In This Issue
How Having Babies Close Together Affects your Body
The Vaccinations Women Need Most
10 Mammogram Myths and Facts
10 Tricks to Avoid Halloween Treats
6 Dangerous Food and Drug Combinations
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How Having Babies Close Together Affects Your Bodybodypregnant belly

Aside from the obvious challenge of having two toddlers under one roof, are there any health challenges that come with two super-close pregnancies?  

 

In fact, a short amount of time between pregnancies is associated with more complications and may place your subsequent pregnancy at risk, says ob-gyn Marielena Guerra, M.D., of Elite OB/GYN in Florida.  

 

One meta-analysis in 2006 found that an interpregnancy interval of less than 18 months was associated with a slightly increased risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and small size for gestational age. Additionally, babies conceived less than six months after their siblings had a 40 percent increased risk of being born prematurely and a 61 percent increased risk of low birth weight, compared to women who conceived at least 18 months later.  

 

What's more, when pregnancies occur close together, there is an increased risk of anemia in the second pregnancy, which could spell trouble for both mom and baby, says Guerra. While it's not clear exactly what is mediating these links, it could be that mom hasn't had enough time to build back up her stores of crucial nutrients. The World Health Organization currently recommends spacing pregnancies between two and five years apart.  

 

Finally, a quick second pregnancy can make breastfeeding more complicated than it already is, says Guerra. Breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for contractions. So if you breastfeed while pregnant, you could experience more-and stronger-Braxton Hicks contractions, she says. Meanwhile, pregnancy may stunt your milk production.

 

Of course, you can't always space out your pregnancies exactly as you wish, so Guerra recommends talking to your doctor before you're ready to conceive again or if you unexpectedly get pregnant shortly after your first birth. They'll be able to give you personalized advice for having a healthy and safe pregnancy-though they may not be able to help with the two-running-toddlers-under-one-roof part.  

 

Source: Women's Health 


The Vaccinations Women Need Most
shots

When we're kids, parents and pediatricians keep us on top of all of our necessary vaccinations. But women need to keep up with their boosters when they're adults, too. Things definitely shift according to personal medical history, but certain vaccinations are recommended for all healthy adult women. In order to stay in tip-top shape, be sure to keep vaccination records readily available and that you know which of these you are due for.

 

Human papillomavirus: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease. One of the best methods for prevention is a three-dose series of vaccinations for girls and women, ages 11 to 26.

 

Tetanus: By age 6, you should have received your first tetanus shot. But you may have forgotten that a booster is needed every 10 years. If you're older than 19 and have never received a tetanus shot, then you're going to need to get the Tdap vaccine.  Tdap is a combination vaccine that protects against three potentially life-threatening bacterial diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).  

 

Meningococcal: To protect yourself against the bacterial disease meningitis, the meningococcal vaccine is recommended for anyone living in a communal environment. Before entering college or enlisting in the military, many women receive the recommendation or the requirement to get this vaccine.

 

Varicella: If you never had the chickenpox as a child, a two-dose series of a varicella vaccine is recommended for adults with no evidence of immunity to the virus.

 

Influenza: For nearly all adult women, an annual flu shot is recommended to keep all the germs during flu season at bay. Flu season typically peaks in January and February, but can also be seen as early as mid-October, so it's best to get this vaccine once it's available!

 

Source: Fitsugar


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October 2014

  
"Fall" Back Into Healthy Habits

  

October is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month," which has gone a long way in increasing awareness of the importance of taking preventative care. Although it usually occurs in women over 35 years of age, breast cancer knows no age, race, social, or lifestyle barriers. It can strike any woman at any time, regardless whether or not she has ever smoked, taken an alcoholic beverage, or ever taken birth control. Although certain factors can increase a woman's risk of getting breast cancer, every woman is at risk. Even women who have never experienced a day of illness in their entire lives can fall victim.  

 

Despite the knowledge that mammograms screenings can be the best tool toward early detection, many women remain reluctant to take the initiative and schedule a mammography screening. One reason is due of the fear of the unknown, especially for women who have never had one and don't know what to expect. 10 Mammogram Myths and Facts will prove that your reasons for putting off that mammogram are weaker than you think.  

 

In the first sleep-deprived weeks after the arrival of a new baby, planning the next bundle of joy is the furthest thing from most mothers' minds. But eventually, the ticking of the biological clock begins to be heard over baby's cries, the pain of labor fades to a distant memory, and it's time to start thinking about creating another miracle. Exactly when the alarm clock starts ringing varies from woman to woman. Be sure to read How Having Babies Close Together Affects Your Body to help you prepare.  

 

With the upcoming change in season, some of you may find your allergies worsening, feeling more headaches coming on, or being a little more tired than usual. Before you reach in the medicine cabinet, you might not realize that some of your prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may interact in dangerous ways with some foods.   Read on for the most common but not-so-well-known  6 Dangerous Drug and Food Interactions.

 

It's a scary thought that millions of American adults forgo lifesaving vaccinations.  Shots aren't just for kids as grown-ups need them, too.  Some vaccines that you had as a child may no longer leave you protected.  Find out which ones you should have to best protect yourself and the people around you by reading Vaccinations Women Need Most.

 

With Halloween nearing, it seems like every store and desktop candy dish is taunting you to take a bite or buy a whole package of sugary snacks! What's a healthy eater to do? Use these 10 Tricks to Avoid Halloween Treats to help you make it through several weeks' worth of taunts without guilt.     

 

With warm regards,

 

The Practitioners and Staff of Lawrence OB/GYN 

10 Mammogram Myths and Factsmammogram 

Putting Off Your Mammogram? You may have a million excuses not to get that annual mammogram, but your reasons may not be as good as you think. Don't blow off your appointment before you get the facts behind these myths and defenses.

 

1. Breast cancer doesn't run in my family, so I don't need to go.

It's true that if breast cancer runs in your family, you're more likely to get it, especially if your sister or mom had it. But most women who get breast cancer -- 85% -- have no family history of the disease. So get checked anyway.

 

2. I'm too young.

Breast cancer is most common in women 55 or older. But it can still happen to younger women. There are different guidelines about when to start. Ask your doctor what's right for you.

 

3. The radiation is too risky.

You'd get a lot less radiation from a mammogram than what you'd get on a plane trip from Houston to Paris, says Therese Bevers, MD. She is medical director of the Cancer Prevention Center at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. You know you'd take a free ticket to Paris in a heartbeat. Don't think twice about a mammogram either.

 

4. I'm afraid of what they might find.

Don't jump to conclusions. Remember, 80% of callbacks turn out to be benign, Bevers says. Also, a mammogram doesn't change anything. It just gives you information about what's already there. If a mammogram finds something that turns out to be cancer, wouldn't you rather know about it sooner than later?

 

5. It's too expensive.

Not anymore. Mammograms are free under the health care reform law (the Affordable Care Act), with no deductibles and no copays. Medicare also covers mammograms. If for some reason you fall through the cracks, there are other free or low-cost options. Call the National Cancer Institute at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) for information.

 

6. It's too painful.

Mammograms are pretty quick. Any discomfort is brief, says Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society. It can help to:

  • Schedule the screening test when your breasts are less sensitive (i.e. not right before your period).
  • Take an aspirin or over-the-counter pain reliever before.
  • Let the technologist know that you might be sensitive. He or she might be able to make the mammogram a more positive experience.

7. I don't have any lumps.

That's good, but mammograms can find small tumors up to 3 years before you can feel them. Those small, early-stage tumors are treatable.

 

8. I'm too busy.

Make the time. Mammograms only take 15-30 minutes, and it's part of your routine health care. "It's a lot more time-consuming if you get sick," Saslow says.

 

9. My breasts are too dense.

Mammograms may be less helpful in finding cancer in dense breasts, but they're not useless. If your mammogram isn't readable because you have dense breasts, you may get a second check with an ultrasound or MRI.

 

10. I eat right and I exercise regularly, so I'm not at risk.

Keep up the good work and still get tested. A healthy lifestyle may lower your risk of getting breast cancer, but "it doesn't eliminate it," Saslow says.

 

Source: WebMD 

10 Tricks to Avoid Halloween Treatstreats

If the thought of Halloween candy makes you panic, not to worry. There are ways to keep your hands out of the candy jar so you can avoid packing on some extra pounds even before the holiday season starts. Here are 10 expert tips to help you avoid the temptation of Halloween goodies, at home and at the office.

 

  1. Buy candy you don't love. If the candy in your pantry is stuff kids like but that you don't enjoy, it will be easier to resist opening those bags and diving in. For most of us, that means anything but chocolate. Sour candy, gummy-textured [candies], hard candies and the others that are not chocolate are lower in fat and calories and typically not the candy we overeat.
  2. Out of sight, out of mind. Ask your co-workers to keep their candy jars and bowls inside their desks or stashed in a cabinet in the break room so you won't be tempted every time you see it. If they want to keep candy on their desks, ask them to use a colored container with a lid so you can't see inside.
  3. Savor one piece of your favorite candy a day. Decide what time of day you most relish the sweet stuff, and save your special treat for that time. Then sit back and slowly savor the taste sensation. It is so easy to pop a piece of candy into your mouth mindlessly and not get the full enjoyment you would get if you saved it and ate it when you know you will enjoy it the most. Indulge your sweet tooth on occasion, because denying yourself completely could lead to an all-out binge.
  4. Chew gum. Sugarless gum gives your mouth a burst of sweet sensation for very few calories. Studies have shown that gum chewing can also help [you] relieve stress, mentally focus on tasks, satisfy a sweet tooth, overcome the urge to eat candy, and help manage hunger pangs to hold you over until your next meal.
  5. Replace the candy with better choices. Make the see-food diet work in your favor by putting out a bowl of colorful fruit or veggies in place of the candy.
  6. Move the candy jar. If you have to get up to get a piece of candy, it is not always worth the effort, whereas when the candy is convenient, consumption is higher.
  7. Count the empty wrappers. It's so easy to pop fun-size candy bars into your mouth that you can lose track of how quickly the calories are adding up. If you keep the wrappers on your desk, it will remind you of how many you ate and hopefully inspire you to exercise moderation and stop after one or two.
  8. Take a walking break. Getting away from your desk for a breath of fresh air can invigorate you and help you get over the mid-morning or mid-afternoon slumps that are often mistaken for hunger. 
  9. Manage your hunger. Eat breakfast before coming to work and plan for a few healthy snacks along with a satisfying lunch. Your preplanned meals with keep you feeling satisfied and make you less likely to raid the candy bowl.
  10. Sip on a low-calorie beverage. Keep your hands and mouth busy by drinking a zero-calorie cup of hot tea (rich with disease-fighting antioxidants) or big glass of water. And light hot chocolate can satisfy your sweet tooth for few calories than most fun-size chocolate bars.

Source: WebMD


6 Dangerous Food and Drug Combinationscombinations 

You don't need a prescription to face these risks--even some common over-the-counter treatments should warrant more careful attention to your menu. Here are seven dangerous duos to dodge.  

 

1. Limes and cough medicine.

You may have heard not to drink grapefruit juice with some prescriptions, including cholesterol-lowering statins. But limes, pomelos, and Seville oranges--although not the more-common navel and Valencia varieties--also may block an enzyme that breaks down statins and other drugs, including the cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Because the medication then builds up in your bloodstream, the risk for side effects increases. With dextromethorphan, this includes hallucinations and sleepiness; in statins, you may sustain severe muscle damage. These fruits' effects can linger for a day or longer, so it's best to avoid them and their juices altogether while taking these drugs.  

 

2. Dairy products and antibiotics. Some antibiotics, including Cipro, bind to calcium, iron, and other minerals in milk-based foods. This prevents the absorption of the antibiotics, ultimately decreasing their ability to fight infections. When you get a new prescription for acne or an infection, ask if the drug falls into a class known as tetracyclines or flouroquinolones. If so, avoid milk, yogurt, and cheese 2 hours before and after taking the pills. And talk with your pharmacist about proper timing if you take multivitamins with minerals--they can have a similar effect.

 

3. Smoked meats and antidepressants.

Check the label on your antidepressants. If they belong to a class called monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs--brand names Marplan, Nardil, Emsam, or Parnate--combining them with foods rich in the amino acid tyramine can cause life-threatening spikes in blood pressure. Unfortunately, the list of no-no's includes not only summer sausage and smoked salmon, but also red wine, sauerkraut, hot dogs, aged cheeses, soy sauce, and draft or home-brewed beer. The good news? Canned or bottled beer probably won't hurt you -- and MAOIs have largely been replaced by newer-generation antidepressants, which don't have the same effect on tyramine levels.  

 

4. Chocolate and Ritalin. Besides caffeine, chocolate also contains a stimulant called theobromine. (It's the reason chocolate harms dogs--canine bodies can't break it down.) Combining all these stimulants in humans can potentially lead to erratic behavior and seizures. As with caffeine alone, the risks are largely individual. Your best bet: Take note of whether you feel more nervous, irritable, or wired when you combine Ritalin--especially the extended-release forms--with chocolate. If so, increase the amount of time between downing your pill and having dessert.

 

5. Apple juice and allergy meds.

Nix the nectar from apples, oranges, and grapefruits if you take Allegra (fexofenadine) for hay fever--at least within 4 hours of swallowing the pill. These juices inhibit a peptide that transports the drug from your gut to your bloodstream. The resulting lack of absorption makes Allegra up to 70 percent less effective at stopping your sniffling and sneezing. Other medications also travel with the help of the same peptide; lay off these juices while taking the antibiotics Cipro or Levaquin, the thyroid medication Synthroid, or the allergy and asthma treatment Singulair.  

 

6. Alcohol and acetaminophen.

Resist the urge to wash down your Tylenol with a cold one--your body uses the same enzyme to break down the two substances. It's generally best to put 6 hours between drinking booze and taking any medicine containing acetaminophen, including over-the-counter and prescription pain and cold medicines. But the bigger risks come with time: If you drink alcohol every day, it's probably not a good idea to take Tylenol. Pairing them regularly can contribute to kidney and liver disease.  

 

Source: FDA  

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