womens_wellness — LiveJournal
Feb. 2nd, 2010
11:14 am - Women's Health: Go Red - Living Well For A Healthy Heart
Women's Health: Go Red - Living Well For A Healthy Heart
Go Red For Women
Posted using ShareThis
Dec. 17th, 2009
10:39 am - The Importance of Pap Smears for Women
The Importance of Pap Smears for Women
A Pap smear, or pap test, is a medical procedure that tests for pre-malignant or malignant cells on a women's cervix. Regular pap smears are able to detect abnormalities in the cervix and although they may not have a 100 percent accuracy rate, they are an important part of a women's preventive health care.
Cervical cancer is diagnosed about 10,000 times each year and approximately 3,700 women die each year from this disease. Pap smears can help detect cervical cancer and alert women early, allowing them to seek treatment.
Who Should Have Pap Smears?
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, women should begin receiving pap tests either at age 21 or 3 years after becoming sexual active, and tests should be repeated every three years. Usually, pap smears are discontinued when a woman reaches age 70, if they have had no abnormal pap smears for 10 years.
What Places a Woman at Risk for Cervical Cancer?
Human papilloma virus is one of the major causes of cervical cancer, and in addition to pap smears for early detection, today there is also a vaccine available to help prevent cervical cancer. Other reasons a woman would have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer include smoking, multiple sexual partners, and becoming sexually active at a young age.
What Happens During a Pap Test?
Pap tests are done, in most cases, in a doctor's office. It is done when a woman is not menstruating, preferably between 10 and 20 days after the start of menstruation. This test can be completed by a physician, a physician's assistant, a nurse practitioner or a nurse midwife.
The health professional will visibly check the genital area and insert a speculum into the vagina. This equipment allows the medical professional to view the cervix. A cervical brush is inserted into the speculum and a sample of cells is collected from both inside the cervix and outside. Both samples are placed on a glass slide for evaluation.
Although a pap smear may feel uncomfortable for a moment, there is no pain for the woman during the procedure.
The Results of the Pap Test
A pap smear is sent to a laboratory for interpretation. The results will come back with the following information:
Whether the sample was satisfactory
Whether the sample was "within normal limits"
Recommended follow up care
A pap smear takes only a few minutes, but can save the lives of women by detecting cervical cancer early and therefore giving a woman the opportunity to prevent or treat any abnormalities before they become life-threatening.
References:
"Pap Smear", Carolyn Crandall, M.D. FACP, MedicinceNet.com
Dec. 16th, 2009
10:42 am - Healthiest Cities For Women / Benefits Of Regular Excercise For Women
Top five Best Places for Women (2009):
1. Burlington, VT
2. Bethesda, MD
3. Portland, ME
4. Cambridge, MA
5. San Francisco, CA
(Looking at facts like the highest rates of diabetes, number of fast-food outlets, access to health clubs, number of STDs, and rates of asthma, the November 2009 issue of Self magazine looked at 100 U.S. metropolitan areas and analyzed more than 8,000 bits of data to determine each city's level of healthy living.) 
The Benefits Of Regular Exercise:
Your cells receive more oxygen, which improves blood circulation, creates energy, and improves your ability to handle stress.
Exercise can help you deal with depression and improve your sense of well - being.
Improved health will add year's to your life.
Constipation may decrease or disappear.
You sleep better.
You have an easier time controlling your weight, because regular exercise helps to bum calories, diminish your appetite, and speed your body’s metabolism.
Your bones become stronger, helping prevent osteoporosis.
Your risk of heart disease declines.
Lung function and endurance improve.
Your chances of getting colon cancer decrease.
Your risk of developing adult-onset diabetes decreases, as exercise improves your body’s ability to use sugar in the blood.
Joint stiffness, arthritis, and low-back pain lessen.
Maintenance of muscle strength.
Higher levels of the healthy type of cholesterol in the blood.
A more efficient immune system.
Reduced body fat.
Better appetite control.
Increased mental agility.
Fewer headaches.
Oct. 19th, 2009
11:58 am - Breast Cancer Research Fundraising Event in Los Angeles: Bowling For Boobies (Oct. 27)
*Note: this posting is NOT spam - this is for an actual fundraising event in Los Angeles for breast cancer research.
THE FUND R@ZORS @ BOWLING FOR BOOBIES (Breast Cancer Fundraiser / Please Donate & Repost to help us Raise $5,000!!!)
You are invited to ...
THE FUND R@ZORS @ BOWLING FOR BOOBIES (Breast Cancer Fundraiser / Please Donate & Repost to help us Raise $5,000!!!)
When:
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM PDT
Where:
Jillians
1000 Universal Studios Blvd
Universal City, CA 91608 Donate, RSVP, and Share/Repost!!!
You don't have to go, but RSVP'ing helps spread the word and shows your support for this amazing event. Even $1 donations are encouraged and helps us reach our goal of raising $5000 for this Breast Cancer Fundraiser! <3
- DJ Xian
Click here to view the event
hopeful