Marg helgenberger's - The Christ Hospital

S u m m e r 2 0 0 9 

women’s 

healthtoday 

Blues 

bashers 

don’t give in to 

depression 

Marg 

Helgenberger’s 

arrestingly fresh attitude page 10 

How does 

your garden 

grow? 

Put the season’s 

crop to full use 

prepare! 

get ready and 

steady for surgery 

The Christ Hospital 

2139 Auburn Avenue 

Cincinnati OH 45219 

non-profit org 

us postage 

Paid 

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It’s a short 

distance between 

home and peace 

of mind. 

Mason 

Delhi 

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Breast cancer is the leading cause 

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It affects one out of seven women, yet statistics show that fewer 

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But why? 

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And when found early, most breast cancers are treatable. 

Mammography is the most important screening tool for breast 

cancer. Schedule your mammogram today and get the peace of 

mind you deserve. 

Breast cancer risk factors: 

 

 

 

 

the age of 50 

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appointment: 

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The Christ Hospital offers 

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Mt. Auburn 


Medical Office Building, 

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2123 Auburn Ave. 

Cincinnati, OH 45219 

Delhi 


Delhi Testing Center 

5310 Rapid Run Road 

Cincinnati, OH 45238 

Mason 


Mason Testing Center 

608 Reading Road 

Mason, OH 45040 

Fairfax 


Imaging Center 

4440 Red Bank Road, 

First Floor 

Cincinnati, OH 45227

women’s 

healthtoday 

S u m m e r 2 0 0 9 

in this issue . . . 

2 L E T T E R F R O M T H E F O U N D E R 

Scared of surgery? 

3 Taking the mystery out of hysterectomy 

4 Arresting heart failure 

5 10 questions to ask at your next checkup 

4 

6 H E A L T H H E A D L I N E S 

What’s making news in women’s health 

8 Not a headache? Not a toothache? 

Maybe it’s TMJ 

9 S E X & G E N D E R M A T T E R S 

Protect your sight! 

Get checked for glaucoma 

10 Stealing the scene 

Marg Helgenberger investigates all life has to offer! 

13 H E A L T H Y M I N D 

Beat the blues 

Women and depression 

14 Surgery? Steady now! 

Get your body and mind ready 

16 Easy cancer-prevention tactics 

17 A positive approach to PMS 

10 

18 H E A L T H Y M O V E S 

Which exercise is best for you? 

Answer these simple questions to find out 

20 Breathe easy! 

Reduce your risk of COPD 

21 7 smart things you can do 

for your baby 

22 H E A L T H Y B I T E S 

Just-picked dishes 

Take advantage of the season’s fresh crop! 

24 H E A L T H S M A R T S 

Serious smoking stats 

20 

www.womenshealthexperience.com

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 

Scared of surgery? 

You surely aren’t alone! No one looks forward to any procedure, especially 

one that involves general anesthesia. However, today’s operating 

team of surgeons, anesthesiologists and specially trained nurses have 

technology on their side—whether it’s a minimally invasive surgical robot or a 

high-tech chemical cocktail that puts you out quickly and safely. Read about 

how you can put your surgery and anesthesia fears to rest and get your mind 

and body in tip-top pre-op shape in “Surgery? Steady now!” on page 14. 

Our “Health Smarts” column in this issue of Women’s Health Today 

focuses on facts about cigarette smoking. If you, a loved one or a friend can’t 

kick this habit, read “Serious smoking stats” on page 24. The stark and scary 

data you’ll read may provide the incentive you need to rid yourself of this 

deadly addiction. Also in this issue, you’ll find articles on chronic obstructive 

pulmonary disease (“Breathe easy!” on page 20), seasonal fresh vegetables 

(“Just-picked dishes,” page 22) and finding the best way to keep active 

(“Which exercise is best for you?” on page 18). 

I think you’ll find the wide variety of topics in this issue of Women’s Health 

Today to be informative and useful. Please let me know what other topics you’d 

like to read about in future issues. I’d love to hear from you! 

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 3. 

© 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 

recycle-logo_2options_v2.ai 

Experience is a unique initiative aimed at connecting women with 

healthcare experts, as well as their local hospitals, to learn about 

important issues that may affect their health. Through Women’s 

Health Experience, Women’s Health Today magazine and 

www.womenshealthexperience.com, you’ll get objective, timely 

information. You can also sign up for free e-newsletters containing 

health news Printed With and Soy Inkresults Printed of With medical Soy Ink studies. 

Sign up now at www.womenshealthexperience.com. 

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c o v e r : M a r g H e l g e n b e r g e r 

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By Marcia Bowling, MD 

Taking the 

mystery out 

of hysterectomy 

About one-third of American women will 

eventually have a hysterectomy, the second 

most common surgery after cesarean 

section. Why so common? Basically, 

hysterectomy can cure a variety of uterine problems: 

✿ Fibroids. Hysterectomy is most often recommended 

for serious cases of fibroids (benign tumors 

that grow in the uterus wall). Fibroids can grow 

large and may cause great pain and heavy bleeding. 

Depending on the severity, physicians and patients 

may decide to try treatments other than hysterectomy. 

In a surgery called myomectomy, the fibroids 

are removed but the uterus stays in place. Also, drug 

therapy may shrink fibroids temporarily, and after 

menopause, fibroids may shrink without treatment. 

For serious cases, hysterectomy is often the best 

choice because it’s a definite cure. 

✿ Endometriosis. Hysterectomy can treat severe 

cases of endometriosis, a common disease in which 

tissue shed from the uterus grows outside the uterus, 

causing pain and possibly leading to infertility. Drug 

therapy can help but may not stop pain in serious cases. 

✿ Prolapse. Many physicians recommend hysterectomy 

for severe prolapse—a sagging of the uterus 

into the vagina when the ligaments that support 

the uterus get weak over time. These ligaments can 

sometimes be shortened with surgery. In other cases, 

physicians may place a pessary, or support ring, 

around the cervix. If ligaments are badly damaged, 

hysterectomy may be necessary. 

✿ Gynecologic cancer. Hysterectomy is usually 

required when a woman has cancer of the uterus or 

cervix. The only real alternative is radiation therapy. 

However, radiation therapy may not be as effective 

and may involve many side effects. 

Coping with change 

After a hysterectomy, a woman may be emotionally 

distraught. Some women identify the uterus with childbearing 

and with their younger years, so it’s possible to 

feel a sense of loss. Women need support and understanding 

from family and friends and should talk with 

their physicians about ways to cope with this change. WHT 

Robotic-assisted 

hysterectomy 

If your physician recommends hysterectomy (or 

if you need uterine fibroid removal or prolapse 

treatment), you may be a candidate for a roboticassisted 

procedure using the da Vinci ® Surgical 

System. The system helps your surgeon perform 

a more precise, minimally invasive hysterectomy 

and can offer numerous potential benefits over 

traditional surgical approaches, including: 

• a shorter hospital stay 

• less pain 

• faster recovery 

• a quicker return to normal activities 

• less risk of wound infection 

• less blood loss and scarring 

Many different procedures are used to perform 

hysterectomies. Be sure your physician is 

experienced with several techniques so that the 

best option can be chosen for you. 

Suffer no more! 

To learn how robotic-assisted gynecologic 

surgery can help reduce your discomfort, visit 

www.TheChristHospital.com or call 513-585-1000. 

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


Arresting heart failure 

If your heart is damaged—whether by high 

blood pressure, diabetes or some form of coronary 

artery disease (including angina and heart 

attack)—it can’t pump blood or relax as well as 

it should. This condition is known as heart failure. 

Despite its name, heart failure doesn’t mean that 

your heart has stopped or that you’ve had a heart 

attack, but instead that your heart is weak and working 

inefficiently. 

Warning signs of heart failure include: 

§ Shortness of breath. Breathing problems can 

occur during activity or when lying down as blood 

backs up in the pulmonary veins, causing fluid to 

leak into the lungs. 

§ Fatigue. Simple activities like getting dressed 

or walking can trigger extreme fatigue and make 

everyday chores seem impossible. 

§ Water retention. Fluid builds up in the legs, 

feet, ankles and, sometimes, abdomen. Other waterretention 

signs include frequent urination and 

weight gain. 

§ Coughing or wheezing. Fluid buildup in the lungs 

can cause coughing that produces white or pink 

blood-tinged mucus. 

§ Appetite loss or nausea. Digestive problems can 

make you feel full or sick to your stomach. 

§ Confusion or impaired thinking. Changing levels of 

sodium and other substances in the blood can cause 

memory disturbances and disorientation. 

§ Increased heart rate. A racing heart or palpitations 

can occur when the heart starts beating faster 

to make up for loss in pumping capacity. 

Get prompt medical care if you have any of 

these symptoms. Heart failure is the leading cause of 

hospitalizations among people ages 65 and older. WHT 

Help for your 

heart is here! 

The Healthcare Accreditation Colloquium 

recently recognized The Christ Hospital as a fully 

accredited heart failure center of excellence. 

The Christ Hospital is the first hospital in Greater 

Cincinnati, and only the fifth in the United 

States, to achieve this recognition. The Christ 

Hospital heart failure services include: 

• The Carl H. & Edyth Lindner Heart Failure 

Treatment Center. A unique 28-bed unit offering 

state-of-the-art care for patients with heart failure. 

• Heart Link. A unique tool that helps heart 

failure patients transition from hospital to home. 

Specially trained nurses connect with patients 

after discharge to review diet, exercise and 

medication. 

• Congestive heart failure clinic. Physicians 

and nurses treat the growing aging population of 

heart failure patients, specifically those who are 

uninsured or underinsured. 

• Participation in nationally published research 

on heart failure management and treatment 

methods. 

Get heart healthy! 

Visit www.TheChristHospital.com to learn more 

about heart failure treatment at The Christ 

Hospital, or call the heart failure clinic at 

513-585-2472. 

© istockphoto.com/Shannon Keegan/Karen Roach 

 

Women’s Health Today

By Nancy Slattery, MD 

10 

questions to ask 

at your next checkup 

Your annual physical should be more than a quick checkup and a “See 

you next year, doc.” It’s your chance to strengthen a vital partnership 

with your healthcare provider and assess your medical outlook. 

© istockphoto.com/Amanda Rohde 

Covering your bases 

Think of your physical as a two-part process. 

First is the exam itself. The second part is gaining 

a thorough understanding of your health. Here are 

some questions to ask that will help you gain insight: 

˛1 Are all my signs normal or within accepted 

limits? Ask about your: 

• body-mass index (BMI), ratio of weight to height 

• blood pressure and pulse 

• breathing 

• skin and nail color, texture and appearance, 

which give clues to underlying disorders of your vital 

organs 

˛2 Is my health better, the same or worse since my 

last checkup? 

˛3 What are the best ways I can maintain my health 

or manage my condition? Ask for advice on diet, 

physical activity and stress-management tips to ease 

chronic tension and anxiety. 

˛4 Given my personal and family medical history, 

do I have a higher than normal risk for certain illnesses? 

Review your: 

• family medical history: whether grandparents, 

parents or siblings had heart attacks, strokes, breast 

or other cancers and other illnesses 

• personal medical history, including any childhood 

sunburns, severe allergies or high fevers that are 

risk factors for diseases later in life, and any hospitalizations, 

surgeries or allergies to drugs or food 

˛5 Given my age and health, what symptoms may 

indicate the onset of an illness? 

˛6 Given my medical status, what specific symptoms 

may indicate a health emergency? 

˛7 What screenings should I have? Your physician 

may recommend a mammogram, a bone density 

scan, a colonoscopy, a Pap test or cardiovascular and 

cholesterol-related blood tests. 

˛8 Should I be seeing a specialist for any reason? 

˛9 What new therapies or changes in treatment 

since my last checkup should I know about? 

˛10 Should I get a flu shot? 

Be informative 

Mention any current symptoms or unusual 

feelings—physical or emotional—that you may have. 

Never let embarrassment, fear or shame keep you 

from telling your physician about a problem. They’re 

trained to handle all your medical concerns—and you 

won’t be the first patient with a sensitive issue. 

Call your physician’s office any time you have a 

question about your health or are having trouble following 

his or her instructions. Communicating 

openly with your physician is just as important as 

eating right, exercising and watching your weight. WHT 

Need a primary care 

physician? 

Call 513-585-1000 to find a physician with 

The Christ Hospital Medical Associates. 

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


what’s 

making news 

in women’s 

health 

healthhead 

Stroke signs: Still a 

mystery to many 

A new oral cancer 

protection brewing? 

Your coffee-drinking 

habit might not 

be entirely bad for 

you, according to 

findings that coffee 

consumption 

is associated with 

fewer cancers of the 

mouth, pharynx and 

esophagus. Japanese 

researchers evaluated the diets of more than 

38,000 people. They found that compared to 

people who did not drink coffee, those who 

sipped a cup or more a day had only half the 

risk of developing these cancers. The risk reduction 

was noted even among people at high risk 

for these cancers, such as those who drank alcohol 

or smoked. The research was published in 

the American Journal of Epidemiology. 

Quick: List the warning signs of stroke and what you should do if you think someone is having 

one. Give up? Many people—especially those most likely to suffer a stroke—can’t name 

the warning signs, according to researchers at the International Stroke Conference in San Diego. 

In 2007, they polled more than 86,000 people by phone and found that fewer than two in five 

knew all of the stroke warning signs: sudden weakness in the face, arm or leg; sudden severe 

headache with no known cause; sudden vision problems in one or both eyes; sudden confusion 

or difficulty speaking; and sudden dizziness, loss of balance, loss of coordination or problems 

walking. Many of those polled also didn’t know to call 911 immediately. Older adults, prior stroke 

sufferers, minorities, people with lower incomes and people with less education fared poorly in 

the poll. Researchers stress the importance of knowing the warning signs, as the quicker you’re 

treated for stroke, the better your odds of surviving and limiting any stroke-related disabilities. 

© istockphoto.com/Megan Tamaccio 

 


lines 

Too close for comfort? 

Do too many family members under one roof hurt the heart? That’s the question 

pondered by researchers at Osaka University, who followed more than 90,000 

Japanese women and men ages 40 to 69 for as long as 14 years. What they found: 

Preeclampsia: Not just 

a pregnancy problem 

If you had preeclampsia 

during pregnancy, you 

may be at an increased risk 

of having problems such 

as high blood pressure, 

diabetes and blood clots for 

the rest of your life. That’s 

according to researchers 

at Yale School of Medicine 

and the University of 

Copenhagen, who looked 

at data on more than 

1.3 million women who 

gave birth between 1978 and 2007. Preeclampsia, 

or pregnancy-induced hypertension, is marked by 

high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine 

after the 20th week of pregnancy. The findings 

strengthen the link that other studies have found 

between preeclampsia and heart conditions. There’s 

no known way to prevent preeclampsia—which is 

why it’s important to get early and regular prenatal 

care—and the only cure for it is to deliver the baby. 

If the condition develops early on, your physician 

may suggest bed rest or medications to prolong the 

pregnancy. 

• Women who lived with a spouse, children and 

aging parents or with a spouse and parents were 

two to three times more likely to suffer from heart 

disease than women who only lived with a spouse. 

• Men living in these multigenerational households 

didn’t experience the same heart-risk increase. 

Researchers hypothesize that, for women, the 

stress of juggling multiple family roles may be taking 

a toll. Japanese women not only care for their 

family members and keep the household running 

but also work outside the home full time—a 

scenario not unfamiliar to American women. So if 

you’re a stressed-out caregiver—or if you live with 

one—perhaps it’s time to give your heart a break 

and divvy up those responsibilities. 


Not a 

headache? 

Not a 

toothache? 

Maybe it’s TMJ 

The dull ache in Lisa’s right cheek led her to 

the dentist’s office, where she figured she’d 

need a cavity filled at best or root canal at 

worst. She was surprised to learn that her 

teeth were fine—and to be referred to a medical specialist. 

Lisa turned out to have temporomandibular 

joint (TMJ) syndrome. Working with this specialist, 

she found that a combination of medication and 

lifestyle changes—not oral surgery—was the key to 

relieving her pain. 

What is TMJ? 

TMJ affects women in their childbearing years 

more than it affects men. Most cases are the result 

of displacement of the cartilage disk between the jaw 

bones, sometimes caused by an injury to the head, 

neck or face. This displacement produces pressure 

and stretching of the nerves, leading to pain. TMJ 

discomfort is also produced when the muscles used 

for chewing spasm. This spasm is commonly caused 

by clenching or grinding of the teeth (often while 

sleeping), or a poor bite. 

TMJ affects women in their 

childbearing years more than 

it affects men. The pain may 

be dull or shooting. 

Just as the causes of TMJ can differ, so, too, 

can the symptoms. Pain may be dull or shooting, 

feel like a toothache or a headache or radiate 

around the cheek or ear. Sometimes you can hear 

the joint pop as you open and close your mouth. 

Sometimes you can barely even open your mouth. 

Treating TMJ 

Treatment varies according to the causes and 

severity of your symptoms. If your problem is 

muscular, then appropriate actions may include 

massaging the muscles, eating soft foods that 

require little chewing, applying moist heat to your 

cheeks and taking muscle-relaxant medication. 

Some patients benefit from wearing a bite splint or 

a device like a dental retainer, which prevents 

clenching and grinding of the teeth during sleep. 

Braces or other orthodontia may be needed. Only 

in severe cases is surgery needed. If your pain 

points to TMJ, call your healthcare provider for 

a referral to a specialist trained in treating this 

syndrome. WHT 

 


sex & Gender matters 

The latest findings on women-specific health 

from the Society for Women’s Health Research 

By Jennifer Wider, MD 

Protect your sight! > 

Get checked for glaucoma 

The second leading cause of blindness in 

the United States is glaucoma, a group of 

conditions that result in damage to the 

optic nerve, oftentimes from extremely 

high pressure inside the eye. More than two million 

people suffer from glaucoma, and it seems to affect 

women disproportionately. “It’s been speculated that 

since women live longer than men on average, there 

are more women who are at an age in which glaucoma 

develops,” explains Cynthia L. Grosskreutz, MD, 

PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology at Harvard 

Medical School and the co-director of the Glaucoma 

Service at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary 

in Boston. 

Recognize the risks 

Because glaucoma in its early stages is a silent disease, 

it’s important to know the risk factors and what 

you can do to minimize them. In addition to gender, 

other risk factors for developing glaucoma include: 

• increasing age 

• being African-American 

• a family history of glaucoma 

• pre-existing conditions including diabetes, 

high blood pressure, heart disease and 

hypothyroidism 

• a prior severe eye injury 

• prolonged use of corticosteroids 

• smoking 

Early diagnosis and treatment can substantially 

lessen the suffering from the disease. “The best way 

to know whether or not you have glaucoma is to 

be screened by an eye care provider, giving specific 

attention to your intraocular pressure, family history 

and health of the optic nerve,” says Dr. Grosskreutz. 

Glaucoma screening is quick, painless and noninvasive, 

and treatment involves a variety of methods aimed at 

reducing the buildup of eye pressure, including eye 

drops, medication and surgery after other methods 

are exhausted. “Most patients are initially treated with 

medicine or possibly laser procedures and subsequently 

move on to surgery if needed,” says Dr. Grosskreutz. 

While there’s currently no cure, treatment and 

regular checkups can prevent or slow the progression 

of glaucoma. And check with your eye care physician 

or eye center for information on glaucoma support 

groups. WHT 

© 2009 Elizabeth Knox/Gettyimages 

Learn more! 

The Society for Women’s Health Research is a nonprofit 

research, education and advocacy organization 

that works to improve women’s health through sexspecific 

research, education and advocacy. To find 

this article and more of the latest news and research 

on women’s health, visit their Web site at www.womens 

healthresearch.org. 

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


© 2009 Jonathan Skow/Corbis Outline 

10 


STEALING 

the 

scene 

Marg Helgenberger investigates all life has to offer! 

By Bonnie Siegler 

Saline solution? Got it. Lip gloss? Got it. Wallet and keys? Check, 

check. Ready to go. “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” star Marg 

Helgenberger’s basic tool kit illustrates the contrast between her 

simplified life and that of her TV character, senior crime scene 

investigator Catherine Willows, who requires a vast array of high-tech equipment 

and latex gloves to get her job done. 

The contrast doesn’t stop there. “Catherine’s a former exotic dancer, a 

Vegas girl who’s connected to the history of the town,” says Helgenberger, 

one of the original cast members of the popular CBS drama. “But over 

the years we’ve both grown wiser, more reflective, confident, relaxed and 

assured.” Recently turning the big 5-O, it’s clear that Helgenberger is comfortable 

and happy in her own skin. And why not? The Nebraska native 

has a youthfulness about her that women half her age would envy. “Being 

open-minded is an important factor in staying young,” explains the actress. 

“Remaining open to new ideas and interpretations and not passing judgment 

makes not only you, but the world, a happier place.” continued on page 12 

www.womenshealthexperience.com 11

continued from page 11 

Fighting hardship, onscreen and off 

Helgenberger’s world includes her role as mom to 

19-year-old Hugh, her son with actor Alan Rosenberg 

(the couple separated in 2008). She splits her time 

between family, friends and a successful career in 

which she’s won the hearts of TV viewers, shared in 

CSI’s Screen Actors Guild award in 2005 and earned 

an Emmy for her portrayal of a 

tough prostitute in “China Beach” 

in 1990. “I like edgier material 

because it suits my nature better. 

Bad girls or complicated women are 

always more fun to play than good 

girls,” she says. “I feel an affinity 

for people who’ve been through 

hardships but keep going.” 

On top of that list is 

Helgenberger’s mother, a breast 

cancer survivor. “My mom’s always 

looked on the bright side of life; I 

respect that type of person.” In part because of her 

mother’s experience, Helgenberger donates her time 

to various cancer charity events, hosting her own 

Helgenberger and “CSI” co-stars Laurence 

Fishburne (center) and Robert David Hall. 

annual Celebrity 

Weekend to fight 

breast cancer in 

Omaha, Neb., 

since 1997, and 

attending last 

September’s 

“Stand Up To 

Cancer” event put 

together by the 

Entertainment 

Industry Foundation. 

On a more 

personal level, 

Helgenberger’s preventive measures include her 

annual physician visit. “I’ve been getting yearly 

mammograms for a long time,” she acknowledges. 

“And I do self-examinations regularly.” 

Taking care from the inside out 

Helgenberger knows the importance of nutritious 

eating: Yogurt, fresh berries, salad greens, 

tuna, sliced turkey, milk, orange juice and teas are 

among her nutritional staples. “I’m big on drinking 

“ Edgier material 

suits my nature 

better ... I feel an 

affinity for people 

who’ve been through 

hardships going. but keep 

” 

lots of water and teas,” she says. “I start my day with 

a protein-packed smoothie made with yogurt, rice 

milk and fresh fruit like berries or papaya.” But she’s 

not a sergeant with the food police. “I love chocolate 

chip cookies too much,” she laughs. “And those Girl 

Scout Thin Mints … soul food like fried chicken 

with macaroni and cheese … let’s see, I like Italian 

food ...” Helgenberger continues, 

ticking off her list of guilty pleasures. 

“I mean, who doesn’t enjoy 

a great pasta or pizza? Thin crust 

and not too cheesy!” 

Growing older gracefully 

But that doesn’t mean 

Helgenberger can simply ignore 

the pressures Hollywood’s ageism 

places on women. “I certainly want 

to look the best I possibly can, and 

I’ve always been a disciplined and 

motivated person. But I really have to work with 

what I’ve got and grow older gracefully. I don’t 

wear some of the clothes I wore 10 years ago—and 

certainly not the ones I wore 20 years ago.” 

To keep her 5-foot-6-inch figure in shape, 

Helgenberger attends twice-weekly yoga sessions, 

hikes with her dog, Henry, and meditates daily. 

“Stress in general is bad for your health and wellbeing. 

That’s why I do yoga and meditate for 

20 minutes every morning,” says Helgenberger. 

“Being out among nature also reduces my stress in a 

visual way. A long walk, hanging out at the beach or 

just appreciating the outdoors does wonders.” 

Singing a simple song 

A new element of calm for Helgenberger is a local 

book club she started a few years ago. “Good reading 

material’s always important. But I’m not one of those 

readers who can plow through a novel every week 

because I get distracted from all the things on my plate.” 

Helgenberger’s distractions come in many 

forms. So what would this self-described “loyal, 

hard-working, fun-loving” woman do with an extra 

hour in a day? “I’d probably play my guitar. I’d sing 

songs I’ve learned or want to learn. I guess you 

could say that’s just another distraction,” she smiles, 

“but I’d say it’s simply another stress reducer.” WHT 

© 2009 CBS Photo Archive/Gettyimages 

12 


HealthY Mind 

Beat the blues 

Women and depression 

You’re feeling down, you can’t sleep at night 

or concentrate at work—and that headache 

just won’t go away. You could chalk 

these symptoms up to your busy life, but 

you may actually be depressed. Almost twice as many 

women as men develop depression, and they usually 

first experience the condition in their 20s or 30s. Like 

any medical illness, depression requires treatment. 

Behind your blues 

While hormones may deserve some of the 

blame, many other factors can trigger depression: 

• Pregnancy and birth. Up to 10 percent of new 

moms suffer postpartum depression. 

• Inequality. Women make less money than men 

and hold fewer positions of power. 

• Work and home duties. The constant juggling can 

be overwhelming. 

• Physical or sexual abuse. Women who were emotionally, 

physically or sexually abused as children 

are more likely to experience depression than those 

who weren’t. 

Searching for the signs 

Depression can lead to chronic aches, restlessness 

and overeating or loss of appetite. Researchers 

have come up with the acronym SAD FACES to 

remember the symptoms in women: 

S leep disturbances 

A nhedonia, or loss of joy for life 

D epressed mood most of the time 

F atigue or loss of energy 

A ppetite disturbances 

C oncentration problems 

E steem lowered, or guilt 

S uicidal thoughts or repeated thoughts of death 

If you experience several of these symptoms 

every day for at least two weeks, talk with your 

healthcare provider. He or she can help you decide 

what treatment may be best to bring back the old 

you, including: 

• A good support base. Being able to talk with your 

spouse or partner or a family member, close friend, 

spiritual leader or co-worker can help. Or 

try finding a support group that deals with 

the specific cause of your depression; if it 

was spurred by the recent death of a loved 

one, seek out a local bereavement group. 

• Antidepressants. Women may especially 

benefit from selective serotonin 

reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs, such as 

Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil. Some research 

has shown that women’s brains make less 

of the mood-boosting substance serotonin; 

SSRIs can help you make more. 

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk 

with your healthcare provider about your 

options. 

• Talk therapy. A therapist can help you 

change behavior or perceptions that may 

be contributing to your depression. WHT 


Surgery? Steady now! 

Get your body and mind ready 

Just like a football coach prepares the team 

before a game, you need to prepare your body 

and mind before an operation. Research shows 

that the more prepared and less anxious someone 

is about surgery, the faster that person heals. 

Find out more 

Know what to expect before, during and after 

surgery. As soon as your physician tells you that you 

need an operation, find out the details. Ask: 

• Are there alternatives to surgery? 

• What are the benefits and risks of 

the operation? 

• What if the operation isn’t 

performed? 

• What will happen during 

the surgery? 

Your physician may provide 

you with informational brochures 

or DVDs. These will help you process 

the information at your own pace. 

Allaying anesthesia fears 

One of your worries about surgery likely has to 

do with being “put under” for the procedure. But you 

needn’t be overly concerned. Each year in the United 

States, physicians perform millions of procedures 

involving anesthesia, and the risks are extremely low. 

Anesthesia interrupts the flow of messages carried by 

nerve cells from distant parts of our body to our brain 

to block pain messages. 

“If you’re going in for major surgery, rest 

assured that gone are the days when patients inhaled 

ether through a mask,” says American Society of 

Anesthesiologists board member and board-certified 

anesthesiologist Patricia Davidson, MD. “Today’s 

specialists plan your anesthesia from among dozens of 

gases, vapors and compounds, so you receive anesthetics 

that are the most effective for your 

age, gender, condition and diagnosis.” 

The three basic types of anesthesia are: 

• Local, such as when a dentist 

fills a cavity. Only a small, specific 

part of your body is numbed, and 

you remain fully awake. 

• Regional, such as spinal or epidural 

anesthesia during childbirth. 

This numbs a section of your body. You 

may also receive sedatives intravenously to 

help you relax. You remain awake, but groggy. 

• General, such as for organ surgery or some hip 

replacements. Under careful monitoring, you’re 

induced to sleep with intravenous drugs and then put 

into an unconscious state. General anesthesia is made 

up of at least four compounds to produce four effects: 

unconsciousness, amnesia, pain relief and immobility. 

ASK THE EXPERT 

Featuring Patricia Davidson, MD 

Q: Will I wake up during my operation? 

A: Waking up during surgery, or awareness, is a very rare occurrence: 99.9 percent 

of patients under general anesthesia are completely unaware, according to the American 

Society of Anesthesiologists. Clarify with your anesthesiologist if you’ll be under general 

anesthesia or if you’ll be sedated; in the latter case, you will be somewhat aware. 

Fully discuss your concerns before the procedure, ask questions and share any past 

anesthesia experiences with your anesthesiologist. After surgery, if you think you experienced 

wakefulness during the procedure, tell your anesthesiologist, who can help you 

understand what happened and refer you to a counselor, if necessary. 

14 


medical problems you have 

• all medicines, including aspirin or ibuprofen 

and dietary or herbal supplements you’re taking 

• whether you smoke or drink alcohol or use 

any illegal substances 

• whether you have any food or drug allergies 

• your and your family’s history of anesthesia 

reactions 

❝ 

The more prepared 

and less anxious you 

are about surgery, the faster 

you’ll heal. ❞ 

Separate from anesthesia, physicians also use 

different levels of sedation during procedures or 

testing. Light sedation will calm you, but you’ll 

still be able to readily respond to questions. With 

moderate sedation, you’ll require more prodding 

to respond, while with deep sedation, you’ll be 

able to respond only after significant stimulation. 

“Physicians frequently use deep sedation for quick 

but painful procedures, like setting a bone or some 

colonoscopies,” says Dr. Davidson. 

Information, please 

Before surgery, you’ll meet with the anesthesiologist 

and surgeon to discuss what’s ahead. 

“Remember, general anesthesia affects your entire 

system, so it’s very important to share your complete 

medical history,” says Dr. Davidson. That includes: 

• your current health and any underlying 

Take a deep breath 

Whether your fears revolve around anesthesia, 

the surgery itself or postsurgical concerns, managing 

your stress can also speed recovery. Here’s why: 

Stress raises blood pressure and heart rate, increasing 

the risk of cardiac complications. It may also prevent 

you from eating or sleeping properly, delay wound 

healing and deplete your body’s defenses against 

infection. Stress also worsens pain by tightening muscles 

around the incision. 

Before you go into surgery, imagine your 

recovery. Think about how good you’ll feel after 

your physician fixes your problem. Try to eliminate 

other stresses in your life, like work worries or family 

problems. Relaxation techniques, such as deep 

breathing, meditation and yoga, can help you achieve 

a peaceful state of mind. 

Easing the road to recovery 

Besides getting your mind and body ready for surgery, 

you’ll also need to make sure everything around 

you is prepared. Here are some things to think about: 

• Ask your physician what your physical limitations 

will be after the operation and prepare your 

home accordingly. If stairs will be a factor, set up a 

rest area on the first level of your house. 

• Ask if you can bring some comfort items, like a 

bathrobe or photographs, into your hospital room. 

• Ask loved ones to stay with you before and after 

surgery to help ease your anxiety. WHT 


Easy cancerprevention 

tactics 

You’ve likely heard frequent and often conflicting 

news reports about how certain 

foods, vitamins or drugs may prevent—or 

cause—cancer. No single study can provide 

an answer to what causes or prevents cancer, so you 

shouldn’t change how you care for your health based 

on one news report (unless your physician agrees). 

But research has yielded positive news on the cancer 

prevention front. Here’s what we know: 

• Hepatitis B vaccine. This three- to four-shot 

series protects against contracting hepatitis B, a viral 

infection that may become chronic, leading to liver 

damage and liver cancer. 

• HPV vaccine. This vaccine for girls and young 

women ages 9 to 26 protects against the two types 

of human papillomavirus (more than 100 exist) that 

cause most cases of cervical cancer, as well as the 

two types that cause most genital warts. 

Produce pumps up protection 

The American Cancer Society recommends eating 

five or more servings of fruits and vegetables 

each day as part of a healthy, low-fat diet. 

Some plant foods in particular may reduce colon 

and stomach cancer risk, such as: 

• cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, 

brussels sprouts, kale and cabbage 

• green and dark yellow vegetables like spinach, 

romaine lettuce, carrots, squash and sweet potatoes 

• beans and soybean products 

Vaccines that vanquish cancer 

Because some cancers are triggered by a virus, 

vaccines to prevent certain viral infections can protect 

against cancer. Talk with your physician about: 

A new benefit for a common drug 

The drug raloxifene (brand name Evista), 

widely prescribed to prevent and treat osteoporosis 

in postmenopausal women, also protects against 

invasive breast cancer. Raloxifene is approved by 

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as only 

the second drug to prevent breast cancer. The first, 

tamoxifen, is a better option for premenopausal 

women. 

Research continues, but so far, the most effective 

cancer preventives are those we’ve known for years. 

Lifestyle behaviors like not smoking, getting regular 

activity, protecting your skin from the sun and seeing 

your healthcare provider for timely screenings like 

mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap tests and prostate 

cancer tests shouldn’t be underestimated. WHT 

16 


A positive approach to PMS 

Women endure it, physicians empathize 

with patients suffering from it and 

sitcoms make light of it, but if you’re 

female there’s little chance of avoiding 

it: premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. 

You probably know the signs of PMS: Seven to 

10 days before your period, you notice you’re retaining 

fluid, your breasts are sore, you suddenly crave 

chocolate and you may even need a good cry. In fact, 

physicians say more than 150 symptoms—physical, 

emotional or mental—can be attributed to PMS. 

Then, at the onset of your period, the symptoms 

thankfully retreat for another month. 

Seventy-five percent to 85 percent of menstruating 

women say they experience at least one PMS 

symptom during their monthly cycle. And an estimated 

3 percent to 8 percent of menstruating women 

suffer a type of PMS—premenstrual dysphoric 

disorder—so severe it affects their daily functioning. 

Most PMS is treatable 

As of yet, no tests can help physicians diagnose 

PMS. In addition, the severity of symptoms varies 

among women and can be different in the same woman 

from month to month. PMS usually sets in after age 20 

and can become a regular occurrence until menopause. 

Physicians believe PMS is somehow linked to the 

interaction of the brain and the ovaries. Beyond that, 

little else has been established. However, you can make 

some lifestyle changes to find relief from PMS, such as: 

• eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates, 

such as leafy vegetables, whole grains and fruit 

• exercising several times each week for a better 

mind‐set, more self-esteem and greater physical 

resistance to symptoms 

• using less salt to minimize bloating and swelling 

• decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption 

to reduce irritability 

• practicing relaxation through yoga, deep 

breathing or meditation 

• taking supplements of chewable calcium 

(1,200 mg/day) and magnesium (400 mg/day), which 

have been shown to reduce bloating, moodiness and 

breast soreness by as much as 50 percent 

• getting sufficient sleep to reduce stress and 

restore yourself 

Several medications can also treat PMS effectively. 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—or 

NSAIDs—relieve cramps and breast pain, although 

their long-term use may cause stomach problems. 

You might also ask your physician if diuretics to 

relieve fluid retention are appropriate for you. Low 

doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors 

(SSRIs) such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil have 

reduced PMS symptoms in up to 70 percent of 

patients. What’s more, they can sometimes be taken 

just a couple of weeks each month. WHT 

Don’t suffer in silence! 

Talk with your physician about which treatments for PMS may be 

right for you. If you need an Ob/Gyn or a primary care physician, 

call The Christ Hospital physician referral line at 513-585-1000. 


Healthy moves 

Which exercise is 

best for you? 

Answer these simple questions to find out 

Do you want to lose weight? Boost 

aerobic fitness? Prevent disease? 

Build strength? Maybe you want 

to do all four—or more. Knowing 

your fitness goals can help you plan an exercise 

program that matches your needs. 

Get started by circling all the numbered 

statements that apply to you and reading the 

corresponding recommendations. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

I’m concerned about a family or personal history of one or 

more of the following: 

• high blood pressure 

• high cholesterol 

• diabetes 

• stroke 

• heart disease or heart attacks 

• osteoporosis 

• stress, anxiety and depression 

• colon cancer 

I’m not very active. 

I’m concerned about one or more of the following: 

• losing my ability to function independently 

• falling or injuring myself 

• having stiff, sore muscles 

I’m interested in: 

• reducing flabbiness 

• increasing muscle strength 

• building bone mass 

I’d like to: 

• become exceptionally fit 

• get maximum protection against heart disease 

• participate in strenuous activities without tiring 

I don’t have much time to exercise. 

7 

8 

9 

10 

I’m worried about injuring myself during exercise. 

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

I’d like to extend my life span. 

I want to lose weight. 

© istockphoto.com/Cloki 

18 


❝ 

Knowing your fitness goals can help 

you plan an exercise program that matches 

your needs. ❞ 

If you circled… 

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

1 

Staying healthy is a priority. To 

help prevent or control the 

listed conditions, aim for regular 

moderate activity. Try walking 

(3-4 mph), swimming, cycling 

(under 10 mph), dancing, yard 

work or housecleaning. And keep 

the acronym “FIT” in mind: 

Frequency: at least five 

times a week. 

Intensity: at 

50 percent to 

85 percent of your 

maximum heart 

rate. (To find your 

maximum heart rate, 

subtract your age from 220. Then 

multiply that figure by 0.5 to 0.85 to 

find your optimal beats per minute.) 

Time: at least 30 minutes a day. 

2 

You may have the most to gain 

from getting active. If you find 

a 30-minute block of activity daunting, 

try for three 10-minute sessions 

each day. 

3 

Stretching exercises will help 

maintain flexibility and range 

of motion well into your later years. 

Aim for two or more sessions 

a week of strengthening 

activities. Old-fashioned 

calisthenics, handheld weights or 

weight machines are some of the 

tools you can use to build muscles. 

5 

Peak performance—and 

maximum disease prevention—is 

your aim. That means a 

more vigorous workout that may 

include brisk walking, lap swimming 

and competitive sports. Whatever 

activity you choose, aim for working 

at 60 percent to 90 percent of your 

maximum heart rate at least 

30 minutes a day. 

6 

4 

Try sneaking fitness into your 

daily routine. Take a half-hour 

walk at lunchtime. Take the stairs 

instead of the elevator. Use a hand 

mower. Every minute—and every 

movement—counts. 

7 

Your fear is no reason to 

remain inactive. The trick: 

Choose varied activities that match 

your fitness level, wear proper 

footwear and protective gear and 

remember to start low and go slow. 

Soon, confidence will outweigh your 

initial fear. 

8 

Your best bet is a complete 

program that includes aerobic, 

flexibility and strength-training 

exercises. Commitment to a total 

program will help you feel, look and 

act young. 

9 

You’ll be happy to hear that 

moderate levels of physical 

fitness can help extend your life span. 

Better news: The more active you 

are, the greater the benefit. 

10 

Follow a healthful diet, and 

do aerobic and muscle- 

strengthening exercises regularly. 

Aerobic exercises help burn calories, 

while muscle-strengthening 

exercises help increase lean body 

mass and boost metabolism. 


Breathe 

easy 

Reduce your risk of COPD 

It’s the fourth leading cause of death in the United 

States, killing more women than men, yet many 

people haven’t even heard of chronic obstructive 

pulmonary disease (COPD). 

COPD is a term used to describe a group of 

lung diseases, usually chronic bronchitis and emphysema, 

that make it difficult to breathe. In 90 percent 

of COPD cases, cigarette smoking is the cause. 

Experts think the increase in female smokers since 

the 1940s may be to blame for the rise in COPD 

deaths among women. Other causes of COPD 

include on-the-job exposure to dust and chemicals. 

But COPD doesn’t just affect your breathing. 

It can also cause pulmonary hypertension and heart 

problems and put you at greater risk for lung cancer 

and depression. 

Looking for signs 

COPD can be difficult to catch early. It develops 

slowly, so symptoms may not appear until middle 

age, when the lungs have usually already suffered 

significant damage. Over time, the following symptoms 

of COPD get worse: 

• cough that won’t go away 

• cough accompanied by mucus 

• shortness of breath or wheezing 

• chest tightness 

• recurring respiratory infections 

If you have any of these symptoms, see your 

healthcare provider immediately. He or she can perform 

breathing tests to rule out other conditions, 

such as asthma, and confirm COPD. 

Prevention is key 

Prevention is essential, as there’s no cure for 

COPD, though medications and other therapies 

can help you live more fully with the condition. To 

reduce your risk: 

∆ Kick butt. Better your odds of quit-smoking 

success by being prepared: 

• Set a quit date and mark it on your calendar. 

• Start to cut back before your quit date. 

• Ask your healthcare provider for help; this 

may include advice about over-the-counter quitsmoking 

aids or prescription medications. 

• Consider joining a smoking cessation program 

or support group. 

• Throw out all smoking paraphernalia, such as 

ashtrays and lighters, and avoid places where people 

smoke. 

• Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms—they’ll 

eventually subside. 

• Eat healthfully and exercise to avoid weight 

gain. Many people are tempted to go back to cigarettes 

when the scale starts to creep up. 

∆ Stay away from smoke. If you’re a nonsmoker, 

avoid secondhand smoke to reduce your risk of 

developing COPD. 

∆ Protect yourself at work. If your job exposes you 

to chemical fumes or dust, talk with your manager 

about ways to reduce your exposure, such as wearing 

a mask. WHT 

20 


7 

smart things 

you can do for your baby 

How you treat your infant now can affect his or her 

health, safety and intelligence throughout childhood 

and beyond. Consider these recommendations: 

1Breastfeed. The Surgeon General recommends 

that all babies be breastfed exclusively for the first 

four to six months (preferably six). Research shows 

that babies who aren’t breastfed exclusively are more likely 

to have more upper respiratory and ear infections, and 

breastfed babies may be less likely to develop diabetes, 

asthma or certain childhood cancers. 

4Go back to sleep. The American Academy of 

Pediatrics recommends that all babies sleep on 

their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant 

death syndrome (SIDS). Other ways to reduce SIDS risk: 

Use a firm crib mattress; remove pillows, stuffed animals 

and comforters from the crib; and use infant sleep 

sacks instead of loose blankets. 

2Properly install the car 

seat. Baby car safety 

is so important that 

hospitals don’t release newborns 

without car seats. But 

research shows that most 

people don’t install the seats 

properly, which can lead to 

death or serious injury during 

an accident. See whether 

your local police or fire station 

offers free installation. 

5Fight germs. Infants 

don’t have fully 

developed immune 

systems, so they need to 

avoid people with contagious 

illnesses. Insist that 

anyone who touches your 

baby wash his or her hands 

first, especially if they’ve 

sneezed, coughed, gone to 

the bathroom, changed a 

diaper or touched a pet. 

3Give baby enough iron. Iron deficiency, 

which can cause anemia, is 

the most common nutritional deficiency in 

this country. In infants, it can delay movement and mental 

function. Your baby should get enough if you breastfeed 

for 12 months and introduce iron-fortified infant cereal at 

6 months. Or, use an iron-fortified formula. 

6Vaccinate. Babies are vulnerable 

to many diseases. Stay on pace 

with the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention-recommended schedule. Don’t 

forget the flu shot: All children ages 6 months through 

18 years need one every year. 

7Childproof your home. When your baby can crawl, make sure 

your home is safe. Crawl around to see the world through his 

or her eyes; remove dangerous items from reach; and consider 

installing safety latches on cabinets, soft bumpers on table corners, 

safety gates at stairways and child-proof covers on electrical outlets. 


Healthy bites 

Just-picked dishes 

Take advantage of the season’s fresh crop! 

The good news about fresh vegetables: You 

don’t have to grow them yourself to benefit 

from Mother Nature’s bounty. Here’s what 

some of summer’s most popular crops have 

to offer: 

Arugula. A deep green salad vegetable, arugula 

is a good source of the antioxidant beta-carotene. It’s 

rich in calcium, too—64 milligrams in 2 cups raw. 

Bell peppers. Surprisingly, red bell peppers 

provide three times as much vitamin C as oranges. 

Nutrient dense, they’re also good sources of vitamins 

A, B6 (an especially heart-healthy nutrient), betacarotene 

and folate (another 

“heart-y” vitamin). 

Eggplant. This vegetable’s 

main virtue is robust 

flavor and super satisfaction 

for very few calories and no 

fat—a boon to any 

heart-healthy diet. 

However, eggplant 

absorbs more 

fat than any 

other vegetable, 

so 

choose your 

cooking method 

wisely. Try broiling, 

roasting, grilling 

or stewing rather than 

frying. Or give this ratatouille 

a try: 

• 1 unpeeled eggplant, chopped 

• 1 cup chopped bell peppers 

• 1 cup chopped tomatoes 

• 1 cup chopped summer squash 

• 1 chopped onion 

• 2 tbsp. olive oil 

• 1 tbsp. each fresh oregano, basil and thyme 

In a large saucepan, sauté eggplant, peppers, 

tomatoes, squash and onion in olive oil until they 

begin to release their own juices. Add the herbs, salt 

and pepper to taste, cover the pan and simmer about 

20 minutes or until tender. 

Enjoy ratatouille as 

a warm or cold side dish, 

toss with pasta or puree for 

soup. 

Gardening ranks 

right up there 

with playing volleyball 

or brisk walking when it 

comes to calories 

burned. 

Peas. If you want a sweet 

and satisfying low-calorie source 

of protein, think peas. About ¾ cup 

of peas contains as much protein as an 

egg and less than a 

gram of fat. Try this classic 

preparation: 

lettuce 

• 1 head Bibb or Boston 

• 2 cups shelled green peas 

• ¼ cup chicken broth 

• fresh herbs, as desired 

Wash but don’t dry the 

lettuce leaves. Line a saucepan 

with one layer of lettuce 

leaves. Spread the shelled peas 

on the lettuce lining and season 

with herbs, salt and pepper to taste. Add broth. 

Cover peas with another layer of lettuce leaves. 

Cover the pan, and cook peas over medium heat for 

15 minutes, or until tender. Before serving, chop lettuce 

and toss with the peas. 

Romaine lettuce. Rich in vitamins A and C and 

folate, romaine is a more nutritious alternative to 

pale iceberg lettuce. In general, the darker green the 

leaves, the more nutrient-packed the salad green. 

Snap beans. Green and wax beans are chockfull 

of beta-carotene and vitamin C. They’re also 

good sources of heart-healthy folate. 

Summer squash. Thin-skinned and light- 

colored, summer squashes (varieties include zucchini, 

pattypan and chayote) are a mild but refreshing 

22 


Good reasons to 

grow your own 

Need an incentive for cultivating your 

own garden this year? Here are three: 

• You can reduce your risk of heart 

attack. Gardening just 30 to 45 minutes 

three times a week can decrease your 

blood pressure, increase your HDL 

cholesterol (the good kind) and help 

reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. 

• You’ll burn calories. In fact, gardening 

ranks right up there with playing 

volleyball, brisk walking or golfing when 

it comes to average number of calories 

burned (from a low of 125 calories/hour 

for a 120-pound person to 328 calories/ 

hour for a 180-pound person—more if 

your weight exceeds 180). 

• You’ll ease stress and anxiety, 

sharpen your mental skills and derive satisfaction 

from seeing your garden grow. 

18-calorie-a-cup addition to many dishes. Eat squashes 

with their skins to reap the beta-carotene benefit. 

Tomatoes. A leading source of vitamin C, 

tomatoes are heralded as a good-for-your-heart food. 

That’s because they contain lycopene, an antioxidant 

that appears to have heart-protective powers. To 

benefit from lycopene, the tomatoes must be cooked. 

So try this easy fresh tomato and basil sauce: 

• 1 chopped onion 

• 1 tbsp. olive oil 

• 3 cups chopped ripe tomatoes (peel and seed 

before chopping) 

• 1 /3 cup chopped fresh basil 

In a medium saucepan, sauté chopped onion in 

olive oil until translucent. Add chopped tomatoes 

and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Lower the 

heat, add basil and simmer the sauce for 30 minutes 

or until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve with pasta, toss with cooked vegetables or use 

as a pizza topping. WHT 


Health smarts 

Serious smoking stats 

More than 25 years ago, the U.S. Surgeon General 

stated, “Cigarette smoking is the major single 

cause of cancer mortality in the United States.” 

Unfortunately, this statement is still true today. 

While most everyone is aware of the obvious dangers of 

smoking, many people still can’t kick this habit, sometimes 

for lack of knowledge. 

Do you and your loved ones know all you need to 

know about smoking? Test yourself by answering true 

or false to these statements and checking the answers. 

True or false? 

{1} There is no safe way to smoke cigarettes. 

{2} The nicotine in tobacco causes cancer. 

{3} There’s no danger in smoking without inhaling. 

{4} No matter how long someone smokes, quitting is 

still beneficial. 

{5} Smokers are all alone in their efforts to quit. 

Answers 

{1} True. Even smoking as few as one 

to four cigarettes a day can still 

lead to an increased risk of heart 

disease and a shorter life span. 

Switching to a low-tar or 

low-nicotine cigarette doesn’t 

make smoking safer, since 

people often end up puffing 

more cigarettes to get the same 

nicotine dose. Smoking cigars, 

pipes or hand-rolled, menthol or 

clove cigarettes isn’t safe either: 

Any kind of smoking can harm the 

human body. 

{2} False. While it’s the nicotine that’s 

addictive to smokers, it’s not what causes cancer. 

Tobacco and tobacco smoke is made up of more than 

4,000 chemicals, of which more than 60 cause cancer. 

Some of these carcinogens include arsenic, benzene, 

cadmium, chromium, nickel and vinyl chloride. 

{3} False. Cigarette smoke harms any living tissue it 

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! 

comes in contact with. In fact, pipe and 

cigar smokers, who usually don’t 

inhale, are at risk for cancers of 

the lip, mouth and tongue. Plus, 

inhaling your own secondhand 

smoke puts you at risk for lung 

cancer. 

{4} True. In just 20 minutes 

after your last cigarette, your 

body gets healthier: both your 

heart rate and blood pressure 

drop. In 12 hours, your blood’s 

carbon monoxide level falls to normal. 

The benefits increase steadily 

with time, until at the 15-year mark, your 

risk of coronary heart disease is equal to that of a 

non-smoker. 

{5} False. Start with the American Cancer Society at 

www.cancer.org or the American Heart Association at 

www.americanheart.org for a wealth of support. Search 

on both sites for “quit smoking” to find all you need. 

24 


Stay informed 

Stay connected 

Stay healthy 

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TM

I 

FEEL 

BETTER 

ALREADY. 

{I’m back to my life just days after surgery.} 

At The Christ Hospital, the da Vinci ® Surgical System lets us perform 

gynecologic surgeries with less pain, fewer complications and a faster 

recovery. With your surgeon’s hands controlling our state-of-the-art 

robotic platform, complex surgeries like hysterectomies and treatment 

of endometriosis, uterine fibroids and gynecological cancers can now be 

performed with unmatched precision through the tiniest of incisions. 

And now these surgeries are performed in an environment designed 

specifically for women—our newly renovated Women’s Surgery Center. 

Here, our patients enjoy private rooms and special comforts, as well as 

the very latest surgical technology. 

To learn more about robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery at 

The Christ Hospital, please visit us on the Web at 

www.TheChristHospital.com/RoboticAssistedSurgery. 

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

513-585-1000 

Caring Above All ṢM 

2139 Auburn Avenue | Cincinnati, OH 45219 | 513-585-2000

Marg helgenberger's - The Christ Hospital

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