Heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women. Fortunately, most of the risk associated with heart disease is within our control. Reduce your risk of heart disease at a young age with these tips from Dr. Holly L. Thacker, executive director of Speaking of Women's Health.

I am 51 years old and have gained weight and have regular periods. I am always warm and I am experiencing periodic hot flashes. Is this menopause? I have had my thyroid levels checked and they are normal. Could it be something else?

Your intention is your vision for your life. This vision is a force in your heart, full of power and passion that cannot be seen but can be heard and felt from within. Your intention is your ultimate goal, with a direction, an attitude, and an energy you want to cultivate in yourself and in your life. Creating your intention is very exciting because it is the beginning of something bigger, something more, something really important that you want to attract into your life. You decide what it is…

The definition I like for chaos is a state of extreme confusion and disorder. While nobody would actively choose chaos, it kind of creeps up on us and before we realize, it becomes a way of life. Take this quiz to see if you are living in or headed for a chaotic life? Do you say “I don’t know why I am so tired” more than once a week, day, or hour? Would you be embarrassed to have your boss ride in your car today? Do you tend to underestimate how long things take - by half or more? Do…

After working in the emergency room for 23 years, the health and fitness field for 25 years, and life coaching for 15 years, I have had plenty of opportunity to work with people who were not aging so gracefully. Today, 60,000 baby boomers turn 60 every day. Wow! We are the largest percentage of the population and continue to live longer. I just want us to continue to live stronger as well. With that in mind, here are my top 10 ways to age gracefully (from the inside out): Move: Nothing new…

How much of the body has to be exposed without cover to get enough Vitamin D? Ten minutes is always the time I find when researching, but I cannot find out how much of the body has to be actually exposed.

What does Father's Day have to do with hair loss in women? Read Dr. Holly Thacker's column to learn more why women experience hair loss and what treatments are available.

Research and clinical experience have revealed that women's major concern with midlife and aging is weight gain. Dr. Holly L. Thacker, executive director of Speaking of Women's Health, discusses how midlife women can lose weight during menopause.

The delightfully crisp Cucumber, Mint and Feta Salad is from the ‘Ready-Made Menus – Summer Sensations’ chapter of Holly Clegg's KITCHEN 101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence cookbook.

Great source of potassium and Vitamin C. Look for more healthy and refreshing recipes from Holly Clegg's Eating Well Through Cancer book.

Looking for a great summer salad that’s refreshing, colorful, and jam-packed with flavor? Here it is! Give your taste buds a thrill with this fruity spinach salad accented with Maple Pecans, if desired.

Look for more yummy recipes from Holly Clegg's trim & Terrific Gulf Coast Favorites.

An outstanding summer starter with surprise ingredients. One step to the most refreshing make-ahead soup. Refrigerate to let the flavors blend.

Look for more healthy recipes from Holly Clegg's Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle At Any Age.

I am diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis but have been told lately I am seronegative. When I see other specialists they act like I don’t have anything wrong. I am starting to have almost as much muscle pain as I do joint pain. Can you help me understand why and what I can do about it?

Italian bruschetta is a wonderful way to capture the flavors of ripe summer tomatoes, fresh garden basil and garlic.

During rainy seasons, I receive many calls from patients having difficulty controlling their headaches. It reminds me of when I was a child and would sing “rain, rain go away, come again some other day!” in order to get outside and play again.

Dianne Dunkelman, founder and CEO of the National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation and founder of the Clever Crazes for Kids health outreach program, will receive the University of Cincinnati Award for Excellence at UC’s Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 9, in Fifth Third Arena. The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the purposes and ideals of the university.Dunkelman launched Speaking of Women’s Health (SWH) as a one-day conference in…

I was recently diagnosed with a thicker than normal uterine lining (11.5 mm) by my Ob/Gyn through a vaginal ultrasound. He would like to biopsy and possibly a D&C (dilation and curettage). Sounds fine, but I believe in also preventing the problem from occurring again.

Through personal research my understanding is that during perimenopause the lining can become thicker due to a lack of progesterone. Obesity and endometriosis are two other factors, but they do not apply to me. The most likely explanation is low progesterone. Also, please note that I have been taking Estrotone® (made mostly from Black Cohosh) to eliminate the hot flashes and moodiness on my own for the past year. It helped, but I’m afraid it may have now made me estrogen dominant. I would like to have my blood work run so a complete hormone panel can be run and evaluated. In which case, if I need progesterone afterwards, we know for sure rather than just guessing. In your opinion which medical doctor is most qualified to run and interpret this type of panel?

Whether you are facing menopausal matriculation, or have already passed that important milestone, you should read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s take on the US governmental report on menopausal hormone THERAPY.

Looking for an easy and flavorful way to kick off grilling season? Try our tandoori shrimp! This dish will fill your patio with the aroma of Indian spices. If you're not a shrimp fan, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts or leg of lamb cubes with all fat removed. Either way, keep in mind that crushed pepper flakes are quite hot, so start with the lesser amount and taste the yogurt marinade before adding more.

Conditions of the skin are as varied as the human beings who have them. The condition of your skin is created from a variety of factors, including age, ethnicity, environmental factors including sun exposure level, diet, personal habits, and your family tree (that is, heredity). The information contained here is intended to serve only as an overview of general skin care concerns and should not replace the advice of a skin care professional, or dermatologist. What are the some of the most…