Latest Women's Health Articles

Understanding the Thyroid Test

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:02:08 -0700

The functioning and activities of the thyroid is one of the most influential processes in the human body. This is because the overproduction or underproduction of thyroid hormones can have adverse effects on the human body and its functioning. As such, it is important that a person undergo thyroid tests frequently and regularly to monitor the level of hormones secreted by the thyroid. Otherwise, the consequences on the health could be costly and fatal.

Why is a Thyroid Test Conducted?

A thyroid test is commonly done for the following reasons:

    * As a precautionary measure before surgery
    * To determine if a person is experiencing some sort of hormonal problems
    * To see if there is a tumor in the thyroid
    * To determine if other symptoms are due to a thyroid problem

The Different Thyroid Tests

There are different types of thyroid tests. Each of them serves a particular purpose, especially with regard to determining the exact nature of a thyroid problem that a person is experiencing. Some may be chosen due to the ease with which they are conducted while some are chosen simply because other tests will not be adequate.

The following are the different forms of thyroid tests:

* Measurement of Serum Thyroid Hormones through Radioimmunoassay. This is the most common thyroid test. This is done to determine the amount of thyroxine in the blood. This is an excellent and accurate test of thyroid function, especially if the patient has not been taking any medication.

* Measurement of Pituitary Production of TSH. TSH is the hormone produced by the pituitary gland. If there is a rise in the TSH level, it may represent a response of the pituitary gland to a drop in the level of circulating thyroid hormone. When this happens, it is usually the first indicator of failure of the thyroid gland.

* TRH Test. TRH refers to the hormones secreted by the hypothalamus that acts as a trigger to the pituitary gland to produce TSH. In this case, a person will be injected with TRH and when the patient shows an elevated response to the new level of TRH, it could be an indicator of hypothyroidism.

* Iodine Uptake Scan. This is to determine how much iodine the body utilizes in producing hormones. The cells in the thyroid gland use up the iodine in the bloodstream. When the thyroid gland uses up too little iodine, it means that a person is experiencing hypothyroidism. On the other hand, when a person uses up too much iodine, then it is an indicator of hyperthyroidism.

* Thyroid Scan. This is fast growing to become the most popular means for testing the activity of the thyroid gland, mainly because it makes use of the latest technology. Here, a specialized camera is used to detect the levels of iodine in the thyroid, much in the same manner the that X-rays works. A medical expert will then be able to assess the thyroid activity through what is shown on the image.

The Fibrocystic Breast

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:00:39 -0700

Fibrocystic breast condition refers to a situation wherein a woman’s breasts have lumps that are non-cancerous. These lumps can cause a great deal of discomfort and other problems. The situation commonly comes about as a result of hormonal changes due to the woman’s menstrual cycle.

A woman’s breasts are made up of several mammary ducts that are surrounded by glandular connective tissues that enable the mammary ducts to produce and secrete milk at the last stage of pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Moreover, a woman’s body is very responsive to hormonal fluctuations during menstruation. These hormonal changes sometimes cause women’s breasts to retain fluids that result in breast enlargement, tenderness, and the characteristic lumps.

The condition is brought about when the tissues that support the milk glands thicken causing the milk ducts to swell. Afterwards, the sacs become filled with fluids and are now called cysts. The infection may start with one breast but may gradually spread into the other, worsening the condition. The lumps may vary in sizes. However, a small consolation for women is that fibrocystic breast condition is not cancerous, despite huge similarities with breast cancer.

The Causes of Fibrocystic Breast Condition

The exact causes of fibrocystic breast condition are something that continues to evade medical experts. However, with continuous research, there are findings which points to the following as possible causes of the condition:

* Excessive salt intake. Taking in large amounts of salt increases the body’s ability to retain fluids. As a result, women who experience the condition should limit their salt intake. In relation to this, one should drink no less than about 8 glasses of water a day. This is because a steady supply of non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic drinks “informs” the body that there is no need to retain fluids, such as what happens in fibrocystic breast condition.

* Frequent consumption of fatty and oily foods. Studies seem to show that fatty and oily foods increase the incidence of fibrocystic breast condition. As such, what experts recommend is a low-fat diet that also includes servings of fresh fruits and vegetables.

* Caffeine. Drinking caffeinated products regularly is also a known factor in causing fibrocystic breast condition.

Treatment for Fibrocystic Breast Condition

Although not cancerous, fibrocystic breast condition can cause a great deal of pain. Moreover, the condition can also be annoying. However, there is little known as far as treatment of the condition goes. As such, most intervention is geared toward minimizing symptoms for the reduction of the uneasiness that a woman may feel. The following are the most common means to reduce the symptoms of fibrocystic breast condition:

* Medication. Taking pain reliever is the easiest and most convenient way to reduce the pain associated with the condition.

* Wear the proper and exact-fitting bra. This is to provide the breasts with sufficient support. In some instances, it may be even needed to wear a bra even when asleep.

* Apply heating pads or towels soaked in hot water to provide relief from the discomfort.

Rethinking Osteoporosis

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:59:37 -0700

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones due to atrophy and general weakness in the structure of bones. The condition is far more severe in women, although it may also affect men. People who experience it suffer from bodies collapsing from sheer weight due to the inability of the bones to support the body. In other cases, there are various injuries that can happen to the body, such as fractures or a developing a stooping figure that is characteristic of those who suffer from the condition.

What Causes Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is caused by a low bone mass. Because of a low bone mass, the bones become fragile and prone to breakage. In most cases, people are usually unable to tell if they have the disease until they experience fractures, breaks, and other bone injuries.

What are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?

The most common symptoms of osteoporosis are bone fractures and back pain. In rare cases, there occurs a compression of the spinal cord that results in a decrease in height. In the long run, stooped posture, loss of height, and chronic pain will be experienced. There is also the increased risk of falling associated with aging.

How is Osteoporosis Detected?

Osteoporosis is detected mainly through bone density testing. Once a person is diagnosed to have very low bone density, there is the risk of osteoporosis.

What are the Ways to Prevent Osteoporosis?

While it is true that osteoporosis is a dreaded disease that brings a lot of harmful effects to the body, it may not be too late to protect yourself from the worst. Today, there are ways that can prevent or at least minimize the damage that osteoporosis can cause to the body. There are possible ways of preventing its onset.

The following are some of the ways that will help your body fend off osteoporosis:

* Exercise frequently and regularly. Even the simplest exercise such as brisk walking is proven enough to provide some form of training for the bones, and in the process strengthening them. However, for those who can still manage, aerobics, lifting of weights and resistance exercises are better. Moreover, especially in the case of post menopausal women, exercise helps them in improving posture, gait, as well as decreasing risk of falls.

* Maintain regular intake of Vitamins C and D. Vitamin C is known for aiding bone production processes. The nutrient can be obtained from fresh fruits and vegetables. However, to make absorption of Vitamin C faster, be sure to accompany it with doses of Vitamin D. Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight, although, milk, eggs, and dairy products are also good sources of the nutrient.

* Change your lifestyle. Avoid vices such as smoking and drinking which are known to heighten the effect of osteoporosis. Instead, get hooked on the active lifestyle by exercising regularly and feeding the body with the right nutrients.

Menopause and Bone Loss

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:58:36 -0700

Menopause is one of the most challenging episodes in the life of a woman. The stage brings with it certain bodily changes such as the cessation of a female’s ability to conceive. Psychologically, menopause also poses quite a challenge for a woman as it will likely challenge preconceived views on her role that may cause great changes in mood and temperment as well as requiring greater effort to accept such changes as part of the natural process. Most women reach menopause when they are 50, although the average age for menopausal women is considerably earlier in most developing countries. There are plenty of challenges confronting a woman during her menopausal stage. However, none is perhaps greater or of more pressing concern than bone loss.

How Is Menopause Related to Bone Loss?

A woman who reaches menopause usually experiences osteopenia, running the risk of developing osteoporosis in time. Moreover, the onset of the decay of the bone leading to a weak structure causes body pain, predominantly in the back and joints.

To answer the question raised, bone loss comes about because of the body’s need to balance between blood production and bone creation. When still young, the body is able to produce blood as well as create bones. However, upon reaching the age of 30, the body begins to lose bones faster than it can replace them.

At the onset of menopause, bone loss dramatically becomes faster. Estrogen production stops after menopause. Once this happens, it means more bad news for the bones because the hormone is very vital in maintaining bone strength.

Are All Women at risk for Bone Loss?

Yes. All menopausal and post-menopausal women do experience bone loss. However, there are certain groups who stand out as having the greater incidence of the condition as well as showing a very rapid bone loss. These groups include the following:

    * Those who are thin or have a small body frames. Body mass is directly proportional to body size: smaller women will experience bone loss in its most severe form.
    * Those who are taking steroids. Steroids interfere with the body’s natural production of hormones. As such, when menopause comes, the body is further impeded with what little amount of hormone it can produce.
    * Those who consume low levels of calcium and Vitamin D. These two nutrients are very vital in maintaining bone strength. As such, when the body does not get enough of them, bone loss during menopause is predictably more severe.
    * Those with sedentary lifestyle. Lack of exercise also leads to atrophy of the bones. On the other hand, those who exercise regularly develop strong bones.

Are There Ways to Prevent or Minimize Bone Loss?

Taking in enough calcium by eating fresh fruits and vegetables allow the bone to become strong in their structure, making them withstand the decaying effects of menopause. A menopausal woman needs about 1,500 mg of calcium each day. On the other hand, calcium will not be maximized if taken without Vitamin D. Vitamin D is the nutrient that makes calcium absorption easier. The best sources for the vitamin are eggs, fish, and milk. Moreover, exercising regularly will keep the bones strong, thus preventing bone loss.

Lifestyle and Bone Health

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:57:41 -0700

It is rare that women consider their bone health before the onset of any injuries or diseases to the bones. As such, once they take notice of their bone health, chances are that any disease they may have noticed is already advanced. That is why it is important for women to pay attention to their bone health starting when they are still young.

The correlation between bone health and lifestyle has been given tremendous importance in recent years because of findings in several studies that lifestyle has a huge impact on the bone health of women. Most often, ignoring bone health and healthy lifestyle leads to osteoporosis and other risk factors to the bones such as fractures.

Lifestyles That are Detrimental to Women’s Bone Health

There are certain lifestyles and habits that are harmful to the bone health of women. Some of these are the following:

* Smoking. Smoking is one of the most common unhealthy activities that some women indulge in that is very harmful to their bone health. This is because smoking takes away the calcium in your bones, weakening their structure. When this happens, risks to fractures are multiplied.

* Drinking. Drinking, just like smoking, is also harmful to the body. This is because the habit takes away some of the body’s nutrients, making the body susceptible to bone diseases.

* Poor Nutrition. Sometimes because of the very hectic daily schedule and the pressing demands at work and the need to take care of the family, most women pay little attention to what they may eat. As a result, nutrition for better bone health is absent. Because of this lifestyle, the bones become poorer in health as time passes by, making them very prone to injuries and bone diseases.

* Unhealthy Posture. This is one of the huge mistakes women make without knowing that it is harmful to their bones. Practicing healthy posture should begin at a young age. This should be done in order not to overburden the bones when working, either sitting or standing.

* Sedentary lifestyle. For women who do not get regular exercise, they may be doing greater damage to their bones than those who regularly exercise. Even just walking and light weight lifting are proven very valuable in promoting good bone health.

Improving Women’s Bone Health

For women to improve their bone health, the following should be observed:

* Make sure that your body has sufficient supply of calcium and Vitamin D. These two nutrients are very vital for promoting good bone health. Calcium strengthens the bones, while Vitamin D makes calcium absorption faster and better. They can be obtained from fresh fruits and vegetables and dairy products such as eggs, milk, and butter.

* Get hooked on the active lifestyle. Make exercising a regular habit. This is to strengthen the bone structure, making them sturdy.

* Avoid drinking and smoking that have detrimental effects on bone health.

* Avoid lifting weights that may be too heavy for you as this may cause injury to the bones.

Key Nutrients for Healthy Bones in Women

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:55:02 -0700

For women, eating should not be just a matter of course. It goes beyond that because of the unique health requirements of women. For better bone health, women should obtain foods not just for their taste, but also for the nutrients they contain to maintain good bone health.

The Nutrients Women Need to Maintain Bone Health

In order to maintain excellent bone health, the following nutrients must be taken regularly:

    * Iron. Iron is very important in the body because it is very vital to the formation of optimal bone structure for better bone strength. Iron is obtainable from fruits and vegetables, grain products, meat, and poultry products.
    * Vitamin C. This nutrient serves as the activator for certain enzymes in order to create the best bone structure for maximum bone strength. The nutrient is available from tomato products such as juices, and sauce, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, strawberry, cabbage, and spinach.
    * Zinc. Just like vitamin C and iron, zinc is also needed in order to create the best bone structure for the best bone strength. The nutrient is available from red meat, poultry products, fortified cereal products, grains, beans, and nuts. However, perhaps the best source of zinc is the oyster because it has such a high concentration of the nutrient.
    * Phosphorus. Although phosphorus is best known for its part in the formation of body tissues, the nutrient is also needed in the bones because most of the bone mass is due to phosphorus. This nutrient is obtainable from milk and yogurt, cheese, peas, meat, eggs, cereals, soft drinks and cola, and many other processed foods.
    * Protein. This nutrient is very important to the bones because it is the one nutrient that is very vital in healing injuries to the bones such as fractures and other illness affecting the bones. The best source of protein is animal products such as meat, poultry, eggs, and fish. It can also be obtained from milk, cheese, yogurt, as well as from plants such as legumes, grains, and nuts.
    * Boron. Boron is needed by the bones because it enhances calcium absorption of the bones. The best source of boron is avocado, although this nutrient is also obtainable from nuts, peanut butter, and prune juice.
    * Fluoride. This nutrient is very important in the development of new bones, especially in the growth years. This can be obtained from fishes and teas.
    * Magnesium. Magnesium is needed by the bones because it improves bone quality. Moreover, this mineral also enhances the ability of the body to absorb the calcium needed. It is obtained from green and leafy vegetables especially spinach, potatoes, whole grains, wheat, and oats.

Maintaining good bone health is something that women should not ignore. If ignored, the result can be frequent bone injuries or maybe even osteoporosis. In order to get the best nutrients, make sure to eat only fresh sources, avoiding processed foods that contain only small amounts and sometimes even none of the nutrients needed.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:53:52 -0700

It is critical for women to make sure that they are always in good health. However, there are plenty of potential problems that lurk in the background that can victimize women anytime. One of the most dreaded diseases that is a threat to women is inflammatory breast cancer.

The mention of the term “breast cancer” is already enough to make most women cringe at the haunting difficulties that the disease brings. Because the disease is a known killer in women, it becomes very important to try to avoid it, or if affected already, to endeavor at minimizing the symptoms that one may feel.

What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that is characterized with the breasts looking red and swollen. The cancer can attack women at any age. What is more alarming is that unlike the regular breast cancer or other breast-related problems, the disease is not characterized by lumps. This characteristic makes detection of the disease very difficult because it cannot be detected by mammography or ultrasound.

The Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is known to be an aggressive type of breast cancer. In the disease, the cancer cells blocks the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. The disease got its name from the inflammation that is exercised by the breasts, resulting in the reddish color. The disease is known to manifest itself in as quick a time frame as overnight.

The following are the symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer:

    * The breast becomes harder or firmer.
    * The affected breast is warmer compared to the unaffected one.
    * There is an itching on the affected breast.
    * The lymph nodes swell, especially under the arm or in the neck area.
    * The breasts may have bruises that do not heal.
    * A sudden and unexplained swelling of the breast.
    * Pain in the affected breast.
    * The reddened area in the affected breast is characterized by the thickness and the texture of orange.
    * There are skin changes on the affected breast.

Inflammatory breast cancer is also classified into three stages. This is to make treatment better: The symptoms characteristic to a particular stage requires the kind of treatment fit for an infection in that stage.

    * Stage 3B: In this stage, the cancer has spread to the tissues nearest to the breast, especially in the chest wall.
    * Stage 3C: This means that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the collarbone. It also means infection to areas near the neck as well as under the arms.
    * Stage 4. This is the most advanced stage of the cancer. In this stage, the infection has spread to other organs like the lungs and liver. It may have spread also to the bones.

Treatment of Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Chemotherapy is still the best means to kill the cancer. This is commonly done before surgery. On the other hand, other methods include radiation therapy to kill the cancer cells. Because radiation therapy is more specific in targeting the cancer cells, it is now gaining popularity fast as a good method for treating the cancer.

Hyperthyroidism in Women

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:46:04 -0700

Hyperthyroidism refers to a situation wherein the thyroid gland has an overactive tissue that results in overproduction. This overproduction leads to an excess number of circulating free thyroid hormones. Because the thyroid hormone affects nearly all body cells, the result is that vital functions of the body also overdo their regular functioning.

One of the immediate impacts of hyperthyroidism is an increased heart beat rate, palpitations, ands sweating. Another impact is that it may overstimulate metabolism. In general, hyperthyroidism is more common in women than in men, and is especially common in women ages 20 to 40.

Causes of Hyperthyroidism

The following are the most common causes of hyperthyroidism:

    * Inflammation of the thyroid
    * Oral consumption of thyroid hormone tablets
    * Malfunctioning or deficiencies in the immune system
    * Hyperthyroidism may also happen when the body has taken a substance or is producing a substance that causes the thyroid gland to make more hormones than needed by the body.
    * Due to tumor in the thyroid

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

One of the most common symptom of hyperthyroidism is unexplained weight loss. The weight loss is often accompanied by loss of appetite. Apart from these symptoms, the following are also indicators of the disease:

    * Diarrhea
    * Goiter or increase in the size of thyroid glands
    * Fast heart rate or palpitation
    * Tiredness
    * Sleeplessness
    * Anxiety
    * Experiencing tremors in the body or feeling shaky
    * Feeling sweaty and hot, especially even in comfortable situations
    * A shortness of breath
    * Irritation of the eyes
    * Nausea and vomiting
    * Loss of libido or the urge to have sex

Detection of Hyperthyroidism

Detection of hyperthyroidism is an important step toward finding a treatment for the disease. On the other hand, the inability to accurately detect the disease can lead to long-term effects, one of which is osteoporosis.

The following are the means to detect the presence of the disease in a woman:

    * Based on family history. This is because the disease may be passed on from parent to offspring and from generation to generation.
    * By physical examination. Although this is one of the easiest ways to detect the disease, it is often inaccurate in itself so laboratory tests and other supplemental procedures are needed to accurately pinpoint the presence of the disease.
    * Through blood tests. During blood tests, the level of thyroid-stimulating hormones in the blood is monitored. If the level of the hormone is low, it indicates that something is inhibiting the pituitary glands to produce hormones and thus an indicator for having hyperthyroidism.
    * Through measurement of specific antibodies.

Treatments for Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism can be cured through medication, therapy, or surgery, depending on the extent of the disease. When using medication to treat the disease, the most commonly prescribed drug is Thyrostatics. This drug is known to inhibit the production of thyroid hormones. However, the most effective method of treatment is still surgery. In surgeries, the tumor in the thyroid gland is removed.