What is a Hysterectomy? Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It ends menstruation and the ability to become pregnant. Depending on the reason for the surgery, a hysterectomy may also involve the removal of other organs and tissue. A partial hysterectomy is the removal of the upper part of the uterus. A total (or complete) hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and cervix. A total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of the uterus, cervix,…

The Symptoms of Heart Failure The symptoms of heart failure may be mild to severe. The symptoms are related to the changes that occur in your heart and body (see below) and are the same in women as men. However, women seem to have more shortness of breath and more difficulty exercising than men. They also have swelling around their ankles more frequently than men. You may have one or all of these symptoms below. Sometimes, people with weakened or abnormal heart muscles do not have any…

Heart Failure Treatment Plan With the right care, heart failure will not stop you from doing the things you enjoy. Your prognosis or outlook for the future will depend on how well your heart muscle is functioning, your symptoms, and how well you respond to and follow your treatment plan. In general, women with heart failure survive longer than men with heart failure 1-2 but remain symptomatic (ie. shortness of breath) and functionally more limited 3-4. Women with heart failure also require…

Regular Screenings and Immunizations Staying healthy requires regular attention and screenings and immunizations are part of that. However, it’s easy to lose track of what you need, when and how often. Below is a list that will keep you on schedule: General preventive care screenings and immunizations Breast cancer screening, starting at age 40, with mammograms every 1-2 years for all women, especially between the ages of 50-79. Cervical cancer screening, starting at age…

Menopause presents many challenges to women, including mood swings, changes in sleep patterns and weight gain. The weight gain isn’t from menopause, per se, but because our metabolism slows with each decade. Peggy Zeller discusses how you can take on the battle of the bulge with these weight loss tips.

Dr. Kristi Tough DeSapri discusses a type-2 diabetes diagnosis and how the first line treatment for diabetes is diet, exercise and prevention.

Caring for your skin can be a challenge during menopause. Check out Dr. Silvia Rotemberg’s skin care regimen to restore, stimulate and protect your precious skin.

Do you have any knowledge about natural antidepressants compared to medical?

6 Tips to Help you Make Exercise a Lifelong Routine Make short term goals. Big change does not occur over night. With time, you will notice you have improved and made strides toward your target exercise goal. Find an Activity that Fits into your SchedulePick a time of day that you feel the best to exercise. Write it down as you would other appointments. Don’t depend on exercise classes to meet your exercise needs. If you miss the class one day, use that time to take a walk outside or in the…

Complementary and Alternative Therapies Complementary and alternative therapies are medical treatments that are considered nontraditional. They include: Dietary and herbal supplements Acupuncture Chiropractic Massage therapy Biofeedback Homeopathy Eating certain foods that are thought to prevent disease or heal Alternative treatments are often used alone, while complementary treatments are alternative treatments that are used in combination with traditional treatments, such as…

Mood Swings During Menopause Declining estrogen levels associated with menopause can cause more than those pesky hot flashes, it can also make a woman experience the following emotions: Irritability Feelings of sadness Anxiety Difficulty concentrating Fatigue Mood changes Tension If you are feeling irritable and sad there is a good chance it could be related to menopause, but the above listed symptoms are not linked only to menopause but also depression. There are a number…

Garlic belongs to the Allium class of bulbshaped plants, which also includes onions, chives, leeks and scallions. It contains healthy photochemicals (substances thought to protect against disease and boost the immune system) and fiber.

Studies show an association between increased intake of garlic and reduced risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas and breast.

Ladies, aren't you worth the time, energy and money to focus on your own health? Dr. Holly L. Thacker explains why women need to put their own health first.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker talks about how there are so many misconceptions about female hormones. Kind of like the misconceptions about women!

What is a Portion Size? Finding it hard to determine what a serving or portion size is? Below are some ways you can picture a serving or portion size using everyday objects. Note: hand and finger sizes vary from person to person! These are GUIDES only. The bread, cereal, rice and pasta group 1 cup of potatoes, rice, pasta = is a tennis ball, ice cream scoop 1 pancake = is a compact disc (CD) 1/2 cup cooked rice = is a cupcake wrapper full 1 piece of cornbread = is a bar of soap 1…

Benefits of Proper Nutrition During Menopause Looking for a “menopause diet,” a magical mix of foods and supplements that will allow you to sail through your change of life without so much as a hot flash or an extra pound? Sorry, the cure-all diet doesn’t exist. But that doesn’t mean what you eat during mid-life is unimportant. Actually, your diet matters more now than it did when you were younger. Your metabolism is slowing and your muscle mass is decreasing. Your body is producing less…

Can Certain Foods Help Prevent Cancer? Blueberries won’t save us from cancer. Neither will tomatoes, flaxseed oil, kale or brussels sprouts. The above, as well as garlic, onions, green tea and many others, have all been proclaimed cancer-preventing “super foods.” While they are all good, nutritious foods and should be part of a balanced diet, we need to abandon the notion that any one food or combination of foods can prevent cancer. While it’s tempting to think that just adding blueberries…

A drug allergy is an allergic reaction to a medication. When the drug enters the body, it triggers a response by the immune system, which creates specific IgE antibodies (proteins made by the immune system to fight specific antigens).The body becomes sensitized, and when the drug is taken again, the IgE antibodies go into action, releasing large amounts of histamine that attempt to expel the drug from the body. What are the symptoms of a drug allergy? Symptoms can range from mild discomfort…

Dr. Holly L. Thacker discusses why knowing your BMI, blood sugar level and cholesteral number can lead to better health.Understanding key numbers—BMI, blood-sugar level—can lead to better health.Blood PressureHealthy number: Less than 120/80 mmHg.Blood pressure refers to the force of blood against the walls of your arteries when your heart beats (systolic pressure, the top number) and during rests between beats (diastolic pressure, the bottom) and is measured in millimeters of mercury…

There is no doubt that menopause changes a woman's sex life. Everything from desire to the ability to take pleasure in intercourse can be affected. In the fifth and final installment of our video series, "Surviving Menopause," Dr. Margaret McKenzie of the Cleveland Clinic discusses what can be done to preserve a healthy, happy sex life.