This guide provides basic information to help you start increasing dietary fiber in your diet. These are general guidelines that may be tailored to meet your needs. Fiber is an important dietary substance to help support your health. Making changes in your current eating habits will help you eat more healthfully. Most fiber-containing foods are also good sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which offer many health benefits. A registered dietitian can provide in-depth nutrition…

Women: Jugglers of Multiple Roles Women’s lives are affected by the roles they take on: Wife Mother Worker Caretaker While past generations of women organized their lives primarily to meet family-related objectives, some combination of work and family is the lifestyle preference of most American women today. Less than 12% of families today are "typical," where the father is the wage earner and the mother is at home with several children. In 50% of marriages, both partners are…

Experiment with different vegetables and fruits on your grill this upcoming grilling season for a healthy grilling experience.

Why does my scalp itch so badly? I noticed my face has gotten very dry as well. I’m using Obagi on it. I’m 50 years old and taking Estratest Low Dose. I am 5’4", 132 pounds and eat really healthy. I have thick, course dark brown hair that I get colored. And I use Keratin Straightener the one with just Keratin.

But my scalp has been doing this for some time. I want to think it’s not neurological. My mother was diagnosed with Pick’s Disease when she was 40 years old.

Author - Holly Clegg We know bran is full of fiber and blueberries are brain food, but did you know chocolate has health benefits too! You may be cutting out yummy foods previously deemed bad for you and missing out on their surprising health benefits. Sound too good to be true? Not this time. You do not have to deprive yourself to enjoy a healthy nutrient-rich diet. 6 Foods With Surprisingly Healthy Benefits Salsas - If chips and dip are your weakness you may be delighted to know that a…

What is Hormone Therapy? Hormone therapy (HT) is a treatment program in which a woman takes estrogen and progestagen (a synthetic or natural form of progesterone) to relieve menopause symptoms. HT also reduces a woman’s risk for osteoporosis and other conditions that become more common after menopause. While HT has many benefits, it has been shown to increase a postmenopausal woman’s risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer especially after age 60. Studies show the risk is reduced when HT…

Can you please provide me some simple remedies for night sweats? I seem to get hot flashes on and off, especially when I am worried or stressed about something. It almost feels like I am having a mini panic attack. I cool down fast during the day, but at night the hot flashes are really annoying.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker, Executive Director of Speaking of Women's Health, discusses the series of health screenings that women in their 20s should receive and discuss with their women's health physician.

As we age, our bones become thinner and lose their density. But there are steps women can take to halt the “thinning” of their bones and help prevent osteoporosis. Follow these tips from Speaking of Women's Health Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker.

I just turned 40 on May. Five days before my birthday, I found out I was pregnant. Six weeks later, I miscarried. I am devastated; I really wanted to have a baby. We were not trying to get pregnant and were surprised to find out I was.

Now that I have been pregnant I want to try to see if I can get pregnant again. However, I am afraid of all the problems that I could face because of my age. The OB I saw did not seem too happy when I told her I wanted to try again and listed all the reasons I should not get pregnant, including chromosomal problems, preeclampsia, diabetes and pre-term birth. Are all these problems guaranteed to happen to me or the baby because of my age?

Are bioidentical hormone pellet implants safe and effective?

After 51 years of restless leg syndrome, I began taking 50mg of 5-HTP (5-hydroxtyptophan), recommended by a friend. My restless leg goes away when I take the medicine. My doctor does not approve of OTC’s and naturals. I also take 3bp meds: 5 mg amlodipine, 40mg Lisinopril and 12.5mg Hydrochlorot.)

Am I doing harm to myself by taking the HTP? The restless leg was so severe that at times it would drive me to tears and walking the floor. Thank you for being here.

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s blog reflecting on the seismic effect the Women’s Health Initiative had on midlife women’s health.

One of the most common symptoms that women can experience with menopause is hot flashes. Dr. Holly L. Thacker, Executive Director of Speaking of Women's Health discusses how women can treat their menopause symptoms.

As we celebrate America’s birthday, it seems with every passing year our collective body mass index (BMI) is increasing - yikes! Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s blog on the FDA approved weight loss drug and learn if it is safe and healthy for your body.

Cancer and its treatment will undoubtedly cause changes in your life. One change you may experience from chemotherapy is the development of the symptoms of menopause. How chemotherapy impacts the onset of menopausal symptoms is not fully understood, but this document may begin to answer some of the questions you may have, including: How will I know if the way I am feeling is associated with menopause and not with my treatment, stress or another factor? What are the symptoms of menopause…

I have uncontrollable gas. It has no pattern and it is worse if I have to urinate. Can you please offer any advice to control the gas?

What is self-image? Self-image is the personal view we have of ourselves. It is our mental image or self-portrait. Self-image is an internal dictionary that describes the characteristics of the self, including intelligent, beautiful, ugly, talented, selfish and kind. These characteristics form a collective representation of our assets and liabilities as we see them. How is self-image developed? Self-image is a product of learning. Parents or caregivers make the greatest contribution to our…

When it comes to the health of your skin, it’s a good idea to be proactive and keep an eye out for dangerous moles. This is especially true if you already have moles on your body, or if you have a family history (a close relative) of moles. In addition to limiting your exposure to sunlight and using sunscreens, examining yourself for moles can allow for early detection and treatment. If you or a close relative have moles, you should examine your body once a month. Most moles are benign…

What vaccinations do I need to have before traveling abroad? Once you decide that your travel plans will take you beyond the US borders, it’s wise to make an appointment with a travel health expert to discuss your general health and immunization needs. Whether or not you will need particular vaccines will depend on several factors, including: Your risk of exposure to diseases in the countries to be visited Your age, current health status, and vaccination history The presence of…