For Women

For Women

Addressing women’s health issues—from birthing through menopause to care giving and dealing with stress. Select from the many informative articles below.

Healthy Holiday Eating for Moms-to-Be

Enjoy the holidays and all the festivities, but don’t neglect your basic nutritional needs during this busy time. Consider that eating well may be the best present you can give your baby!

Give Your Child a Smoke-Free Pregnancy

According to the Office of the Surgeon General, smoking is the most important modifiable cause of poor pregnancy outcomes among women in the United States. The effects of tobacco can do irreparable and lasting damage to the lungs, brain and blood of an unborn child and can cause dangerous conditions for the mother.

The Latest in Mammography Technology – at a Health Alliance Hospital Near You!

For American women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death – second only to lung cancer. Yet, with regular mammography screenings this risk can be diminished. The Health Alliance hospitals have taken mammography screening to the next level.

Recognizing Sexual Dysfunction

According to a recent study by the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS), 43 percent of American women have sex lives that are less than ideal.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a somewhat mysterious but increasingly common condition. Because symptoms vary greatly and mimic other medical conditions, endometriosis is often misdiagnosed.

Vaginal Delivery or C-Section?

C-sections were uncommon until the 1980s, when this surgical procedure grew to represent nearly one quarter of all deliveries. When the c-section rate reached its peak in 1988, it came under closer scrutiny.

Eating Disorders

For almost 5.8 million people, issues related to body size and image become imbalanced and take the form of the psychiatric disorders of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. After years of depleting the bones of their strength, osteoporosis can take away mobility and independence in an instant. But today this “silent disease” can be prevented and detected early while time is on your side.

Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal tissue, resulting in inflammation and symptoms. It is hard to diagnose, but it is treatable.

Back to Basics

Women are so busy taking care of others, that they tend to ignore themselves. Here’s some simple but important reminders to enhance your quality of life.

Women and Heart Disease

Each year, 370,000 women die of heart disease, making it the number one killer of American women. What are you doing to protect yourself?

Women and Depression

More than 17 million Americans experience some type of depression each year. Women are disproportionately affected, suffering from depression at roughly twice the rate of men.

Contraception Today

Some birth control methods can change a women’s menstrual cycle; and the most important point to understand about most menstrual changes with contraception is that they are to be expected and are not harmful to the body. Ask your physician for more information.

Make the Millennium’s First Holiday Season Safe and Less Stressful

Try to keep your holiday season fun, safe, and relatively stress free with these tips.

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Fibrocystic disease is a diagnosis based on finding breast pain, cysts, and noncancerous lumpy areas of the breast. But a study has discovered that about 80% of these cases are normal changes in breast anatomy and NOT associated with breast cancer.

Medicine Can Indeed Be “Gender Specific”

Recently, we’ve become aware that diagnostic tests and treatments may have different results in women than in men, or that certain considerations must be made for female patients.

The Challenge of Infertility

Infertility involves both partners — so both need to be thoroughly assessed. Treatment can help reduce the time it takes to conceive.

Planning Before Pregnancy

Preconception planning can help optimize your pregnancy for the very first day.

Preparing for Menopause

If you are 40-something, get prepared for the changes your body will face.

Breastfeeding – and Breastfeeding Help

Breastfeeding not only fulfills the nutritional needs of your baby, but it can be a satisfying and rewarding experience of you both.

Certified Nurse-Midwives

Today more than six percent of babies are delivered with a certified nurse-midwife in attendance, compared with three percent of all births ten years ago.

Fighting Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is largely preventable, especially if you start prevention in your early years.

Premenstrual Syndrome

Approximately 95 percent of all women suffer from PMS.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

An estimated 10 million Americans have SAD; up to 80% of those affected are women.

Family Stress Relief

You don’t have to be trained in stress relief to actively promote it at home.

The Milestone of Menopause

Fifty percent of postmenopausal women are happier now than they were in their 20s, 30s, or 40s!

October 15 Is National Mammography Day. . . Have You Been Screened?

Detecting a breast tumor early is the best means of preventing death from breast cancer.

Post-Partum

Having a baby is a life-altering experience, and we all respond differently. Seek help from your physician is you become depressed.

Preventing Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects more than 25 million Americans, 80 percent of which are women. Discuss this “silent disease” with your physician before a fracture occurs.

Taking Care of a Child With Asthma

Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children, affecting 7 to 10 percent of all children; it can be a challenge to deal with.

Smoking and Women

The number one killer of women is not breast cancer, as many women believe, but smoking-related diseases.

Fertility Drugs Offer Hope

The number of couples seeking help is growing, largely because more women are postponing pregnancy until their 30s and 40s, when infertility (the ability to conceive a baby after one year of trying to get pregnant) is more likely.

Equal-Opportunity Doesn’t Always Receive Equal Treatment

Nearly twice as many women die of coronary heart disease as from all forms of cancer combined.

Bladder Control Can Be “Learned”

Many women with urinary incontinence–the lack of voluntary control of the bladder–can be taught bladder control techniques that will help them avoid the need for medications.

Women and Alcohol

Heart disease has traditionally been thought of as a “man’s disease;” unfortunately, it also affects many women.

“This Year I’m Going To . . .” Sticking To Your New Year Resolutions

To be successful, lifestyle changes are necessary.

Helpful Holiday Hints

For people on a weight control program, the holidays can be a particularly trying time.

Breast Self-Examination: Key To Good Breast Health

October is National Breast Health Awareness month. With all the media attention, most women are aware that regular mammograms and monthly breast self exams are our greatest defense against this highly curable disease.

Breastfeeding– A Family Affair

Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible after delivery–but even if there are delays or problems, you can still succeed with breastfeeding.

Americans Tired Of Not Getting Enough Sleep

According to the National Foundation of Sleep Disorders, at least 40 percent of American women and 30 percent of men have sleep disorders, yet very few seek treatment.

Not Tonight, I Have A Headache

Headaches have been thought to be a minor predicament; but research has shown that there is reason to be concerned about the consequences they bring.

Osteoporosis And A Walking Program

Osteoporosis, or decreased bone density, affects more than 25 million Americans, causing bones to become fragile, brittle and likely to break.

New Options During Labor

Planning before your pregnancy and good pre-natal care are the best ways to assure a healthy delivery.

Women vs. Men Do The Differences Between Women and Men Go Beyond Just Body Shape?

As women, we have always known that we are different than men, but now there is health information based on new research that supports the differences.

Heart Disease & Women

An estimated 10 million Americans have SAD; up to 80% of those affected are women.

Diets Don’t Work!

Here we go again, dragging out the same old resolutions for the new year.

Dispelling The Myths Of Mammography

An estimated 10 million Americans have SAD; up to 80% of those affected are women.

Calcium: Key To Healthy Bones

Many women think of osteoporosis as either a natural effect of aging or an older woman’s disease.

What A Pain In The Neck!

Well, the neck carries a heavy load–at least 10 to 12 pounds or roughly the equivalent of a bowling ball.

The Balancing Act

Balancing the time you spend on others with personal time for yourself can help you become happier and more productive.

Healthy Living Article List