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Jennifer Gerics's BlogPosted by Jennifer Gerics During October anticipate articles about breast cancer, symptoms of the disease, statistics, and ways you can get involved to fight it. Although it's the month for wearing "pink", all women should be aware of breast cancer and diligently rally against it year-round. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Therapy can help many women come to terms with emotional struggles. There are various types of counselors at our disposal. So many women suffer needlessly, when help can be had. To find out about several types of therapists, read Women and Emotional Counseling, this week's feature article. Posted by Jennifer Gerics During the month of August, I'm presenting different healthful outlets for women, including female friendships, forms of writing, and the power of talk therapy. Look for a new article about the health benefits of writing. Even a simple, once-a-week journal has the ability to help women both psychologically and physically. A person doesn't have to be a wordsmith in order to do this therapeutic activity. Merely venting into a private diary can lessen stress and benefit a woman's wellbeing and sanity. Stay tuned. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Women need close friendships with other women for a variety of reasons. This bonding is detrimental to both physical and emotional health. This need starts early in life, grows stronger in the teen years, and must be fulfilled throughout the rest of a woman's life in order for her to thrive. In this week's article, learn why women need female friendships and the resulting emotional and physical health benefits of such bonds. Posted by Jennifer Gerics I have begun a new MS blog, www.msfriend.com, and I read other blogs on the same topic. The majority of people with multiple sclerosis are women, and our population has certain daily concerns and challenges. Read my next article which will provide tips to meet these daily MS struggles, which include housework, childcare, careers, and relationships. MS is challenging, but it can be tamed to help lead a productive, fulfilling life. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Many women hate the thought of daily birth control. It can be annoying and missing a pill is not like forgetting to take an aspirin. There is a type of once-monthly birth control that comes in the form of a vaginal ring. Hormonally it works like the Pill to prevent pregnancy. Stay tuned for this week's article about the NuvaRing. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Read about uterine fibroid tumors and their causes in this week's article The Definition and Causes of Fibroid Tumors. These gynecological tumors are quite common and generally non-cancerous. Read up on common symptoms and risk factors. Look for the coming conclusion to this article in the next piece about fibroid diagnosis and treatment. Several diagnostic tests can acurately determine whether you have fibroids, and treatment options can reduce bothersome symptoms. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Now that summer is officially here, let's take some time to acknowledge two holidays that are particularly important to Suite101 readers and writers: July 1st: Canada Day and July 4th: Independence Day (U.S.) Both holidays celebrate the beginnings of two nations. On July 1st, 1868, Canada was established by unifying the North American British Provinces. On July 4th, 1776, the United States of America were established by signing the Declaration of Independence from England. Happy Holidays! Posted by Jennifer Gerics When you need to start visiting a gynecologist, you move and need to find a new one, or you just don't care for the one you have, how do you search for the right doctor? There are several points to consider, such as the sex and age of the gynecologist, personal recommendations, as well as the doctor's experience and the size of her or his office. Find out how to make an informed decision with this week's article "How to Choose a Gynecologist". It details specific concerns for specific age populations and touches upon whether to choose a large or small practice. I constantly rave about my own gynecologist and decided using these two factors: she was female and three people (two who knew each other and a separate friend from another town) spoke great words about her. I hope you too can find the perfect GYN for yourself. Posted by Jennifer Gerics I had a great outing today: my family and I went to see a young cousin's dance recital. This was our third year and I have to admit that I love going. It's the beautiful costumes, the toddler ballerinas, and the talented older dancers. The majority of the performers are girls and they have such enthusiasm and energy. Some of the older girls, just like in previous years, "graduated" from the dance school today to pursue college and careers. Why does the dancing have to end? Do many of the girls continue dancing into adulthood? I know that many women go to exercise classes, sometimes squeezed between sleep and work or work and dinner, but how many women seriously attend adult dance lessons? If you are considering a new healthy pursuit, why not try an adult ballet class? This dance is probably the least stressful on the joints, it is done at a slower pace than jazz or hip-hop, and it is visually beautiful. Another option is adult tap dancing. From experience I know that this is a bit technically challenging, but it builds balance and coordination. If these dance forms seem a little daunting---- maybe you never took dance lessons as a kid---- perhaps a yoga or tai chi class is for you. The fluid movements are graceful and they build stamina, balance, and concentration. There are different levels of difficulty. I just think there is more to fitness than climbing a stairmaster, running on a treadmill, or doing the same old step or aerobics classes. Try adult dance lessons, and maybe you'll be on stage next year, doing a traditional Indian belly dance routine (that group got the loudest cheers from the audience today!) Posted by Jennifer Gerics As women, we occasionally suffer from sleeplessness. Insomnia is quite common for females during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle, during menapause, and during times of stress. To feel less like the only vampire on Bourbon Street, check out these two variations of the same song by Colin Hay /Men at Work: one is the original band version (remember it?) and the other is Hay's solo accoustic rendition. Colin Hay: Overkill (accoustic) Happy insomnia... Posted by Jennifer Gerics If you are finding yourself wilting during 90+ degree weather, you're not alone. Various medical conditions can amplify this heat lethargy. That's why it's important to pace yourself and avoid extreme heat and humidity. Ways to achieve this include:
And take solace in the fact that it is still only June, so at least in the northern United States and other such latitudes, there are slightly cooler days still in the forecast! Posted by Jennifer Gerics While fishing with my husband this evening, I noticed that I was actually getting a bit of a workout. Not some hardcore, cardiovascular extravaganza, but a nice use of my arms and hands. My balance was also challenged as I stood and cast my rod time and again. Concentration came into play as I focused my attention on ripples (fish jumping?) on the surface of the water. Exercise needn't be all about speed and high energy. Sometimes the steady, slow, thought-provoking activities turn out to be the ones that most challenge and expand our strengths. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Here's a little bit of PMS humor that I hope many women can relate to: A friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, recently stopped in at her post office after hours to buy stamps from one of the self-service machines. She hesitated near the new, computerized one that took ATM cards, but chose the older, manual one (imagine a candy or cigarette vending machine) that took cash. Putting in her money, she hit one of the buttons for a book of stamps. Her change came out, but no stamps. She checked the chute several times to no avail. Suddenly PMS rage took over and she gave the machine a swift kick. Not enough. Two more kicks. Finally she raised her leg and kicked the machine square in the middle. This tripped the machine's loud security alarm. Well, my friend beat it the heck out of there to her car, thankful that no one had witnessed the show or that no cop car began to follow her home. It's a week later and I'm still laughing about what I---- I mean my friend---- did..... Posted by Jennifer Gerics Ultrasound has been around for a while and is used for diagnostic imaging, much like X-rays. But unlike X-rays, ultrasound produces no harmful radiation. Rather, high-frequency sound is sent out into the body, is intercepted by body parts, and is sent back to the ultrasound machine, producing an image. This process is comparable to sonar. These "echoes" are what produce the ultrasound picture, and through the science of physics, different levels of clarity can be achieved: magnified, high-resolution images and broad, general images. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Bike MS, a fundraising event sponsored by The Nat'l MS Society (the United States), is taking place across the country. I volunteered for the event last year and was inspired by all the bike teams who participated. There were olympic-level athletes as well as regular citizens trying to raise funds for friends and loved ones with MS. I look forward to my second event tomorrow. Bike MS generally take place over a two day period, although some events are more challenging. Bicyclists travel routes that are dotted with rest stops, where volunteers and spectators provide refreshments and support. Participants can choose the amount of miles they would prefer to bike, according to their abilities. Posted by Jennifer Gerics If you are ever sent for a transvaginal ultrasound, you may worry about what the test entails. This painless diagnostic exam is performed to rule out certain gynecological problems, identify ripe eggs for fertility purposes, clearly view early pregnancies, and more. Learn more about this topic when you read the lastest article Transvaginal Ultrasound. Posted by Jennifer Gerics This week's piece, Spring Articles, is a compilation of April's handy seasonal advice. It contains information about spring exercising, the trials of dealing with spring hay fever, and organic and natural foods....Enjoy! Posted by Jennifer Gerics Hay fever is very common right now in the northern hemisphere. It is merely an allergy to one or more of the pollens that are produced by trees, flowers, and/or grasses. Read this week's article Spring Hay Fever to learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and ways to avoid pollen or treat allergies. Posted by Jennifer Gerics This week's article, Going Green: Healthy Eating, looks into the value of purchasing and eating natural or organic foods. These types of items keep us healthy, while they help keep the environment from being destroyed. Earth Day is April 22nd, so now is a great time to learn about environmentally-friendly foods and recipes. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Look for an upcoming article about spring exercise. Now that the warm weather is coming, there are easy ways to take in some exercise, therby lowering the risks for heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and such. Learn to take advantage of nature and get in some calorie-burning workouts. Exercise is not just for the weight-conscious: it is also necessary for maintaing optimum health. There are plenty of ways to get it in the course of an ordinary day. Learn how..... Posted by Jennifer Gerics A great way to count your blessings is to number them, literally. Take a pretty notebook of your choice and count 5 things you are grateful for each day. The entries can be profound, like a life-saving operation for your uncle, or more understated, such as the feel of 100% cotton sheets. The point is to reflect on all of life's gifts that we often take for granted. This type of activity is simple, fun, reflective, and it stirs appreciation for blessings both large and small. Might just put a spring in your step.... Posted by Jennifer Gerics Happy Easter! If you're trying to eat healthy, even this Sunday, there are several tricks to try. Read Healthy Eating for Easter, which contains healthy food tips that keep this holiday on the low-cal, low-fat, and low-sugar side. And check out the healthy Easter recipes...... Posted by Jennifer Gerics Check out the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's website to learn about MS Awareness Week. Find out about ways to volunteer, meet others with MS, discover programs and support for patients and their loved ones, and learn how to tell your own story. And remember: MS awareness is not something that is condensed into a week--- it is a year-round crusade. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Some things just can't wait until the "right time." Breast cancer awareness is one of them. This disease affects our sisters, our mothers, our aunts, our friends, and ourselves. We need to take precautions against breast cancer by getting yearly mammograms starting at age 40, and at age 35 for high risk individuals. This week read about courageous Elizabeth Edwards, wife of recent democratic candidate John Edwards. Elizabeth learned she had breast cancer back when her husband was running with democratic candidate John Kerry in 2004. She is currently battling stage four metastatic cancer. Find out more about her life, her interests, and her prognosis in the article Elizabeth Edwards & Breast Cancer. Posted by Jennifer Gerics When people think of heart disease, they usually envision older women and men who "look" sick. This is not always the case, as demonstrated by R&B singer Toni Braxton. Several years ago, the singer was performing on Broadway, and one night she got very fatigued and passed out. When the ER doctor told her she had pericarditis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the heart, she was amazed. Learn more about this condition in Braxton's videotaped interview for WebMD. Also check out this week's article about symptoms, causes, and the definition of pericarditis. This type of heart disease strikes the young and elderly, and it can attack someone who appears to be in perfect physical shape. Alarmingly, the symptoms can resemble a heart attack and the complications of untreated pericarditis can be serious. Take the time to become informed during National Heart Disease Awareness Month. Posted by Jennifer Gerics February begins the healthy meal series. Each month anticipate a new, healthy recipe for your collection. Cooking does not need to be fattening, unhealthy, time-consuming, or tasteless. Look for easy, health-conscious picks from your Women's Health feature writer. If you don't currently cook, now's a great time to start with these simple recipes. Try February's Heart Healthy Pan-Seared Tuna recipe. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Check out this week's article, Women's Coronary Health, and learn the basic facts about heart disease risks and prevention. February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month, but the problem for women is global. Heart disease can be a silent killer in women because the signs and symptoms may be subtle. Stay tuned for more information on heart disease and healthy prevention strategies during the month of February...... Posted by Jennifer Gerics Ladies: get out your red clothes! National Wear Red Day, February 1st, is in place to remind the country (and world) that heart disease is a serious, silent enemy. In fact, it is the leading cause of death for women. This is not just a man's problem, and it often goes undetected in women because the symptoms of female myocardial infarction (heart attack) can be subtle. Please, please wear red today to honor yourselves, your hearts, and anyone you know who has succumbed to this silent killer. It's Friday, so enjoy a night out dressed in red. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Periods aren't just a monthly nuisance: they're a sign that you're fertile but haven't conceived. Whether you are looking to have a baby or just understand the monthly process, reading this week's article The Phases of the Menstrual Cycle will give you important information on what happens to your body each month. You'll learn why you get PMS in the end phase of the cycle, and why you are most fertile in the middle of the cycle. When does menstruation stop and why? What hormones are involved in the process? Find out this week.... Posted by Jennifer Gerics As women, we all went through puberty to get where we are now. The process itself can take numerous years, and it doesn't always happen the same way. All women are different, but the process does have some universal factors that affect all females. Find out which hormones are responsible for the onset of female puberty, and which ones continue to affect women throughout their childbearing years. What internal organs are affected by puberty, and what exactly is a menstrual cycle? Read the upcoming article "Female Puberty" to find out. Posted by Jennifer Gerics Men and women both possess unique hormones that make them masculine and feminine. Women's hormones are responsible for sexual characteristics, the ability to reproduce, and milk production. Learn more about feminine hormones and what they do in this week's article "Female Hormones." Posted by Jennifer Gerics We know we are female, but do we know all the ins and outs of our bodies? What makes us structurally different from men (besides our obvious curves?) Learn more about the female reproductive system in this week's article Women's Anatomy. |
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