Laura San Giacomo - The Christ Hospital

women’s
S p r i n g 2 0 0 9
healthtoday
Fact vs.
fiction
The truth about
7 health myths
Laura
San Giacomo
puts family first page 10
Detecting
ovarian
cancer
Earlier is
better
Pump it up!
Add some weight to
your workout
The Christ Hospital
2139 Auburn Avenue
Cincinnati OH 45219
non-profit org
us postage
Paid
cincinnati oh
Permit #5489

in this issue . . .
2 L E T T E R F R O M T H E F O U N D E R
The joys and pains of being a woman
3 Screening saves lives
Get tested for carotid artery disease
4 Stand straight!
You’ll look and feel better for it
6 H E A L T H H E A D L I N E S
What’s making news in
women’s health
4
8 Feeling the (heart)burn?
Antacids aren’t always the answer
9 S E X & G E N D E R M A T T E R S
Coping with economic crisis
10 C O V E R S T O R Y
Busy beyond belief
But Laura San Giacomo loves every minute
of her hectic lifestyle!
14 H E A L T H Y B I T E S
Tasty tidbits
No-guilt nibbles
8
16 Ovarian cancer clues
Don’t ignore these symptoms
18 7 medical misconceptions
What you don’t know can hurt you
14
20 Something under your skin?
The truth behind bothersome lumps
and bumps
21 Don’t stress over this test
22 H E A L T H Y M O V E S
Lift that weight!
Do your body some good
24 H E A L T H S M A R T S
Puzzling periods
21

Letter from the founder
women’s
healthtoday
t h e m a g a z i n e o f
t h e f o u n d a t i o n f o r f e m a l e h e a l t h a w a r e n e s s
The joys and pains of
being a woman
You don’t need me, as an Ob/Gyn, to tell you about all the joys of
womanhood. But being a woman sometimes brings health risks
not faced by men. Ovarian cancer is one threat that many women
fear. While an estimated 15,500 women died from the disease in 2008,
the five-year survival rate for women who are diagnosed in the earliest
stages—when the cancer is still localized—is almost 93 percent. Now
that’s a statistic worth repeating. The early detection of ovarian cancer is
the major contributor to this heartening figure. Read about one patient’s
story and learn the early warning signs in “Ovarian cancer clues” on page 16.
Eating right is another proven way to stay healthy. If you’re a
snacker, see “Tasty tidbits” on page 14 to find nine guilt-free, satisfying
foods. Also in this issue of Women’s Health Today, you’ll find articles on
antacids (“Feeling the [heart]burn?”, page 8), skin issues (“Something
under your skin?”, page 20) and body building (“Lift that weight!”, page
22) along with more timely and easy-to-understand health information.
We aim to cover a wide variety of health-related topics in Women’s
Health Today; let me know what topics you’d like to read about in future
issues. I’d love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
F o u n d e r s
Mickey M. Karram, MD / Mona Karram
N a t i o n a l A d v i s o r y B o a r d
Linda Brubaker, MD, 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
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 S T A F F
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
c u s t o m e r s e r v i c e
For more information about services at The Christ Hospital,
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 2.
© 2009 by The Christ Hospital and the Foundation for
Female Health Awareness. All rights reserved.
Mickey M. Karram, MD
PRESIDENT AND Co-Founder
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.
The information contained herein is not a substitute for professional
medical care or advice. If you have medical concerns, seek the
guidance of a healthcare professional.
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
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 regional conferences, 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 health news and results of medical studies.
Sign up now at www.womenshealthexperience.com.
c o v e r : L AU R A S A N G I AC O M O © 2 0 0 9 F r a n k O c k e n f e l s
Women’s Health Today
Please Recycle This Publication

Screening
saves lives
Get tested
for carotid
artery
disease
Risk factors
Carotid artery disease screening uses painless
ultrasound technology to create images using sound
waves. If you’re at risk, discuss screening with your
physician. Risk factors include smoking, high blood
pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
“Anything greater than a 70 percent blockage
typically requires surgery,” says Dr. Bulas. If stroke
symptoms are present—blindness, weakness, numbness
or speech difficulties—surgery or stenting may
be needed even if the 70 percent threshold isn’t met.
Your age and health also help determine treatment.
Trudy Williams never dreamed she had
carotid artery disease, but a simple vascular
screening showed that her right carotid
artery was more than 90 percent blocked.
“Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque
lines the arteries on either side of the neck—the
carotid arteries,” says Robert Bulas, MD, medical
director of vascular neurointervention at The Christ
Hospital in Cincinnati. A potentially life-threatening
stroke is often the disease’s only symptom: Plaque or
a blood clot breaks off, blocks smaller blood vessels
and cuts off blood supply to the brain.
Williams’ disease was discovered through a vascular
screening of her neck, abdomen and legs before a
stroke could occur. Additional tests showed blockages
in her chest. Williams underwent quadruple bypass
surgery last fall, followed by carotid artery surgery.
She says of the results, “I feel 100-percent better
now.” While she’d been considering retirement before
her surgeries because of her extreme fatigue, Williams
happily returned to work in January.
A multidisciplinary approach
If you need treatment, choose a multidisciplinary
center like The Christ Hospital, where physicians
offer several treatment modes, including:
• Carotid endarterectomy. Typically for younger
patients like Williams, endarterectomy involves an
open-neck incision under general anesthesia. A surgeon
shaves plaque from artery walls to restore blood flow.
• Carotid stenting. A thin tube is placed through a
small opening in the carotid artery to restore blood
flow. Stenting may be preferred if a blockage
is hard to reach, endarterectomy was performed
previously or general anesthesia
would create excessive patient risk.
“The best way to prevent carotid
artery disease and its consequences is
to see your primary care physician
regularly to identify and treat high
risk factors such as high blood
pressure,” says
Dr. Bulas. WHT
Don’t delay this screening!
To schedule a vascular screening at The Christ Hospital, call 513-936-5291. The Christ
Hospital offers a low-cost arterial ultrasound to check arteries in the neck, abdomen and
legs. To find a physician, call The Christ Hospital physician referral line at 513-585-1000.
Robert Bulas, MD, is medical director of vascular neurointervention at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati.
www.womenshealthexperience.com

Stand
straight!
You’ll look and feel better for it
As a child, you were probably told to stand
up straight. That’s still great advice:
Standing erect and sitting properly can
help reduce stress on joints, ward off
muscle pain and improve balance to prevent falls.
You’ll feel the price of poor posture. Painful,
achy joints steal your sleep and lead to irritability
and fatigue. Hunching or tilting to one side makes
you vulnerable to falls. Unbalanced pressure on
spinal disks can cause neck, back and shoulder pain.
Improper alignment can contribute to musculoskeletal
diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoporosis, herniated disks and degenerative
disk disease.
The aging body
Physical changes that occur with age and lifestyle
habits can lead to slouching. With passing
birthdays, people typically experience the following:
• Muscles shrink and lose mass. Strength diminishes
and reflexes slow.
• Bone loss outpaces bone building. Bones lose density
and strength and break more easily.
• Ligaments, which connect bones at joints, lose elasticity.
Overall flexibility diminishes.
• Activity decreases. People tend to move less and
in more repetitive ways. Some muscles stay strong
while others weaken.
The result? Your body loses correct alignment, putting
you at risk for musculoskeletal disorders and pain.
Checking your position
The way you hold your body—standing and
sitting—is key to proper posture. Michael T.
Rohmiller, MD, orthopedic surgeon at The Christ
Hospital in Cincinnati, suggests addressing your
alignment with these assessments and guidelines:
• Stand tall. Stand in front of a mirror. Breathe
Beware boomeritis
Today’s older adults are far more
active than previous generations—
and they have the aches and pains
to prove it. In fact, sports injuries
like tendinitis and bursitis have
become so common among the
over-50 set, there’s a name for the
condition—boomeritis.
Some injuries result from
years of overuse or repetitive
movements. Others happen when
out-of-shape weekend warriors try
to get back in the game like they
did when they were younger. You
can stay active and pain free and
avoid getting sidelined by boomeritis
by following these tips from
Dr. Rohmiller:
• Gear your workouts to your own
fitness level and goals.
• Know your weak link, such as a
previously injured joint, and avoid
activities that may strain it.
• Mix up your exercise routine
for balanced fitness. Include
cardiovascular activities (walking or
jogging), strength training
(lifting weights) and
flexibility exercises
(stretching or yoga).
• Choose low-impact aerobic
activities like biking, swimming or
dancing.
• Warm up before exercising.
• Check with your physician to be
sure you’re getting enough calcium
and vitamin D to maintain bone
strength. Add dietary supplements
if necessary.
Women’s Health Today

deeply and relax. Is your head straight and are your
shoulders and hips level? Do you see equal spaces
between your arms and sides? Do your kneecaps
face forward and are your ankles straight?
• Sit smart. Position yourself correctly when
seated, especially if you use a computer. Use
a pillow to support your lower back. Adjust
your chair so your feet are flat on the
floor and your knees are at a 90-degree
angle. The top of your screen should be
level with the top of your head.
Improve your posture
Maintaining good posture through the years
calls for conscious effort. Exercising regularly to
keep your muscles strong and flexible and to maintain
good balance is key to holding and carrying
your body correctly. Dr. Rohmiller suggests these
exercises to help you improve and maintain correct
body alignment:
• Strengthen core muscles. The strength of your
core, especially your abdominals, is key to back
stability. To strengthen them, lie on your back with
your arms at your sides. Using your abdominal
muscles to lift your head, neck and shoulder blades
off the floor, slowly curl up. Repeat 15 times.
• Boost your balance. Wear sturdy shoes to practice
this exercise: Grasp a countertop or the back of a
chair. Stand on one leg for one minute; switch legs.
As you improve, increase the time, close your eyes or
don’t use an object for support.
Many people with chronic pain, particularly
back pain, can trace their problem to faulty posture.
Self-care efforts to improve alignment may not be
enough to undo years of slouching
and bad habits like carrying an overloaded
shoulder bag, but you can Don’t back down from pain!
keep poor posture from getting progressively
worse by taking the steps
accompanied by numbness and tingling or occurs after a fall or an
If you have back pain that’s severe, doesn’t improve with rest, is
mentioned here and visiting your
injury, call The Christ Hospital Spine Institute at 513-585-BACK.
physician. WHT
Michael T. Rohmiller, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon with The Christ Hospital Spine Institute in Cincinnati.
www.womenshealthexperience.com

what’s
making news
in women’s
health
healthhead
Nuts: The secret to
a healthy heart?
There’s been buzz for years now around
the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet.
Olive oil is usually thought to be the secret
ingredient that makes the diet so healthy,
but it turns out that nuts may be the key.
Researchers in Spain studied more than
1,200 people ages 55 to 80 at high risk for
cardiovascular disease. About two-thirds of
the participants also met criteria for metabolic
syndrome: They had abdominal obesity,
high cholesterol, high blood pressure and
high glucose levels. The researchers divided
the participants into three groups. They gave
the control group advice on a low-fat diet and
the other two groups received information
about the Mediterranean diet, which includes
plenty of cereal, vegetables, fruits and olive
oil; a modest intake of fish and alcohol; and
It’s tough, but you
can quit smoking
Kicking the smoking habit can be especially tough
for women. Dealing with the intense withdrawal
symptoms such as depression, irritability, anxiety,
lack of energy, concentration problems and weight
changes can be challenging. But you can quit—even
if it takes several attempts. Try these four tips to help
you succeed:
• Set a quit date or vow to quit within a certain time
frame, like 30 days.
• Use quit-smoking aids such as nicotine patches
and gum, inhalers, nasal sprays or medication to
double your chances of success.
• Seek help from an expert, such as a tobacco
treatment specialist. He or she can create a treatment
plan, which may
include counseling or
other aids, tailored to
your needs.
• Build a network.
Friends, family, coworkers
and online support
groups can be an
enormous help during
this difficult time.
a small amount of dairy, meats and sweets. One of the Mediterranean diet groups
was also given one liter a week of virgin olive oil; the other got 30 grams a day of
walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. After a year, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome
dropped by 14 percent in the mixed-nut group, 7 percent in the olive oil group and
2 percent in the control group. No one lost weight, but the number of people in the
Mediterranean-diet groups who had a large waist circumference, high triglycerides (a
type of blood fat) and high blood pressure dropped compared to the control group.
© 2009 Jupiterimages
Women’s Health Today

lines
No stopping teen tanning
State laws aimed at restricting teen access to tanning booths and beds just aren’t
working, say researchers from the American Cancer Society and other organizations.
They conducted nationwide phone polls in 1998 (when tanning restriction laws
were first being introduced) and 2004. They asked more than 2,800 kids ages 11
through 18, as well as their parents and guardians, whether the teens had used an
indoor tanning facility or sunlamps in the past year. The dismaying results: During that
Older women who carry too many extra pounds
face a significantly increased risk for advanced
breast cancer, according to findings published
in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Researchers evaluated data from more than
287,000 postmenopausal women who underwent
routine mammograms. The results? Overweight
women had a 10 percent to 35 percent higher risk
of advanced breast cancer; obese women were
56 percent to 82 percent more likely to develop the
condition. Estrogen may be to blame, as overweight
women have higher levels of the hormone. In the
study, only tumors fueled by estrogen increased
across the different weight groups.
Excess
pounds
can raise
your
breast
cancer
risk
six-year period, indoor tanning habits remained
virtually unchanged—regardless of whether the
state had teen tanning laws. Why aren’t the laws
working? It’s likely because teens can lie about
their age and tanning facilities may not be asking
patrons how old they are. Cancer experts recommend
banning the use of such facilities for minors
because indoor ultraviolet light has been linked to
skin cancer. Remind your teen of the cancer dangers
of tanning and how it ages skin, and encourage
him or her to embrace his or her natural hue.
Find out more at the Skin Cancer Foundation’s
“Go With Your Own Glow” Web site at www.skin
cancer.org/Go-With-Your-Own-Glow.html.
www.womenshealthexperience.com

Feeling the
(heart) burn?
Antacids aren’t always the answer
Taking an antacid or other acid reducer is
a quick way to relieve heartburn, but this
over-the-counter solution is only temporary.
If these drugs become a long-term fix, they
could be harmful to your health.
Antacids and other acid reducers can cause
diarrhea or constipation. Long-term, heavy use of
certain antacids may lead to excess calcium in the
blood, which, in turn, can result in kidney stones and
impaired kidney function, according to the Food and
Drug Administration. Some antacids and other acid
reducers may make blood-thinning medications and
other prescription medications less effective.
Finally, soothing your heartburn with over-thecounter
drugs may just be masking a more serious
problem such as gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD) or an ulcer. If you’re experiencing frequent
heartburn, discuss your symptoms with your healthcare
provider. And try the following tips to prevent
your heartburn:
Ban the burn!
Concerned about heartburn? Call The Christ
Hospital’s physician referral line at 513-585-1000
to find a gastroenterologist near you.
A burning question:
What is heartburn?
As food moves down the esophagus toward
the stomach, it has to pass through an opening
between the two. This opening should act
as an automatic door, closing as soon as food
passes through. But if it doesn’t, acid from your
stomach can splash back up through the opening
and into your esophagus, causing irritation,
or heartburn.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Lose excess pounds through a healthier diet
and exercise.
• Reduce stress with yoga or meditation.
• Avoid triggers such as chocolate, coffee,
alcohol, fried and fatty foods, minty foods, carbonated
and caffeinated beverages, spicy foods, onions,
garlic, citrus fruits or juices, tomato sauce, ketchup,
mustard, vinegar and pain medications other than
acetaminophen.
• Wear clothes that don’t fit tightly around
the waist.
• Quit smoking.
• Place blocks under the head of your bed,
elevating it 6 inches to 9 inches, to keep stomach
acids down. Pillows won’t work as well.
• Wait at least two to three hours to lie down
after eating. WHT
© 2009 Veer Images
Women’s Health Today

sex & Gender matters
The latest findings on women-specific health
from the Society for Women’s Health Research
By Jennifer Wider, MD
Coping with
economic crisis
© 2009 Jupiterimages
The economic crisis is all over magazines,
newspapers and the news. It’s no wonder
people are feeling anxious and stressed out.
But women may be reacting
more strongly than men. A survey
from the American Psychological
Association (APA) says women are
expressing fear about the current
financial situation more than men.
Women are reporting physical
and psychological symptoms,
including sleep disturbances, headaches,
mood swings and changes in
appetite, in higher numbers than men.
“Women have many roles to play in
life. They’re often the primary caregivers for
children and the older generations [aging parents], as
well as workers in industry,” says Stephanie Smith, PsyD,
public education coordinator for the APA.
In addition to the caretaking role, many traditional
household responsibilities—like cooking,
cleaning and laundry—end up falling on women’s
shoulders. All of this responsibility can add up to
a lot of stress, especially when families are being
squeezed financially. (That’s not to say men aren’t
stressed out, too. Seventy-five percent of male
respondents expressed fear about the economy,
compared to 84 percent of women.)
Tools for trying times
Since everyone reacts differently to stress, a key
to maintaining good health during these times is to
know your own warning signs—the physical symptoms
that indicate when your brain and body are
experiencing unusual or excessive pressure, such as
headaches, exhaustion and depression.
You can take measures to safeguard
your health during these difficult times.
Take time out each day to focus on
yourself and your own well-being.
Learn more!
Continue going to your aerobics
class, eating dinner with your family
and participating in social activities.
Don’t cut back on preventive
and basic healthcare services. Saving
money on health expenditures may seem
like a good idea in the short run, but it can
lead to serious health problems and enormous
bills, making financial matters worse.
To stretch your healthcare dollars, talk to your
primary care physician about all your health needs
and concerns. If he or she can manage multiple conditions,
it can cut down on the number of physicians
you visit and related out-of-pocket expenses.
For tips on recognizing and coping with stress,
visit www.apahelpcenter.org. WHT
The Society for Women’s Health Research is
a nonprofit research, education and advocacy
organization that works to improve women’s
health through sex-specific research, education
and advocacy. For more of the latest news and
research on women’s health, visit their Web site
at www.womenshealthresearch.org.
Jennifer Wider, MD, is a medical advisor for the Society for Women’s Health Research in Washington, D.C.
www.womenshealthexperience.com

Busy
© 2009 Frank Ockenfels
10
Women’s Health Today

eyond
But Laura San Giacomo loves every minute
of her hectic lifestyle!
by Bonnie Siegler
It’s 11 o’clock in the morning, and Laura San Giacomo has already been pulled in a million directions.
Her cell phone rings while she’s on her home phone discussing work after hanging up from a call
resolving an issue with her son’s school. “That’s what it’s like, each part of my life calls at the same time,”
says the 45-year-old award-winning actress with her trademark smile. “But I accept that and know that
my days will be filled with tap dancing and plate spinning.”
San Giacomo—best known for her roles in the films “sex, lies and videotape” and “Pretty Woman,” as
well as the late NBC sitcom “Just Shoot Me!”—currently co-stars as Rhetta Rodriguez on TNT’s drama
series “Saving Grace” alongside Holly Hunter. With Golden Globe nominations and steady work in an
unsteady business, her real-life roles as wife to her husband, Matt Adler, and mom to her 12-year-old son,
Mason, bring her the greatest joy.
continued on page 12
www.womenshealthexperience.com 11

continued from page 11
Family first
Mason, who has cerebral palsy, is an integral
part of San Giacomo’s everyday life. She’s become
a children’s advocate, championing his education
and helping found an award-winning charter school in
the San Fernando Valley. The school is a proponent
of inclusion education, a method where children of all
abilities learn together. “Mason loves school, so I followed
his lead and that’s what I tried to champion for
him,” says San Giacomo. “I’ve seen through his education
that everyone learning together is a very valuable
experience. We can talk about diversity all we want, but
when we’re living it, it’s really no big whoop.”
It takes a lot of stamina to keep San Giacomo’s
hectic schedule of filming, raising Mason and keeping
her marriage strong, but the New Jersey native
has some surefire methods for keeping a low-stress
pace. “I laugh in the face of people who say anything
about being calm,” she loudly giggles. “We laugh
all the time in our house and sometimes it’s a challenge.”
One of her tougher trials came when Mason
needed hip surgery and muscle repair last December.
“I kept saying everything’s going to be fine. And we
did laugh, which helped us all get through it,” says
San Giacomo.
Mason’s move from preschool to kindergarten
was a pivotal hardship on San Giacomo. “That’s
how I learned to mentally front-load—to ask myself,
‘What’s going to help me get through this next
transition?’ ” she says. Now she avoids overbooking
during busy back-to-school time. “That way, nothing
sneaks up and bites me in the butt. I think about
life and motherhood and how we want to control all
of it. But one of the lessons of motherhood is that
you’re not in control. You have to learn to let go of
the side of your ego that thinks you can make everything
right, and just go with the flow of that particular
moment,” says San Giacomo.
of time every evening checking in. We’re available
to each other to see how things are going, to discuss
decisions. The porch is one way we make sure to have
some alone time.”
San Giacomo also loves to zone out in her garden.
“I have a little Buddha sculpture, some paintings that
my son has done over the years, some rocks, little turtles,
a blue frog and a silver bird sitting on a rock.” To
complete the serenity, a blue fairy tile that her mother
gave her rests nearby. “Just sitting there and doing
nothing is really good for me,” she says.
Giving gratitude
Born into a large Italian family, one of San
Giacomo’s most vivid childhood memories revolves
around “the sound of my mom’s wooden spoon hitting
the side of the saucepan—she’d be making sauce,
or as we called it, the gravy. It’s a real comforting
sound to me now when I’m making my gravy,” she
says. “And my son’s really aware of my cooking when
he comes home from school. He loves the aroma of
garlic, olive oil and onion sautéing.” Her sensory signals
take her back to when life wasn’t so hectic. “I’m
at a point in my life where I can really see that things
have changed,” says San Giacomo. “But I’ve found
there’s great power in life-affirming gratitude. I try to
teach my son by example that we live in a crazy, modern
world, but with a little bit of gratitude, we can
obtain a balance.”
While Mason is the primary focus of San
Giacomo’s everyday life, the actress still finds the
time to maintain her personal health and stamina. She
enjoys a game of tennis or golf and occasionally iceskating.
But she’s still an active participant in Mason’s
education. “At his schools, I’ve seen this great valuing
of all people and self worth,” says San Giacomo.
Discovering value and self worth in herself—and
others—has paid off handsomely. “I have a sense of
Helpful hometime
The house San Giacomo shares with her family
is very much a home, complete with a large back
porch, glorious vegetable garden and flowerbeds and
a large, airy kitchen. Anxiety reducers here
include “me-time” gardening, or just sitting
on the back porch spending quality time
with her husband. “Date nights? Who has
the time?” she asks. “Matt and I spend a lot
San Giacomo
and “Amazing
Grace” co-star
Holly Hunter.
purpose and a sense of belonging,” she says. WHT
12
Women’s Health Today

Want fewer urges and leaks in your internal plumbing?
VESIcare can make a difference.
When your bladder muscle is overactive, it can cause those frustrating urges, so you
worry your pipes might leak. This can sometimes get in the way of what you love to do.
So it’s harder to always do things spur of the moment. VESIcare, once a day, helps control
your bladder muscle, so it can reduce urges and leaks, day and night. If you’ve
had enough, talk to your doctor again about taking care with VESIcare.
Important Safety Information
VESIcare is for urgency, frequency, and leakage (overactive bladder). VESIcare is
not for everyone. If you have certain stomach or glaucoma problems, or trouble
emptying your bladder, do not take VESIcare. Tell your doctor right away if you
have a serious allergic reaction, severe abdominal pain, or become constipated
for three or more days. VESIcare may cause blurred vision, so take care while
driving or doing unsafe tasks until you know how VESIcare affects you.
Common side effects are dry mouth, constipation, and indigestion.
Call (800) 403-6565 or visit
vesicare.com and you’ll receive:
Information about overactive bladder
$25 savings check*
Talk to your doctor guide
Take care with
Please see important product information on the following page.
*Subject to eligibility. Restrictions may apply.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

T:2.125 in
Patient Information
VESIcare ® – (VES-ih-care)
(solifenacin succinate)
Read the Patient Information that comes with VESIcare before you start
taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information.
This leaflet does not take the place of talking with your doctor or other
healthcare professional about your condition or treatment. Only your
doctor or healthcare professional can determine if treatment with
VESIcare is right for you.
What is VESIcare ® ?
VESIcare is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following
symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:
• Having to go to the bathroom too often, also called “urinary frequency,”
• Having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away, also called
“urgency,”
• Leaking or wetting accidents, also called “urinary incontinence.”
VESIcare has not been studied in children.
What is overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder occurs when you cannot control your bladder
contractions. When these muscle contractions happen too often or cannot
be controlled, you can get symptoms of overactive bladder, which are
urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and urinary incontinence (leakage).
Who should NOT take VESIcare ® ?
Do not take VESIcare if you:
• are not able to empty your bladder (also called “urinary retention”),
• have delayed or slow emptying of your stomach (also called “gastric
retention”),
• have an eye problem called “uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma”,
• are allergic to VESIcare or any of its ingredients. See the end of this
leaflet for a complete list of ingredients.
What should I tell my doctor before starting VESIcare ® ?
Before starting VESIcare tell your doctor or healthcare professional
about all of your medical conditions including if you:
• have any stomach or intestinal problems or problems with constipation,
• have trouble emptying your bladder or you have a weak urine stream,
• have an eye problem called narrow-angle glaucoma,
• have liver problems,
• have kidney problems,
• are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (It is not known if
VESIcare can harm your unborn baby.),
• are breastfeeding (It is not known if VESIcare passes into breast milk
and if it can harm your baby. You should decide whether to breastfeed
or take VESIcare, but not both.).
Before starting on VESIcare, tell your doctor about all the medicines
you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines,
vitamins, and herbal supplements. While taking VESIcare, tell your
doctor or healthcare professional about all changes in the medicines
you are taking including prescription and nonprescription medicines,
vitamins and herbal supplements. VESIcare and other medicines may
affect each other.
How should I take VESIcare ® ?
Take VESIcare exactly as prescribed. Your doctor will prescribe the
dose that is right for you. Your doctor may prescribe the lowest dose if
you have certain medical conditions such as liver or kidney problems.
• You should take one VESIcare tablet once a day.
• You should take VESIcare with liquid and swallow the tablet whole.
• You can take VESIcare with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of VESIcare, begin taking VESIcare again the
next day. Do not take 2 doses of VESIcare in the same day.
• If you take too much VESIcare or overdose, call your local Poison
Control Center or emergency room right away.
What are the possible side effects with VESIcare ® ?
The most common side effects with VESIcare are:
• blurred vision. Use caution while driving or doing dangerous
activities until you know how VESIcare affects you.
• dry mouth.
• constipation. Call your doctor if you get severe stomach area
(abdominal) pain or become constipated for 3 or more days.
• heat prostration. Heat prostration (due to decreased sweating) can
occur when drugs such as VESIcare are used in a hot environment.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that
do not go away.
These are not all the side effects with VESIcare. For more information,
ask your doctor, healthcare professional or pharmacist.
How should I store VESIcare ® ?
• Keep VESIcare and all other medications out of the reach of children.
• Store VESIcare at room temperature, 50° to 86°F (15° to 30°C).
Keep the bottle closed.
• Safely dispose of VESIcare that is out of date or that you no longer need.
General information about VESIcare ®
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not
mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use VESIcare for
a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VESIcare
to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It
may harm them.
This leaflet summarizes the most important information about
VESIcare. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor.
You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about
VESIcare that is written for health professionals. You can also call
(800) 727-7003 toll free, or visit www.VESICARE.com.
What are the ingredients in VESIcare ® ?
Active ingredient: solifenacin succinate
Inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, corn starch, hypromellose
2910, magnesium stearate, talc, polyethylene glycol 8000 and
titanium dioxide with yellow ferric oxide (5 mg VESIcare tablet) or red
ferric oxide (10 mg VESIcare tablet)
Manufactured by:
Astellas Pharma Technologies Inc.
Norman, Oklahoma 73072
Marketed by:
Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Deerfield, IL 60015-2548
Marketed and Distributed by:
GlaxoSmithKline
Research Triangle Park
North Carolina 27709
T:10 in
Healthy bites
Tasty
tidbits
No-guilt nibbles
Though it’s likely to make you feel
guilty, snacking isn’t necessarily a
bad thing—unless, of course, your
idea of a snack is a big bowl of
chocolate ice cream, a bag of potato chips or
a generous slice of carrot cake.
Healthy snacking can actually provide
you with several benefits, like keeping you
from second helpings at your next meal or
preventing you from a hunger-fueled cookie
binge. The right snack can also give you
a much-needed energy boost to get you
through the day and be just the right amount
of food to replace a meal if you’re older or
less active.
When you snack, make sure you do so
in moderation—eat a much smaller portion
than you’d consume for a meal. And opt for
food that gives you a nutrient boost, such as
these nine options:
©2005 Astellas Pharma US, Inc. & GlaxoSmithKline VPI-004 PRT50 January 2008
©2008 Astellas Pharma US, Inc. and The GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies
14
VES01336-10/08 Women’s All rights Health reserved. Printed Today in USA. VS2045R0 October 2008
14
Women’s Health Today

ñ
1
Air-popped,
unbuttered
popcorn
It’s crunchy, it’s tasty and
it boosts fiber intake.
2
Hummus
This chickpea paste is
loaded with fiber and
makes a great topping
for vegetables and pitas.
3
Low-fat yogurt
Get your share of calcium
and protein, which can
help keep your bones
strong and healthy.
4 5
Low-fat string
cheese
This easy-to-carry
snack offers
calcium and
protein.
Fruits
Fruits take little or no
preparation, so they’re
convenient while providing
dietary fiber and a host of
vitamins and minerals.
6
Oatmeal
Packed with fiber,
this cholesterollowering
staple isn’t just
for breakfast.
7
Peanut butter
Peanut butter serves
up protein and
vitamin E, an
antioxidant that may
prevent the oxidation
of LDL (bad)
cholesterol and boost
the immune system.
8
Carrots or
red peppers
You’ll get vitamin A and
beta-carotene from
carrots and red peppers.
Pair them with fat-free or
low-fat dressing.
9
Nuts
A handful provides protein,
which helps keep you
feeling fuller longer. And
nuts contain heart-healthy
monounsaturated fat.
Just make sure you don’t
overdo them, since they’re
high in calories.
Berry good smoothie
Serves 2
This quick and easy snack makes the most of nutrient-filled berries.
Use frozen if fresh ingredients aren’t available.
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved, or raspberries
• 1 medium banana, cut into large pieces
• 1 cup fresh orange juice (3 medium oranges)
© 2009 Jupiterimages
In a food processor or blender, puree all ingredients. If your processor or
blender can crush ice, add ½ to 2 cups of ice to make a sherbetlike dessert.
Per serving: 132 calories, 2 g protein, 32 g carbohydrates, 0 mg cholesterol, 1 g total fat, 3 g fiber, 3 mg sodium
Adapted with permission from The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 25th Anniversary Edition,
© 2001 Clarkson Potter/Publishers. Available from booksellers everywhere.
www.womenshealthexperience.com 15

Ovarian
cancer
clues
Don’t ignore these symptoms
It was almost 20 years ago that beloved comedienne
Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. If
she had known that the disease, as well as breast
cancer, was part of her family health history, she
might have noticed the cancer’s subtle symptoms in
time to treat it effectively.
Fortunately for the approximately 21,650 women
who developed ovarian cancer last year, the prognosis
isn’t always that grim. Women diagnosed when the
cancer is contained within the ovary face a five-year
survival rate of almost 93 percent.
As with all cancers, the key to combating
ovarian cancer is early detection. However, patients
usually aren’t aware of the symptoms until the cancer
is in its mid to late stages. Annual pelvic exams can
help detect ovarian cancer, but if you’re at risk, pay
special attention to any abnormal discomfort. That
was crucial for Louise Trapp of Cincinnati. Now
free of ovarian cancer for more than three years, she
pursued an initial diagnosis after she began having
stomach pain that gradually increased. “I thought it
might’ve just been bloating from a meal, but when
the discomfort didn’t disappear, I knew I had to see
a physician,” says Trapp.
Watch for the signs
Because there’s ample room in the abdominal
cavity surrounding the ovaries, ovarian tumors often
aren’t detected until they’ve grown large enough to
cause one or more of these persistent problems:
• indigestion, gas or bloating that can’t be
otherwise explained
Your ovarian
cancer risk
According to the American Cancer Society, your
risk for ovarian cancer increases if you are over
age 50, are obese, have never given birth or
have a personal or family history of breast or
colon cancer. Your risk rises if you have a close
blood relative (mother, sister, daughter) who had
ovarian cancer. Two or more close blood relatives
with the disease increase your risk even more,
as does a family history of cancer caused by a
mutation of the breast cancer gene BRCA1 or
BRCA2. Some studies suggest that lengthy use
of menopausal hormone therapy with estrogen
alone and long-term use of talcum powder in the
genital area may also raise your risk.
16
Women’s Health Today

• swelling or pain in the abdomen
• loss of appetite
• fullness, even after a small meal
• nausea
• unexplained weight loss
• diarrhea
• constipation
• frequent urination
• pelvic pressure
• back or leg pain
• abnormal bleeding
If any of these symptoms persist, inform
your physician. They could indicate ovarian
cancer or another disease. Trapp
contacted Michael Freese, MD, a
Christ Hospital‐associated boardcertified
internist in Cincinnati.
“After ruling out other possibilities,
like cystitis or a bladder
infection, I was concerned that the
diagnosis could be ovarian cancer,
based on the increasing abdominal
symptoms,” Dr. Freese says.
Trapp quickly scheduled an appointment
with Marcia Bowling, MD, a gynecologic
oncologist with The Christ Hospital. “Key to early
detection of ovarian cancer is persistence on the
patient’s and physician’s part to explain and explore
the symptoms until a diagnosis is made,” says
Dr. Bowling. She advises women to take action if
they have any suspicious symptoms. “Look for a new
symptom that’s progressive and persistent,” she says.
“If you have chronic constipation, that’s probably
not ovarian cancer. But if your discomfort gets
more intense and more frequent, it’s time to get it
checked out.”
Two therapeutic avenues
Surgery and chemotherapy are a woman’s two
main treatment options for ovarian cancer. However,
a physician will consider the patient’s age and general
health and the cancer’s stage when determining
the best therapy.
• Surgery involves removal of the
ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes and
any cancer masses. If possible or
if the woman wants to have children,
only the affected areas
may be removed.
• Chemotherapy uses
anticancer drugs that are
injected into a vein or taken
by mouth. A newer therapy
in which additional anticancer
drugs are introduced directly into
the abdomen through a catheter
can be used to treat certain patients.
This allows the chemotherapy drugs to reach
the cancer more efficiently while sparing healthy tissue.
Together with your physician, you may decide
that a combination of treatments is the best strategy
for you. As for Trapp, she underwent six months of
chemotherapy after having surgery and has been
clear of cancer ever since. WHT
ASK THE EXPERT
Featuring Marcia Bowling, MD
!
Q: Is the CA-125 test a good screening tool for ovarian cancer?
A: No. The CA-125 test measures a protein that’s found more in ovarian
cancer cells than in other cells. It’s used in patients who’ve already been diagnosed
with ovarian cancer as an indicator of how well they’re responding to
treatment or whether their cancer remains in remission after treatment. When
used in otherwise healthy women, it produces a high false positive rate and
therefore isn’t an effective screening tool for ovarian cancer.
www.womenshealthexperience.com 17

Find what
you need!
Don’t be fooled by medical
myths again! Get access to the
latest health headlines and
review tips for staying healthy
at www.TheChristHospital.
com. Click on “Health A-Z” to
learn about everything from
abdominal pain to X-rays.
medical misconceptions
What you don’t know can hurt you
Medical misconceptions, old wives’ tales, fear of the unknown—
no matter what you call it, this way of thinking prevents
some people from getting the medical care they need. Maybe
you’re suffering needlessly because of a widely held belief
about your ailment, not realizing old treatments have been improved upon.
Here are seven common misconceptions or fears that should be put to rest:
© 2009 Veer Images
18
Women’s Health Today

© 2009 Jupiterimages
1
2
3
4
Treat back pain with bed rest. Bed rest is no longer
recommended for treating back pain. Experts
agree that you should stay active and take overthe-counter
pain relievers such as acetaminophen
(Tylenol) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
(aspirin, Motrin, Aleve) as needed. In most
people, lower back pain goes away in
about a month. For severe pain or
back pain that lasts longer, see
your healthcare provider.
A bland diet is the best way to
treat an ulcer. Are you self-treating
a gastric ulcer by sipping on cream or
milk or eating a bland diet? That’s no way to manage
the problem. Ulcers are most often caused by
Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that lives and
reproduces in the stomach’s lining and the small
intestines, causing inflammation. Ulcers may best
be healed with an antibiotic to kill the bacteria and
drugs such as acid blockers, antacids or proton
pump inhibitors to reduce your digestive system’s
acid level.
A degenerative disk in the neck is best treated with
spinal fusion surgery. Spinal fusion used to be
the standard operation to correct a diseased
disk in the cervical spine, or neck. But spinal
fusion leaves you unable to bend your neck
normally after surgery. That’s because the surgeon
removes the damaged disk, and then fuses
together the surrounding vertebrae using bone
grafts and metal plates with screws attached.
Fusion corrects the disk problem but raises
the risk of damage to neighboring spine segments.
New disks allow for more natural neck movement,
which reduces the risk of damage to surrounding
disks. Talk with your physician to find out if
you’re a candidate for this newer technology.
Exercise isn’t safe for someone in my condition.
Exercise is good for almost everyone, no matter
how old you are or what shape you’re in—even
if you have a chronic condition such as high
blood pressure, arthritis or diabetes.
In fact, exercise may improve your
condition. Talk to your healthcare
provider for help finding
5
6
7
exercises that are right for you. Start slowly and
build up to at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, five
days a week, or as your provider recommends.
Incontinence can’t be treated. Though bladder
control may be embarrassing to talk about, you
don’t have to suffer in silence. Incontinence
isn’t a normal part of aging and can be treated—
even cured. Weak or overactive bladder muscles,
an enlarged prostate, multiple sclerosis,
Parkinson’s disease and arthritis can all cause
long-term bladder control problems.
Your healthcare provider can recommend
treatment based on the type of incontinence you
have and its severity. Treatment options include
Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles, bladder
training (scheduled urination) and medicine. If
your incontinence is more severe, surgery can help.
Getting the blues is normal at my age. Occasionally
feeling blue is one thing. But a loss of interest in
people or activities that lasts more than two weeks
is a sign of depression, which can strike at any
age. Other symptoms of depression may include
fatigue or lethargy, prolonged or excessive worries,
weight changes, new aches and pains and
feeling hopeless and worthless. If you’re experiencing
any of these changes or feelings, don’t
accept them as “normal.” Talk with your healthcare
provider. Counseling and medication may be
needed to get you back on a brighter path.
I’ve smoked for so long, quitting won’t do me any
good. Quit smoking right now and in 20 minutes
or less, your blood pressure and heart rate
will start to go down—no matter how many
years you’ve been puffing away. Within a few
hours, carbon monoxide will leave your bloodstream.
Keep it up and within two weeks to
three months you may be breathing easier—
even if you already have mild to moderate
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
By the end of your first year, your excess risk of
heart disease is cut by almost half; your stroke,
lung disease and cancer risks are also
reduced. Ask your healthcare provider
about the best way for you to
kick the habit. WHT
www.womenshealthexperience.com 19

Something
under
your skin
The truth behind
bothersome lumps
and bumps
Most women know that any unusual
mass found in a breast warrants a trip
to their physician, but what about
those odd lumps and bumps that
occur elsewhere? Although the discovery of a new
growth may have you thinking of cancer, that’s not
the most likely diagnosis. Here’s what you should
know about those mysterious lumps.
On the back of your head
A small, freely moving lump under your scalp
is probably a sebaceous cyst. These slow-growing
and usually painless cysts arise from swollen hair
follicles and may also appear on the face, neck or
trunk. They’re not dangerous and can usually be
ignored. If a cyst becomes large or bothersome,
your physician may treat it with steroid injections
or surgically remove it.
A swollen lymph node may be the culprit if
you find a lump along the side of your neck, under
your jaw or chin, behind your ear or on the back of
your head. Lymph nodes can swell when you have
an infection like strep throat or an abscessed tooth.
Sometimes the lymph node itself becomes infected
and will become swollen, red, warm and tender. If
you don’t have any infection or the swelling doesn’t
go away when the other infection does, see your
physician.
In your neck
Most thyroid nodules—solid or fluid-filled
growths in the thyroid gland (located at the base
of your neck)—are benign. However, some may
disrupt your thyroid hormone levels, place pressure
on your windpipe or make swallowing uncomfortable.
About 5 percent of nodules are cancerous.
Most nodules are found during a routine exam or
an imaging test. Your physician may conduct tests
to decide whether treatment is needed.
On the skin
Basal cell carcinoma—the most common form
of skin cancer—may appear as a shiny, translucent
or pearly nodule or a pink, slightly elevated growth
on the skin. Although this cancer rarely spreads,
see your physician for prompt treatment.
A painful, red, half-inch lump that appears
suddenly may be a boil, caused when bacteria infect
a hair follicle in an area where you sweat or have
friction. A boil will fill with pus and grow larger
and more painful until it ruptures and drains. Most
will resolve themselves (never squeeze), but see
your physician if one is extremely painful or you
have a fever. WHT
© 2009 Jupiterimages
20
Women’s Health Today

Don’t
stress over
this test
© 2009 Bruno Budrovic/GettyImages
In the world of business, a stress test might be a
tally of pencils with chewed-off erasers. In the
world of medicine, a stress test—known technically
as an “exercise tolerance test’’—is a tally of
heart rate, blood pressure and other signs or symptoms
that indicate your heart’s ability to deliver blood to
hard-working muscles.
Usually recommended for people who have cardiac
risk factors, chest pain suspected to be angina or
who’ve had an abnormal electrocardiogram, a stress
test helps physicians diagnose coronary artery disease
by showing whether the heart is getting enough
oxygen during physical activity. The test may be
recommended for certain people before starting an
exercise program. The American Heart Association
estimates that 3 million to 4 million Americans have
silent ischemia, a symptomless condition in which
the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen, causing a heart
attack or sudden cardiac death during exercise.
In addition to telling physicians whether you
can exercise safely, a stress test can help physicians
set exercise limits for patients who have heart disease
or have undergone heart surgery. The test does
give a fairly high number of false-positive results
in women, so be sure to discuss this with your
physician.
A word of warning
A true cardiovascular stress test is a medical
procedure. While some health clubs offer stress
testing, medical knowledge and training are
required to accurately interpret the test results.
In addition, few health clubs carry the kind of
emergency resuscitation equipment that’s necessary
in case serious cardiac problems develop
during the test.
Get heart healthy!
Talk with your physician about your cardiovascular
health risks. If you need a physician,
call The Christ Hospital’s physician referral line
at 513-585-1000.
How the test is done
A stress test involves an electrocardiogram
(ECG) together with heart rate and blood pressure
monitoring while the patient exercises at increasingly
demanding levels. Most specialists prefer a
treadmill that’s programmed to gradually increase in
speed and degree of incline.
Dressed in comfortable clothing and wearing
sneakers, the patient is hooked up to an ECG
machine with electrodes. A blood pressure cuff
is wrapped around the patient’s arm. The patient
begins to walk on the treadmill—easily at first, then
with more effort as the speed and inclination are
increased.
The test continues until the individual reaches
his or her maximum level of exertion. If blood pressure
drops or heart rhythm abnormalities are
observed, the test is stopped immediately. WHT
www.womenshealthexperience.com 21

Healthy moves
Lift that weight!
Do your body some good
You wouldn’t consider your diet to be balanced
if you ate only seafood or peanuts,
right? Well, the same can be said for
your exercise routine. Although cardio
exercises—activities like running or cycling that get
your heart rate up—can certainly help keep your
heart healthy, you also need to include resistance, or
weight, training to get yourself in the best shape. Be
sure to talk with your healthcare provider before you
start weight training.
Exhale during the most strenuous part, or as you
lift the weight, and inhale as you lower the weight.
When lifting the weight 12 times no longer tires
your muscles, increase the weight you’re lifting by
5 percent to 10 percent.
If you’re thinking about trying a gym, find one
that offers introductory sessions. A trainer will show
you how to use the equipment and help design a
personalized routine. Most likely, the trainer will
show you how to use both free weights and weight
How good is it?
Weight training strengthens your body from
the inside out. As you begin to see leaner legs and
slimmer arms on the outside, your routine is helping
to reduce your blood pressure, lower your bad cholesterol,
raise your good cholesterol, speed up your
metabolism, improve your bone density and lower
your risk for chronic conditions like diabetes and
heart disease.
How do you do it?
Pick a weight that you can lift eight to 12 times
without straining. Lift the weight to a count of two
and then lower it slowly to a count of three or four.
Although cardio exercises can help
keep your heart healthy, you
also need to include resistance, or
weight, training to get yourself
in the best shape.
22
Women’s Health Today

© 2009 Jupiterimages
Exercise myths worth
tossing aside
When it comes to physical fitness, there’s a lot
of conflicting information going around. What’s
the truth behind what you’ve heard or read
machines. Although they may look scary, weight
about exercise, and what’s mere myth?
machines generally are easier and safer to use than
• Long, low-intensity workouts are best. It’s
free weights.
smart to start off slowly, especially if you
Give your body a proper break by working
haven’t worked out in the past. Gradually
your major muscle groups—the arms, chest, back,
increasing your workout intensity as you get
abdominals, buttocks and leg muscles—at least two stronger is the most efficient way to lose
weight. Moving faster burns more calories per
times a week, with one day of rest in between.
minute.
If you keep at it, in about six months, you may
• No pain, no gain. Slight discomfort is one
notice your strength has increased by as much as
thing; actual pain is a signal that you’re injuring
yourself. Stop immediately if exercise
50 percent! WHT becomes painful. If you have sore muscles
the day after a workout, it means you’ve torn
microscopic connective tissue. The soreness
will probably go away by itself in a day or
two—next time, ease up a little.
• Women bulk up like men from lifting weights.
False. Male hormones help men build bulky
physiques. Women who lift weights for fitness
become toned and firm but are still feminine,
not manly.
• Everyone burns calories at the same rate
during exercise. Not true. Someone who
weighs 200 pounds burns twice the calories
of a 100-pounder performing the same aerobic
exercise at the same rate. It’s a physics
thing—the heavier the mass, the more
energy (calories) to propel it.
• Morning workouts are the most
productive. In fact, the best
time is whatever’s best for you.
Caution: If you work out at night,
make sure it isn’t interfering with
your ability to fall asleep. The
stimulant hormones released by
exercise, such as adrenaline, stay in
your system for several hours afterward.
• Drinking water during a workout causes
cramps. Actually, not having enough water in
your system during exercise is the cause of
most cramps. Drink plenty—before, during and
after your workout.
www.womenshealthexperience.com 23

Health smarts
Puzzling
periods
Many women consider their
monthly menses as an annoyance.
But regular periods are an
indicator of overall good health.
When your periods are missed or
come with pain or discomfort, it’s a
signal that something’s wrong. How
much do you know about what you
likely take for granted? Test your
knowledge by answering true or false
to these statements. Then check the
answers to see how you did.
True or false?
{1} The average menstrual cycle is 28 days.
{2} Stress is not a cause of missed periods.
{3} Painful periods are usually not cause for concern.
{4} Heavy blood flow can be a sign of uterine fibroids.
{5} Women who have endometriosis can never become pregnant.
Test your
health
knowledge
online
Take more health quizzes and
assessments online at
www.womenshealthexperience.com.
Plus, find out what other women
are saying by participating
in our online polls!
Answers
{1} True. A woman’s body sheds
the uterine lining (blood and tissue)
through the vagina during her
monthly menstruation when pregnancy
doesn’t occur. Young teens
may experience cycles lasting up to
45 days, or as short as 21 days.
The period itself normally lasts anywhere
from two to seven days. The
length of a woman’s cycle tends to
shorten and become more regular
as she ages.
{2} False. Both physical and psychological
stress can cause amenorrhea,
a three-month or longer
absence of regular periods. Other
causes include excessive exercise,
eating disorders, tumors and
hormonal problems. If you’re not
pregnant, visit your physician if
you’ve missed your monthly menses
for three cycles or more.
{3} True. Dysmenorrhea—painful
periods including severe cramps—
are usually not serious and can be
eased with heating pads, warm baths
or over-the-counter pain relievers.
However, dysmenorrhea can sometimes
be caused by infection, endometriosis
or ovarian cysts. If the pain
persists, get it checked out.
{4} True. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous
tumors, common in
women of childbearing age—yet
most women with fibroids can get
pregnant. Some women with fibroids
have heavy bleeding and may bleed
in between their regular periods.
Medications can help relieve symptoms
and sometimes the growth of
fibroids. If necessary, fibroids can be
removed surgically.
{5} False. About 30 percent to
40 percent of women with
endometriosis—tissues that usually
grow inside the uterus grow on the
outside instead, causing pain and
heavy periods—have difficulty
becoming pregnant. Treatments for
this type of infertility include in vitro
fertilization, hormones and surgery.
© 2009 Jupiterimages
24
Women’s Health Today

Stay informed
Stay connected
Stay healthy
Presented by the
with www.womenshealthexperience.com
Women’s Health Experience offers you health
news and information just for women!
Sign up for a free monthly e-newsletter that delivers the
latest health news, trends and tips to your inbox.
Test your health smarts on fitness, nutrition, disease
prevention and more with online quizzes.
Take our online health assessments to learn your
risk for common diseases and conditions.
Learn what other women are thinking by
participating in our online health polls.
Find out what the Women’s Health Experience
can do for you!
It’s all here—and it’s all for you at
www.womenshealthexperience.com
TM

Opening
March 30
The Christ Hospital
Outpatient Imaging
Center on Red Bank
Road
The hospital-owned center
offers a complete range of
imaging services including:
density scans
To schedule an
appointment,
please call
513-585-2668
I M A G I N G C E N T E R