AUDIOLOGY
Hearing loss is not just about the ear, it’s also linked to other health complications. Here are 10 reasons why hearing evaluations are essential for women’s wellness! • Adults with hearing loss, particularly women, are more likely to suffer from depression. • The ear may be a window to the heart. Cardiovascular abnormalities can cause hearing loss. • If you have diabetes, you’re twice as likely to have hearing loss. • Your weight and activity level may be affecting your hearing. Increased in body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk of hearing loss. • Cancer treatments can damage hearing • Hearing loss may put you at greater risk of falling or hospitalizations in older adults. • Dementia and hearing loss are known to be linked. Treatment with hearing aids may benefit long-term cognitive function and independence. • Hearing loss in women is tied to common pain relievers such as Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen. • Treating hearing loss improves quality of life, earnings, and relationships. • Today’s hearing aids combines high-performance technology and style, helping women stay socially, physically, and cognitively active.
PSYCHOLOGICAL
CHART for HEALTHY AGING The underlying mechanisms of ADHD are the same in males and females. Although there are always exceptions to the rule, females tend to be more inattentive, forgetful or disorganized and males tend to be more hyperactive. For women with undiagnosed ADHD, each added pressure of daily life brings them closer and closer to their breaking point. This stress may lead to the increased incidence of anxiety and/or depression that often goes along with this diagnosis in women. Some women seek treatment for ADHD because their lives are out of control, their finances may be managed inappropriately or they may struggle unsuccessfully to keep up with the demands of their jobs. But whether a woman’s life is clearly in chaos or whether she is able to hide her struggles, she often describes herself as feeling overwhelmed, overly stressed and exhausted. Another frequent way that women are diagnosed is when one of her children is diagnosed, and she begins to educate herself on the condition and may recognize traits in herself. Initial treatment for all patients is going to be the same, and includes medication and psychological counseling. The focus of treatment is not on curing ADHD, but on finding effective ways to manage its’ symptoms.
DERMATOLOGY
Jean Z. Couchman, MA, FAAA, Audiologist/Hearing Aid Specialist Hearing Solutions, PLLC | 14408 Sommerville Court | Midlothian, VA 804.794.9087 | www.hearingsolutions.us
Stephanie Smith, MD Focus MD | 1931 Chamberlayne Rd. | Mechanicsville, VA 804.852.0748 | www.focus-md.com
Skin cancer occurs in people of all races, ages and sex. Women need skin cancer screenings if they have a history of excessive sun exposure, tanning bed use, blistering sunburns, skin cancer, or a family history of melanoma or genetic syndromes prone to skin cancer. A dermatologist should examine your skin from the top of the scalp to the toes, and the genital area should also be checked regularly. If a lesion is changing, persistently scaly, red, not healing or bleeding easily, you should see a dermatologist for an examination. Children should also be screened for skin cancer if they are at risk for genetic syndromes prone to skin cancer, have a very large congenital mole, a strong family history of melanoma or have any changing moles or lesions. Lastly, remember to wear sunscreen and hats, seek shade and do your self exams, focusing on the ABCDEs (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving).
CARDIOLOGY
Erin G. Adams, MD Dominion Dermatology, PC | 5201-A Hickory Park Drive | Glen Allen, VA 804.262.6060 | www.dominiondermatology.org
Heart disease kills one in three American women. Even if you’re active, you may still be at risk. Risk factors include a family history of heart disease or stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor eating habits, physical inactivity, obesity and smoking. An incredible sixty-four percent of women who die suddenly of coronary artery disease have no previous symptoms, so knowing the condition of your heart today could save your life. That’s why a Heart Scan, a painless test that shows heart disease long before symptoms appear, is recommended for at-risk women over 50.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Most women should be screened for colon cancer at age 50 and then every 10 years thereafter. African Americans may need earlier screening at age 45. Proper screening may prevent cancer because we often find pre-cancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. A screening colonoscopy offers the most thorough and complete examination of the entire colon and is the only screening option that allows us to immediately remove pre-cancerous polyps. We offer a thorough and painless colonoscopy experience for our patients. Please call us to learn more about this important screening test.
Visiting an OB-GYN annually can help detect signs of illness when they are most treatable. A woman’s first exam may just include counseling and the opportunity to forge a relationship with a women’s health care provider. As a woman ages, her annual exam will include a review of her medical history, a pelvic exam, breast exam, immunizations, health counseling and the opportunity to ask questions and discuss gynecologic health concerns. Additionally, it may include lab tests or a Pap test. Annual exams are recommended to start between ages 13-15 and should continue every year thereafter. Though a Pap test will not be performed beyond the ages of 65-70, annual exams are still recommended to address the many aspects of women’s health that are unique at that age.
ORTHOPAEDICS
W. Colin Gallahan, MD Richmond Gastroenterology Associates | 223 Wadsworth Drive | N. Chesterfield, VA 804.560.9840 | www.RichmondGastro.com
Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine bends to the side abnormally; either to the right or left. The curvature can be moderate to severe. Any part of the spine can be bent in scoliosis; but the most common regions are the chest area (thoracic scoliosis) or the lower part of the back (lumbar scoliosis). Scoliosis screening is offered at some schools, but can also be done routinely by a physician. Testing during preteen to adolescent years is recommended, since the inherent flexibility of the younger spine allows for effective treatments. Treatment options for scoliosis vary based on the severity of the abnormality. They can range from simple monitoring to bracing, which may halt the twisting of the spine. As a person ages, the spine becomes rigid and inflexible. Once the spine loses its flexibility, surgery often becomes the only means to correcting spinal twisting – if any treatment is possible at all. Children with undiagnosed scoliosis run the risk of progressing past the point of effective treatment.
Christopher Kim, MD Ortho Virginia | Medical Office Building West 5899 Bremo Road, Suite 100 | Richmond, VA 804.288.8512 | www.orthovirginia.com
Andrew W. Moore, MD Virginia Women’s Center | 13801 St. Francis Boulevard, Suite 100 | Midlothian, VA 804.288.4084 | www.VirginiaWomensCenter.co
UROLOGY
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
GASTROENTEROLOGY
Christine Browning, MD Bon Secours Heart and Vascular Institute | 7001 Forest Avenue, Suite 200 Richmond, VA | 804.288.3123 | www.bonsecours.com
One in three women over the age 60 is estimated to have bladder control problems. However, bladder control problems can affect women of all ages. Pelvic organ prolapse and bladder symptoms can result in depression and negatively affect quality of life. Patients are embarrassed to tell their doctors and many suffer in silence. Many bladder symptoms (leaking when laughing, sneezing or coughing, going all the time, or not getting there in time) can be effectively treated with minimally invasive options. These include behavior modification, physical therapy, prescription drugs, Botox® injections, Interstim® or Urgent PC®. Surgery may not always be the answer so discuss the options with your doctor. Depending on severity, pelvic organ prolapse is corrected both surgically and nonsurgically.
David B. Glazier, MD Virginia Urology Women’s Health| 9105 Stony Point Drive | Richmond, VA 804.288.0339 | www.uro.com