Gabrielle Union - The Christ Hospital

women s 

S u m m e r 2 0 1 0 

health today 

Postpregnancy 

surprises 

things you 

need now 

for a healthy 

summer 

Stay injury-free! 

How to play it safe 

Gabrielle 

Union 

Learning from life 

see page 10 

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{And now I know heart attack signs for women are different.} 

Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for emergency 

Heart Attack Signs for Women 

Chest pain and discomfort 

Shortness of breath 

Nausea/vomiting 

Back or jaw pain 

Fatigue 

room visits. That’s why we’ve created the Chest Pain Center at 

The Christ Hospital Heart and Vascular Center — the first and only 

center in Cincinnati to receive full accreditation from the Society 

of Chest Pain Centers. A woman’s symptoms for a heart attack can 

present differently from a man’s. Here, our team is specially trained 

in evaluating women to quickly diagnose their source of pain and 

deliver the best course of care. 

To schedule a $99 Heart CT Scan to determine heart attack risk, 

call 513.585.2668. 

Caring Above All ṢM 

2139 Auburn Avenue | Cincinnati, OH 45219 | www.TheChristHospital.com/heartandvascular

in this issue... 

s u m m e r 2 0 1 0 

>> Features 

4 

Women die 

of heart 

attacks, too 

3 What’s behind your 

pelvic pain? 

4 Women die of heart 

attacks, too 

How can you prevent one? 

5 Normal aging or 

something else? 

Keeping tabs on your 

parents’ health 

8 Tough talks 

How to tell your physician 

about embarrassing problems 

10 Gabrielle’s guidelines 

No-nonsense healthy living! 

16 Sweet talking 

Tips for battling 

bad breath 

17 Top joint injuries 

and how to avoid them 

20 Hormone help 

Balancing the scales 

21 Summer essentials 

4 warm-weather must-haves 

22 Postpartum problems? 

Join the club! 

>> Departments 

© istockphoto.com/John Krajewski/Javier Fontanella/Judy Picciotto 

2 LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER 

You’re never alone! 

6 HEALTH HEADLINES 

What’s making news 

in women’s health 

9 SEX & GENDER MATTERS 

Chickenpox isn’t just 

for kids 

Look out for shingles 

14 HEALTHY BITES 

Exotic harvest 

Take a vacation from the 

usual fruits and veggies 

18 HEALTHY MOVES 

In fitness and in health 

Double the pleasure and 

shape up together 

14 

Exotic 

harvest 

21 

Summer 

essentials 

18 

In fitness 

and in health 

24 HEALTH SMARTS 

Can you hear me now? 

www.womenshealthexperience.com

Printed With Soy Ink 

Please Recycle This Publication 

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER 

women s 

health today 

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. 

Keep it 

coming! 

We’re updating our 

mailing list and want 

to ensure our loyal 

readers continue 

to receive Women’s 

Health Today. 

To continue your 

complimentary subscription, 

visit www. 

TheChristHospital. 

com/women and 

complete the online 

form, or call us at 

513-585-1000. (If 

you’ve already called 

or subscribed online, 

there’s no need to 

do so again.) We 

look forward to 

providing you with 

important and timely 

health information! 

You’re never alone! 

>> If you’re a new mom and wonder why 

you’re not feeling as joyous as those 

women you see in magazines and on television, 

don’t fret. While more than 10 percent of 

women struggle with postpartum depression, many 

women also experience other somewhat troubling 

post-pregnancy health problems. A national expert 

offers his opinion on issues ranging from hair loss 

to wrist pain and more in “Postpartum problems?” 

(page 22) to help set your worries to rest. 

Enjoy the season! 

Now that summer is upon us, get out there 

and enjoy the great outdoors. But don’t forget to 

be safe! Before you pick up that tennis racket or 

golf club, read “Top joint injuries” on page 17 to 

learn how to prevent knee, ankle, shoulder and 

wrist injuries. Then, move on to page 18 for tips 

on how you and your significant other can get or 

stay fit together (“In fitness and in health”). 

As you prepare to enjoy the sun and fun, be 

sure you’ve stocked up on the medicine-cabinet 

must-haves in “Summer essentials” on page 21. 

And, after you’ve worked up an appetite from 

all your healthy activity, consult page 14’s “Exotic 

harvest” for some ideas on new fruits and 

vegetables to try. 

In just those few pages, Women’s Health 

Today can help you plan your safe summer day! 

You’ll find more interesting and important health 

topics throughout this issue. If there’s a topic 

you’d like to read about that we haven’t covered 

yet, let me know. I’d love to hear from you! 

Sincerely, 

Mickey M. Karram, MD 

PRESIDENT AND Co-Founder 

Foundation for Female Health Awareness 

the magazine of 

the foundation for female health awareness 

Founders 

Mickey M. Karram, MD / Mona Karram 

National Advisory Board 

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 

The Christ Hospital STAFF 

President and CEO Susan Croushore 

Chief Business Development Officer Victor DiPilla 

Chief Hospital Officer Deborah Hayes 

Chief Strategy and Mission Officer Heather Adkins 

Chief Medical Officer Berc Gawne, MD 

Editor Arin Kraemer 

customer service 

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 6, Issue 3. 

© 2010 by The Christ Hospital and the Foundation for 

Female Health Awareness. All rights reserved. 

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. 

recycle-logo_2options_v2.ai 

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, 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. 


Cover: Gabrielle Union 

© 2010 Jack Chuck/CORBIS OUTLINE 


 

women’s health today 


Please Recycle This Publication

Fibroids 

What’s 

behind your 

pelvic pain? 

Endometriosis 

Pelvic inflammatory disease 

By Kevin Fitzgerald, MD 

>> Pain is your body’s way of saying something 

isn’t quite right. But when it comes to pelvic pain, 

it can be hard to pin down exactly what’s wrong. And 

because you may be accustomed to some monthly pelvic 

discomfort, you may not realize that your symptoms 

aren’t what they used to be. When your pain changes, 

worsens, affects your daily life or seems to come with new 

symptoms, make an appointment with your physician. 

Some common causes of pelvic pain include: 

Endometriosis. When endometrial tissue grows 

outside the uterus on your ovaries, fallopian tubes or 

other pelvic structures, it may cause pain and cramping 

and painful periods with heavy bleeding. You may also 

have back or abdominal pain; pain with bowel movements 

or urination; or sharp, deep pelvic pain during 

intercourse. 

Ovarian cysts 

Caring Above All for women! 

The experts at The Christ Hospital Women’s Surgery Center 

perform more minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries than 

any other hospital in the region, including laparoscopic 

surgery, minimally invasive and single-incision hysterectomy 

and robotic-assisted surgery. We strive to always offer 

women more—through our commitment to the newest 

procedures, the latest technology and to Caring Above All. SM 

To learn more about minimally invasive surgery and to 

discuss your options with a physician, call 513-585-1000. 

© istockphoto.com/nasenmann 

Fibroids. One in four women with these benign 

uterine tumors experiences symptoms that may include 

pelvic pressure or pain, heavy or prolonged periods, 

spotting, frequent urination, constipation and back or 

leg pain. 

Ovarian cysts. You may feel a dull ache in your 

lower back and thighs, heaviness in your abdomen 

or pressure on your rectum or bladder. Most cysts 

disappear within a few menstrual cycles. Sometimes, 

though, one will continue to grow and may rupture or 

twist—causing sudden, sharp or worsening pelvic or 

abdominal pain. 

Pelvic inflammatory disease. With this bacterial 

infection, you may feel pain in your lower belly and 

pain during a pelvic exam or intercourse. You may also 

have a fever, irregular bleeding and unusual discharge. 

See your physician for a thorough exam during 

which he or she may also check for bladder or other 

infections, pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome or 

nerve disorders. The sooner you seek treatment, the 

sooner you’ll enjoy relief. WHT 

>> Kevin Fitzgerald, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist with The Christ Hospital. 


Women die of 

heart attacks, too 

How can you prevent one? 

>> While women are typically 

the nurturers in the family, 

many forget to take care of 

themselves. That’s why for some 

women, the first symptom of heart 

disease is a heart attack. 

Many women simply don’t 

connect their risk factors and their 

own chance of developing heart 

disease. In addition, heart disease 

looks and acts differently in women 

than it does in men. Typical symptoms 

tend to be more vague and 

may include: 

• chest discomfort, pressure or 

achiness instead of crushing chest 

pain 

We treat your heart here 

• a burning sensation in the chest 

or upper abdomen 

• shortness of breath, irregular 

heartbeat, nausea, jaw pain, 

dizziness, sweating or fatigue 

If you experience these 

symptoms, it’s important to 

call 911 immediately and be 

sure to tell the paramedics 

to take you to a “heart 

hospital” or a hospital that 

has experience in treating 

heart attacks. The American 

College of Cardiology and 

American Heart Association 

(ACC/AHA) guidelines recommend 

treatment within 

The Christ Hospital has the only accredited Chest Pain Center in 

Greater Cincinnati that specializes in chest pain and heart attack 

treatment. We consistently treat heart attack patients at or below the 

90-minute ACC/AHA guideline. To learn more and receive “A Woman’s 

Signs of Heart Attack” magnet, call 513-585-1000. 

90 minutes in order to alleviate 

major heart muscle damage. That 

means 90 minutes from the time 

you get to the hospital to the time 

the physician is able to open your 

blocked artery in the cardiac 

catheterization lab. 

Be on guard 

Don’t let a heart attack sneak 

up on you. Take control of your 

health: 

Are you 

at risk? 

Find out your risk for heart 

disease today. Visit www. 

TheChristHospital.com/ 

heartaware for a free risk 

assessment and more. 

• Make an appointment with your 

healthcare provider to discuss 

your personal risk factors such 

as your family heart history, age, 

smoking status, exercise habits, 

weight, waist size, blood pressure, 

cholesterol and blood sugar. 

• Get screened. The Christ Hospital 

also offers a $99 heart computed 

tomography (CT) scan. Using a 

low dose of radiation with a 64- 

slice CT scanner, this quick, painless 

test can detect cholesterol 

buildup in the arteries. These 

tests are performed at The Christ 

Hospital and The Christ Hospital 

Imaging Center on Redbank Road. 

Heart CT scans can be scheduled 

by calling 513-585-2668. WHT 

© istockphoto.com/John Krajewski 

 

women’s health today

Normal aging 

or something 

else? 

Keeping tabs on your 

parents’ health 

By Jason Graff, MD, and Robert Keyes, MD 

>> Perhaps you’ve noticed your mom has lost 

weight, seems weaker and is a bit confused lately. 

Although it could be part of normal aging, these symptoms 

can also be attributed to other medical causes. For 

example, she may be suffering from depression. Perhaps 

a medication side effect is causing her sudden confusion. 

Memory issues 

Some minor memory changes that don’t impair daily 

activities or quality of life—such as taking longer to 

recall a person’s name or finding the right word—can 

be normal with age. But not remembering the right 

road to take to the grocery store or not being aware 

of a memory lapse can be a sign of another problem. 

While getting older is inevitable, many changes and 

declines we associate with aging may be the result of 

treatable conditions. 

What to discuss 

When symptoms occur, begin discussing your 

concerns with your parent and encourage him or her 

to visit a primary care physician. Even insomnia and 

frequent urination warrant a trip to the physician 

because these problems are often not age-related. Your 

mom may insist she’s fine, but consider otherwise if 

you spot any of these warning signs: 

• physical unsteadiness, shuffling steps, dizziness 

• muscle weakness 

• weight loss or gain 

• bruising 

• confusion 

• increased memory problems 

• social withdrawal 

• insomnia 

• incontinence 

• increased urination or other urinary problems 

• a struggle to perform tasks like taking medication, 

paying bills or following a recipe 

• poor judgment 

• uncharacteristic behavior such as irritability, worry, 

anger, agitation or suspicion 

By taking action now, you can help your parent take 

steps to prevent further disability and learn to recognize 

when he or she may benefit from a geriatrician, 

a physician who specializes in caring for aging adults. 

You, along with your parent’s geriatrician and care 

team, can help your parent improve his or her function 

and enjoy life. WHT 

We can help you help them! 

The new Center for Health and Aging at The Christ Hospital 

can help by serving as a consultant or your parents’ sole 

primary care provider. To learn more or to schedule an 

appointment, call 513-272-8444. 

>> Jason Graff, MD (left), and Robert Keyes, MD, are board-certified internists 

and geriatricians with The Christ Hospital Center for Health and Aging. 


Health Headlines 

>> what’s making news in women’s health 

Aspirin benefits 

breast cancer patients 

Besides being used as a 

painkiller, aspirin is popular for 

its cardiovascular benefits, helping 

to prevent heart attacks and 

strokes in men and women. 

Now aspirin may have another 

use: reducing the risk of death 

after breast cancer. Harvard 

researchers found that of more 

than 4,000 women diagnosed 

with breast cancer from 1976 

to 2002, those who took aspirin 

regularly—mostly to prevent 

heart attacks and stroke—had 

a 50 percent lower risk of dying 

from breast cancer or having 

the cancer spread than women 

who weren’t taking aspirin. The 

results suggest that nonsteroidal 

anti-inflammatory drugs like 

ibuprofen might have a similar 

benefit. Researchers think it may 

be due to the drugs’ ability to 

reduce inflammation (chronic 

inflammation can promote cancer 

growth). However, they note 

that because of the side-effect 

risks, aspirin shouldn’t be taken 

without a doctor’s supervision 

and it should be avoided if 

you’re undergoing chemotherapy 

or radiation. The research was 

part of the Nurses’ Health 

Study, an ongoing investigation 

into many health conditions. 

Women aren’t 

taking this 

message to heart 

The message seems to be 

everywhere: Heart disease is 

the No. 1 killer of women. The 

American Heart Association’s 

(AHA’s) Go Red For Women 

campaign focuses on educating 

women and reducing heart disease 

and stroke. Despite these 

and other efforts, almost 50 percent 

of all American women still 

aren’t aware that heart disease is 

their top cause of 

death, reports 

an AHA survey. 

The survey 

also found 

that only half 

of women could 

identify heart 

attack symptoms, and 

slightly more than half would call 

911 if they were experiencing 

warning signs (nausea; jaw pain; 

or pain, tightness or squeezing in 

the chest). Researchers say heart 

experts need to come up with 

different ways to communicate 

prevention messages—perhaps 

through community programs 

or social networking sites like 

Facebook and Twitter. Women 

also need to be proactive about 

their heart health, making sure to 

eat healthfully and exercise. And 

if you think you may be having 

a heart attack, don’t hesitate in 

calling 911. 

Images on pages 6 and 7 © istockphoto.com/Medobear/Kutay Tanir/Carrie Wendel/Rich Legg/VisualField 

 


Can running be 

in your blood? 

Have you always found it easy to run that 5K? There could be 

a genetic reason for your talent. A small study of track-and-field 

athletes found that those who did well in marathons and similar 

activities had a variation in the NRF2 gene, which has been 

shown to boost energy and lessen the effects of inflammation. 

Researchers looked at 155 athletes and discovered that among 

Olympic-level athletes, 80 percent of those who did well in 

endurance sports had the variation, compared to 46 percent 

of sprinters. More research is needed to determine specifically 

what role the gene plays in your athletic performance. 

Young women: Don’t 

drink and drive! 

While most drunk drivers 

are men, women who have had 

a few too many are still getting 

behind the wheel. Researchers 

at Yale University and other 

institutions, using United States 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration data, found that the 

number of female drivers involved 

in fatal crashes increased between 

1995 and 2007 for 19- to 20- 

year-olds and 21- to 24-year-olds, 

while men either experienced no 

change or saw rates decrease. 

Experts blame social pressures for 

the increase, as women turn 

to drugs and alcohol to 

lose inhibitions and 

feel like they’re 

part of the crowd. 

They recommend 

drunk-driving 

messages be 

geared toward young 

women—for example, 

stressing that 

driving drunk puts 

others in danger 

and can lead to 

prison time or result 

in disfigurement or 

other disabling injuries. 

The number of female drivers involved 

in fatal crashes increased between 

1995 and 2007 for 19- to 20-year-olds 

and 21- to 24-year-olds. 


Tough talks 

How to tell your physician about embarrassing problems 

>> Talking with your healthcare 

provider about your sex 

life, unusual bowel movements 

or feelings of depression is 

never easy. Revealing that you’re 

the victim of domestic violence or 

that you have a drinking problem 

can be even tougher. Yet all relate 

to your health and warrant medical 

attention. Getting the proper treatment 

begins with an honest dialogue. 

The next time you have an 

embarrassing question or problem, 

remember these tips: 

• Find an understanding healthcare 

provider. Some women 

prefer talking to other 

women; others just want 

a compassionate listener. 

Remember, the physician 

should be there to 

help you, not to judge or 

preach. 

• Keep in mind that your physician 

has heard it before. No matter 

how upsetting a problem might 

seem, your physician has most 

likely dealt with it several times 

before—especially if he or she has 

been in practice for a while. 

• Bring visual aids. If you’re having 

trouble launching the conversation, 

consider showing him or her an 

article about your problem. 

• Write down details and questions. 

Whether it’s changes in bowel 

movements, depression or sexual 

dysfunction, describe what you’re 

experiencing and when it started, 

so you have a clear picture of 

what’s going on and can answer 

your physician’s questions. Listing 

your own questions will help you 

get the answers you’re seeking. 

Describe 

what you’re 

experiencing 

and when it 

started. 

• Use the right words. While you 

don’t need to get too technical, 

it can help if you describe your 

problem with the right anatomical 

terms and a good description of 

your symptoms. 

• Talk about the effects on your life. 

How have changes in your bowel 

patterns affected your life or the 

lack of desire impacted your relationship? 

The answers will help 

your physician assess the seriousness 

of your problem, which will 

help determine treatment. WHT 

Time to take action! 

Now that you’re armed with these tough-talk tips, 

it’s time to schedule your appointment. To find 

the right primary care physician or specialist for 

you, call The Christ Hospital physician referral line 

at 513-585-1000. 

 


Sex & Gender Matters 

>> By Jennifer Wider, MD 

The latest findings on women-specific health 

from the Society for Women’s Health Research 

Chickenpox 

isn’t just 

for kids 

Look out for shingles 

>> Thought you were done with chickenpox as 

a kid? Think again. Shingles, a disease caused by the 

same virus as chickenpox, affects roughly 1 million 

Americans each year. As people age, their risk of getting 

shingles increases, yet many people are completely 

unaware of the disease. 

After a person gets the chickenpox (most often 

during childhood) the inactivated virus can live on 

in certain nerve cells in the body. In healthy people, 

the body’s immune system usually keeps the virus at 

bay. As people age or their immune system becomes 

compromised, the virus can reactivate and result in 

shingles. Although seniors are at higher risk, shingles 

can affect people of all ages. 

What to look for 

The first signs of shingles may not be visually 

noticeable. People often experience tingling, burning, 

itching or pain and will break out in a rash. Some people 

experience post-herpetic neuralgia, long-term nerve 

pain that can persist for months or even years after the 

initial rash. The older a person gets, the more he or 

she is at risk for post-herpetic neuralgia. 

Shingles patients are often given analgesics along 

with antiviral medications for treatment. Antiviral medicines 

for shingles may help speed up healing and reduce 

pain in some patients. Treatment should begin within 

72 hours of the onset of symptoms if possible. WHT 

Caution for older women 

While the disease affects the sexes equally, its greater 

impact on older adults should capture the attention of 

women. “Women make up almost 70 percent of the 

population 85 years and older, so any condition that 

is prone to strike older people is of special concern to 

women,” says Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, president 

and chief executive officer of the Society for Women’s 

Health Research. “Older Americans should talk to their 

healthcare providers about their risk for shingles.” 

Learn more! 

The Society for Women’s Health Research 

(SWHR), a national nonprofit organization based 

in Washington, D.C., is widely recognized as the 

thought leader in research on sex differences and 

is dedicated to improving women’s health through 

advocacy, education and research. To find this 

article and more, visit www.swhr.org. 

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


I like to look like 

a woman and not 

be reed thin. I like 

to look like I have 

a butt and hips. 

10 women’s health today

N o - n o n s e n s e h e a l t h y l i v i n g ! 

B y B o n n i e S i e g l e r 

© Roberto D’Este/Corbis Outline 

>> At age 37, actress Gabrielle Union has 

learned from her past experiences—some 

good, some bad—and she’s always come 

out a winner. Case in point: She turned a 

violent episode at age 19 into an opportunity 

to use her celebrity as an advocate for rape 

crisis centers throughout America. 

And her family history of diabetes has 

put Union on the fast track to healthy 

eating. “A lot of my family illnesses stem 

from obesity, and diabetes is rampant in my 

family,” says the Neutrogena spokesperson 

and co-star of ABC’s now-defunct sci-fi series 

“FlashForward.” “That’s why I’m diligent 

about working out and eating right. I’m aware 

of my genetics. And nobody knows your body 

better than you do, so if you know you have a 

history of breast cancer [my aunt had stage 2], 

diabetes, heart disease or whatever, you should 

definitely take a proactive approach. I get 

regular mammograms and I get my blood 

checked for diabetes. You have to be your 

own guideline.” 

continued on page 12 >> 

www.womenshealthexperience.com 

11

continued from page 11 

Does that mean she’s given up on sugar? “Absolutely 

not! But I don’t have a lot of sugars in what I’m eating. 

I don’t go overboard. I also don’t eat a lot of processed 

foods, which have high sugar and sodium counts.” 

What a real woman eats 

At 5 feet 8 inches, Union’s nutritional staples 

include leafy greens, peanut butter, morning protein 

shakes topped with flaxseed and an occasional calcium 

supplement. “Always rice drink,” 

she says with her gleaming dimpled 

smile. “I’ll have my granola 

with that in the morning. No 

coffee because I don’t do caffeine. 

I always have organic fruits and 

veggies around, but I have to 

be honest …” she trails off and 

then exclaims, “I refuse to give 

up real butter or ground beef. So 

there you have it! If you want to 

switch to turkey, go ahead, but 

I can’t do it. If I want tacos or a 

burger, I need ground beef.” 

About 10 years ago, Union 

says, her body stopped being 

able to efficiently process dairy, 

so she’s done away with whole 

milk. “I still have butter and 

cheese but just deal with the side 

effects later on. And instead of 

eating the whole tube of cookie 

dough, I might have a spoonful. 

I’m not completely denying 

myself. That’s not the way to 

live. I like to look like a woman 

and not be reed thin. I like to 

look like I have a butt and hips and if that size 2 dress 

doesn’t fit because I’m a real adult woman in a size 6, 

that’s okay with me.” 

Obsessing over weight just isn’t Union’s make-up. 

Her numbers on the scale go up and down. “It depends 

upon my level of fitness at the time. I do like to be a 

size 28 jean but there are times I’m a 30 and there are 

times I’m a 27. I try not to obsess over it. Being honest 

about my size means I’m enjoying life. Sometimes that 

involves a nice bottle of wine with some cheese and 

good conversation with friends.” 

I love my smile. 

After ... getting the 

braces off when I 

was 14, I’ve been 

smiling ever since. 

A reason to smile 

Friends play an integral part in Union’s life. They 

keep her grounded and “real” and give meaning to what 

matters. “I’ve always had a large group of girlfriends,” 

says the actress. “I never knew how lucky I was until I 

started acting on location without easy access to friends. 

I never felt lonelier. My friends are my lifeline; they’re 

the oil and the gas that make me go and move forward.” 

And she does—with her trademark smile, which came 

after years of corrective braces. 

“I love my smile,” Union says. 

“After being tormented about my 

buckteeth for years and getting the 

braces off when I was 14, I’ve been 

smiling ever since.” On the flip 

side, Union says her biggest flaw 

is that of so many other women. 

“We stare in the mirror and look 

at cellulite,” she laughs. 

Exercising her options 

A former high school athlete 

who played soccer, track, bas- 

ketball and other sports, Union’s 

love of fitness and competitive 

skills were sharpened at an early 

age. “I love to work out,” she 

admits. “I do cardio on the 

elliptical about five days a week, 

but my routine varies day to day. 

If I’m on my own, it’s usually 45 

minutes of cardio, alternating 

between arm and leg exercises 

and at least 15 minutes of 

stretching at the end. If I’m 

working out with my trainer, it’s 

cardio intensive. Sometimes it’s kickboxing, sometimes 

a track workout.” 

While her sports-playing days are behind her, 

Union credits their influence in giving her an edge 

in both her life and career. “Sports bring together all 

different kinds of people from different backgrounds. 

You need to find out how to work together for a 

common goal, and that skill set is always with you,” 

she says. “I’ve learned how to deal with my competitive 

nature in a positive way. It prepared me to deal with 

rejection with class and dignity. 

WHT 

© Jack Chuck/Corbis Outline 


PRESENTED BY 

TM 

Y W 

our Update in 

omen’s Health 

A biweekly radio program 

Alternate Sundays, 8:30–9 a.m. on 101.9 FM 

Hosted by Mickey Karram, MD 

President and Co-Founder, Foundation for Female Health Awareness 

Director of Urogynecology, The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati 

Join Dr. Karram and his guests from The Christ Hospital 

as they explore a variety of topics essential to your health. 

Check out new audio from recent programs—available 

now at www.WomensHealthExperience.com. 

healthy hearing 

Guest: Lisa D. Cahill, Phd, CCC-a, 

Audiologist, The Christ Hospital 

healthy vision 

Guest: michael e. daun, md, 

Ophthalmologist, The Christ Hospital 

building strong bones 

and osteoporosis prevention 

Guest: thomas j. redington, md, 

Internal Medicine Specialist, 


female sexual dysfunction 

Guest: ronald hirth, MD, Obstetrician/ 

Gynecologist, The Christ Hospital 

pelvic floor/core rehabilitation 

Guests: kathleen novicki, Physical 

Therapist, Administrator, Center for Pelvic 

Floor and Core Rehabilitation Services 

lisa johnstone, Physical Therapist, 

Center for Pelvic Floor and Core Rehabilitation 

Services 

organ donation 

Guest: michael a. cardi, md, Medical 

Director of Transplantation, The Christ Hospital 

disorders of the digestive 

system 

Guests: martha ferguson, md, 

Colorectal Surgeon, The Christ Hospital 

karen haberthier, MD, Gastroenterologist, 


managing menopause 

Guests: kenneth e. palmer, MD, 

Obstetrician/Gynecologist, 


donna m. cirasole, md, Obstetrician/ 

Gynecologist, The Christ Hospital 

heart and circulatory system 

disorders 

Guests: peter engel, MD, Medical Director 

of Pulmonary Hypertension, The Christ Hospital 

eugene chung, md, Medical Director of 

Outcomes, The Christ Hospital Heart and 

Vascular Center 

SPONSORED BY 


IN CONJUNCTION WITH 

13

HEALTHY BITES 

Exotic harvest 

Take a vacation from the usual fruits and veggies 

>> Apples, oranges, tomatoes and broccoli certainly offer plenty of vitamins, 

minerals and fiber, but eating them all the time can get boring. So why not explore 

some more exotic offerings? Make these simple substitutions the next time you’re food 

shopping. If you can’t find them in your market, ask the produce manager to help you or 

check a local ethnic market. 

> If you like 

apples 

> If you like 

pomegranates 

> Try 

Asian pears 

> How they taste 

crisp, juicy, slightly 

sweet and tart 

> What to look for 

The most popular variety, 

the Japanese pear, 

is round with smooth, 

yellow skin. Pick the 

most fragrant fruit that 

feels firm, with few or no 

brown spots. 

> If you likE 

cantaloupe 

> Try 

star fruit 


like a mix of plums, 

pineapples and lemons 


Choose firm, evencolored 

fruit with shiny 

skin and light brown rib 

edges. 

> Try 

passion fruits 


tangy, similar to guava, 

with a strong aroma 


Passion fruits are 

egg-shaped, with 

wrinkled purple-brown 

skin and seeds and 

orange pulp. Pick large, 

heavy, firm fruit. 

> If you likE 

peaches 

> Try 

mangoes 


like a mix of peach and 

pineapple 


Select firm, plump fruits 

that give slightly to pressure. 

Ripe mangoes 

have a fruity aroma at 

the stem end; those with 

a yellow tinge have the 

best flavor. 

Images aon pages 14 and 15 © istockphoto.com/Kelly Kline/RedHelga/ 

Javier Fontanella/Joan Kimball/Scott Harms/Jill Chen/Kae Horng Mau 


Bored with apples, 

oranges and 

tomatoes? Explore 

some more exotic 

fruit and vegetable 

options instead. 

> If you like 

green peppers 

> If you like 

summer squash 

> Try 

edible cactus 


similar to a green 

pepper 


Purchase small, firm, 

pale-green cacti with 

fleshy, oval leaves and 

no wrinkling. Skip limp 

or dry ones. 

> If you like 

tomatoes 

> Try 

tomatillos 


slightly acidic, with a 

hint of lemon 


Tomatillos resemble 

small, unripe green 

tomatoes. Pick one with 

an intact, tight-fitting 

light brown husk. 

> Try 

chayote squash 


Chayote squash doesn’t 

have much taste, which 

makes it perfect to mix 

into most dishes. 


This pale green vegetable 

is about the size 

and shape of a large 

pear with slight ridges 

running lengthwise. 

Select small, firm, heavy, 

unblemished squash. 

> If you like 

carrots 

> Try 

jicama 


similar to a pear; when 

cooked, jicama takes 

on the flavor of other 

ingredients 


Look for a firm tuber that 

looks like a turnip or 

radish with dry roots and 

unblemished skin. 


15

Sweet talking >> Tips for battling bad breath 

>> Help yourself to garlic chicken at dinner, and 

you won’t wonder why your breath is less than, 

well, fresh. And, of course, it’s nothing that a little 

time and a good toothbrushing won’t remedy. But 

chronic halitosis is another story. 

Bad breath can be caused by anything from gum disease 

to postnasal drip to a rigorous exercise session to 

diabetes. Another common trigger is dieting (in particular 

a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet), which causes 

the body to burn fat and produce by-products that cause 

bad breath. Eating less also reduces saliva production; 

this, in turn, contributes to halitosis because saliva is 

necessary to flush bacteria from the mouth. (Ironically, 

mouthwashes with a high alcohol content actually can 

cause halitosis by drying the mouth.) Stress can bring 

on foul breath by causing changes in body chemistry. 

And some medications can be culprits. 

What can you do to avoid this embarrassing problem? 

Besides avoiding spicy foods, garlic, onions and 

alcohol, these strategies can help: 

Brush up … and down. 

Carry a toothbrush and 

a small tube of toothpaste 

with you and brush after 

every meal. Don’t forget to 

brush the roof of your mouth 

as well as your tongue. 

Quit smoking. 

Stopping will bring 

instant breathfreshening 

results. 

Floss. 

Flossing removes 

particles between 

teeth that otherwise 

decay and contribute 

to halitosis. 

See your dentist 

regularly. 

In addition to professional 

cleanings, regular exams by 

your dentist will ensure that 

any tooth or gum problems 

are detected and treated 

promptly. 

Drink up. 

Water works magic on the 

body—and your breath. 

Drinking at least eight 

glasses a day can keep 

your mouth moist and help 

rid it of bacteria. 

What next? 

Bad breath that won’t go away 

despite the steps described here 

should be checked out by your 

dentist or healthcare provider to 

rule out any underlying causes. 

© istockphoto.com/Jacob Wackerhausen 


Top joint 

injuries 

and how to avoid them 

>> Athletes aren’t the only people at risk for torn ligaments and 

twisted ankles. Everyday activities such as gardening and housecleaning 

can cause strains, sprains and other injuries. Beware of these common 

injuries and take steps to prevent them: 

>> Knee injuries: To avoid ligament 

and tendon injuries, meniscus tears, 

bursitis and patellar injuries, choose 

shoes that fit and are appropriate 

for your activity. Use protective 

gear such as cushions for gardening 

or knee braces for hiking. 

>> Twisted ankles: Approximately 

25,000 people suffer a sprained 

ankle every day, whether due to 

stepping on an uneven surface or 

playing sports. To protect your 

ankles, warm up before activities, 

pay attention to where you’re walking 

and be extra careful when you 

walk in heels. 

>> Shoulder injuries: Any activity 

that involves repetitive, overhead 

motions, such as washing windows, 

can cause a shoulder injury. Sports 

like swimming can also leave you 

with problems such as shoulder 

instability or dislocation or a 

rotator cuff injury. To fend off 

problems, try these exercises: 

• Wall push-ups—Stand facing a 

wall with your hands on it, feet 

shoulder-width apart. Do a slow 

push-up. Hold for a count of five. 

Repeat five times. 

• Shoulder press-ups—Sit in a chair 

with armrests, feet on the floor. 

Use your arms to slowly rise up 

and off the chair. Hold for a count 

of five. Repeat five times. 

>> Wrist injuries: Two common 

problems: sprains (often the 

result of a fall) and carpal tunnel 

syndrome, a repetitive motion 

disorder. Sprains occur when the 

ligaments connecting bones are 

stretched. Carpal tunnel syndrome 

occurs when tendons in the carpal 

tunnel, a narrow channel that runs 

through the wrist, swell and press 

on the nerves. It’s often caused by 

repetitive motions such as knitting, 

golfing or typing. 

To protect your wrists, be extra 

careful when walking on slippery 

or uneven surfaces. Limit the time 

you spend on activities involving 

the wrist or take frequent breaks. 

>> Tennis elbow: Most people who 

get tennis elbow—inflammation 

of the tendons surrounding the 

elbow—don’t even play tennis. You 

can get it after doing repetitive 

motions like raking or painting. 

Guard against tennis elbow 

with exercises that strengthen 

the forearm and wrist. Warm up 

before activity and take regular 

breaks from your computer, sewing 

machine or garden. WHT 

Don’t let joint pain get you down! 

If joint pain is impacting your quality of life, it may be time for you to 

see a specialist. Orthopedists are physicians who specialize in surgical 

and nonsurgical treatment of joint injuries. To find a Christ Hospital 

orthopedist near you, call our physician referral line at 513-585-1000. 


17

HEALTHY MOVES 

In fitness 

and in health 

Double the pleasure and shape up together 

>> Exercise is like a magic cure-all. It can help 

you maintain a healthy weight; sleep better; improve 

your strength, energy and endurance; relieve stress and 

anxiety; and reduce your risk for heart disease, cancer 

and osteoporosis. So, if exercise can do all that, why is 

it that two out of three of us don’t get nearly enough 

or any at all? 

Lack of time, motivation and enjoyment are among 

the top reasons people don’t exercise. One way to get 

around those barriers is to recruit someone to work 

out with you—someone to motivate you to make time 

Got kids? 

You can either book a regular sitter for your 

exercise time or make working out a family affair by 

using some of these ideas. Better yet, do both. 

• Join a gym that offers childcare, classes or 

playtime for children. 

• If your kids play organized sports, leave your lawn 

chairs in the car and walk laps around 

the soccer field during practices or 

games. 

• Bring little ones along for the ride. 

Use a backpack carrier, a jogging 

stroller or a child seat or 

trailer for your bike. 

• Take family outings that keep 

you moving, such as bike 

rides, hikes or paddling 

adventures. 

in your schedule, cheer you through periods of 

waning energy, challenge you to improve and, simply 

put, make it fun! Studies show that people who have 

the support of a fitness partner exercise more. You’d 

think twice about skipping your early morning jog if 

you knew someone was waiting for you at the park. 

Socializing makes any activity more enjoyable, and a 

buddy can make trying new things like joining a gym or 

taking that kickboxing class less intimidating. 

The couple that exercises together … 

For many women, a natural choice is their spouse 

or partner. Getting fit and healthy with your loved 

one means you can spend more quality time together, 

deepen your relationship and intimacy and help ensure 

you really will grow old together. 

Your first step is to sit down with your calendars 

and determine when you can get together. It may not 

be realistic to meet up for every workout, but schedule 

a shared workout at least once or twice a week, even if 

it’s just for a walk around the neighborhood. Next, 

decide what you’re going to do. Joining a gym 

or taking classes together is a great way to 

get into the fitness habit. In your quest 

to find activities you both like, keep an 

open mind and explore each other’s 

interests. Has your guy been trying to 

get you to take up golf? Eager for him 

to chill and try yoga? Encourage each 

other and work as a team. Don’t push 


When you’re both 

beginners, it 

eliminates the tension 

that can arise 

when one person 

is the expert. 

your other half beyond his capabilities 

or allow competitiveness to cause 

a rift in your relationship. 

Have fun! 

Try some of these ideas to keep 

you and your partner in shape: 

• Plan an immediate reward. If you 

can’t get your mate to start moving, 

find local events to attend together 

that make a perfect excuse to get out 

for a walk, such as a music festival in 

the park or a church carnival. 

• Forgo passive Friday night dates. Instead of dinner 

and a movie, head to the roller rink or dance hall and 

boogie the night away. 

• Team up. Many communities have adult coed recreation 

teams, such as volleyball, softball, bowling or 

soccer. Find one you can both enjoy. 

• Tap into your competitive edge. Enter competitions 

together, such as road races and tennis, bowling or 

golf tournaments. Many competitions have a couples 

category. 

• Book an adventurous vacation. Consider an invigorating 

getaway, such as skiing in the Rockies, sea 

kayaking in Hawaii or trekking through the European 

countryside. 

• Double date. Find another couple to join you for a 

weekly game of tennis or golf. 

• Learn a new sport or activity together. When you’re 

both beginners, it eliminates the tension that can arise 

when one person is the expert and the other is the 

novice who’s doing it wrong. Consider trying tae kwon 

do, in-line skating or dancing. 

• Dive into the water world. When you think of heading 

to the beach, do you envision lying listless on the sand 

for hours? Water sports can be quite vigorous and tons 

more fun. Get off your towels and try surfing, snorkeling, 

windsurfing or sailing. 

• Give the gift of fitness. Are you always at a loss for 

what to give your man for holiday and birthday presents? 

Think of all the sports gear you could give like 

hiking boots, in-line skates, a mountain bike, workout 

wear and more. 

• Set ultimate goals. Completing a marathon or 

reaching the peak of a mountain might have seemed 

far-fetched at one time, but when you’re both working 

toward a common goal, anything is possible. 

• Be charitable. Take part in fitness events for worthy 

causes important to both of you, such as the March 

of Dimes’ March for Babies or Relay For Life for the 

American Cancer Society. WHT 


19

Hormone help >> Balancing the scales 

>> Could menopausal hormone therapy (HT) be right for you? Ease menopausal symptoms, prevent heart 

disease, look younger, boost sex drive—what wasn’t to like? But ever since a large-scale federal study threw cold 

water on some of these claims and linked HT to a range of health risks, making the right decision has been a 

balancing act. Here’s what you need to know if you plan on discussing HT with your healthcare provider: 

The good 

When it comes to treating 

the main symptoms of 

menopause—hot flashes, 

night sweats, vaginal 

dryness—HT is the gold 

standard. It also wards off 

osteoporosis, improves 

cholesterol and cuts 

colon cancer risk. 

The bad 

Some HT (estrogen plus progestin) 

actually raises the risk of heart 

attack, blood clots and stroke. It also 

increases your chances of developing 

breast cancer and, if you’re 65 or 

older, dementia. No evidence proves 

that it reduces wrinkles or improves 

sex drive. And, the evidence is still 

out on estrogen alone. 

The murky 

In the federal study, for every 

10,000 women, HT (estrogen 

plus progestin) led to seven 

additional cases of heart disease, 

eight cases of breast cancer and 

stroke and 18 cases of blood 

clots each year. That means that 

while the risks are real, they’re 

relatively low for any individual 

woman. Another tough call: For 

some women, improvement in 

menopausal symptoms may be 

offset by side effects like bloating, 

bleeding or breast tenderness. 

Age also matters: Heart risks 

appear greater for women older 

than age 60. 

Need help weighing the options? 

Call The Christ Hospital physician referral line at 513-585-1000 to 

find a gynecologist near you. 

The upshot 

There are no easy answers, and 

what’s right for other women 

may be wrong for you. Your 

provider will help you weigh the 

risks and benefits. If you have 

heart disease, breast cancer 

or a history of blood clots, you 

should avoid HT, and if you have 

a family history of these diseases, 

the risks of HT might outweigh 

the benefits. But if you’re at low 

heart disease or cancer risk and 

your menopause symptoms 

are getting the better of you, 

HT may be the way to go. If 

you choose HT, work with your 

healthcare provider to determine 

the lowest possible dose to 

relieve symptoms, and take it for 

the shortest time necessary. 


Summer 

essentials 

4 

warm-weather must-haves 

>> It’s summertime and the living is easy—until 

you end up with sunburn, bug bites, rashes or 

cuts. The best way to counter them? Be prepared. 

Stock up on these medicine-cabinet essentials: 

MUST-HAVE WHAT TO LOOK FOR APPLY IT 

1 

Sunscreen 

Choose sunscreen that’s water resistant, 

has an SPF of at least 30 and is broad 

spectrum. And don’t forget lip balm with 

an SPF of 30 or higher. 

Slather an ounce (about a shot-glass full) on sunexposed 

areas of the body 15 to 30 minutes before 

heading out. Reapply every two hours or as soon as you 

towel off from a swim or after heavy sweating. 

2 

Bug 

repellent 

If you’re spending more than three to 

four hours outside or you’ll be in a spot 

with plenty of insects, try a product with 

20 percent to 50 percent of the chemical 

DEET. If you plan to spend less time 

outdoors, look for repellents with less 

than 20 percent DEET, lemon eucalyptus 

oil or 7 percent picaridin. 

Spray just enough to cover exposed skin and clothing. 

Don’t wear it under your clothes and don’t spray it on 

your face. The Environmental Protection Agency has 

deemed it safe for human use—just apply the product 

exactly as directed. The American Academy of Pediatrics 

says don’t use anything higher than a 30 percent concentration 

of DEET on children, and don’t use DEET on 

kids under age 2 months or lemon eucalyptus oil on 

those under age 3. 

© istockphoto.com/Judy Picciotto/Christine Glade 

3 

4 

Poison ivy 

prevention 

Antibiotic 

cream 

Over-the-counter bentoquatam 

lotion (Ivy Block ® ) 

forms a coating on the 

skin to help block poison 

oak, poison ivy and poison 

sumac oils from triggering 

rashes. 

Antibiotic creams such as bacitracin, 

Neosporin and Polysporin keep a 

wound’s surface moist and help keep 

infection-causing bacteria from getting 

in. Minor cuts and scrapes will heal fine 

without creams, but these products may 

help speed healing and reduce scarring. 

Put it on 15 minutes before you head out and reapply 

at least once every four hours for as long as you may 

be exposed to the plants. Bentoquatam is flammable, so 

stay away from fires and open flames when applying or 

wearing it and ask a healthcare provider before using it 

on children younger than age 6. If you do come in contact 

with poisonous plants, wash your skin in cool water 

as soon as possible. 

Put a thin layer on the wound 

after cleaning it. If you want, 

cover it with a bandage. Long 

or deep cuts and those that 

won’t stop bleeding should be 

checked out in the emergency 

room. 


21

Postpartum problems? 

Join the club! 

>> You’re no longer constantly getting up at night to go to the bathroom, your 

heartburn is gone and you can finally see your toes. But has anyone ever told you 

that with the end of pregnancy comes a whole range of other problems? Learn more here: 

Sweating 

Sweating is your body’s 

way of getting rid of 

excess fluid that accumulated in 

your body during pregnancy, 

although hormones also play a part 

in your ability to soak the sheets. 

“What happens right after delivery 

is a mirror image of what happens 

in menopause, but the process is 

sped up,” says Paul Gluck, MD, a 

board-certified obstetrician/ 

gynecologist and associate clinical 

professor at the University of Miami 

School of Medicine. “At delivery, 

the high estrogen levels of pregnancy 

drop dramatically, causing 

the sweats.” The problem may 

persist for just a few weeks or for 

as long as you breastfeed. 

>> What you can do: Drink lots of 

water to keep from getting dehydrated. 

Wear light cotton clothing 

to bed and crank up the fan. 

Women: 

Learn more! 

Find more pregnancy and 

general women’s health 

information at www.TheChrist 

Hospital.com/women. 

Image on page 23 © istockphoto.com/Marc Brown/bubaone/Nicole K. Cioe 


Hair loss 

When you were 

pregnant, your locks 

were more lustrous thanks to 

hormones that kept your hair from 

shedding as it normally would. 

Now that you’ve had your baby, 

you may find all that extra hair 

falling out as your hormones 

change yet again. 

>> What you can do: Let nature 

take its course. Most women’s 

manes are back to normal within 

three to six months. In the meantime, 

experiment with different 

hairstyles to cover any thinned 

spots and avoid curling irons, hair 

dryers and other tools that can 

cause damage. 

de Quervain’s 

tenosynovitis 

Blame the unnatural 

hand and wrist positions you use to 

hold your child for that wrist pain. 

Such awkward motions can cause 

the tendons in the thumb side of 

your wrist to become inflamed and 

swollen, resulting in pain when you 

turn your wrist, grasp an object 

or make a fist. Carpal tunnel 

syndrome, which affects the inside 

of the wrist, isn’t the same as 

de Quervain’s (also known as 

“mother’s thumb”), which involves 

only the thumb tendon. 

>> What you can do: Keep your 

thumb and wrist straight with a 

splint or brace. Apply heat or ice 

to the affected area. Nonsteroidal 

anti-inflammatory medications, 

such as ibuprofen and naproxen, 

and corticosteroid medications can 

also help. In more serious cases, 

physical therapy or surgery may be 

needed. 

Incontinence 

Between pregnancy 

and birth, your bladder 

muscles and supporting tissues 

are subjected to a fair amount of 

stretching, so a tinkle when you 

laugh or cough isn’t uncommon. 

“Most women who experience 

some incontinence will find their 

symptoms resolve within just a few 

months,” says Dr. Gluck. “While 

a lengthy labor may have some 

impact, a woman’s anatomy and the 

size of the baby have more impact 

on whether the new mom will have 

urinary or fecal incontinence.” 

>> What you can do: Urinary 

incontinence usually improves 

within three months. Ask your 

healthcare provider how to do Kegel 

exercises, which help strengthen 

your pelvic floor muscles. If fecal 

or urinary incontinence continues 

beyond a few months, visit your 

physician to discuss options for 

resolving the problem. WHT 

Ask the Expert >> Featuring Paul Gluck, MD 

Both my sister and 

mother experienced 

severe postpartum 

depression. Now 

that I’m pregnant, 

I’m terrified of 

going through that 

myself. Is postpartum 

depression 

hereditary? 

A: No, postpartum depression (PPD) is not hereditary— 

but that doesn’t mean your family isn’t a factor in PPD. 

What’s important is whether you have a supportive family 

environment or an unhealthy one. Besides your family 

situation, hormonal changes in your brain chemicals also 

impact whether you go through PPD. 

One of the key differences between the baby 

blues and this type of depression is the timing of the 

start of symptoms. About 80 percent or more of new 

moms experience some sort of sadness post-delivery, 

but it occurs within days after the baby is born. With 

PPD, symptoms generally begin about two to four 

weeks after birth. In addition, women with the blues 

are still able to function well, taking care of the baby, 

the house and other children. Women with PPD become 

nonfunctional, not wanting to get out of bed or take care 

of their infant. Symptoms include a loss of interest in 

activities, fatigue, sleeping too little or too much, appetite 

changes and thoughts of suicide or death. 

It’s important to remember that PPD is a real 

physical problem based on a chemical imbalance in 

the brain, and you should feel no shame or fear in 

asking your physician for help. And nearly all the 

medications used to treat PPD can be taken while 

you’re breastfeeding, so there will be no harm to your 

baby. If, several weeks after your baby is born, you 

feel like you’re suffering from PPD, don’t delay in 

getting help—both for your sake and your baby’s. 


23

HEALTH SMARTS 

Can you hear 

me now? 

>> Many people don’t want to admit they have trouble 

hearing. But the fact is, roughly one-third of Americans ages 

65 to 74 have hearing loss. Though aging is a primary risk 

factor, many adults start to lose some hearing in their 30s 

and 40s. Test your knowledge of hearing loss by answering 

true or false to these statements and checking your answers. 

TRUE or False? 

1 

Most hearing loss is genetic, and there’s 

nothing you can do about it. 

2 

You could have a hearing problem and 

not realize it. 

3 

There are many ways to treat hearing loss. 

4 

 

Hearing loss can lead to other health problems. 

5 

Hearing aids don’t work very well. 

Answers 

1 False. Hearing loss can be 

caused by many things, including 

infections, some medications and 

especially exposure to loud noise. 

Noise-induced hearing loss is 

100 percent preventable. Protect 

your hearing by avoiding noises at or 

above 85 decibels, which includes 

gas lawnmowers, snowblowers, 

motorcycles, firecrackers and 

loud music. 

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! 

2 True. The following questions 

can help you identity a problem: 

• Do you have difficulty hearing on 

the telephone? 

• Do you have trouble hearing with 

noise in the background? 

• Do you have a hard time following 

a conversation when two or more 

people talk at once? 

• Do people complain that you turn 

the TV volume up too high? 

• Do you hear ringing, 

roaring or hissing 

sounds frequently? 

• Do some sounds seem 

too loud? 

3 True. Early detection 

can help your physician 

prescribe treatments that 

can slow or reverse hearing 

loss. Unfortunately, 

only 29 percent of adults ages 20 

to 69 have had their hearing tested 

within the last five years. If you think 

that you have a hearing problem, 

schedule an appointment with your 

healthcare provider. 

4 True. People with hearing loss 

often become depressed. Hearing loss 

can also put you at danger if you can’t 

hear warning sounds. Beyond health 

issues, hearing loss prevents people 

from fully participating in everyday life. 

5 False. Newer, digital models, 

though expensive, use a computer 

chip to process sounds and are very 

good at adjusting to different environments. 

And there are other devices 

that can be plugged directly into TVs, 

stereos and personal sound systems 

to help you hear better. WHT 

© istockphoto.com/Jill Chen 


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 


TM

{It’s been much more fun living without it.} 

Don’t let neck pain keep you from enjoying life. The experts at 

The Christ Hospital Spine Institute use a multi-disciplinary 

approach to diagnose and treat people who suffer from chronic 

neck pain. Our team of physicians, radiologists, surgeons and 

physical therapists work together to pinpoint the most effective 

treatment for each patient. Whether that involves surgery, 

non-surgical options, physical therapy or rehabilitation, we 

serve every patient with a commitment to Caring Above All ṢM 

Call to schedule an appointment. 

513.585.BACK 

Caring Above All ṢM 

2139 Auburn Avenue | Cincinnati, OH 45219 | www.ChristSpineInstitute.com

Gabrielle Union - The Christ Hospital

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