by Barbara Anne Hessel MD | Jul 22, 2013 | Uncategorized
Everyone has stress in some form. Most every day pressures may even be good for us by motivating activity or behaviors that stimulate our minds, and encourage us to get up and get going. Other types of stress—the kind that bombards your thoughts, makes you sweat, or even sends you out back for a smoke aren’t healthy.
Learning to fight back against stress is key to developing a healthy lifestyle– and because increased stress has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, learning to fight its affects now could mean healthier days in your future. We know that exercise can help release stress-busting hormones, but did you know that what you eat can also influence how you feel at the end of the day and how your body responds to its challenges? Here are a few tips on foods to load up on to keep your body’s stress response in check. (more…)
by Barbara Anne Hessel MD | Jul 15, 2013 | Uncategorized
Heart disease is a top killer of women. Symptoms of a heart attack are not the classic chest-clutching tightness and pain than many men feel and because it presents in such subtle ways, 8.6 million women die from the condition worldwide every year. Another 8 million women are living with the disease and 35,000 of them are 65 years old or younger. Preventing heart disease and finding ways to identify this killer early is on the top of the priority list for healthcare leaders around the globe and doctors in the U.S. have found one more potential link to the condition. (more…)
by Barbara Anne Hessel MD | Jul 10, 2013 | Pregnancy, Uncategorized, Women's Health
I gave up jumping on trampolines years ago. Aside from the fact that I’m getting older and they make me motion sick for some reason that just doesn’t make sense, I can’t keep from peeing on myself every time I jump. You may have experienced something like this yourself. Maybe you’re the girl who can’t cough or sneeze without a trickle sneaking past the line. If you’re like me, your issues with gravity didn’t start until after you gave birth, and a new study out this month verifies that yes, women who have a vaginal delivery are at a higher risk of injuries to the muscles that control the pelvic floor. Sometimes it can progress to a condition known as pelvic organ prolapse (POP). (more…)
by Barbara Anne Hessel MD | Jun 5, 2013 | Uncategorized
There’s something so soothing about a massage. And, it’s even nicer when you are sore and aching or just worn out from pregnancy. Sure there are those women out there who jog or do aerobics with a smile on their face for the entire 9 months, but for the rest of us, it’s just not that easy–or that active. While massage during pregnancy has been shown to help with many different maternal ailments, and perhaps even boost baby’s health as well, you must remember to do your homework and check with your doctor before hopping up on the table. (more…)
by Barbara Anne Hessel MD | May 21, 2013 | Uncategorized
Infertility isn’t really a diagnosis in and of itself but instead refers to another medical problem that can make it hard to have a baby. For some men and women getting a diagnosis is impossible. About 20% of all couples who are unable to have a baby never find out why. Everything appears to be working normally, but conception just doesn’t happen. For others couples, getting a proper diagnosis can help tailor treatments and help couples conceive more quickly. (more…)
by Barbara Anne Hessel MD | May 14, 2013 | Uncategorized
Infertility is a general term for a wide variety of medical conditions that make it hard for couples to have a baby. Problems getting pregnant can come from the woman, the man, or both and a couple may be labeled (I hate labels by the way) infertile when there’s no pregnancy after a year of unprotected sex. Infertility can be stressful, frustrating and depressing for couples and even though statistics say that 1 out of every 10 couples are infertile, 50% of these will go on to carry a baby. That’s good news for you! (more…)
Everyone has stress in some form. Most every day pressures may even be good for us by motivating activity or behaviors that stimulate our minds, and encourage us to get up and get going. Other types of stress—the kind that bombards your thoughts, makes you sweat, or even sends you out back for a smoke aren’t healthy.
