Colonoscopy: What's Stopping You? A colonoscopy can save your life. Learn more about colorectal cancer prevention and treatment. Common Concerns and Answers About Having a Colonoscopy “I'm not at risk for colon cancer." The truth is: Everyone is at risk. One in 18 American men and women will get colon cancer in their lifetime. (See below for additional risk factors.) “I don't have any symptoms." In nearly all cases, colon cancer starts as a precancerous growth in the colon called…

I take one tablet of Aleve in the morning and one tablet in the evening for minor aches and pains usually every day. I have a very physical job of lifting boxes and packing. I will be 59 years old in May. Is there any danger in taking the pills?

Endometriosis Endometriosis is a common and often overlooked problem in young women. A study funded by the World Endometriosis Research Foundation included more than 1,400 women from 10 countries who reported that they experienced painful symptoms for an average of seven years before they were diagnosed with the condition. Two thirds of the women had symptoms before they turned 30. Endometriosis is a disorder in which the endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus, grows outside of the…

Acupuncture Acupuncture, the practice of placing hair-thin needles into certain areas of the skin, is being used to reduce back pain, headache and many other types of pain. Location, Location, Location There are more than 360 classic acupuncture points and several hundred nontraditional points throughout the body, including points on the: face ears hands feet A skilled practitioner or acupuncture inserts hair- thin sterile, disposable needles into the skin, just deep enough to…

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s column on startling research that links untreated menopausal symptoms with reduced work ability.

I’ve been through 16 chemo treatments, a double mastectomy and I’m now in the midst of 33 radiation treatments for stage 3, triple negative, metastasized, carcinoma breast cancer. I’m using Aquaphor on my skin several times a day. I’ve also been put on Anastrozone and take 2 thyroid pills. No matter how much I am exercising at Curves and eating healthfully, I keep gaining weight. My belly seems to be sticking out farther, since I no longer have breasts. What can I do, besides the daily workouts at Curves?

Simple ingredients magically create this make-ahead scrumptious breakfast dish fulfilling everyone’s expectations in your house. Enjoy more recipes from Holly Clegg’s cookbook, trim&TERRIFIC Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age.

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s blog regarding the timely research revealing genetic changes in sleep deprived persons and why it is important for your metabolism to get rest! Be sure to prepare for any time changes.

Pregnancy is billed as a beautiful experience punctuated by simple joys like feeling the first kick or picking colors for the nursery. But complications can sometimes create stress for soon-to-be parents. Cleveland Clinic experts offer state-of-the-art care and emotional support to families facing underlying medical conditions, difficulties with poor pregnancy outcomes, or suspected or known problems with mother or baby. “When a problem occurs with a pregnancy, family members can experience…

Dr. Holly L. Thacker reviews a recent large study looking at the use of aspirin, acetaminophen and other arthritis type medicines and the link to breast cancer risk.

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,…

Signs and symptoms of heart disease in women Women tend to pay more attention to others’ health needs than their own. But it’s important to know the facts about heart health in women and to act on that knowledge. Studies show that women’s heart attack symptoms are often misidentified as anxiety or other health problems. Even without heart disease in your family, you may be at risk. Heart Attack Symptoms in Men During heart attacks, men typically report chest pain, which may spread to the…

What thoughts do you have about including therapeutic massage as part of a healthcare plan for type 2 diabetes?

Is methylcobalamin safe to take as a vitamin to combat stress? The dosage is one sublingual tablet of 1,000 mcg daily. Are there any side effects that I should be concerned with?

Learn your risk of developing invasive breast cancer with this Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool.

Do you know your risk of having a stroke?

The Cleveland Clinic stroke risk calculator can be used to assess your risk of having a stroke within the next 10 years.

What is Female Sexual Dysfunction? Female sexual dysfunction is more common than you might think. Several surveys show that approximately 43 percent of American women have some form of sexual dysfunction, from low desire to painful intercourse. In postmenopausal women, several factors can contribute to a less-than-fulfilling sex life. Declining estrogen levels associated with menopause can lead to a decreased arousal. The testosterone so vital to the male libido is also present in women; the…

My doctor recommended that I take vitamin B and magnesium for my migraines. Is there a specific vitamin B that I should take, and how much vitamin B and magnesium do I take on a daily basis?

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker's blog on spices and herbs and how they not only help flavor your favorite dishes, but more importantly help improve your health and vitality!

I have not had an internal exam by my Primary Care Physician for more than two years. The nurse practitioner told me that I don’t need one since I do not have a cervix. (I had a hysterectomy in 2007.) Isn’t there still something "below the waist" that should be examined?