAKEN OVER TIME?To understand osteoporosis, you first have to understand the important role that bones play in the body. You probably associate bones with…

A unique twist on a traditional hummus recipe! Enjoy this delicious and healthy Sweet Potato Hummus recipe with friends and family. They'll be sure to enjoy the combination of red peppers, sweet potatoes and fresh garlic.

Bone mineral density testing, also known as bone densitometry, quickly and accurately measures the amount of calcium in certain parts of your bones. From this information, your doctor can determine how strong your bones are and what your risk of fracture is. The test is used to detect osteoporosis, a disease in which the bone's mineral content and density are low, increasing a person's risk of fracture. There is a direct relationship between the lack of estrogen after menopause and the…

A Physical Exam from a Woman's perspective If you’re a woman, the last time you had a physical exam, your doctor probably checked your heart, your lungs and your blood pressure. Maybe you had a breast exam or a pelvic exam. But when is the last time you and your doctor evaluated your health from a woman’s perspective? Women are not just humans with reproductive capacity who are more likely to get breast cancer. There’s a lot more that makes women’s bodies different than men’s. And that makes…

What is Urinary Incontinence? Many women suffer from involuntary loss of urine, or “urinary incontinence.” For some, it’s just a few drops when sneezing or laughing. For others, it’s a large amount after a sudden urge to urinate. Others are fine during the day but get up several times at night to urinate. Urinary incontinence has a significant impact on women’s quality of life. Unfortunately, many women think that urinary incontinence is a natural part of aging and do not seek medical help.…

To welcome the healthiest possible baby into the world, you’ll want to do everything you can to enjoy a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery. Optimizing your weight before pregnancy and continuing on a healthy path after delivery will create a brighter future for you — and your child. Pregnancy puts a significant strain on your body — for nine months! Like training for a long-distance race, it’s important to get in shape for your pregnancy. You can do this by making changes in your lifestyle…

A panel of federal health experts says a long-established bone strengthening drug should no longer be used by women because there is little evidence it works and it may actually increase the risk of cancer.

Read Dr. Holly Thacker’s column about oral therapy for a common and treatable hormonal condition called Vaginal Atrophy (VA).

Kathryn Kilpatrick offers suggestions for lifelong learning and successful aging. As a speech-language pathologist with over four decades of experience working with older adults, Kathryn Kilpatrick specializes in working with older adults and their families facing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. In the last decade people of all ages seem to be complaining about their memory. Have you noticed that your memory is not what it used to be? Join the many people, both young and old,…

Can hormone changes during perimenopause cause vulvar burning, itching or redness?

Tests ruled out any infection, and multiple treatments with topical steroids only make the symptoms worse. Oral steroids have not helped either. I have gone soap-free for that area and for undergarments as well. It is very uncomfortable for even simple activities like walking and sitting.

Cervical cancer occurs when the cells that make up the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus, undergo changes where they multiply out of control, accumulating and resulting in a tumor. About one in 147 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in their lifetime. However, routine screening and preventative measures make it one of the most preventable types of cancer. Although we don’t know for sure what causes some cells to grow abnormally, we do know that certain risk factors are…

Is there any possible way to get rid of cellulite on legs, mostly inner thighs and the front of my thighs? I am at a healthy weight for my height and run almost every day. What are my options?

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s blog on research revealing marked health benefits of the famed multi-purpose Olive oil.

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker's blog about this (dreaded) day and why taking stock of your financial health can impact your overall health.

Feeling tired, gaining or losing a few pounds, or having trouble sleeping? If so, you have plenty of company. These common complaints can be symptoms of a myriad of conditions, including disorders of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland. So how do you know whether or not to be concerned? In women, changes to the menstrual cycle can be an indicator of a thyroid problem, but many things can influence the menstrual function. How Common are Thyroid Disorders? The answer is very, with…

Is there a beverage I can make at home that is beneficial to weight loss? I know water is best, but I hear about beverages that can boost weight loss. Is this true? I am healthy otherwise, but overweight.