When Women Need a Pap Test Yes, ladies, it is true — depending upon your age. You can safely space out Pap tests (which use a collection of cells taken during a pelvic exam), according to new guidelines released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At age 21, women should start having Pap tests every three years. At age 30, if you have a normal Pap test and a negative HPV test, you can start going five years between Pap tests. And, if you have normal Pap tests your whole adult…

Heart-Healthy Kitchen Essentials Guide If you want to eat a heart-healthy diet but are not sure what staples you should keep in your home, check out this heart-healthy kitchen essentials guide. With the help of this guide, you can start stocking up on nutritious foods to help you reduce your risk of heart disease. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Fresh seasonal…

Caring for Newborns Having a baby is exciting, but exhausting work. That’s why it’s called “labor.” After the birth of a new baby, our family-centered staff in the Cleveland Clinic Birthing Hospitals want to help moms learn how to rest and care for their newborns in the most comfortable and effective way. “As part of our world class care for new moms and babies, our staff encourages the evidence-based practice of ‘rooming-in’,” says Rebecca Starck, MD, chair of the Department of Regional…

Menopause itself is not associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. However, the rates of many cancers, including breast cancer, do increase with age. In addition, some of the drugs used to manage menopausal symptoms may increase or decrease a person’s cancer risk. 11 Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Certain factors increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Some factors can be changed (such as lifestyle choices), but others cannot be changed. Having many risk factors does not…

A Pap smear is a test used to look for changes in the cells of the cervix that show cervical cancer or conditions that may develop into cancer. All women who are or have been sexually active and have reached the age of 21, should have an annual Pap smear. It is the best tool to detect pre-cancerous conditions and screen for HPV that may lead to invasive cervical cancer. The timely detection of pre-invasive cancerous lesions via a pap smear promises a cure to cervical cancer. Do I still need a…

Each serving provides plenty of vitamin C and potassium. This recipe is also a good source of folate and fiber.

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker's blog supporting National Women's Health and Fitness Day. Dr. Thacker has health and fitness tips for women everywhere!

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,…

I have one very large and bulging vein protruding from the calf of my right leg. In my 30s, I sustained a human bite in that spot, with deep bruising that lasted a long time. What are the risks associated with leaving this vein untreated and what are my treatment options and outcomes of treatment?

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s latest blog post on beauty and why our perceptions of beauty affect health and well-being.

How can I lower my triglycerides? I exercise at least 60 – 70 minutes a week on an elliptical at a level of 13. I eat fish twice a week and take a fish oil supplement as well.

I do not eat beef and eat very little other meat. And I eat pumpkin seed daily on my lunch salad. I need help!

I am a black female over the age of 50, and I have light spots on my legs. Is there something I can do?

Dr. Holly L. Thacker and her senior women's health fellow scholar, Dr. Manisha Yadav, describe important highlights on how to take certain medications to get the most benefit.

A person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease will notice many changes. It’s getting to be more difficult to remember things, make decisions, and find your way around. It’s frustrating a good deal of the time, but there are good days and bad days. Here are some things you can do to make things just a little better and to make things feel a bit more "normal" again. How can I cope with my memory problems? Always keep a notebook with you to record important information, phone numbers,…

What is a migraine headache? A migraine headache is a primary headache disorder that effects approximately 12 percent of the population. It is a headache that tends to recur in an individual and is moderate to severe if left untreated. It can be one sided, throbbing and aggravated by routine physical activity. It can be associated with light and sound and even smell sensitivity and many patients will become nauseated with it. In a minority of patients there can be visual or sensory changes…

7 Helpful Tips for Sustaining Energy Throughout the Day When our bodies crave a “pick-me-up,” we typically choose sugar or caffeine. True, they boost our energy levels, fast. But they don’t have staying power. Our bodies break all foods down into simple sugars for energy, whether they are highly refined carbs, complex carbs, proteins or fats. Highly processed foods, such as white bread, candy and desserts, are absorbed and digested so quickly that they spike our blood sugar levels, which then…

I am almost 32 weeks pregnant and have been getting constant headaches for the past 1-2 weeks. My blood pressure and urine have been normal.

Please advise what I can do? And what could be causing this?

Like most stir-fries, this can be made in minutes if you have all the ingredients chopped and ready to go. Purchase soba noodles that are low in sodium, or substitute wide whole wheat noodles, which also are low in salt.

You can find hoisin, a sweet sauce made from soybeans and spices, and Thai chili sauce in most supermarkets.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that a person can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event or life-threatening situation. A traumatic event can be any situation that causes stress, horror, helplessness, serious injury, or the threat of serious injury or death. What are the symptoms of PTSD? People who have PTSD may have the following symptoms: Flashbacks (vivid feelings that the traumatic event is…

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s blog about Labor Day, labor, and the last long weekend of summer.