What is the relationship between hormones and headaches? It has been estimated that 70 percent of migraine sufferers are female. Of these female migraine sufferers, 60 to 70 percent report a menstrual relationship to their migraine attacks. Headaches in women, particularly migraines, have been related to changes in the levels of female hormone estrogen during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Levels of estrogen drop immediately before the start of the menstrual flow (menses). Premenstrual migraines…

15 Steps to Healthy Eating Don’t skip meals. Do keep track of your eating habits. Don’t eat after 7 P.M. Do drink plenty of water. Do delay/distract yourself. Do exercise instead of eat when bored. Don’t eat while you watch TV, work, drive. Do only eat in certain settings (kitchen table). Do watch your portion sizes. Don’t forbid yourself a particular food. Do give yourself encouragement. Don’t beat yourself up when you lapse. Do think of eating as a lifestyle…

This recipe can be modified, decreasing fat and calories, by using a “light,” low-fat soy milk. Other substitutes can include skim milk for soy milk or strawberries (fresh or frozen) for peaches. It is a very refreshing and tasty drink for snack or breakfast.

What is sexual dysfunction? Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity. The sexual response cycle has four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution. What causes sexual dysfunction? Causes of sexual dysfunction include: Physical causes Many physical and/or medical conditions can cause problems with sexual function. These conditions include…

You may experience insomnia (an inability to sleep) because of discomfort, stress from personal concerns, or side effects from your medications. 12 Tips For a Better Night's Sleep If you cannot sleep, try these tips: Establish a regular sleep schedule -- go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Make sure your bed and surroundings are comfortable. Arrange the pillows so you can maintain a comfortable position. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet. Use your bedroom for sleeping…

What Can You do to Prevent Osteoporosis? Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D. Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Prevent falls (for example, by removing loose wires, cords, and rugs around your house; wearing sturdy rubber-soled shoes; installing grab bars in your tub or shower) so you can stay active. Who should get tested for osteoporosis? An initial examination for osteoporosis is recommended at menopause if you have risk factors. There is a direct…

This guacamole dish is ideal to use as a dip for chips, vegetables or as a zesty sandwich spread. Mix in cumin, kosher salt and ground pepper to make this guacamole wild! This guacamole adds a bite to any chips dipped into it and the fresh ingredients really help the spices to stand out.

Arthritis Resources The National Psoriasis Foundation 6600 SW 92nd Avenue, Suite 300 Portland, OR 97223 503.244.7404 www.psoriasis.org The Arthritis Foundation 1330 West Peachtree Street, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30309 800.283.7800 www.arthritis.org Road Back Foundation PO Box 447 Orleans, MA 02653 740.881.5601 www.roadback.org National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) National Institutes of Health 1 AMS Circle Bethesda, MD…

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A Aerobic exercise — Exercise that conditions the heart and lungs to use oxygen to more efficiently—thus supplying the entire body with larger amounts of oxygen-rich blood—and to build stronger muscles. Examples of aerobic activities include walking, swimming, low-impact aerobic dance, skiing and biking. Acetaminophen — A type of pain-relieving medication (for example, Tylenol®) Achilles tendon — The tendon at…

Arthritis literally means "joint inflammation," but generally refers to the more than 100 rheumatic diseases and related conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints and connective tissues. Affecting one in every seven Americans of all ages, arthritis also can deteriorate the joints' support systems, including: Muscles Tendons Ligaments Other parts of the body While medication may be part of a recommended treatment plan for people with arthritis, a tailored…

What is arthritis? Arthritis is a disease of the cartilage in joints. It can occur as a result of acute or chronic inflammation of a joint and its surrounding soft tissues, following trauma to the joint, or from so far poorly defined genetic and environmental causes. It is characterized by progressive joint deterioration with loss of the smooth "cushioning" cartilage that lines joints. This wear causes structural changes visible on X-rays. The stabilizing soft tissues may also deteriorate.…

How is arthritis treated? "Arthriti" means inflammation of the joints, and it might cause pain, swelling, and limited motion of one or many joints in the body. More than 100 different illnesses can cause arthritis. Treatment begins after diagnosis by a doctor, who might prescribe medicine to reduce inflammation, pain, swelling, and loss of motion. As part of a comprehensive plan for arthritis treatment, your doctor might also prescribe occupational and physical therapy, which can provide…

What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)? NSAIDs are drugs that can reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s protective response to irritation or injury and is recognized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. NSAIDs can be used to treat the symptoms of many types of arthritis and soft tissue inflammation such as tendonitis, bursitis, and sprains. It can also be used for gout attacks. It is important to remember that NSAIDs treat the symptoms and do not…

Rheumatic conditions commonly occur in endocrine disease. Nearly all hormones have as one of their targets the connective tissue cells. Hormones are involved in the development and function of connective tissue. If the components of a particular connective tissue are altered by abnormal hormonal influence, the physical properties of the connective tissue vary, and the functional capability of the tissue will change, creating recognizable illness. Pituitary Gland Excessive production of growth…

What is asthma? Asthma is a disorder of the lungs that causes the airways to: Swell (or become inflamed), specifically in the airway linings Produce large amounts of mucus that is thicker than normal Become more narrow due to muscle contractions surrounding the airways The symptoms of asthma are: Feeling short of breath Frequent coughing, especially at night Wheezing (a whistling noise during breathing) Difficulty breathing Asthma is very common; it affects about 5 to…

What is occupational asthma? Occupational asthma is asthma caused by or worsened by exposure to substances in the workplace. These substances may cause asthma in one of three ways: An allergic reaction. An irritant reaction. A reaction in which chemicals that occur naturally in the body build up in the lung, resulting in asthma. For example, health care workers can develop an allergy to latex gloves by breathing in the powdered proteins from the inner lining of the gloves. Workers…

Research has shown that well-controlled asthma during pregnancy does not increase the risk of complications to either the mother or the infant. The following are some common questions and answers addressing concerns of pregnant asthmatics. I use an inhaler to control my asthma. Will this harm my baby? This is one of the most common concerns. The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor, who will look at how severe your asthma is and what treatment is appropriate for you. Most inhaled…

Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children. It affects as many as 10 to 12 percent of children in the U.S. and, for unknown reasons, is steadily increasing. It can begin at any age, but most children have their first symptoms by age 5. What makes a child more likely to develop asthma? There are many risk factors for developing childhood asthma. These include: Presence of allergies Family history of asthma and/or allergies Frequent respiratory infections Low birth…

By monitoring symptoms and practicing self-management, people who have asthma can control their asthma symptoms. An important part of learning to control asthma is keeping a daily asthma diary. The asthma diary is used to: Record daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) readings and asthma symptoms Compare PEF readings with asthma zones, and Keep track of how often rescue medications are used Recording this information will help you become aware of early signs of asthma episodes. Your doctor…

The airways in a person with asthma are very sensitive and react to a variety of external factors, or "triggers." These triggers cause the airways to tighten and become inflamed and blocked with mucus, resulting in difficulty breathing. An acute asthma attack can begin immediately after exposure to a trigger or several hours or days later. There are many kinds of triggers, and responses to them vary from person to person. A trigger may be harmless to some asthmatics but contribute to an…