Guidelines For Proper Health Care - Cancer Screening

Caring for yourself is important for a long, healthy life. This includes proper health care and medical screenings. Use these guidelines as a basis to ensure you receive proper health care.

Monthly, you need to check your body for changes that could be caused by skin cancer. You should look for any changes in moles or other marks on your skin. Especially notice if it is Asymmetric, if the Border is blurred, the Color varies, or if the Diameter is more than 1D4 inch (this is the ABCD rule). If you notice any changes, you should show your doctor immediately.

You should have a colonoscopy done no later than at the age of 50. Every 5 to 10 years following the first colonoscopy, you should have another one done. However, if you have a family history of colon cancer, you should have a colonoscopy done 10 years earlier than the age when your family member was diagnosed.

Women need to self-check their breasts every month for lumps and/or changes. The best time is the week following a woman's period. At age 35, women need to have a mammogram to establish a baseline for future mammograms. Beginning at the age of 40, women need to have mammograms yearly to screen for breast cancer.

Cervical cancer tests, Pap smears, are another important part of a woman's health. These tests should begin either 3 years after beginning intercourse or by the age of 21, whichever comes first. Tests should be done annually to screen for cervical cancer.

For men's health, prostate exams need to be done beginning at the age of 40. (The age was previously changed from 50.) Men need to be checked annually for prostate cancer.

It's important to take care of yourself. In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, regular medical screenings are essential. If you have a family history, the age and frequency of screenings will be considerably different from the guidelines here. These ages and recommendations are a general guide, and should be discussed with your doctors.

Gina Clark writes on nutrition and fitness. Visit her blog for healthy tips to improve the quality of your life

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_E_Clark

By Gina E Clark

How to Fix Hormone Imbalance For Women's Health

There is a directly proportional relationship between hormone imbalance and women's health. As long as hormones are in adequate levels, cells, tissues, organs and systems will function properly and the body will be able to combat stress, fight disease and recovery better. There are several natural methods to help attain optimum health by balancing hormones. Here's how.

Herbal Treatment

Chaste tree berry or vitex agnus castus, monk's pepper or hemp tree is considered by many as the most important herb in treating PMS or premenstrual syndrome. It is known for its positive effects on alleviating symptoms such as breast pain, painful menses and irregular menses. The herb primarily acts on the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain. The fruit of the plant specifically has contents with dopamine-like activity that inhibits the release of prolactin thereby increasing progesterone production during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen dominance can be avoided and treated.

Wild yams contain diosgenin which manufactures natural progesterone efficiently. The hormone is actually plant-derived but has exactly the same chemical properties as the ones naturally produced by the body. Estrogen dominance during the luteal phase is suggested to be the leading cause of PMS symptoms so taking adequate amounts of the herb can correct the problem.

Evening primrose oil or oenothera biennis comes from the seeds of the plant and is known for its essential fatty acid content. The important oils in the herb are gamma-linoleic acid or GLA and linoleic acid. The conversion of linoleic acid to GLA is generally impaired in most women exhibiting PMS symptoms. Evening primrose oil can improve levels of GLA to improve PMS.

More Methods

Other herbs that are known to alleviate menopausal syndrome include Dong Quai or Angelica sinensis which helps with cramps, weakness and irregular menses, licorice or Glycyrrhiza glabra which helps increase progesterone levels, Black Cohosh or Cimicifuga racemosa which exhibits estrogen-like activity, Kava Kava or Piper methysticum which relieves anxiety and stress and Valerian or Valeriana officinalis which helps improve sleep and rest.

Try alternate methods that relieve stress and boost hormone production such as aromatherapy, massage, therapeutic touch, acupuncture, acupressure, hypnotherapy and mental imagery. Stay away from alcohol and tobacco since these can aggravate PMS symptoms. Eat more nutritious foods rich in vitamins and minerals especially iron to alleviate bleeding problems. Exercise regularly by doing mild to moderate cardiovascular activity at least three times per week. Sleep well each night and rest for at least 7 to 8 hours.

Menstrual Problems

There are three common menstrual disorders namely dysmenorrhea which is excess menstruation, menorrhea which is less menstruation and amenorrhea which is absent menstruation. Scanty menstruation may be caused by vitamin B, vitamin C or potassium deficiency. In some cases hyperacidity and flatulence may also cause the problem so women need to eat healthy and high-fiber diets to ease discomfort and pain. Primary amenorrhea can be related to genetic links while secondary amenorrhea is basically caused by stress or illness. Hydrotherapy, steam baths, acupressure and massage can alleviate the symptoms.

As for PMS, patients can try deep breathing exercises 2 to 3 times each day. To fix hormone imbalance for women's health, individuals need to consume more raw fruits and vegetables, fruit juices and soups. Supplementation especially iron and calcium are also recommended. Women may also want to try naturopathic treatments which are proven to be safe, natural and reliable.

Discover what your doctor may not be telling you about fixing weight problems, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and how it's related to hormone imbalance. And also about a new diet that is different than any of the current popular diets like The Atkins Diet, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig Diet and many others

To learn more please visit my website

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Raj_Banerjee

By Dr. Raj Banerjee

Know Menopause and Symptoms - But What Should One Know?

To know menopause and symptoms, one should understand healthy and normal menopause symptoms and unhealthy health conditions.

To know menopause and symptoms means realizing that as a woman ages, the reproductive system will slow and eventually shut down. The woman's regular menstrual cycle will become lighter and less frequent and will eventually cease functioning. This menopause symptom is normal and expected when the woman is in her late 40's or early 50's.

The problem is -- a woman should know menopause and symptoms that mean there are underlying health problems, the most common being a condition called 'hormone imbalance'. Certain symptoms of menopause are signs that health problems exist that should be corrected. If not, the woman is at higher risk for more serious health problems.

Here are examples of such symptoms:

1 - A craving for sweets and/or carbohydrates, accompanied by fluctuating blood sugar levels

2 - Hair growth on the face

3 - Loss of hair or thinning hair

4 - Sluggishness, lack of energy

5 - Urinary tract infections or yeast infections

6 - Fibroids

7 - Weight gain, especially in the hips, waist and stomach, with no change in dietary habits

To know menopause and symptoms, one should know that many women in the western industrialized countries experience one or more of these symptoms of menopause much earlier than the average age of menopause which is about 51 in the USA. A crucial question that should be answered is -- what is a leading cause of menopause symptoms in women?

The answer is related to hormone imbalance. Hormone imbalance can be caused by stress, obesity, poor nutrition, excess estrogen and the lack of ovulation and progesterone. Is it possible to know menopause and symptoms and the role of hormone imbalance in causing premature menopause symptoms? The answer is -- YES!

There is an online test for a woman's hormone health related to menopause and symptoms that can indicate hormones are out of balance. The most frequent condition is too much estrogen and too little progesterone, the two basic hormones required for a healthy woman. This health test has been developed by a leading womens health clinic, it is used in their practice every day, it's available to women online and is free.

If you're a woman in your 30's, 40's or older and you sense your health is not what it should be, take the womens health test online and see what the clinic recommends for your health situation. Understanding what is healthy and normal and what is not is vital when the issue is your energy, your health and well-being.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Know menopause and symptoms that are signs that the online hormone health test should be taken to see what might be recommended by the womens health clinic appropriate for your symptoms, your age and health conditions. For men, read more about the male menopause symptoms and natural treatments for improving health

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Olinda_Rola

By Olinda Rola

Empowering Women's Health

May is the month that we celebrate Mother's Day and it encourages us to think of all the women that have had an impact in our lives. Mothers have the innate ability to nurture, love and mentor children to live healthy and happy lives. So it is a great time to appreciate the contribution these women have made and to look at how we can improve ourselves, as well as to empower other women to live healthy lives. Each and every one of us has the ability to choose a healthy lifestyle. Let's start by taking a look at what we could be doing now that can change our daily routines and encourage other women to do the same. We can start by defining what a healthy life style is and how we can become empowered to make a difference in our lives.

Physical health is made up of many things, but includes eating right, exercising and eliminating bad habits like smoking and drinking. There are many diets, exercise and self-help books out there that teach you what to do in order to lose weight and stay physically fit and all of them have valuable information. What isn't so prevalent in these books is the understanding that the way you think about your health, and the physical habits that have formed as a result, have more to do with the life you are living now, than new information anyone can give you. Ask yourself, what is the difference between waking up and eating a low calorie-high protein breakfast, exercising or stretching to release the endorphins, and then setting out to get ready for your day? Or, waking up and not eating any breakfast, not doing any form of exercise, and pretty much following your daily habits which are more comfortable?

The difference is how you think about it, what you do about it, and how you process the habits that you already have. Of course you know what to do, but do you do it, and why not? You have to start somewhere and you might need someone to help you change your physical behavior to break some habits. A neighbor, friend, family member or personal coach can motivate you to change, even if it's starting with the basics like eating breakfast to give the body fuel instead of a cup of coffee and running out the door. One minor change can affect the rest of your day. Taking a brisk walk in the morning, riding your bicycle daily, going to the gym, joining a yoga class and being conscious that a good night's sleep is imperative to how your body functions each day, is the beginning. Eliminating distractions like watching TV when you are in bed will determine the type of sleep you are going to have, which in return determines the day you will have to follow. It's all is connected so being aware that this is the first step in changing what does not benefit you. Even relaxing with breathing exercises will help you on a daily basis to release the stress that is stored in your body. These are simple things that will start you on a path to allow your body to function better, but it is up to you to start. How you change your habits will depend on you. What will motivate you is different for each individual but attainable if you start with changing your mind.

Mental health is a broad term, but for most of us it is something we take for granted. If you start to become aware of your daily thought patterns, you will then understand what level of energy has to be put forward in order to attain peace and tranquility. Becoming angry everyday is the first indication that you are harboring negative feelings that often reflect how you treat others. Daily interaction with your children, co workers, family members and even strangers should not be confrontational if you are living in a peaceful state. It all gets a little challenging when someone puts negative energy in your way, for instance, when you are in traffic, or standing in a long line of people, or even when someone judges you, but you do have the choice to let it be their negative energy without internalizing it to be yours.

Why isn't it just that easy to be happy each and every day no matter what crosses your path? ...well it really is, but because you feed into what other people do and say, it becomes difficult to separate your path from theirs. Simply put, you have the ability to allow their negative energy to stay with them, and to proceed with the positive thought processes that honor and value your well-being. The first step in gaining clarity and living a happy, peaceful life is to eliminate tolerations. Think right now about what you tolerate on a daily basis and from whom, that does not bring positive energy to your life. Just look around, a lot of people compromise their happiness, but it doesn't have to be that way. Seeking validation from others should not be what defines you. You define you, and the right thought process and coping skills to achieve mental health can be developed with a commitment to that goal. Those skills will allow you to make better choices on a daily basis, which will lead to living a healthy lifestyle.

In general, women lead very busy lives and are faced with a variety of demands on their time. Compromises are made to their health. Let's face it, these demands call for a whole new level of effectiveness. It begins with good health and a sense of mental well-being. The need to be calm, focused, resolute, energetic, strong, patient and confident is more important than ever in juggling a home life and career. Taking time to focus on personal well-being is something we all easily overlook in our fast-paced lives but it definitely needs to be a priority. In today's culture, extended youth and health have become of crucial importance and we must put greater attention on our personal care and work toward a daily routine of health and strength. Living a healthy life is within our grasp. For many of us it sometimes means changing the way we live and think. You have the power to empower, and it all starts with you!

"The body is the servant of the mind"

-James Allen

Denise Dema is a Business and Life Management Coach who has over 20 years experience empowering individuals, entrepreneurs and business owners to attain self-defined success in their professional & personal lives. To learn more about the author and her practice please visit http://www.denisedema.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Dema

By Denise Dema

Women's Sexual Health - Does Anyone Really Care?

The female sex drive is very complicated, as it may be affected by so many factors, making it conceivable to be regarded to as multidimensional. Most women aren't sexually aroused by the sight of nudity by the opposite sex alone, unlike most of their male counterparts, who are susceptible to being turned on by naked women. It's not that women don't pay attention to this, but psychological aspects plays a big role in a woman's sexual health, in combination with the physical body.

The loss of passion and desire in women's sexual health leads to an imbalanced sex life in correlation to the men's sexual health, as men usually depend on a woman's appetite for sex to have a well-rounded sex life. Various causes are behind this loss, covering both physical and psychological aspects from medical conditions and the side effects of certain medications, up to stress, fatigue, and even depression.

On the brighter side, medical advancements have reached a solution to this problem, to bring back the harmony between men and women's sexual health. Some of the treatments involve therapies, libido supplements, and of course, promoting proper educational awareness for both sexes. Satisfying results could be achieved within days of implementing these treatments, but if the problem is neglected, the women's sexual health may plummet deep down into void and worsen the problem by being an imminent threat to the intimacy within a relationship or marriage.

On the physical aspect, every time that a woman is aroused, her vagina produces a natural lubricant that's intended to help the reduction of friction during penetration. Moreover, it helps the receptivity of the female reproductive organ for sperm cells. Unfortunately, there are just instances when women's sexual health experiences a "dry spell" or the inability to produce natural lubricant, hence the dryness.

There are so many factors that brings this problem to the women's sexual health. These factors include the menstrual cycle, stress, menopausal period, and the energy depleting childbirth and nursing. As a solution, vaginal lubricants could be used to counter the dryness, and female libido creams could also be very helpful in the stimulation to help a woman produce her own natural vaginal lubricant.

Psychologically, when a woman finds it hard to respond to sex, she may be having a bad time emotionally. Making this problem a crucial one for couples, as men cannot reciprocate sexually with their respective partners. Women suffering from this unresponsiveness are usually juggling a wide range of tasks, from strenuous household chores, to the busy schedule of work, up to the stress of raising children. Not only do these deplete a woman's energy, these also bring sexual health down for the count.

Sufficient rest, exercise, a healthy diet, consciousness of her sexuality and the use of female sexual supplements are very helpful in replenishing women's sexual health that has been burned out by various physical and psychological causes. More importantly, the awareness of a woman that she is not alone in this battle is very important because it could be the thin line that separates a woman who pursues a solution for her sexual problem, from a woman who finds this problem embarrassing and shuts herself out from her sexual needs and capabilities.

Want a better libido? Compare the top 5, expert recommended women's sexual health products right now. Visit the website http://FemaleLibidoReviews.org for more details

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexis_Jameson

By Alexis Jameson

Women's Health - Women's Health Conditions and Diseases

Women are built tough

Woman's health is slowly but surely becoming something that can be openly discussed, and so we should! As of fifty years ago it would have been taboo to even acknowledge that woman have sex, let alone suffer because of it. Don't be fooled, women's health conditions and diseases often stem from their sexual health and activities. The female body has been designed to undergo many different stages during life, experiencing many changes, one of the major ones, being a mother.

Merely being a mother means that your body has undergone some of the greatest strains a body can go through, not just through the process of giving birth but also through the process leading up to the grand finale. A woman's body suffers massive hormonal changes that also manifest themselves physically.

Life's little hiccups

These changes can have effect throughout the women's body even as far as affecting a women's health discharge. This may seem as a small factor to consider in the grand scheme of the general pregnancy experience ... but it is often the most embarrassing and often least spoken about aspects of pregnancy.

It is something that definitely needs to be monitored and discussed with your doctor as it can be related to medical problems.

Take the time to consider it all

One of the later effects of birth or several births or even just the aging process is the sagging of a woman's breasts. This may lead them to discuss implants -- now there's the classic silicone implants, however this does not always have the desired results, especially with woman who have excess skin from massive weight loss or pregnancy ...which sometimes make silicone implant look like a stone in a sock. Surely not the sexiest image one could conjure up.

However, they are now alternative woman health implants which don't use anything foreign, but rather mold what is there and more little bits of fat into the breast area and mold them accordingly to beautiful looking breast.

Other topics relating to women's health implants are Tubal implants. This is a form of permanent birth control for woman. Most woman experience side effects in taking the pill, all of which seem mild in comparison to not taking the pill! However the fact is that life may seem better having not to take the pill - but in retrospect life will not be all that fulfilling if you're inhibited from full sexual freedom.

Whatever the implant may involve it is important to consider all the facts and even discuss the myths about any women's health implants with as many related people as possible. Any time you are under the knife, make sure of the facts, your health is your responsibility, and should not be taken lightly. Seek counseling when in doubt; remember it is that which we think that will never happen to us that often go untreated.

Emeka Ezidiegwu is a Webmaster, Author, and Internet marketer. If you're informed by this article, please visit us at Online Medicine Info; for this and more related articles like: postmenopausal women or effects from fosamax plus much more

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emeka_Ezidiegwu

By Emeka Ezidiegwu

Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Right For You?

Hormone replacement therapy is sometimes called estrogen replacement therapy or ERT. This therapy refers to a woman taking supplements like estrogen or estrogen with progesterone. HRT replaces hormones a woman's body should make or used to make.

Why might hormone replacement therapy be necessary?

• Estrogen and progesterone regulate a woman's menstrual cycle and reproductive health.

• Estrogen is important for bone health.

In general, which groups of women would a health care provider prescribe HRT?

• Women going through menopause and who had already gone through it (post-menopausal women). The drop in hormones can cause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness and sleep disturbances.

• Women with premature ovarian failure

The NIH Women's Health Initiative Trial Results

Hormone replacement therapy for healthy menopausal and post-menopausal women includes increased risk of:

• breast cancer

• coronary heart disease

• stroke

• blood clots

In view of these findings of NIH researchers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted the therapy lessens some menopause symptoms in healthy post-menopausal women; however, the therapy carried serious risks. The FDA recommends low doses for the shortest amount of time to reach treatment goals.

For women whose bodies have stopped making estrogen or don't make enough estrogen, this can reduce symptoms and maintain overall health.

The risk for pre-menopausal women with certain health conditions include:

• The risks associated with post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy do not apply to pre-menopausal women.

The benefits for pre-menopausal women with certain health conditions include:

• Low estrogen levels in women with premature ovarian failure put these women at risk for osteoporosis and heart disease. This therapy helps maintain bone health and reduces the risk of heart disease.

For more information:

You can receive a free 24-page booklet (part of the NICHD's research portfolio in women's health) entitled: "Do I have Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)?" This booklet is available in PDF form online at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development web site or you can write for it in print:

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, DHHS (2003)

Do I have Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)? (03-5159)

Government Printing Office

Washington, DC

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Author: Connie Limon. Visit http://smalldogs2.com/NutritionHealthHub and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. For a variety of FREE reprint articles on various topics rarely seen elsewhere visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Limon

By Connie Limon