Women's Health Today

healthtoday women’s

Summer 2009

Blues bashers don’t give in to depression

Marg Helgenberger’s

arrestingly fresh attitude page 10

How does your garden grow?

Put the season’s crop to full use

prepare!

get ready and steady for surgery

The Christ Hospital 2139 Auburn Avenue Cincinnati OH 45219

non-profit org us postage Paid cincinnati oh Permit #5489

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It’s a short distance between home and peace of mind.

Mt. Auburn

Fairfax

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Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women ages 40 – 55.

It affects one out of seven women, yet statistics show that fewer and fewer women are getting their mammograms.

But why?

Screening is simple and easy to access.

And when found early, most breast cancers are treatable.

Mammography is the most important screening tool for breast cancer. Schedule your mammogram today and get the peace of mind you deserve.

Breast cancer risk factors: t " QFSTPOBM PS GBNJMZ IJTUPSZ PG DBODFS t &BSMZ POTFU PG NFOTUSVBUJPO t -BUF NFOPQBVTF t "EWBODJOH BHF QBSUJDVMBSMZ BGUFS the age of 50

Call to schedule your appointment: 513-585-2668

The Christ Hospital offers four mammography testing locations with convenient appointment times and parking, digital technology and board-certified radiologists experienced in the interpretation of mammograms.

Mt. Auburn The Christ Hospital Medical Office Building, Suite 324 2123 Auburn Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45219 Delhi The Christ Hospital Delhi Testing Center 5310 Rapid Run Road Cincinnati, OH 45238 Mason The Christ Hospital Mason Testing Center 608 Reading Road Mason, OH 45040 Fairfax The Christ Hospital Imaging Center 4440 Red Bank Road, First Floor Cincinnati, OH 45227

healthtoday women’s

Summer 2009

in this issue . . .

2

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

Scared of surgery?

3

Taking the mystery out of hysterectomy

4

Arresting heart failure

5

10 questions to ask at your next checkup

6

HEALTH HEADLINES

What’s making news in women’s health

8

Not a headache? Not a toothache?

Maybe it’s TMJ

9

SEX & GENDER MATTERS

10

Stealing the scene

Marg Helgenberger investigates all life has to offer!

13

HEALTHY MIND

Women and depression

14

Surgery? Steady now!

Get your body and mind ready

16

Easy cancer-prevention tactics

17

A positive approach to PMS

18

HEALTHY MOVES

Answer these simple questions to find out

20

Breathe easy!

Reduce your risk of COPD

21

7 smart things you can do for your baby

22

HEALTHY BITES

Take advantage of the season’s fresh crop!

24

HEALTH SMARTS

4

Protect your sight!

Get checked for glaucoma

Beat the blues

10

Which exercise is best for you?

Just-picked dishes

Serious smoking stats

20 www.womenshealthexperience.com

healthtoday women’s

Letter from the founder

the magazine of the foundation for female health awareness

Scared of surgery?

Y

Founders

Mickey M. Karram, MD

/

Mona Karram

National Advisory Board

ou surely aren’t alone! No one looks forward to any procedure, especially one that involves general anesthesia. However, today’s operating team of surgeons, anesthesiologists and specially trained nurses have

technology on their side—whether it’s a minimally invasive surgical robot or a high-tech chemical cocktail that puts you out quickly and safely. Read about how you can put your surgery and anesthesia fears to rest and get your mind and body in tip-top pre-op shape in “Surgery? Steady now!” on page 14.

Our “Health Smarts” column in this issue of Women’s Health Today focuses on facts about cigarette smoking. If you, a loved one or a friend can’t kick this habit, read “Serious smoking stats” on page 24. The stark and scary data you’ll read may provide the incentive you need to rid yourself of this deadly addiction. Also in this issue, you’ll find articles on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“Breathe easy!” on page 20), seasonal fresh vegetables (“Just-picked dishes,” page 22) and finding the best way to keep active (“Which exercise is best for you?” on page 18).

I think you’ll find the wide variety of topics in this issue of Women’s Health Today to be informative and useful. Please let me know what other topics you’d like to read about in future issues. I’d love to hear from you!

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urogynecology Urology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine; Co-Director, Women’s Pelvic Medicine Center, Loyola University Medical Center Linda Brubaker, MD,

Vivien K. Burt, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry,

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Founder and Director, Women’s Life Center, UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital Vivian M. Dickerson, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Irvine; Director, Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCI Medical Center; Director of UCI’s Post Reproductive Women’s Integrative Health Center Tommaso Falcone, MD, Professor and Chairman, Department

of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Co-Director, Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction and Infertility Sebastian Faro, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and

Gynecology, Women’s Hospital of Texas Nieca Goldberg, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine,

SUNY Health Science Center, Brooklyn, New York; Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, New York University Thomas Herzog, MD, Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Barbara Levy, MD, Medical Director, Women’s Health & Breast

Center, St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way, Washington; Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine; Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine Wendy l. wright, ARNP, FAANP, Adult/Family Nurse Practitioner; Adjunct Faculty, Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, University of Wyoming T h e C h r i s t H o s p i t a l STAFF

President and CEO Susan Croushore Vice President, Operations Victor DiPilla CNO/Vice President, Nursing Deborah Hayes Vice President, Marketing and Community Relations Heather Adkins Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Berc Gawne, MD Editor Arin Kraemer customer service

For more information about services at The Christ Hospital,

Sincerely,

please contact Arin Kraemer at arin.kraemer@thechristhospital.com or (513) 585-3945.

Women’s Health Today is published four times a year by The Christ Hospital, 2139 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219, in conjunction with the Foundation for Female Health Awareness, PO Box 43028, Cincinnati, OH 45243. This is Volume 5, Issue 3. © 2009 by The Christ Hospital and the Foundation for Female Health Awareness. All rights reserved.

The information contained herein is not a substitute for professional

Mickey M. Karram, MD PRESIDENT AND Co-Founder

medical care or advice. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Foundation for Female Health Awareness Dr. Karram and his wife, Mona, are the founders of the Foundation for Female Health Awareness, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving women’s health by supporting unbiased medical research and educating women about their health.

Women’s Health Today magazine is part of Women’s Health Experience, the flagship program of the Foundation for Female Health Awareness. Women’s Health recycle-logo_2options_v2.ai Experience is a unique initiative aimed at connecting women with healthcare experts, as well as their local hospitals, to learn about important issues that may affect their health. Through Women’s Health Experience, Women’s Health Today magazine and www.womenshealthexperience.com, you’ll get objective, timely information. You can also sign up for free e-newsletters containing Printed With Soy Ink results Printed Soy Ink health news and ofWithmedical studies.

Sign up now at www.womenshealthexperience.com.

Please Recycle This Publication

cover : M arg H elgenberger

Please Recycle This Publication © 2 0 0 9 J onathan S kow / C orbis O utline

Women’s Health Today

Printed With Soy Ink Please Recycle This Publication Printed With Soy Ink

By Marcia Bowling, MD

Taking the mystery out of hysterectomy

A

bout one-third of American women will eventually have a hysterectomy, the second most common surgery after cesarean section. Why so common? Basically, hysterectomy can cure a variety of uterine problems: ✿ Fibroids. Hysterectomy is most often recommended for serious cases of fibroids (benign tumors that grow in the uterus wall). Fibroids can grow large and may cause great pain and heavy bleeding.

Depending on the severity, physicians and patients may decide to try treatments other than hysterectomy. In a surgery called myomectomy, the fibroids are removed but the uterus stays in place. Also, drug therapy may shrink fibroids temporarily, and after menopause, fibroids may shrink without treatment.

For serious cases, hysterectomy is often the best choice because it’s a definite cure. ✿ Endometriosis. Hysterectomy can treat severe cases of endometriosis, a common disease in which tissue shed from the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain and possibly leading to infertility. Drug therapy can help but may not stop pain in serious cases. ✿ Prolapse. Many physicians recommend hysterectomy for severe prolapse—a sagging of the uterus into the vagina when the ligaments that support the uterus get weak over time. These ligaments can sometimes be shortened with surgery. In other cases,

physicians may place a pessary, or support ring, around the cervix. If ligaments are badly damaged, hysterectomy may be necessary. ✿ Gynecologic cancer. Hysterectomy is usually required when a woman has cancer of the uterus or cervix. The only real alternative is radiation therapy.

However, radiation therapy may not be as effective and may involve many side effects.

Coping with change After a hysterectomy, a woman may be emotionally distraught. Some women identify the uterus with childbearing and with their younger years, so it’s possible to feel a sense of loss. Women need support and understanding from family and friends and should talk with their physicians about ways to cope with this change. WHT

Robotic-assisted hysterectomy If your physician recommends hysterectomy (or if you need uterine fibroid removal or prolapse treatment), you may be a candidate for a roboticassisted procedure using the da Vinci® Surgical System. The system helps your surgeon perform a more precise, minimally invasive hysterectomy and can offer numerous potential benefits over traditional surgical approaches, including: • a shorter hospital stay • less pain • faster recovery • a quicker return to normal activities • less risk of wound infection • less blood loss and scarring Many different procedures are used to perform hysterectomies. Be sure your physician is experienced with several techniques so that the best option can be chosen for you.

Suffer no more!

To learn how robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery can help reduce your discomfort, visit www.TheChristHospital.com or call 513-585-1000.

Marcia Bowling, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist with The Christ Hospital, specializes in treating gynecological cancers.

www.womenshealthexperience.com

Arresting heart failure § Confusion or impaired thinking. Changing levels of sodium and other substances in the blood can cause memory disturbances and disorientation. § Increased heart rate. A racing heart or palpitations can occur when the heart starts beating faster to make up for loss in pumping capacity.

Get prompt medical care if you have any of these symptoms. Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalizations among people ages 65 and older. WHT

Help for your heart is here!

The Healthcare Accreditation Colloquium recently recognized The Christ Hospital as a fully accredited heart failure center of excellence.

The Christ Hospital is the first hospital in Greater Cincinnati, and only the fifth in the United States, to achieve this recognition. The Christ Hospital heart failure services include: • The Carl H. & Edyth Lindner Heart Failure Treatment Center. A unique 28-bed unit offering state-of-the-art care for patients with heart failure.

• Heart Link. A unique tool that helps heart failure patients transition from hospital to home.

Specially trained nurses connect with patients after discharge to review diet, exercise and medication.

• Congestive heart failure clinic. Physicians and nurses treat the growing aging population of heart failure patients, specifically those who are uninsured or underinsured.

• Participation in nationally published research on heart failure management and treatment methods.

Get heart healthy!

Visit www.TheChristHospital.com to learn more about heart failure treatment at The Christ Hospital, or call the heart failure clinic at 513-585-2472.

Women’s Health Today

© istockphoto.com/Shannon Keegan/Karen Roach

I

f your heart is damaged—whether by high blood pressure, diabetes or some form of coronary artery disease (including angina and heart attack)—it can’t pump blood or relax as well as it should. This condition is known as heart failure.

Despite its name, heart failure doesn’t mean that your heart has stopped or that you’ve had a heart attack, but instead that your heart is weak and working inefficiently.

Warning signs of heart failure include: § Shortness of breath. Breathing problems can occur during activity or when lying down as blood backs up in the pulmonary veins, causing fluid to leak into the lungs. § Fatigue. Simple activities like getting dressed or walking can trigger extreme fatigue and make everyday chores seem impossible. § Water retention. Fluid builds up in the legs, feet, ankles and, sometimes, abdomen. Other waterretention signs include frequent urination and weight gain. § Coughing or wheezing. Fluid buildup in the lungs can cause coughing that produces white or pink blood-tinged mucus. § Appetite loss or nausea. Digestive problems can make you feel full or sick to your stomach.

By Nancy Slattery, MD

10 Y

questions to ask at your next checkup

our annual physical should be more than a quick checkup and a “See you next year, doc.” It’s your chance to strengthen a vital partnership with your healthcare provider and assess your medical outlook.

Covering your bases

© istockphoto.com/Amanda Rohde

Think of your physical as a two-part process.

First is the exam itself. The second part is gaining a thorough understanding of your health. Here are some questions to ask that will help you gain insight: ˛ 1 Are all my signs normal or within accepted limits? Ask about your: • body-mass index (BMI), ratio of weight to height • blood pressure and pulse • breathing • skin and nail color, texture and appearance, which give clues to underlying disorders of your vital organs ˛ 2 Is my health better, the same or worse since my last checkup? ˛ 3 What are the best ways I can maintain my health or manage my condition? Ask for advice on diet, physical activity and stress-management tips to ease chronic tension and anxiety. ˛ 4 Given my personal and family medical history, do I have a higher than normal risk for certain illnesses? Review your: • family medical history: whether grandparents, parents or siblings had heart attacks, strokes, breast or other cancers and other illnesses • personal medical history, including any childhood sunburns, severe allergies or high fevers that are risk factors for diseases later in life, and any hospitalizations, surgeries or allergies to drugs or food

˛ 5 Given my age and health, what symptoms may indicate the onset of an illness? ˛ 6 Given my medical status, what specific symptoms may indicate a health emergency? ˛ 7 What screenings should I have? Your physician may recommend a mammogram, a bone density scan, a colonoscopy, a Pap test or cardiovascular and cholesterol-related blood tests. ˛ 8 Should I be seeing a specialist for any reason? ˛ 9 What new therapies or changes in treatment since my last checkup should I know about? ˛ 10 Should I get a flu shot?

Be informative Mention any current symptoms or unusual feelings—physical or emotional—that you may have.

Never let embarrassment, fear or shame keep you from telling your physician about a problem. They’re trained to handle all your medical concerns—and you won’t be the first patient with a sensitive issue.

Call your physician’s office any time you have a question about your health or are having trouble following his or her instructions. Communicating openly with your physician is just as important as eating right, exercising and watching your weight. WHT

Need a primary care physician?

Call 513-585-1000 to find a physician with The Christ Hospital Medical Associates.

Nancy Slattery, MD, is an internal medicine physician with The Christ Hospital Medical Associates in Cincinnati.

www.womenshealthexperience.com

what’s making news in women’s health

healthhead A new oral cancer protection brewing?

Y

Stroke signs: Still a mystery to many

our coffee-drinking habit might not be entirely bad for you, according to findings that coffee consumption is associated with fewer cancers of the mouth, pharynx and esophagus. Japanese researchers evaluated the diets of more than 38,000 people. They found that compared to people who did not drink coffee, those who sipped a cup or more a day had only half the risk of developing these cancers. The risk reduction was noted even among people at high risk for these cancers, such as those who drank alcohol or smoked. The research was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

uick: List the warning signs of stroke and what you should do if you think someone is having one. Give up? Many people—especially those most likely to suffer a stroke—can’t name the warning signs, according to researchers at the International Stroke Conference in San Diego.

In 2007, they polled more than 86,000 people by phone and found that fewer than two in five knew all of the stroke warning signs: sudden weakness in the face, arm or leg; sudden severe headache with no known cause; sudden vision problems in one or both eyes; sudden confusion or difficulty speaking; and sudden dizziness, loss of balance, loss of coordination or problems walking. Many of those polled also didn’t know to call 911 immediately. Older adults, prior stroke sufferers, minorities, people with lower incomes and people with less education fared poorly in the poll. Researchers stress the importance of knowing the warning signs, as the quicker you’re treated for stroke, the better your odds of surviving and limiting any stroke-related disabilities.

Women’s Health Today

© istockphoto.com/Megan Tamaccio

Q

lines Too close for comfort?

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o too many family members under one roof hurt the heart? That’s the question pondered by researchers at Osaka University, who followed more than 90,000 Japanese women and men ages 40 to 69 for as long as 14 years. What they found: • Women who lived with a spouse, children and aging parents or with a spouse and parents were two to three times more likely to suffer from heart disease than women who only lived with a spouse.

• Men living in these multigenerational households didn’t experience the same heart-risk increase. f you had preeclampsia Researchers hypothesize that, for women, the during pregnancy, you stress of juggling multiple family roles may be takmay be at an increased risk ing a toll. Japanese women not only care for their of having problems such family members and keep the household running as high blood pressure, but also work outside the home full time—a diabetes and blood clots for scenario not unfamiliar to American women. So if the rest of your life. That’s you’re a stressed-out caregiver—or if you live with according to researchers one—perhaps it’s time to give your heart a break at Yale School of Medicine and divvy up those responsibilities. and the University of

Preeclampsia: Not just a pregnancy problem

I

Copenhagen, who looked at data on more than 1.3 million women who gave birth between 1978 and 2007. Preeclampsia, or pregnancy-induced hypertension, is marked by high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy. The findings strengthen the link that other studies have found between preeclampsia and heart conditions. There’s no known way to prevent preeclampsia—which is why it’s important to get early and regular prenatal care—and the only cure for it is to deliver the baby.

If the condition develops early on, your physician may suggest bed rest or medications to prolong the pregnancy.

www.womenshealthexperience.com

Not a headache?

Not a toothache?

M a y b e i t ’s TMJ

T

he dull ache in Lisa’s right cheek led her to the dentist’s office, where she figured she’d need a cavity filled at best or root canal at worst. She was surprised to learn that her teeth were fine—and to be referred to a medical specialist. Lisa turned out to have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. Working with this specialist, she found that a combination of medication and lifestyle changes—not oral surgery—was the key to relieving her pain.

What is TMJ? TMJ affects women in their childbearing years more than it affects men. Most cases are the result of displacement of the cartilage disk between the jaw bones, sometimes caused by an injury to the head, neck or face. This displacement produces pressure and stretching of the nerves, leading to pain. TMJ discomfort is also produced when the muscles used for chewing spasm. This spasm is commonly caused by clenching or grinding of the teeth (often while sleeping), or a poor bite.

TMJ affects women in their childbearing years more than it affects men. The pain may be dull or shooting.

Women’s Health Today

Just as the causes of TMJ can differ, so, too, can the symptoms. Pain may be dull or shooting, feel like a toothache or a headache or radiate around the cheek or ear. Sometimes you can hear the joint pop as you open and close your mouth.

Sometimes you can barely even open your mouth.

Treating TMJ Treatment varies according to the causes and severity of your symptoms. If your problem is muscular, then appropriate actions may include massaging the muscles, eating soft foods that require little chewing, applying moist heat to your cheeks and taking muscle-relaxant medication.

Some patients benefit from wearing a bite splint or a device like a dental retainer, which prevents clenching and grinding of the teeth during sleep.

Braces or other orthodontia may be needed. Only in severe cases is surgery needed. If your pain points to TMJ, call your healthcare provider for a referral to a specialist trained in treating this syndrome. WHT

sex & Gender matters The latest findings on women-specific health from the Society for Women’s Health Research

By Jennifer Wider, MD

Protect your sight! >

T

he second leading cause of blindness in the United States is glaucoma, a group of conditions that result in damage to the optic nerve, oftentimes from extremely high pressure inside the eye. More than two million people suffer from glaucoma, and it seems to affect women disproportionately. “It’s been speculated that since women live longer than men on average, there are more women who are at an age in which glaucoma develops,” explains Cynthia L. Grosskreutz, MD, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and the co-director of the Glaucoma Service at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston.

Recognize the risks

© 2009 Elizabeth Knox/Gettyimages

Because glaucoma in its early stages is a silent disease, it’s important to know the risk factors and what you can do to minimize them. In addition to gender, other risk factors for developing glaucoma include: • increasing age • being African-American • a family history of glaucoma • pre-existing conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and hypothyroidism • a prior severe eye injury

Get checked for glaucoma

• prolonged use of corticosteroids • smoking Early diagnosis and treatment can substantially lessen the suffering from the disease. “The best way to know whether or not you have glaucoma is to be screened by an eye care provider, giving specific attention to your intraocular pressure, family history and health of the optic nerve,” says Dr. Grosskreutz.

Glaucoma screening is quick, painless and noninvasive, and treatment involves a variety of methods aimed at reducing the buildup of eye pressure, including eye drops, medication and surgery after other methods are exhausted. “Most patients are initially treated with medicine or possibly laser procedures and subsequently move on to surgery if needed,” says Dr. Grosskreutz.

While there’s currently no cure, treatment and regular checkups can prevent or slow the progression of glaucoma. And check with your eye care physician or eye center for information on glaucoma support groups. WHT

Learn more!

The Society for Women’s Health Research is a nonprofit research, education and advocacy organization that works to improve women’s health through sexspecific research, education and advocacy. To find this article and more of the latest news and research on women’s health, visit their Web site at www.womens healthresearch.org.

Jennifer Wider, MD, is a medical advisor for the Society for Women’s Health Research in Washington, D.C.

www.womenshealthexperience.com

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Women’s Health Today

© 2009 Jonathan Skow/Corbis Outline

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aline solution? Got it. Lip gloss? Got it. Wallet and keys? Check, check. Ready to go. “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” star Marg Helgenberger’s basic tool kit illustrates the contrast between her simplified life and that of her TV character, senior crime scene investigator Catherine Willows, who requires a vast array of high-tech equipment and latex gloves to get her job done.

The contrast doesn’t stop there. “Catherine’s a former exotic dancer, a Vegas girl who’s connected to the history of the town,” says Helgenberger, one of the original cast members of the popular CBS drama. “But over the years we’ve both grown wiser, more reflective, confident, relaxed and assured.” Recently turning the big 5-O, it’s clear that Helgenberger is comfortable and happy in her own skin. And why not? The Nebraska native has a youthfulness about her that women half her age would envy. “Being open-minded is an important factor in staying young,” explains the actress.

“Remaining open to new ideas and interpretations and not passing judgcontinued on page 12 ment makes not only you, but the world, a happier place.”

r www.womenshealthexperience.com

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continued from page 11

Fighting hardship, onscreen and off

lots of water and teas,” she says. “I start my day with Helgenberger’s world includes her role as mom to a protein-packed smoothie made with yogurt, rice 19-year-old Hugh, her son with actor Alan Rosenberg milk and fresh fruit like berries or papaya.” But she’s (the couple separated in 2008). She splits her time not a sergeant with the food police. “I love chocolate between family, friends and a successful career in chip cookies too much,” she laughs. “And those Girl which she’s won the hearts of TV viewers, shared in Scout Thin Mints … soul food like fried chicken CSI’s Screen Actors Guild award in 2005 and earned with macaroni and cheese … let’s see, I like Italian an Emmy for her portrayal of a food ...” Helgenberger continues, tough prostitute in “China Beach” ticking off her list of guilty pleain 1990. “I like edgier material sures. “I mean, who doesn’t enjoy Edgier material because it suits my nature better. a great pasta or pizza? Thin crust suits Bad girls or complicated women are and not too cheesy!” better ...

I feel an always more fun to play than good girls,” she says. “I feel an affinity Growing older gracefully for people for people who’ve been through But that doesn’t mean who’ve been through hardships but keep going.”

Helgenberger can simply ignore hardships but On top of that list is the pressures Hollywood’s ageism Helgenberger’s mother, a breast places on women. “I certainly want cancer survivor. “My mom’s always to look the best I possibly can, and looked on the bright side of life; I I’ve always been a disciplined and respect that type of person.” In part because of her motivated person. But I really have to work with mother’s experience, Helgenberger donates her time what I’ve got and grow older gracefully. I don’t to various cancer charity events, hosting her own wear some of the clothes I wore 10 years ago—and annual Celebrity certainly not the ones I wore 20 years ago.”

Weekend to fight To keep her 5-foot-6-inch figure in shape, breast cancer in Helgenberger attends twice-weekly yoga sessions, Omaha, Neb., hikes with her dog, Henry, and meditates daily. since 1997, and “Stress in general is bad for your health and wellattending last being. That’s why I do yoga and meditate for September’s 20 minutes every morning,” says Helgenberger.

“Stand Up To “Being out among nature also reduces my stress in a Cancer” event put visual way. A long walk, hanging out at the beach or together by the just appreciating the outdoors does wonders.”

Entertainment Industry FoundaSinging a simple song Helgenberger and “CSI” co-stars Laurence Fishburne (center) and Robert David Hall. tion. On a more A new element of calm for Helgenberger is a local personal level, book club she started a few years ago. “Good reading Helgenberger’s preventive measures include her material’s always important. But I’m not one of those annual physician visit. “I’ve been getting yearly readers who can plow through a novel every week mammograms for a long time,” she acknowledges. because I get distracted from all the things on my plate.”

“And I do self-examinations regularly.”

Helgenberger’s distractions come in many

forms. So what would this self-described “loyal, Taking care from the inside out hard-working, fun-loving” woman do with an extra Helgenberger knows the importance of nutrihour in a day? “I’d probably play my guitar. I’d sing tious eating: Yogurt, fresh berries, salad greens, songs I’ve learned or want to learn. I guess you tuna, sliced turkey, milk, orange juice and teas are could say that’s just another distraction,” she smiles, among her nutritional staples. “I’m big on drinking “but I’d say it’s simply another stress reducer.” WHT

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my nature

affinity

keep going.

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Women’s Health Today

© 2009 CBS Photo Archive/Gettyimages

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HealthY Mind

Beat the blues W o m e n a n d depression

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ou’re feeling down, you can’t sleep at night or concentrate at work—and that headache just won’t go away. You could chalk these symptoms up to your busy life, but you may actually be depressed. Almost twice as many women as men develop depression, and they usually first experience the condition in their 20s or 30s. Like any medical illness, depression requires treatment.

Behind your blues While hormones may deserve some of the blame, many other factors can trigger depression: • Pregnancy and birth. Up to 10 percent of new moms suffer postpartum depression.

• Inequality. Women make less money than men and hold fewer positions of power.

• Work and home duties. The constant juggling can be overwhelming.

• Physical or sexual abuse. Women who were emotionally, physically or sexually abused as children are more likely to experience depression than those who weren’t.

Searching for the signs Depression can lead to chronic aches, restlessness and overeating or loss of appetite. Researchers have come up with the acronym SAD FACES to remember the symptoms in women: S A D F A C E S

leep disturbances nhedonia, or loss of joy for life epressed mood most of the time atigue or loss of energy ppetite disturbances oncentration problems steem lowered, or guilt uicidal thoughts or repeated thoughts of death

If you experience several of these symptoms every day for at least two weeks, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she can help you decide what treatment may be best to bring back the old you, including: • A good support base. Being able to talk with your spouse or partner or a family member, close friend, spiritual leader or co-worker can help. Or try finding a support group that deals with the specific cause of your depression; if it was spurred by the recent death of a loved one, seek out a local bereavement group.

• Antidepressants. Women may especially benefit from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs, such as Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil. Some research has shown that women’s brains make less of the mood-boosting substance serotonin; SSRIs can help you make more.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your healthcare provider about your options.

• Talk therapy. A therapist can help you change behavior or perceptions that may be contributing to your depression. WHT

www.womenshealthexperience.com

13

Surgery? Steady now!

Get your body and mind ready

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ust like a football coach prepares the team before a game, you need to prepare your body and mind before an operation. Research shows that the more prepared and less anxious someone is about surgery, the faster that person heals.

Find out more Know what to expect before, during and after surgery. As soon as your physician tells you that you need an operation, find out the details. Ask: • Are there alternatives to surgery?

• What are the benefits and risks of the operation?

• What if the operation isn’t performed?

• What will happen during the surgery?

Your physician may provide you with informational brochures or DVDs. These will help you process the information at your own pace.

Allaying anesthesia fears One of your worries about surgery likely has to do with being “put under” for the procedure. But you needn’t be overly concerned. Each year in the United States, physicians perform millions of procedures involving anesthesia, and the risks are extremely low.

ASK THE EXPERT Featuring Patricia Davidson, MD

Anesthesia interrupts the flow of messages carried by nerve cells from distant parts of our body to our brain to block pain messages.

“If you’re going in for major surgery, rest assured that gone are the days when patients inhaled ether through a mask,” says American Society of Anesthesiologists board member and board-certified anesthesiologist Patricia Davidson, MD. “Today’s specialists plan your anesthesia from among dozens of gases, vapors and compounds, so you receive anesthetics that are the most effective for your age, gender, condition and diagnosis.”

The three basic types of anesthesia are: • Local, such as when a dentist fills a cavity. Only a small, specific part of your body is numbed, and you remain fully awake.

• Regional, such as spinal or epidural anesthesia during childbirth.

This numbs a section of your body. You may also receive sedatives intravenously to help you relax. You remain awake, but groggy.

• General, such as for organ surgery or some hip replacements. Under careful monitoring, you’re induced to sleep with intravenous drugs and then put into an unconscious state. General anesthesia is made up of at least four compounds to produce four effects: unconsciousness, amnesia, pain relief and immobility.

Q: W i l l I w a ke u p d u r i n g m y o p e r a t i o n ?

A: Waking up during surgery, or awareness, is a very rare occurrence: 99.9 percent of patients under general anesthesia are completely unaware, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Clarify with your anesthesiologist if you’ll be under general anesthesia or if you’ll be sedated; in the latter case, you will be somewhat aware.

Fully discuss your concerns before the procedure, ask questions and share any past anesthesia experiences with your anesthesiologist. After surgery, if you think you experienced wakefulness during the procedure, tell your anesthesiologist, who can help you understand what happened and refer you to a counselor, if necessary.

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Women’s Health Today

medical problems you have • all medicines, including aspirin or ibuprofen and dietary or herbal supplements you’re taking • whether you smoke or drink alcohol or use any illegal substances • whether you have any food or drug allergies • your and your family’s history of anesthesia reactions

Take a deep breath

more prepared and less anxious you are about surgery, the faster you’ll heal.

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The

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Separate from anesthesia, physicians also use different levels of sedation during procedures or testing. Light sedation will calm you, but you’ll still be able to readily respond to questions. With moderate sedation, you’ll require more prodding to respond, while with deep sedation, you’ll be able to respond only after significant stimulation.

“Physicians frequently use deep sedation for quick but painful procedures, like setting a bone or some colonoscopies,” says Dr. Davidson.

Information, pleas e Before surgery, you’ll meet with the anesthesiologist and surgeon to discuss what’s ahead.

“Remember, general anesthesia affects your entire system, so it’s very important to share your complete medical history,” says Dr. Davidson. That includes: • your current health and any underlying

Whether your fears revolve around anesthesia, the surgery itself or postsurgical concerns, managing your stress can also speed recovery. Here’s why: Stress raises blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk of cardiac complications. It may also prevent you from eating or sleeping properly, delay wound healing and deplete your body’s defenses against infection. Stress also worsens pain by tightening muscles around the incision.

Before you go into surgery, imagine your recovery. Think about how good you’ll feel after your physician fixes your problem. Try to eliminate other stresses in your life, like work worries or family problems. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga, can help you achieve a peaceful state of mind.

Easing the road to recovery Besides getting your mind and body ready for surgery, you’ll also need to make sure everything around you is prepared. Here are some things to think about: • Ask your physician what your physical limitations will be after the operation and prepare your home accordingly. If stairs will be a factor, set up a rest area on the first level of your house.

• Ask if you can bring some comfort items, like a bathrobe or photographs, into your hospital room.

• Ask loved ones to stay with you before and after surgery to help ease your anxiety. WHT

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Easy cancerprevention tactics

Y

ou’ve likely heard frequent and often conflicting news reports about how certain foods, vitamins or drugs may prevent—or cause—cancer. No single study can provide an answer to what causes or prevents cancer, so you shouldn’t change how you care for your health based on one news report (unless your physician agrees).

But research has yielded positive news on the cancer prevention front. Here’s what we know:

Produce pumps up protection The American Cancer Society recommends eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day as part of a healthy, low-fat diet.

Some plant foods in particular may reduce colon and stomach cancer risk, such as: • cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale and cabbage • green and dark yellow vegetables like spinach, romaine lettuce, carrots, squash and sweet potatoes • beans and soybean products

Vaccines that vanquish cancer Because some cancers are triggered by a virus, vaccines to prevent certain viral infections can protect against cancer. Talk with your physician about:

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Women’s Health Today

• Hepatitis B vaccine. This three- to four-shot series protects against contracting hepatitis B, a viral infection that may become chronic, leading to liver damage and liver cancer.

• HPV vaccine. This vaccine for girls and young women ages 9 to 26 protects against the two types of human papillomavirus (more than 100 exist) that cause most cases of cervical cancer, as well as the two types that cause most genital warts.

A new benefit for a common drug The drug raloxifene (brand name Evista), widely prescribed to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, also protects against invasive breast cancer. Raloxifene is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as only the second drug to prevent breast cancer. The first, tamoxifen, is a better option for premenopausal women.

Research continues, but so far, the most effective cancer preventives are those we’ve known for years.

Lifestyle behaviors like not smoking, getting regular activity, protecting your skin from the sun and seeing your healthcare provider for timely screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap tests and prostate cancer tests shouldn’t be underestimated. WHT

A positive approach to PMS

W

omen endure it, physicians empathize with patients suffering from it and sitcoms make light of it, but if you’re female there’s little chance of avoiding it: premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. You probably know the signs of PMS: Seven to 10 days before your period, you notice you’re retaining fluid, your breasts are sore, you suddenly crave chocolate and you may even need a good cry. In fact, physicians say more than 150 symptoms—physical, emotional or mental—can be attributed to PMS. Then, at the onset of your period, the symptoms thankfully retreat for another month.

Seventy-five percent to 85 percent of menstruating women say they experience at least one PMS symptom during their monthly cycle. And an estimated 3 percent to 8 percent of menstruating women suffer a type of PMS—premenstrual dysphoric disorder—so severe it affects their daily functioning.

Most PMS is treatable

• decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption to reduce irritability • practicing relaxation through yoga, deep breathing or meditation • taking supplements of chewable calcium (1,200 mg/day) and magnesium (400 mg/day), which have been shown to reduce bloating, moodiness and breast soreness by as much as 50 percent • getting sufficient sleep to reduce stress and restore yourself Several medications can also treat PMS effectively. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—or NSAIDs—relieve cramps and breast pain, although their long-term use may cause stomach problems.

You might also ask your physician if diuretics to relieve fluid retention are appropriate for you. Low doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil have reduced PMS symptoms in up to 70 percent of patients. What’s more, they can sometimes be taken just a couple of weeks each month. WHT

As of yet, no tests can help physicians diagnose PMS. In addition, the severity of symptoms varies among women and can be different in the same woman from month to month. PMS usually sets in after age 20 and can become a regular occurrence until menopause.

Physicians believe PMS is somehow linked to the interaction of the brain and the ovaries. Beyond that, little else has been established. However, you can make some lifestyle changes to find relief from PMS, such as: • eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates, such as leafy vegetables, whole grains and fruit • exercising several times each week for a better mind‑set, more self-esteem and greater physical resistance to symptoms • using less salt to minimize bloating and swelling

Don’t suffer in silence!

Talk with your physician about which treatments for PMS may be right for you. If you need an Ob/Gyn or a primary care physician, call The Christ Hospital physician referral line at 513-585-1000.

www.womenshealthexperience.com

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Healthy moves

Which exercise is best for you?

A n s w e r t hese simple questions to find out

1

2

I’m not very active.

3

I’m concerned about one or more of the following: • losing my ability to function independently • falling or injuring myself • having stiff, sore muscles

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I’m interested in: • reducing flabbiness • increasing muscle strength • building bone mass

5

I’d like to: • become exceptionally fit • get maximum protection against heart disease • participate in strenuous activities without tiring

6

I don’t have much time to exercise.

7

I’m worried about injuring myself during exercise.

8

I’d like to stay active and feel good as I age.

9

I’d like to extend my life span.

10

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Women’s Health Today

I’m concerned about a family or personal history of one or more of the following: • high blood pressure • high cholesterol • diabetes • stroke • heart disease or heart attacks • osteoporosis • stress, anxiety and depression • colon cancer

I want to lose weight.

© istockphoto.com/Cloki

D

o you want to lose weight? Boost aerobic fitness? Prevent disease?

Build strength? Maybe you want to do all four—or more. Knowing your fitness goals can help you plan an exercise program that matches your needs.

Get started by circling all the numbered statements that apply to you and reading the corresponding recommendations.

your fitness goals can help you plan an exercise program that matches your needs.

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Knowing

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If you circled…

Staying healthy is a priority. To help prevent or control the listed conditions, aim for regular moderate activity. Try walking (3-4 mph), swimming, cycling (under 10 mph), dancing, yard work or housecleaning. And keep the acronym “FIT” in mind: Frequency: at least five times a week.

Intensity: at 50 percent to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. (To find your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220. Then multiply that figure by 0.5 to 0.85 to find your optimal beats per minute.)

Time: at least 30 minutes a day.

© istockphoto.com/Doug Cannell/Jim Jurica, © 2009 Jupiterimages

You may have the most to gain from getting active. If you find a 30-minute block of activity daunting, try for three 10-minute sessions each day.

2

Your fear is no reason to remain inactive. The trick: Choose varied activities that match your fitness level, wear proper footwear and protective gear and remember to start low and go slow.

Soon, confidence will outweigh your initial fear.

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1

Stretching exercises will help maintain flexibility and range of motion well into your later years.

3

Aim for two or more sessions a week of strengthening activities. Old-fashioned calisthenics, handheld weights or weight machines are some of the tools you can use to build muscles.

4

Peak performance—and maximum disease prevention—is your aim. That means a more vigorous workout that may include brisk walking, lap swimming and competitive sports. Whatever activity you choose, aim for working at 60 percent to 90 percent of your maximum heart rate at least 30 minutes a day.

5

Try sneaking fitness into your daily routine. Take a half-hour walk at lunchtime. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Use a hand mower. Every minute—and every movement—counts.

6

Your best bet is a complete program that includes aerobic, flexibility and strength-training exercises. Commitment to a total program will help you feel, look and act young.

8

You’ll be happy to hear that moderate levels of physical fitness can help extend your life span.

Better news: The more active you are, the greater the benefit.

9

Follow a healthful diet, and do aerobic and musclestrengthening exercises regularly.

Aerobic exercises help burn calories, while muscle-strengthening exercises help increase lean body mass and boost metabolism.

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19

Brea the

y s a e

R e d u c e your risk of COPD

I

t’s the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, killing more women than men, yet many people haven’t even heard of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is a term used to describe a group of lung diseases, usually chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that make it difficult to breathe. In 90 percent of COPD cases, cigarette smoking is the cause.

Experts think the increase in female smokers since the 1940s may be to blame for the rise in COPD deaths among women. Other causes of COPD include on-the-job exposure to dust and chemicals.

But COPD doesn’t just affect your breathing.

It can also cause pulmonary hypertension and heart problems and put you at greater risk for lung cancer and depression.

Looking for signs COPD can be difficult to catch early. It develops slowly, so symptoms may not appear until middle age, when the lungs have usually already suffered significant damage. Over time, the following symptoms of COPD get worse: • cough that won’t go away • cough accompanied by mucus • shortness of breath or wheezing • chest tightness • recurring respiratory infections If you have any of these symptoms, see your healthcare provider immediately. He or she can perform breathing tests to rule out other conditions, such as asthma, and confirm COPD.

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Women’s Health Today

Prevention is key Prevention is essential, as there’s no cure for COPD, though medications and other therapies can help you live more fully with the condition. To reduce your risk: ∆ Kick butt. Better your odds of quit-smoking success by being prepared: • Set a quit date and mark it on your calendar.

• Start to cut back before your quit date.

• Ask your healthcare provider for help; this may include advice about over-the-counter quitsmoking aids or prescription medications.

• Consider joining a smoking cessation program or support group.

• Throw out all smoking paraphernalia, such as ashtrays and lighters, and avoid places where people smoke.

• Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms—they’ll eventually subside.

• Eat healthfully and exercise to avoid weight gain. Many people are tempted to go back to cigarettes when the scale starts to creep up. ∆ Stay away from smoke. If you’re a nonsmoker, avoid secondhand smoke to reduce your risk of developing COPD. ∆ Protect yourself at work. If your job exposes you to chemical fumes or dust, talk with your manager about ways to reduce your exposure, such as wearing a mask. WHT

7 smart things

you can do for your baby

H

ow you treat your infant now can affect his or her health, safety and intelligence throughout childhood and beyond. Consider these recommendations:

1

Breastfeed. The Surgeon General recommends that all babies be breastfed exclusively for the first four to six months (preferably six). Research shows that babies who aren’t breastfed exclusively are more likely to have more upper respiratory and ear infections, and breastfed babies may be less likely to develop diabetes, asthma or certain childhood cancers.

4

Go back to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Other ways to reduce SIDS risk: Use a firm crib mattress; remove pillows, stuffed animals and comforters from the crib; and use infant sleep sacks instead of loose blankets.

2

5

Properly install the car seat. Baby car safety is so important that hospitals don’t release newborns without car seats. But research shows that most people don’t install the seats properly, which can lead to death or serious injury during an accident. See whether your local police or fire station offers free installation.

3

Give baby enough iron. Iron deficiency, which can cause anemia, is the most common nutritional deficiency in this country. In infants, it can delay movement and mental function. Your baby should get enough if you breastfeed for 12 months and introduce iron-fortified infant cereal at 6 months. Or, use an iron-fortified formula.

Fight germs. Infants don’t have fully developed immune systems, so they need to avoid people with contagious illnesses. Insist that anyone who touches your baby wash his or her hands first, especially if they’ve sneezed, coughed, gone to the bathroom, changed a diaper or touched a pet.

6

Vaccinate. Babies are vulnerable to many diseases. Stay on pace with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended schedule. Don’t forget the flu shot: All children ages 6 months through 18 years need one every year.

7

Childproof your home. When your baby can crawl, make sure your home is safe. Crawl around to see the world through his or her eyes; remove dangerous items from reach; and consider installing safety latches on cabinets, soft bumpers on table corners, safety gates at stairways and child-proof covers on electrical outlets.

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21

Healthy bites

Just-picked dishes T a k e a d v antage of the season’s fresh crop!

T

he good news about fresh vegetables: You don’t have to grow them yourself to benefit from Mother Nature’s bounty. Here’s what some of summer’s most popular crops have

tomatoes, squash and onion in olive oil until they begin to release their own juices. Add the herbs, salt and pepper to taste, cover the pan and simmer about 20 minutes or until tento offer: der. Enjoy ratatouille as Arugula. A deep green salad vegetable, arugula a warm or cold side dish, is a good source of the antioxidant beta-carotene. It’s toss with pasta or puree for rich in calcium, too—64 milligrams in 2 cups raw. soup.

Bell peppers. Surprisingly, red bell peppers Peas. If you want a sweet provide three times as much vitamin C as oranges. and satisfying low-calorie source Nutrient dense, they’re also good sources of vitamins of protein, think peas. About ¾ cup A, B6 (an especially heart-healthy nutrient), betaof peas contains as much protein as an carotene and folate (another egg and less than a “heart-y” vitamin). gram of fat. Try this classic Eggplant. This vegepreparation: Gardening table’s main virtue is robust • 1 head Bibb or Boston flavor and super satisfaction lettuce for very few calories and no • 2 cups shelled green peas with playing volleyball fat—a boon to any • ¼ cup chicken broth heart-healthy diet.

• fresh herbs, as desired or brisk walking when it However, eggplant Wash but don’t dry the comes to absorbs more lettuce leaves. Line a saucefat than any pan with one layer of lettuce other vegleaves. Spread the shelled peas etable, so on the lettuce lining and seachoose your son with herbs, salt and pepper to taste. Add broth. cooking method Cover peas with another layer of lettuce leaves. wisely. Try broilCover the pan, and cook peas over medium heat for ing, roasting, grilling 15 minutes, or until tender. Before serving, chop letor stewing rather than tuce and toss with the peas. frying. Or give this rataRomaine lettuce. Rich in vitamins A and C and touille a try: folate, romaine is a more nutritious alternative to • 1 unpeeled eggplant, chopped pale iceberg lettuce. In general, the darker green the • 1 cup chopped bell peppers leaves, the more nutrient-packed the salad green.

• 1 cup chopped tomatoes Snap beans. Green and wax beans are chock• 1 cup chopped summer squash full of beta-carotene and vitamin C. They’re also • 1 chopped onion good sources of heart-healthy folate.

• 2 tbsp. olive oil Summer squash. Thin-skinned and light• 1 tbsp. each fresh oregano, basil and thyme colored, summer squashes (varieties include zucchini, In a large saucepan, sauté eggplant, peppers, pattypan and chayote) are a mild but refreshing

ranks right up there calories burned.

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Women’s Health Today

Good reasons to grow your own Need an incentive for cultivating your own garden this year? Here are three: • You can reduce your risk of heart attack. Gardening just 30 to 45 minutes three times a week can decrease your blood pressure, increase your HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.

• You’ll burn calories. In fact, gardening ranks right up there with playing volleyball, brisk walking or golfing when it comes to average number of calories burned (from a low of 125 calories/hour for a 120-pound person to 328 calories/ hour for a 180-pound person—more if your weight exceeds 180).

• You’ll ease stress and anxiety, sharpen your mental skills and derive satisfaction from seeing your garden grow.

18-calorie-a-cup addition to many dishes. Eat squashes with their skins to reap the beta-carotene benefit.

Tomatoes. A leading source of vitamin C, tomatoes are heralded as a good-for-your-heart food.

That’s because they contain lycopene, an antioxidant that appears to have heart-protective powers. To benefit from lycopene, the tomatoes must be cooked.

So try this easy fresh tomato and basil sauce: • 1 chopped onion • 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 3 cups chopped ripe tomatoes (peel and seed before chopping) • 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil In a medium saucepan, sauté chopped onion in olive oil until translucent. Add chopped tomatoes and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat, add basil and simmer the sauce for 30 minutes or until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with pasta, toss with cooked vegetables or use as a pizza topping. WHT

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23

Health smarts

Serious smoking stats M

ore than 25 years ago, the U.S. Surgeon General stated, “Cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer mortality in the United States.”

Unfortunately, this statement is still true today.

While most everyone is aware of the obvious dangers of smoking, many people still can’t kick this habit, sometimes for lack of knowledge.

Do you and your loved ones know all you need to know about smoking? Test yourself by answering true or false to these statements and checking the answers.

True or false? {1} There is no safe way to smoke cigarettes. {2} The nicotine in tobacco causes cancer. {3} There’s no danger in smoking without inhaling. {4} No matter how long someone smokes, quitting is still beneficial. {5} Smokers are all alone in their efforts to quit.

Answers {1} True. Even smoking as few as one comes in contact with. In fact, pipe and cigar smokers, who usually don’t to four cigarettes a day can still inhale, are at risk for cancers of lead to an increased risk of heart the lip, mouth and tongue. Plus, disease and a shorter life span. inhaling your own secondhand Switching to a low-tar or smoke puts you at risk for lung low-nicotine cigarette doesn’t cancer. make smoking safer, since Take more health quizzes and people often end up puffing {4} True. In just 20 minutes assessments online at more cigarettes to get the same after your last cigarette, your www.womenshealthexperience.com. nicotine dose. Smoking cigars, body gets healthier: both your Plus, find out what other women pipes or hand-rolled, menthol or heart rate and blood pressure are saying by participating clove cigarettes isn’t safe either: drop. In 12 hours, your blood’s in our online polls!

Any kind of smoking can harm the carbon monoxide level falls to norhuman body. mal. The benefits increase steadily {2} False. While it’s the nicotine that’s with time, until at the 15-year mark, your risk of coronary heart disease is equal to that of a addictive to smokers, it’s not what causes cancer. non-smoker.

Tobacco and tobacco smoke is made up of more than 4,000 chemicals, of which more than 60 cause cancer. {5} False. Start with the American Cancer Society at Some of these carcinogens include arsenic, benzene, www.cancer.org or the American Heart Association at cadmium, chromium, nickel and vinyl chloride. www.americanheart.org for a wealth of support. Search {3} False. Cigarette smoke harms any living tissue it on both sites for “quit smoking” to find all you need.

Test your health knowledge online

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Women’s Health Today

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I FEEL BETTER ALREADY. {I’m back to my life just days after surgery.} At The Christ Hospital, the da Vinci® Surgical System lets us perform gynecologic surgeries with less pain, fewer complications and a faster recovery. With your surgeon’s hands controlling our state-of-the-art robotic platform, complex surgeries like hysterectomies and treatment of endometriosis, uterine fibroids and gynecological cancers can now be performed with unmatched precision through the tiniest of incisions.

And now these surgeries are performed in an environment designed specifically for women—our newly renovated Women’s Surgery Center.

Here, our patients enjoy private rooms and special comforts, as well as the very latest surgical technology.

To learn more about robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery at The Christ Hospital, please visit us on the Web at www.TheChristHospital.com/RoboticAssistedSurgery.

To make an appointment with one of our experts, please call:

513-585-1000

Caring Above All.SM 2139 Auburn Avenue | Cincinnati, OH 45219 | 513-585-2000