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I recently finished and published the website's pages on Infections in Pregnancy. At the bottom of those pages, I have added that much again in a new section called "Other infections of Perinatal Significance". Now this may sound way too scientific and unrelated to daily life, but nothing could be further from the truth. These are the big time everyday infections we hear of each week: Pertussis (whooping cough), Bacterial Vaginosis, Toxoplasmosis, Influenza, Herpes, Chicken Pox, and more. Learn more about these common infections and how they pose special risks to pregnant women. Learn what you can do to protect yourself and those around you.
And, also coming tomorrow, will be a special section on Preterm Labor. Learn the facts and figures as we know them, and how we handle Preterm Labor today. Hint: It is not how we handled it even 5 years ago.
Yes folks that's my arm. There's nothing better for a doctor than to be a patient sometimes. Your regularly scheduled blog post is thus interrupted with this post about my small experience of being a little too sick.
You may wonder how I came to be such a health nut. Well it's because I have lupus. I have to be extra careful and on top of things to stay healthy. The majority of the time I do very well, but once in a while a simple upper respiratory infection gets the better of me. I had to come in briefly for some extra medication and I am feeling much better. I will probably not be in clinic for the next couple days.
I was reminded of how vulnerable and wretched you feel when you are truly sick. I was reminded how much it means when people help you out. I had a good friend or two cover for me on labor and delivery, my husband who brought me in, and all the hot shots in the emergency room to tune me up.
There are two messages as far as I can see. Number one, if you are not doing well reach out and get some help. Number two, if you see someone else not doing well check in with them. It means so much.
You've no doubt heard of or gotten a prenatal lab panel. The panel includes a number of tests for infections that might have an effect on mother or baby during the pregnancy.
For most common infectious diseases, like the flu, you know you have it almost right away. Others can be carried silently for years, and what we test includes them. If we know about them, we have a chance at treating them before they can cause harm to mom or baby. Learn more HERE.
Did you know pregnancy has an effect on the health of your mouth and teeth? Did you know good dental health has a measurable effect on your lifelong general health? The connection isn’t immediately obvious, but what goes on in your mouth relates intimately with your whole body. Check out our new page on Dental Health in Pregnancy to learn more.
When I was a little girl in the 1960s, pregnant women wore loose billowing clothes in futile efforts to hide their pregnancies. The round silhouette of the pregnant belly was considered too suggestive for public presentation. Pregnant women were encouraged to stay home out of sight and rest.
Fast forward to 2015 and not only are women wearing yoga pants in public, but pregnant women are too, complete with body conscious form fitting exercise tops in bright colors. They are out and about flying that pregnancy flag and getting fit. I love it. Do you exercise ? Would you continue your exercise in pregnancy? Review the facts on the subject here on my page on Exercise and Pregnancy.
More and more of us will be in menopause as time passes by. Our lifespans are increasing along with the quality of our health care and our knowledge about fitness, nutrition and health in general. So get rid of old stereotypes about menopause and menopausal women and learn the facts HERE.
It is somewhat counterintuitive to think of your midmorning snack as being good for your mood stability or your yoga session as lengthening your attention span, but they are. This blog post will point back to some recently finished website pages that will inform you about how you can leverage the integration of body and mind to produce more health and fulfillment in your life. I am re-highlighting them since together they make a set that speaks to the integration of body and mind.
Learn more here.
As complementary health practices go, meditation seems to be the one with which Americans feel the least comfortable. The CDC reports that in 2012, nearly 18 % of people used non vitamin non mineral supplements. Eight percent use chiropractic manipulation, 8 % use yoga, but only 4% use meditation. And yet, among the many alternative or complementary approaches, it is one which is amply supported by data.
Is it religion ? Is it philosophy ? Is it just exercise ? What does it even do ?
Read HERE to learn more.
Many things related to food change in pregnancy. What you need changes. What you like changes. Some of these changes have reasons. Some are just plain weird.
You need to know a few things about nutrition in pregnancy to deal with all of this and to make sure both you and baby are getting the best nutrition possible. Learn more HERE.
Yoga became popular when I was a child in the 1970s. Since then it has taken on more the luster of fad than fitness. Learn what the evidence says here.
Thinking about menopause ? I didn't think so. But chances are, you or someone you care about is in menopause or will be facing it someday. Menopause is a natural life transition. At its essence, it means the cessation of reproductive functioning. It need not mean the loss of health, intellect or vibrancy. On the contrary, it can be a time for better self care and creativity. Click HERE to learn more.
Sleep is our primary detox. It is undervalued in our culture and underestimated as a factor in health. While I am supportive of the hard core work and play ethic of the modern era, I am compelled to highlight this very important area of self care.
Read some sobering evidence here.
It's cool to be hot in menopause.
The average lifespan in the United States in the year 1900 was about 51, and in 1800 it was 39. The average age of menopause is about 51. Thus, in all of human history, menopause is a relatively new life stage. Most women simply did not live long enough to reach it, and those that did , did not spend much time in it.
Currently, the average lifespan for a women in the United States is 81. It is interesting to think about what may explain this. I think we have nutrition and health care to thank. As we were, before the modern age, we were able to reproduce for the majority of our lifespan. Could it be that we are outliving our design ? Or could it be that our nutrition and health have unlocked heretofore unexpressed genetic potential for long life? Either way, a modern woman will spend nearly 40% of her life in menopause, and this percentage will only increase as lifespan increases. Moreover, the number of people in menopause will increase as the population ages.
In the developed world, we can now eat a scientifically based, nutritionally optimal meal 365 days per year. We can do evidence based physical activities that counteract the physical deteriorations of age, such as fat deposition, bone density loss, and muscle loss.
Menopause is no longer a thing to be dreaded. Menopause is life cycle phase like adolescence and pregnancy, and people deserve support during such times. As an Ob/Gyn, I rely on a constantly improving body of data and recommendations about the care of menopausal women. They involve increased surveillance in the form of mammograms, bloodwork, bone scans, colonoscopy and the like. We evaluate and make recommendations about enhanced nutrition, specialized supplements, tailored fitness training, and yes, medications including hormones, all in the service of optimal health.
Older women should take note, and see that they are up to date on their health care. Younger women should picture themselves how they would like to be in menopause.
Stay tuned as we devote a few Medical Mondays to menopause, an increasingly important topic.
Ever wonder how to get dinner done and a workout accomplished all at the same time ? Try this technique to get it all done.
Read MoreHigh Intensity Interval Training is a time efficient effective way of getting gains in fitness and weight loss. Learn more about this new school way of getting fit.
Read MoreThis post explores the connection between your waistline and your cycles. Learn about the common condition Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Read MoreGet the inside story on our most fundamental of cycles, the menstrual cycle. Check out " Menstrual Cycle 101 " and gain insight on everything from puberty to menopause.
Read MoreNeed motivation to exercise ? Here's a comprehensive list of tips to help.
Read More
How do you find the energy and motivation to do the things you want to do ? That is going to be the topic for at least a couple blog posts this week. Why ? because you have indicated that you find this a challenge.
It's all a matter of inspiration. But who can rely on inspiration ? Can you find it or make it ? Click here to find some surprisingly old wisdom and new science on this critical issue.
