Breast Cysts Natural Treatment Options!

Several women experience the formation of breast cysts.

These are benign and most common in pre-menopausal women. Some women experience pain with these cysts.

Proper diagnosis can help in treating the breast cysts.

Breast cysts can develop in one or both the breasts.

Various causes can result in the formation of breast cysts, among those fibrocystic breast diseases or cystic mastitis is the most common one.

The formation of breast cyst is also linked to the onset of premenstrual syndrome. The most common period to develop breast cysts is between 30’s and 50’s.

Fluctuations in hormone levels and consequent hormone fluctuations within the body occur one to two weeks before menstruation. This can cause breast glands to fill with fluid and increase or decrease in size based on the hormone levels. As the breast tissues are very sensitive to the hormone changes, all these changes can result in the formation of breast cysts. During this period your breasts become swollen and inflamed and resulting in varying degrees of pain.

Usually, fluids form your breast tissues are collected and transported out of the breasts through the lymphatic system, if the amount of fluid is greater than the lymphatic system can handle then various places of the breast are occupied with this fluid resulting in the formation of breast cysts. If you think that you have breast cysts, then you should get checked with your doctor.

Also, researchers said that an increase in estrogen and decrease in progesterone hormones and also lactating hormones oxytocin or prolactin can trigger the formation of breast cysts.

In order to detect the breast cysts medically, a needle is inserted into the cyst to take out the fluid for evaluation. Most often, doctors recommend draining of the cyst in order to prevent the reoccurrence of the cyst in future. Apart from medical treatments which are very dangerous, you can consider some alternative and natural treatments. They include:

Herbs to treat breast cysts:

• Vitex: This herb can also be called as chaste berry, which helps to increase the levels of progesterone hormone and corrects the balance between estrogen and progesterone. You are not recommended to use this herb during pregnancy or while getting hormone therapy.


• Black Cohosh: Usually this herb is used as general health booster. You can take the herb in capsule form, drops of tincture, or in the form of tea.


• Evening primrose oil: This oil is a great source of essential fatty acids that have natural antiprostaglandin properties, which help to reduce breast cysts. Prostaglandins are chemicals that your body develops and can cause breast inflammation and lead to breast cysts.


• Butcher’s Broom: This herb contains chemicals that are related to diosgenin, which is a hormone like element of wild yam. It helps to reduce the inflammatory process of the breasts, which can cause the formation of cysts.


• Saw Palmetto: It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce breast inflammation. It reduces the effect of estrogen on your breasts.


• Gotu Kola: Also known as Centella asiatica acts as a tonic or health booster.
  

Diet tips to treat breast cysts:

• Stop drinking coffee and black tea, which are higher in Methylxanthines. Methylxanthines can lead to the formation of breast cysts. Methylxanthines can also be found in some chocolates and colas. Also, avoid drinking alcohol. Decrease the consumption of animal meats, dairy products.


• Lack of iodine in your diet can also lead to the formation of cysts. Lack of iodine makes your thyroid gland inactive and lead to the formation breast lumps and cysts.


• Wearing brass that can restrict the circulation of lymph in the lymphatic vessels. Tight brass can block or slow the removal of wastes through the lymphatic system. Women who wear constricting types of brassieres such as under wire and throughout the night, are the most susceptible to breast cyst formation in middle age.


• Consume soy based foods, which are having higher isoflavones. These helps to reduce the effect of excess estrogen. Vegetables like Brussels, broccoli and cabbage contain chemicals called indoles, which help to protect your breasts from excess estrogen.
  

Supplements to treat breast cysts:

• Vitamin A: Helps your breast ducts functioning properly.


• Indoles: Indoles are chemicals that fight against cysts and tumors. They found in cabbage-family vegetables. You can also find these chemicals in capsule form.


• Vitamin E: This is a skin boosting vitamin, which helps to protect your breast tissues. This vitamin has good antioxidant properties and maintains hormonal balance. Regular intake of vitamin E helps to reduce breast tenderness and cysts formation.


• Isoflavones: These compounds are found in soy and tofu. They reduce the formation of breast tumors.
  

Before taking any of these herbs and supplements, you should consult your doctor about the specific dosage.

Menopause And Risk Of Heart Disease!

Recent study confirmed that women who entered into menopause stage are at higher risk of heart disease. Researchers explain that understanding the risk factors is an important step and also there are various methods to lower the risk.

Some women who are younger than 50 and not gone through menopause stage still have higher levels of estrogen hormone, which protects their heart health.

After entering into the menopause stage, levels of estrogen hormone drop significantly and can lead to higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Another factor that can increase the risk of heart disease is weight gain, which occurs after entering into the menopause stage. So, women should maintain a healthy weight once they enter into the menopausal stage.

Additional weight can cause various changes in your body such as high blood pressure, physical inactivity, high cholesterol and diabetes, which are the leading causes of stroke and heart attack.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can greatly help to decrease the risk of heart disease even you enter into the menopausal stage. Smoking women should immediately stop smoking, consume a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and regular workouts can help to maintain a healthy body weight.

Consult your health care provider regularly to check the levels of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Importance Of Annual Physicals!

Yes, health physicals or regular annual physical exams are essential to live a healthy lifestyle, to reduce yearly healthcare costs, to prolong your life, and also to offer you great piece of mind.

The components of a physical exam vary from one person to another.

Some physical exams are standard; some are especially for women while some are especially for men.

Also, tests will vary depending upon the person’s age.

Standard physical examinations for all people:

• Everyone should carefully monitor their blood pressure during every doctor’s visit.


• Height should be measured during every visit, because any decrease in height indicates osteoporosis. Also, spinal cord compression can lead to decreased height.


• Your weight will be measured during every doctor’s visit. Any loss or gain in weight without trying can indicate a serious health problem. Gaining weight can indicate hormonal imbalance, fluid retention, kidney or liver disease, or potential heart. Losing weight can indicate any infection or cancer.


• Have a blood test. Regular blood tests include blood cell count, blood sugar levels to find whether you have diabetes, blood electrolytes panel to find kidney disorders, thyroid function test to exclude any thyroid problems, and any other early heart disorders.


• Have chest X-ray. This is essential to identify emphysema, early tuberculosis and lung cancer.


• You may also receive ECG or electrocardiogram at early ages of 50 to check your heart’s health. After age 50, you should get the test for every 2-3 years.


• Some other tests include: virtual colonoscopies and various methods that use flexible lighted tubes to discover polyps and tumors in your gastrointestinal tract.
  

Health physicals for women:

An annual mammogramphy is recommended for women over 40 years or for women who are at higher risk. An early mammogram performed can decrease the chances of developing breast cancer.

Also, regular Pap smear along with pelvic exam is essential for every year to detect cancer of the cervix, STD’s, vaginal cancer and other gynecological concerns.

Testing bone mass is also essential to detect osteoporosis. This is particularly important for menopausal women.

Is It Safe To Use Bio Identical Hormones?

Nowadays bio identical hormones have become most popular, partly because of increased health risks associated with standard hormone replacement therapy or partly due to celebrity endorsements.

Bio identical means the hormones in the product are chemically similar to those your body develops.

Marketers say that their products are safer than standard hormone therapies because:

• They are made from plant chemicals instead of synthesizing in a laboratory. There are some FDA approved products that are made from plants such as: Prometrium natural progesterone, Estrace, Vivelle-Dot patch and Climara patch. FDA has approved over 20 natural bioidentical hormone products including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone


• These hormones are custom made for you. They are based on an examination of your saliva to assess your distinctive hormonal needs. But, the hormone levels in the saliva do not replicate the levels in the blood or correspond to menopause symptoms.


• These hormones are prepared in various doses and forms that are very much different from some of the FDA approved products. You will get some bio identical hormones without any prescription, but most of them need prescription.


• If you want these hormones in any nonstandard combinations, you need to consider a non-compounding pharmacy. Here you will get medications that are specially customized to satisfy your needs.


• The most familiar bio identical hormones are estrogen and progesterone, which are produced by compounding pharmacies to reduce the menopause symptoms and hormonal imbalances.


• Hormonal imbalances lead to the risk of heart attack, stroke and even breast cancer and when used accurately, bio identical hormone replacement therapy can decrease this risk.


• Bio identical estrogen and progesterone have constantly been shown to lessen and remove the breast-cell proliferation rates whereas synthetic hormones, particularly progestin, have been revealed to raise risk of breast cancer.


• In terms of cardiovascular disease, bio identical progesterone maintains and enhances the heart protective effects of estrogen, decreasing the risk for heart attack and stroke.
  

Bio identical hormones are safe when used properly and under the care of an expert physician trained specifically in bio identical hormone replacement therapy.

How To Diagnose Respiratory Diseases?

Chronic respiratory diseases are chronic diseases of the airways and other structures of the lung.

Among those, the most common illnesses include: respiratory allergies, asthma, occupational lung diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary hypertension.

The most important risk factors for preventable chronic respiratory diseases include:

• Indoor air pollution


• Allergens


• Tobacco smoking


• Occupational risks


• Outdoor pollution
  

Nowadays, hundreds of millions of people are suffering from chronic respiratory diseases. According to the recent studies, presently 210 million people are suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 300 million people from asthma, and millions of people from allergic rhinitis.

Respiratory system has a great role in our body. Not only it supplies oxygen to various cells of the body, but also it washouts the wastages, supplies air required for speech and filters out infectious agents. So, it is very much essential to protect our respiratory system in all aspects.

In order to investigate your chronic respiratory diseases, you need to undergo one or more of the following tests:

Pulmonary function test: It is a group of tests used to evaluate how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they move gases such as oxygen from the lungs.

Chest X-ray: This test is used to diagnose the conditions that affect your chest, its content and nearby structures. It generates the image of your chest.

Bronchoscopy: This method is used to observe inside of your airways for therapeutic and diagnostic purpose. In this procedure, an instrument is placed in your airways through mouth or nose. With the help of this test, your practitioner can observe the abnormalities of your airways like bleeding, foreign bodies, inflammation or tumors.

Computed tomography scan: CT scan is a medical imaging method employing tomography created by computer processing. This type of digital geometry processing is used to produce a three-dimensional image of the inside of your body from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis.

Biopsy: In this procedure cells or tissues are removed from the lung or pleura for examination. This method helps to find out the presence of the disease. The cells are examined under a microscope and also analyzed chemically.

Ultrasound: This method is used to detect fluid such as pleural effusion.

Ventilation – Perfusion scan: It is used to evaluate circulation of blood and air within your lungs. Perfusion part assesses how well the blood circulates within the lungs, whereas ventilation part observes whether the air reaches all parts of the lungs or not.

Culture of microorganisms: This method is used to determine the cause of infectious diseases. For instance, your throat culture is taken by scratching the lining of tissue in the back of your throat and blotting the sample into a media to be able to screen for harmful microorganisms, like streptococcus pyogenes, the causative means of strep throat. 

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy FAQs!

Want to get relief from the symptoms of menopause?

Become tired of using various hormonal therapies for menopause symptoms?

Have you ever heard of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Nowadays, it is a most popular method used for relieving menopause symptoms.

Everyone has various queries about this therapy. Here are the most common questions about BHRT:

What is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), also known as bio-identical hormone therapy recommended to treat menopause symptoms by using hormones that are molecularly identical to endogenous hormones.

Supplemental doses of hormones used in BHRT have a chemical structure similar to the hormones that your body naturally produces.

How does BHRT beneficial for me?

BHRT not only used to relieve menopause symptoms, but also used for post-menopause and peri-menopause symptoms.

Who needs BHRT?

Women suffering from the symptoms of early menopause and are looking to put an end to night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, low libido, memory loss and weight gain can undergo this therapy.

How are BHRT treatments created?

Most of the bio-identical hormones are generated from wild yams and soybeans, which contain unique compounds that are processed chemically and made into identical replicas of hormones the body produces.

Are there any other forms of BHRT?

Static dosing is one form. Rhythmic cycling is another form that is based on the cycles of nature and is meant to mimic the time during which women are at their reproductive peak. Rhythmic cycling is a new and very good approach in BHRT.

There are three categories of bio-identical hormone therapy, such as natural estrogens, natural progesterone and natural androgens.

How can I take BHRT?

These hormones are taken orally or are injected. Also, they can be applied via a cream and a suppository.

Is it safe to use bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Bio means natural, as any natural products are safe, these hormones are also safe to use. These are safer and more effective than standard hormone replacement therapy. These prescription and over-the-counter products are marketed as being tailored to a woman's individual hormonal needs, typically determined through saliva hormone testing.

The FDA approved bio-identical estrogen and progesterone products include: Estradiol, such as Estrace, Climara patch and Vivelle-Dot patch and natural progesterone (Prometrium). These products come in various doses and forms. Your practitioner suggests definite dosage according to your body needs.

Is it necessary to take prescription?

Yes, Bio-identical hormones must be prescribed. As the hormones are compounded, it is necessary that they be dispensed under a prescription.

Does insurance cover this treatment?

This varies according to the insurer.

How long does it usually take to adjust to the therapy?

Each patient needs are unique, so the time for adjustment varies from one person to another. Generally, it takes 3 months to alleviate all the symptoms.

Are there any other names for BHRT?

“Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy" (NHRT) is the most common name for BHRT. Generally, this name is most commonly used by the patients, whereas bio-identical hormone replacement therapy seems more popular among pharmacists and doctors.

Are there any other benefits of BHRT?

Other benefits of natural bio-identical hormones include:

• Enhances your energy levels


• Decreases hot flashes


• Slows your aging process


• Maintains arterial and cardiac health


• Maintains your breast health, along with protection against any other malignant changes


• Guards you against uterine and breast cancer


• Slow or even reverse the production of fibroids


• Delays or prevents the growth of Alzheimer’s disease


• Increases your bone density, even controls osteoporosis

Gout In Women May Put Them At Higher Risk Of Heart Attack!

Gout is the most common condition and is due to the inflammation of the joints as an outcome of higher amounts of uric acid deposits. Uric acid is a by-product of purines, which are rich in a Western diet. Weight gain, Obesity, high blood pressure, high alcohol intake, poorly functioning kidneys and certain drugs can all rapid its growth.

Recent study stated that gout in women may keep them at higher risk of heart attack than men. In the study, researcher conducted on 9500 gout patients and 48,000 people with the disease and aged 65 or older. The cardiovascular health of all the participants was tracked for an average of seven years, during which time 3268 fatal and non-fatal heart attacks occurred.

The study found that women with gout were 39% more prone to get heart attack of any kind when compared with women without the condition whereas men with gout were only 11 percent more prone to get a fatal or non-fatal heart attack when compared to those without the disease. The risks were significantly higher among the women than among the men.

Fibroids Raises The Risk Of Stillbirths!

Stillbirths can also be termed as intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). Recent study conducted in US stated that women who have fibroids may have higher risk of stillbirths.

Fibroids are the most common problems that occur in 5-20% of the women. Most of the women with fibroids don’t notice any symptoms and don’t even know they have them. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the risk of IUFD in women with fibroids.

The occurrence of IUFD was considerably high in women with fibroid than in the women with no-fibroid even after adjusting for factors including black race, tobacco exposure, chronic hypertension, and pre-gestational diabetes.

Also, the study stated that women who have both fibroids and fetal growth restriction are at two-and-a-half times at higher the risk of having a stillbirth, however the absolute threat remained rare. This can lead to future references for serial growth scans to observe fetal growth in women with fibroids.

Holistic Medicine For Endometriosis!

Most of the women notice excellent results with alternative therapies and natural treatments for endometriosis. Basically, alternative and natural treatments deal with emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of health.

Holistic medicine is connected with mind and body. The practitioners of holistic medicine treat the whole person as opposed to the individual organs where symptoms occur.

Here are the holistic therapies that can help endometriosis:

Herbs for endometriosis:

Herbal medicine treats the disease by using medicinal plants, together internally and externally, to renovate the patient back to health. The therapeutic qualities present in the plants help you to enhance your body’s own recuperative powers.

For treating endometriosis, the first task of herbs is to try and re-balance the hormone levels in the body. Some other herbs help to strengthen your immune system so that the body can then begin to eliminate the disease.

Here are some herbs that can help with endometriosis:

• Vitex berries: This herb balances your estrogen levels. These substances naturally help regulate estrogen which is the cause of endometriosis.


• Burdock root: It helps to treat your liver, which helps clear excess estrogen.


• Red raspberry, wild yam, evening primrose and ginger: These help to reduce bleeding and cramps during your period.


• Castor oil: Applying castor oil packs on the pelvic region can help to reduce the pain.


• Chamomile and lavender oil: Adding drops of these oil in your bath water can help to reduce inflammation.


• Echinacea and vitamin C: These herbs help to boost your immune system.
  

Acupuncture for endometriosis:

Acupuncture is a low risk technique that is very effective in treating pain and symptoms of endometriosis. The treatment of endometriosis with acupuncture usually requires a commitment to enough time to rebalance the body's systems.

If there is pain with the lunar cycle, then treatment must proceed until at least 3 normal cycles are achieved. From this point, it may be possible to use plant medicines with only the occasional acupuncture treatment to control symptoms.

Acupuncture treatments promote the release of endorphins and other “healing” chemicals in the body. These chemicals assist in healing and pain management. Usually, dealing endometriosis with acupuncture usually requires a commitment of enough time to rebalance the body's systems. This will vary from one woman to another, and will be dependent on the severity of the disease.

Homeopathy for endometriosis:

Homeopathy is a healing method of medicine, in which very dilute doses of natural substances (plant, animal, mineral) are administered to a patient to treat symptoms that would be induced in a healthy individual by ingestion of that same substance.

Homeopathy stimulates the body’s own defenses to correct illness and allow symptoms to dissipate. The minute doses of drug substances used in homeopathy do not cause any side effects. Homeopathy can be used for short term (acute) illnesses and long term (chronic) illnesses. For the treatment of Endometriosis, homeopathy treats the individual not the disease.

Aromatherapy for endometriosis:

Aromatherapy is a healing method that uses the natural aromatic characteristics of plants - the essential oils - both for their scent and for their inherent medicinal properties. These aromatic oils can be found in a wide range of species and are extracted from the seeds, bark, leaves, flowers, wood, roots or resin according to the type of plant.

Aromatherapy can help most of the individual areas of dealing for Endometriosis. The chemical characteristics of singular essential oils can help digestion, aid with sleep problems, improve your immune system, maintain the reproductive system, help re-balance the hormone system, and lots of other subtle benefits.

14 Essential FAQs About Pap Smear!

Pap smear is also called as Pap test, which is used to test for cervical cancer in women.

This procedure involves collecting cells from your cervix – the lower and narrow end of your uterus.

Detecting cervical cancer in early stages can increase the chances of recovery.

Also, Pap smear helps to detect the changes in your cervical cells that indicate cancer in the future. Detecting these cells early with a Pap smear is your first step in halting the possible development of cervical cancer.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Pap smear:

1. What a Pap smear really means?

This is a diagnostic test used to identify the changes in the cells of your cervix. Pap smear can help to identify cervical cancer, infections of the cervix or abnormal cervical cells.

2. What are the benefits of Pap smear?

This test helps to identify the early signs of cervical cancer. If the signs are identified early, the chances of curing are high. Also, the test identifies abnormal cervical cells and infection that can turn into cancer cells. So, getting regular Pap smear can help to prevent the chances of developing cervical cancer.

3. Who needs Pap smear?

It is essential that all women have pelvic exams along with Pap smear as a part of regular health checkup. Women with 21 years or more and women under 21 years and have been sexually active for more than three years should undergo Pap smear.

Generally, there is no age limit for the test. Women during their menopause stage can also undergo Pap smear.

4. When should I get Pap smear?

The time and frequency of the test depend on your age and your health conditions. It is better to talk to your doctor.

• People younger than 30 years should undergo Pap smear every year.


• People of age 30 or older should talk their doctor about spacing out Pap smear to every 2 or 3 years.


• People between the ages of 65 to 70 years and already had Pap test for 3 times and no abnormal Pap test during the past ten years should talk to their doctor about further tests.
  

5. Do I still need Pap smear even after having hysterectomy?

This depends on the type of hysterectomy procedure that you have undergone. Consult your doctor whether you need the test or not. Women who have undergone total hysterectomy, removal of both the uterus and cervix, may not need to undergo regular a Pap smear. If only uterus is removed, then Pap test is essential.

6. How to prepare for the Pap smear test?

For two days before undergoing the test, you should avoid:

• Usage of tampons


• Douching


• Usage of vaginal deodorant sprays or powders


• Usage of suppositories, vaginal creams, and other medications


• Avoid intercourse
  

7. Can I undergo Pap smear when I have periods?

No, you should not have Pap test during your menstrual period. Best period to undergo the test is 10-20 days after the first day of your last menstrual period.

8. What does the procedure involves?

Pap test can be done during your pelvic exam. It is simple and a quick procedure. When you lie on the table, your doctor introduces an instrument called speculum into the vagina, to see your cervix.

Then with the help of special stick, the doctor accumulates the cells from the cervix. These cells are then placed on a glass slide and tested in the laboratory. It is a painless procedure, but some women feel it slightly uncomfortable.

9. When will Pap test results come?

The results of Pap test come in 2-3 weeks. Usually, the test results are normal. If there is something wrong from the test, your doctor asks you to again schedule for the test. Various reasons can result in abnormal Pap test, but it doesn’t mean that you have cancer.

10. What means abnormal Pap test?

Abnormal Pap test results mean that there might be a problem with the cervix. Sometimes, these abnormal cells can lead to cancer. But, most of the times, these cells go away on their own. If these unhealthy cells are treated soon, then the cancer can be prevented completely.

11. What happens if my test result was abnormal?

If it is an abnormal Pap test or results in small changes of your cervical cells, then your doctor will ask you to repeat the procedure.

If the results are more serious, then your doctor suggests further more powerful tests such as: biopsy, colposcopy or endocervical curettage.

12. What means false positive results?

There is no guarantee that results are always 100% correct, sometimes they might be false positive or false negative. False positive test result means you have abnormal cells, but in reality the cells are normal. So, if your test results in false positive, it indicates that there is no problem.

False negative test result means your cells are normal, but in reality there are some abnormal cells. So, if the test results in false negative, you need to undergo regular Pap test until the problem is identified.

13. Who have greater chances of getting cervical cancer?

The best way to be free from cervical cancer is avoiding contact with human papilloma virus (HPV) as it is the definite cause of cervical cancer. Here are the causes, which lead to women whose chances of getting cervical cancer are more:

• Women with more than one sex partners


• Women who have or have had a STD


• Women whose sex partner have other sex partners


• Women who started sex before the age of 18
  

14. Will insurance cover my Pap test?

Yes, insurance covers the cost of Pap smear. The cost varies from one doctor to another and it ranges from $50 to $200. Without health insurance, it may seem difficult to get the test because of the cost.


10 Screening Tests That Women Should Have!

Do you know that as women, we all should undergo certain medical tests and health screenings throughout our lives? For instance, did you know that hearing and vision screenings are recommended during every decade of your life?

Here is the list of 10 screening tests that you should undergo:

1. Pap test

Women age 21 and above should undergo Pap test. Sexually active young women under 21 also need to have Pap test starting within three years of the first time sexual intercourse happened. Pap test or Pap smear helps to detect abnormal changes in cervical cells that can lead to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is now 15^th among the causes of cancer deaths. Every year, about 3,700 women are dying of cervical cancer.

2. Heart screening

Heart disease is the most leading cause of death in American women and about 250,000 women are dying of heart disease every year. This figure is six times greater than the women that die from breast cancer.

You can prevent coronary disease by maintaining healthy diet and taking proper lifestyle medications and enough physical activity. For heart screening, you need to undergo a blood test that checks your cholesterol levels and blood fats.

If you experience any chest pain, shortness of breath or additional heartbeat, you should undergo a test called stress echocardiogram. This test performed to determine whether there is any reduced blood flow to your heart.

3. Mammograms

When to begin annual mammography varies from one health professional to another. According to American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the best age to start mammography is 40. Mammogram is a safe, painless and essential for the early detection of breast cancer.

Also, women during their 20s and 30s should undergo a breast exam for every three years to detect any lumps and bumps.

4. Blood pressure checks

Every year, about 50 million people in the United State have high blood pressure. One out of every five people is suffering from hypertension. It occurs when your blood pressure reading rise above 140/90.

Also, people suffer from low blood pressure or hypo tension. It occurs when your blood pressure reading falls below the normal range. When you have low blood pressure, you will experience headaches, light headed or dizziness.

5. Bone density test

It is fairly a simple and painless procedure. Women above 65 should have regular bone density test. Younger women who have had hysterectomy should also undergo regular bone density test. Osteoporosis is the disease that causes significant bone loss, if the condition is not detected and treated early, it can lead to fragile bones that break easily. Early diagnosis of this disease is treatable with medications.

6. Regular HIV testing

CDC recommended that everyone who consults a doctor or who is in an emergency room should undergo HIV testing on a routine basis. Regular HIV testing can decrease the spread of HIV virus about 30%. HIV virus is the most leading cause of AIDS.

7. Colon cancer test

Women should start screening for colon cancer at the age of 50. There are various procedures that help to detect colon cancer, so it is best to consult your doctor to know which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should be screened at an earlier age. Colonoscopy is the procedure that can detect colon cancer.

8. STD test

If you think of any exposure to STD, immediately contact your doctor for testing. If you experience any abnormal vaginal discharge, you should consult your doctor. Abnormal vaginal discharge doesn’t indicate an STD, but it is the indication of either an STD or an yeast or vaginal infection.

9. BMI test

BMI is a measure of body fat according to your height and weight and it determines where you fall on the weight spectrum. BMI level more than 39 indicates that you are obese. You can check BMI yourself by using BMI calculator.

10. Cholesterol test

Regular cholesterol screening helps to detect the risk of developing heart disease. Adult women should undergo regular cholesterol test for every five years.

Is It Breast Infection Or Mastitis?

Mastitis or breast infection is the infection of breast tissues that occurs more frequently at the time of breast feeding.

Breast infection is usually caused by a bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, which is found on normal skin.

Breast infection occurs in the fatty tissues of your breasts and leads to swelling and this swelling pushes on milk ducts, which finally causes pain and lumps in the infected breast.

If you are not breast feeding and you got breast infection, then it might be a rare form of breast cancer.

Menopausal women can also get breast infection.

What causes breast infection?

An opening on your breast or passage of bacteria through milk-secreting ducts can lead to breast infection. The risk of getting breast infection is more when there is restricted or blocked milk flow. Here are some causes that increase your risk of developing breast infection:

• Restriction or blockage in the milk ducts


• Usage of nipple shields


• Irregular breastfeeding


• Smoking cigarettes


• Irregularities in your breast


• Undergoing breast surgery


• Injury to the breasts


• Overuse of upper part of your arm


• Using items which exert pressure on the breasts


• Longer gap in between the feedings


• Incorrect placement of the baby while breastfeeding


• Medical conditions such as diabetes, stress and anemia which reduce your body’s immunity


• Missing the feeding session


• Wearing restricted cloths or usage of underwire bra
  

What are the symptoms of breast infection?

• Fever and presence of flu like symptoms


• Swelling and redness in the area of the breast


• Breast soreness that is associated with ache


• Feeling warmness in the breasts


• Nipple discharge
  

When you consult your doctor, he/she will perform a physical exam by considering your past medical history. Surface of the skin or breast milk culture could be performed to find out the bacteria. If there is blurred result, then your doctor will recommend to under a mammogram or biopsy of your breast.

What are the treatments for breast infection?

• Your doctor will suggest you a course of antibiotics to reduce the breast infection. Sometimes they can cause stomach disturbances and allergic flare ups.


• Wear a good nursing bra, which can help to reduce the unwanted swelling. Apply warm compress over the inflamed area.


• If it is bearable pain, you can continue breast feeding or use a breast pump to draw out the milk.
  

Are there any possible complications of breast infection?

If you have chronic breast infection, immediately consult your doctor because it can cause pus formation in the breasts. You need to undergo surgery to remove the pus from breasts. During these cases, discontinue breast feeding.

Are there any tips to reduce the chances of developing breast infection?

• Use both the breast while feeding


• Keep hydrated


• Maintain regular feeding sessions


• Wash your hands before breastfeeding


• Place your baby correctly while breastfeeding


• Resolve any medical conditions like anemia


• Avoid wearing tight cloths that put pressure over the breast area


• Avoid overexertion of upper arms
  

Screening For Breast Cancer May Not For All Women: Study

Most of the women generally urged to undergo breast cancer screening. But, recent study stated that undergoing frequent breast cancer screening is not appropriate for all women.

It is found that genetic mutations are responsible for a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. But, study stated that about 2% of the population should undergo breast cancer screening which is due to genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. Women should undergo a simple blood test to check these genetic mutations, but the analysis of the results can be sometimes very much complicated.

Women with these genetic mutations are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer in their earlier ages only. Usually, general women are at 12.5 percent risk of developing breast cancer, but women with these BRCA mutations are at approximately 60 percent higher risk. Similarly lifetime risk for ovarian cancer rises from 1.4 percent to approximately 40 percent in women with BRCA mutations.

Less than 10 percent of the women with breast cancer have one of the BRCA mutations and more than 15 percent of the women with ovarian cancer carry one of the BRCA mutations. Usually, test for these genetic mutations is recommended for women whose family members undergo cancer diagnosis throughout several generations.

7 FAQs About The Abortion Pill!

The abortion pill is a medicine that ends pregnancy only in its early stages. In general the abortion pill is recommended to end the pregnancy within 63 days or 9 weeks after the first day of a woman’s last period. Medical name for the abortion pill is “mifepristone”.

1. Is the abortion pill work effectively?

Yes, medication abortion with the abortion pill is very effective. Out of 100 cases, the abortion pill works effective for 95-98 cases. After the abortion, you need to consult your health care provider to make sure that it worked and that you are well.

Few medicines used in the medication abortion cause serious birth defects if the pregnancy continues. If the abortion pill doesn’t work, then you need to undergo aspiration abortion to end your pregnancy.

2. How does the abortion pill work?

Most of the women feel nervous about having medication abortion or any kind of abortion procedures. You can also feel better once you know what to expect.

Before undergoing medication abortion, you will need to:

• Talk about other choices for abortion


• Tell your doctor about your medical history


• Undergo laboratory tests


• Have a physical exam, called as ultrasound


• Carefully read and sign the papers
  

Usually, medication abortion is the procedure that starts immediately after taking the abortion pill. It consists of three steps:

Step 1: Taking the abortion pill

Your doctor will give you the abortion pill at the clinic. He/she will also recommend some antibiotics to take after the abortion pill. Usually, the pill works by blocking the progesterone hormone. When we block the progesterone hormone, uterus lining breaks down and pregnancy cannot persist.

Step 2: Misoprostol

Misoprostol is the second medication that you will take during the abortion procedure. This second medicine should be taken within three days after taking the abortion pill. Your doctor will give complete instructions on how and when to take the second medicine.

Misoprostol causes cramping and heavy bleeding. Few women start bleeding before taking the second the medicine. But for most of the women bleeding begin only after taking the second pill. During the abortion procedure, you will observe larger blood clots and tissue.

Usually, most of the women abort within 4-5 hours after taking the second abortion pill, whereas some others take longer.

Normally, women experience slight bleeding or spotting for up to four weeks after undergoing the abortion.

Step 3: Follow-up

You will need to consult your doctor within two weeks after the abortion. Follow-up is essential in order to ensure that the abortion procedure is complete and you are well. Again you should undergo ultrasound and blood test.

In case if your pregnancy does not end, you will need to undergo aspiration abortion. Your health care provider will discuss the options with you.

3. How do I feel during the abortion procedure?

Along with bleeding and cramping, you will also experience:

• Nausea or vomiting


• Dizziness


• Strong cramping


• Temporary abdominal pain


• Diarrhea


• Temporary mild fever or chills
  

4. Is it safe to use the abortion pill?

Most of you can undergo the medication safely. But, any of the medical procedures have their own risks, so safety is a big concern.

Rare, but possible risks include:

• Allergic reaction to any of the pills


• Infection


• Bleeding heavily


• Incomplete abortion


• Undetected ectopic pregnancy
  

In most of the cases, these risks can be treated with medication or other treatments.

5. Are there any serious complications of abortion?

Serious complications may have warning signs. You should immediately call your health care provider if you experience any of the following signs:

• An unpleasant smelling discharge from your vagina


• Fever of 100.4°F or higher that persists for more than four hours


• Severe abdominal pain that cannot be cured by medications


• Blood clots for more than two hours and are bigger than a lemon


• Heavy bleeding


• Vomiting that persists for more than 4-6 hours


• symptoms that you are still pregnant
  

6. Does anyone take the abortion pill?

• Women more than 9 weeks pregnant


• Women who have a known or suspected molar pregnancy


• Women with severe heart, liver, adrenal gland, or kidney problems


• Women who take medicines that should not be combined with medications used in abortion procedure


• Women taking anti-clotting medicines or have any blood clotting disorders
  

7. What can I feel after using the abortion pill?

Your doctor will give you complete instruction about dos and don’ts after undergoing the abortion procedure. Women experience wide range of feelings after undergoing the abortion procedure. Most of you feel relief. But, some women feel guilt, anger, sadness, or regret for some time due to the sudden change of hormones.

Your menstrual cycle starts within 4-8 weeks after undergoing the abortion.

You should avoid the intercourse or inserting anything into your vagina for at least one week after the abortion. You will become pregnant immediately after undergoing the abortion. So, it is essential to use birth control. Discuss with your healthcare provider about which procedure is best for you.

Pomegranates May Help Fight Against Breast Cancer!

New research conducted on breast cancer stated that, pomegranates contain naturally occurring chemical, known as a phytochemical, also called as Ellagic acid that prevents cancer cells from developing. Three-quarters of breast cancer are considered to be hormone reliant - fuelled by the hormone estrogen.

The new research said that pomegranates may reduce the probability of developing hormone-dependant breast cancer. Phytochemicals present in the fruit fight against estrogen production that prevents the production of breast cancer cells and the development of estrogen-responsive tumors.

So, it is helpful for people who consume pomegranates to protect against development of cancer in their breasts and also in other tissues and organs. Along with pomegranates, there are various other fruits like grapes help fight against breast cancer.