women's health Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Mantachie Rural Health Care, Inc.

Ovarian Cancer: The Hidden Cancer

September 20, 2018 By Mantachie Rural Health Care, Inc. Leave a Comment

Masked by the busyness of everyday life symptoms of ovarian cancer lurk unnoticed. Although this cancer normally strikes women over 50 the disease has surprised women of all ages. Like most cancers, ovarian cancer is most easily treated in its earliest stages, however, only 20% of cases are detected in stage 1.

Unlike uterine and breast cancer, ovarian cancer lacks tests for early detection. Combined with few obvious symptoms, even women who keep their yearly wellness exams find themselves ambushed by a mid or late-stage cancer diagnosis.

Although this cancer produces few symptoms, the most common indicators include:

Abdominal bloating, pressure, and pain
Abnormal fullness after eating
Difficulty eating
Increase in urination
Increased urge to urinate
Fatigue
Constipation
Discomfort in the pelvic area

Because these ailments may also indicate less benign illnesses, it’s important to see your provider especially if you notice a combination of these symptoms that do not go away or recur often.

To diagnose ovarian cancer, your provider may perform a pelvic exam, order imaging test such as ultrasounds or CT scans and test your blood for tumor markers. Some ovarian cancers prove harder to diagnose than others and may require surgery in order to remove your ovary and test it for cancer.

Cancer survivors encourage other women to become their own best advocate. Pay attention to your body’s signals. If you are unsatisfied that your provider listened to your concerns and treated them seriously, make an appointment with another provider for a second opinion.

Ovarian cancer may strike any woman but your risks may increase if you fit into any of these scenarios:

Between the ages of 50-60 years, although ovarian cancer can occur at any age.
Inherited gene mutations. Breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), also known to increase the risk of breast cancer, increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
Family history. If one or two close relatives have experienced ovarian cancer you are at higher risk.
Long term use of estrogen hormone replacement therapy.
Age when menstruation started and ended. If your cycles started early or you experienced a later menopause, you may be at higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Obesity
Personal history of breast, uterine or colon cancer
No history of pregnancy
Endometriosis

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, do not wait to contact your medical provider. If you do not have a medical provider, schedule an appointment with one of our providers. Your health is worth pursuing.

Filed Under: Pharmacy News Tagged With: Wellness, women's health

3 Types of Female Hair Loss

August 16, 2018 By Mantachie Rural Health Care, Inc. Leave a Comment

Women expect to lose a certain amount of hair every day. In fact, doctors consider losing up to 100 strands of your beautiful mane each day perfectly normal. Noticing excessive shedding, however, rises up panic, fear and even shame in the one in four women who experience clinical female hair loss.

Television commercials, magazine ads, and even social media videos champion solutions for male pattern baldness. Rarely do we hear discussions of female hair loss, which makes those who suffer from the issue feel more isolated.

Telogen Effluvium

Don’t worry, we won’t make you pronounce it. Just remember it applies to temporary hair loss triggered by a disturbance in your hair cycle. This disturbance was likely a traumatic or stressful event, that happened three to four month prior to the hair loss. Stressful events include pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, certain medications, and surgery or poor diets.

Temporary hair loss normally involves sudden, overall shedding of your hair. In good news, most women find a return to their normal, healthy mane in six to nine months once the cause of hair loss is addressed.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Also known as female pattern baldness, this hair loss presents as a thinning of hair near the crown. Women typically notice a wider part and less volume in their hair sometime after menopause. The thinning may begin as early as puberty. In most cases, women with Androgenetic Alopecia will not achieve a full re-growth of their luscious locks, but they may be able to prevent or slow the rate of hair loss. Hormones and heredity both play a role in who develops female pattern baldness.

Alopecia Areata

Unlike the previous types of hair loss, alopecia areata emerges as patchy bald sections most often on the head but it may also appear in other areas of the body. Baldness occurs when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles. Alopecia areata affects slightly more men than women. Around 70% of women will experience regrowth of their hair within two years even without treatment.

Hair loss rarely causes physical pain, but for women and some men, hair loss can trigger emotional responses including depression, decreased self-confidence and increased self-consciousness. If you’ve noticed increased hair loss leading to baldness, contact your medical provider to determine the cause of hair loss and treatment options. Also contact our behavioral health clinic for assistance managing the emotional response to female hair loss.

Filed Under: Pharmacy News Tagged With: autoimmune, women's health

9 Common Triggers for Migraines

June 28, 2018 By Mantachie Rural Health Care, Inc. Leave a Comment

Few moments rank worse than feeling a severe headache or migraine coming on. From dark, quiet rooms to hours or even days of throbbing pain, anyone who has experienced this illness knows just how debilitating it can be. Migraines affect more than 36 million men, women and children in the United States. While they may seem to come out of nowhere, many share common triggers.

Stress

Unsurprisingly, stress is the main culprit for almost 70 percent of people who experience migraines. With a significant association between daily stressors and migraine activity, it can seem like migraines are never-ending, especially when the worry of the next attack is lurking at the back of your mind. But there are ways to combat stress-related migraines:

Make a list of things that cause stress
Try relaxation therapy or meditation
Exercise regularly
Maintain a healthy sleep schedule

Changes in sleep

Speaking of sleep, an irregular sleep schedule or even changes in your regular sleep schedule can cause a migraine attack. Plus, this trigger makes sense when we dig into it. During sleep, our bodies renew and repair themselves. When we deprive ourselves of regular sleep, we become more prone to migraine attacks. To avoid sleep-related migraines, try going to sleep at the same time every night and aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep. You can also eliminate TV, phones, reading and music before bed to get a more restful sleep, as the light from these devices can result in disrupted sleep.

Hormones

Because of hormones, women are three times more likely to have migraines than men. About 75 percent of women find their migraine attacks happen around the time of their menstrual cycle. The change in estrogen and progesterone levels cause “menstrual migraines.” Certain methods of birth control can stabilize hormone levels, relieving you of any hormone-related migraines.

Caffeine and Alcohol

While a cup of coffee in the morning might seem like a good way to rev up for your day, it could actually be the culprit for your migraine attacks. The same could be said for the nightly glass of wine. On the other hand, some people claim that their migraines are eased by a cup of coffee. The best way to determine if caffeine or alcohol is the cause of your migraine attacks is to track your consumption and your migraines. Then you can adjust your caffeine or wine intake accordingly.

Diet

Several types of food can be the trigger for a migraine attack. Usually, these foods contain histamine and MSG, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, caffeine or anything with a strong smell. Even cheeses and cured meats can become triggers for migraine attacks. The best way to determine which foods are triggers for you is to track your eating habits and your migraine symptoms. This way you can determine which foods cause negative reactions and eliminate them from your diet.

Physical Exertion

While exercise can help reduce your stress levels and your risk of triggering a migraine, intense physical exertion has been shown to provoke migraines. These could include overexerting yourself at the gym or even intense sexual activity. Try tracking your migraine symptoms to see if they are related to any physical activity, then adjust your lifestyle accordingly.

Dehydration

Like alcohol and foods, dehydration is an easily trackable trigger for migraines. In fact, about one third of people say even the slightest dehydration can cause their migraine symptoms to start. Start by tracking your water intake. You can also carry a water bottle around to ensure you are getting enough fluids.

Changes in weather

We all know how our bodies react to changing weather. In springtime, we suffer from pollen and changes in barometric pressure. During summer, humidity and heat can send us rushing back indoors. Unsurprisingly, these factors are common weather-related triggers. Controlling the weather isn’t an option, but adjusting your schedule during the worst of these seasons can help prevent a migraine attack.

Light and Smell

Our senses can cause migraines too, especially when it comes to strong lights and smells. Bright natural light or even fluorescent or flickering lights can trigger your symptoms. The same can be said for strong odors, as they can activate certain nerve receptors in the nasal passages. Try wearing sunglasses on brighter days and using green light in your home, as it has been shown to not trigger migraines. Also, try avoiding perfumes, chemicals, gasoline or even strong food smells.

While everyone’s experiences with migraines is different, knowing the triggers can help you better manage your symptoms. To learn more about migraines and treatment plans, schedule an appointment with your provider today.

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/learn-more/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201

Filed Under: Pharmacy News Tagged With: Headaches, Mental Health, women's health

How to Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer

May 24, 2018 By Mantachie Rural Health Care, Inc. Leave a Comment

Cancer is scary. No matter what kind, we all cringe at the C-word. The good news is there are ways to protect ourselves from certain cancers, like skin cancer. Here are a few ways to protect your and your family’s skin during the hot summer months.

Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher

Since 1979, we’ve heard about the importance of wearing SPF 15 or higher before going out in the sun. That tip still holds true. If you are going to be in the sun for extended periods of time, it’s better to use a water-resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. It’s also a good idea to reapply sunscreen every 30 minute to an hour during extended stays in the sun.

Seek shade during peak sunshine hours

While summer is the time to soak up the sun, we have to take certain precautions to protect our skin. During peak sunshine hours from 10 AM until 4 PM, try to seek out shade as much as possible.

Cover up

We know that wearing layers in the southern sun isn’t ideal. But protecting your skin from the sun’s harsh rays can be as simple as wearing a light long sleeve T-shirt or a wide-brimmed hat. Combining this method with shady areas, and protecting your skin is easy.

Avoid tanning beds

We understand the desire for a healthy glow during the summer months, but tanning beds are even more dangerous than spending time in the natural sun. Indoor tanning exposes your skin to UV or ultraviolet rays, which can lead to melanoma (the deadliest of skin cancer). Indoor tanning can also lead to eye problems, like cataracts and ocular melanoma (cancer of the eye).

Be mindful of medications

Certain prescriptions can make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays. Discuss your medications with your physician or pharmacist to ensure you aren’t at a heightened risk of skin damage due to your prescriptions.

Take your vitamins

New studies have shown that taking vitamins, especially B3 vitamins like nicotinamide, can help your skin repair itself after sun damage. While this can help decrease risks of extensive sun damage, it works best when combined with the other tips on this list.

Examine your skin every month

As part of your monthly routine, be sure to check your skin for unusual spots or discolored moles. If you find any, make an appointment with your provider to have those spots examined by a professional.

See a professional each year

Although you are checking your skin each month for irregularities, it’s ideal to get a professional’s opinion at least once a year. They are trained to spot the things we can’t recognize right away. Plus, regularly seeking professional help can increase your chances of catching any cancerous spots in the earliest stages.

Ready to schedule an appointment? Call our office at 662-282-4226 today.

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm

https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines

https://www.prevention.com/health/a20478644/7-different-ways-to-prevent-skin-cancer/

Filed Under: Pharmacy News Tagged With: men's health, Wellness, women's health

The Rules About Pap Smears are Changing

March 15, 2018 By Mantachie Rural Health Care, Inc. Leave a Comment

Great news, ladies! If your cervical cancer screening came back negative, you may be able to wait longer between screenings.

Current U.S. cervical cancer screening guidelines do not consider a woman’s previous screening history because the data has been unavailable until now. These guidelines advise women to have a Pap Smears every three years starting at age 21.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. A Pap Smears is a test for abnormal cells at the bottom of the uterus to help determine a woman’s risk for cervical cancer. Meanwhile, an HPV test checks for the genetic material (DNA) of the human papillomavirus. Like a Pap Smears, HPV tests are done on a sample of cells collected from the cervix. Human papillomavirus testing has only been used as part of a follow-up for abnormal Pap testing.

But, new research has shown women who’ve had one or more negative HPV tests are at extremely low risk of cervical cancer. This means we may be able to extend the Pap Smear interval to five years if a woman has had a negative HPV test.

The study published November 27, 2017, in Annals of Internal Medicine sought to measure the cervical cancer risk of women who had several negative HPV tests in the past three years. Researchers found that after 1 or more negative HPV test, longer screening intervals (every 5 years or more) might be a better option.

Women who get infected with HPV contract the infection within 10 years of first beginning sexual activity. Having many partners, or having a partner who has many partners, increases the risk for HPV infection. If a woman has negative HPV tests done at five-year intervals, the chances of developing invasive cervical cancer is extremely small. It’s rare for older women to contract HPV because older women are often in stable relationships.

Making modifications to current guidelines would provide optimal screening that is more cost-effective and more efficient. It would also reduce risks associated with excessive screening such as false positives. One big concern, however, is that women might mistake longer intervals for Pap Smears to mean that they don’t need to have a Women’s Wellness Exam every year.

It’s important for women to keep their regular exam each year because cervical cancer isn’t the only thing Women’s Wellness Exams screen for. Your medical provider will also perform a breast exam to screen for breast cancer and a vaginal exam to screen for ovarian and uterine cancer. These exams are also an opportunity for you to discuss problems related to sexual function, bowel function, and bladder function.

These new guidelines may mean fewer cervical cancer false positives and a break for your wallet, but Women’s Wellness Exams are about keeping you healthy overall. They help identify serious health problems as early as possible while they are easier to treat. If you need to schedule a Women’s Wellness Exam, call us at 662-282-4226 to make an appointment with us today.

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/women/news/20171127/is-it-time-to-scrap-the-pap-test#1

http://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/2664574/effect-several-negative-rounds-human-papillomavirus-cytology-co-testing-safety

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/889220

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html