Hot flashes (or hot flushes) are the most frequent symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. They occur in more than two-thirds of North American women during perimenopause. They occur in most women with induced menopause or premature menopause. What is a hot flash? A hot flash is a momentary sensation of heat that may be accompanied by a red, flushed face and sweating. The cause of hot flashes is not known, but may be related to changes in circulation. Hot flashes occur when the blood…

How common are headaches in adults? According to the National Headache Foundation, more than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic, recurring headaches and of these, 28 million suffer from migraines. About 20 percent of children and adolescents also have significant headaches. About 70% of headache sufferers are women. Headaches are the most common cause of absenteeism from work and school. Migraine sufferers lose more than 157 million work and school days annually because of headache…

Read Dr. Holly Thacker's Memorial Day column about the true role of calcium supplements for women.

7 Ways Women Can Improve Their Health Women tend to put themselves on the back burner, but a woman's health should not be ignored. Take control of your health and choose one thing at a time to improve it. 1. Protect Your Bones Osteoporosis can be an elusive disease. Most people won’t have any symptoms until they break a bone. But falling and breaking a bone is not a normal part of the aging process. It’s important to be proactive about protecting bone health before you run into trouble. A…

It’s not unusual for women to say that they don’t think they need to see a women’s health specialist after menopause unless they have a problem. But it’s always important to be proactive about your health, which includes keeping up with pelvic exams and screenings throughout life. Risks of dangerous health problems like cardiovascular disease, breast and other cancers, and stroke actually increase with age. Midlife is a time of transition for women in all facets of their lives. It’s a great…

What are the dangers of sun exposure? The immediate danger of too much sun is sunburn. If you looked at sunburned skin under a strong microscope, you would see that the cells and blood vessels have been damaged. With repeated sun damage, the skin starts to look dry, wrinkled, discolored, and leathery. Although the skin appears to be thicker, it actually has been weakened and, as a result, it will bruise more easily. However, the sun's most serious threat is that it is the major cause of skin…

Dry Skin Care Dry skin is defined as flaking or scaling when there is no evidence of dermatitis, or inflammation, of the skin. It is most prominent on the shins, hands, and sides of the abdomen , and can be associated with itching. It is more common during the winter months, when humidity is low, and improves in the summer time. Some people also have a genetic, or hereditary, tendency to develop dry skin. In addition, elderly people tend to have more trouble with dry skin due to the natural…

Try serving this fabulous favorite featuring berries laced with ladyfinger and raspberry jam with an orange cream cheese filling in individual glasses for another serving option. You may always substitute your favorite seasonal berry combination may be substituted. Recipe from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC® Diabetic Cooking.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker writes about passion and physical activity.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker discusses the importance of bone density scans for women, especially if they are at risk for osteoporosis.

Are you the kind of person who pops a pill with every ache or sniffle; or do you wait until you feel like you’re going to die before you reach for medication? Living at either extreme can be dangerous for your health. When it comes to taking medication, follow your doctor’s orders: prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs should be used as directed, both to achieve their full benefit and lessen their possible side effects. CHECK THE LABEL Before you take any medication, read the label…

Menopause: The Good and the Bad For some women, menopause is a time of liberation. No longer saddled with fear of getting pregnant, they find their desire increases, and they can be more spontaneous with their partner. But for other women, menopause brings declining desire or uncomfortable intercourse—leaving them, as well as their spouses, sad and confused. But it doesn't have to be that way. The most common causes of sexual dysfunction after menopause are treatable. Understanding the cause…

What is ovarian cancer?Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in a woman's ovaries. Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women. It most often occurs in women in their 50s and beyond.When found in its earliest stages, ovarian cancer can be cured 90 to 95 percent of the time. Unfortunately, early ovarian cancer is hard to detect. Many cases of ovarian cancer are found after the cancer has spread to other organs. In these cases, the cancer is much more…

Dr. Thacker discusses the dangers and potential addiction to tanning.

My friend just had a bone density test. What kind of test is this and do I need it?

In her second year of residency, Cleveland Clinic women’s health specialist Lynn Pattimakiel, MD, says her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.The experience was an eye opener. Her mother, a nurse, took care of her patients and her family. But she had failed to give herself the same attention and missed a couple of screenings.Caregivers need care, too“I think it was at that time that I realized how much mothers actually put themselves on the back burner,” she says. Dr. Pattimakeil also…

My sister is on hormone replacement therapy. I’m not sure if I should consider it. What are the pros and cons?

As we age, our bones become thinner and lose their density. But there are steps we can take to halt the “thinning” of our bones, called osteopenia, and prevent osteoporosis. Follow these tips from Cleveland Clinic experts: Eat calcium-rich foods. Besides dairy products, choose fish with bones (such as salmon, sardines or whitebait), and serve them with a side of dark leafy green vegetables or broccoli. Fortified tofu and soy milk are other calcium-rich choices, says registered dietitian…

Featuring chicken, peas, sun-dried tomatoes and feta, this fantastic, marinated light pasta salad combines bold flavors with great ingredients.

Recipe submitted by Holly Clegg, author of Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC® Gulf Coast Favorites

3 Major Eye Problems People With Diabetes Need To Know To prevent eye problems, you should: Control your blood glucose. Have your eyes checked at least once a year by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist). Control high blood pressure and lipids. Contact your doctor if any of the following occur: Black spots in your vision Flashes of light "Holes" in your vision Blurred vision 1. Cataracts A cataract is a clouding or fogging of the lens inside the eye. When this happens,…