Jun
8
According to the latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics babies born prematurely has risen to more than 12.5%, the highest level in two decades, and a more than 30% increase since 1981. In 2004, more than half a million babies were born prematurely in the United States. Babies born prematurely have less developed organs than full-term babies and are more likely to face serious multiple health problems following delivery. Premature babies often require extensive and expensive stays in a neonatal intensive care units, which has specialized medical staff and equipment. Finally, prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death–accounting for 25% of deaths in the first month of life.
Premature babies who survive may suffer lifelong consequences, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, vision and hearing loss. While many of the underlying causes of preterm birth are not well known, the three risk factors most consistently identified by experts are: (1) multiple births–increased due to infertility treatments, (2) uterine and/or cervical abnormalities, and most importantly (3) a woman’s past history of preterm delivery. Other possible risk factors may include: chronic health problems, certain infections during pregnancy; and cigarette smoking, alcohol or illicit drug use during pregnancy.
Once preterm labor has begun we have minimally effective medications to stop it long-term. For the highest risk group of women who have a history of preterm labor weekly progesterone injections are now routinely administered prophylacticly beginning in the mid trimester.
While addressing socioeconomic issues can influences preterm delivery rates in high risk groups such as poor African American women, it is complex and requires extensive resources. In the recent FASTER trial women who reported taking folate supplementation for 1 year or more had a 70% decreased risk for preterm birth between 20 and 28 weeks of gestation, and a 50% decrease in risk of delivering between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation.
Nevertheless it seems wise for women even remotely considering pregnancy or those not using highly effective forms of contraception (e.g. condoms) to take a daily multivitamin. Folate has already been conclusively shown to reduce some neurologic and cardiac birth defects, and perhaps it may help with the largest cause of newborn complications, preterm delivery. For more information about planning your pregnancy please read this brochure in our online women’s health library.
Wishing you good health!
Women’s Health Specialists
2299 Mowry Avenue, Suite #3C
Fremont, CA 94538
510.796.7057
www.WomensHealthFremont.com
Share this newsletter with those you care… sisters, mothers, friends
Apr
30
Dowager’s hump describes the bent over appearance of an older woman’s back that has gradually accumulated spinal fractures. This occurs because of osteoporosis, or brittle bones. Loss of height is often the first sign of this preventable condition. Interestingly consequences from broken hips due to osteoporosis such as immobility, nursing home placement too often initiate a tragic downward spiral that may culminate in death—yes, death from a broken hip kills more women than breast cancer!
Recommendations for vitamin D have been ratcheted up recently to improve calcium absorption from the intestines and improve incorporation into bones. While calcium can be obtained from our diets (dairy foods contain ~300 mg for each 8 ounce serving), Vitamin D is produced in our skin when exposed to sunlight. That creates a dilemma because of concerns about the exploding increase in skin cancer. Supplementation is safe option. Calcium supplements are best taken divided through the day with food which stimulates the stomach’s production of acid that aids absorption. Avoid taking iron supplements (e.g. prenatal vitamins, multi vitamins with minerals) simultaneously as calcium interferes with uptake of this blood building mineral.
|
|
Interestingly vitamin D appears to have health benefits beyond bones. Epidemiology studies suggest that it may be protective against formation of a variety of cancers. Recently low levels of vitamin D have been associated with a doubling of the risk of heart disease, such as heart attacks, heart failure, and even strokes. Another study demonstrated that consistent calcium intake at the recommended levels reduced undesired PMS mood irritability after 3 months of supplementation.
While most women’s bone mass peaks in their early 30’s, we need to be mindful of our daily intake of calcium and vitamin D throughout the years so we may remain as active as we would like far into our twilight years.
For more information about your health and to take a osteoporsis questionaire go to our online women’s health library.
Wishing you good health!
PS: We offer bone mineral density testing every 2-3 years during menopause to detect early osteoporosis.
Women’s Health Specialists
2299 Mowry Avenue, Suite #3C
Fremont, CA 94538
510.796.7057
www.WomensHealthFremont.com
Share this newsletter with those you care about… sisters, mothers, friends
Apr
13
Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is the cause of most cervical cancer. It’s been 2 years since the FDA approved Gardasil® as the first HPV vaccine, which is effective at preventing approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases. It also prevents about 90% of genital warts.
Approximately 80% of American adults contract HPV at some point in their lifetime. Most people will clear this infection thanks to their immune system.
This vaccine is preventative, so it is optimal to be administered before exposure to HPV. It doesn’t help with established infection, most of which will resolve because of your immune system. Consequently the CDC recommends routine vaccination for 11-12 year-old girls and catch-up vaccination for 13-26 year-old females.
- Women should receive a series of three immunizations at 0, 2, and 6 months (costs approximately $375).
- The vaccine appears to be safe and without serious side effects in studies following patients for 5 years. Adverse reactions are mainly injection site pain. This reaction is common and mild. There is no mercury in the vaccine.
- The duration of protection is unclear. Current studies indicate the vaccine is effective for five years. There is no evidence of waning immunity during that time period.
- Research about activity in males, older women, and duration of effectiveness is ongoing.
- Vaccinated women should continue to practice protective sexual behaviors (e.g. abstinence, monogamy, limiting the number of sex partners, and/or using condoms), since the vaccine will not prevent all HPV types—nor will it prevent other STDs.
- Vaccinated women will need regular cervical cancer screening since the vaccine will not provide protection against all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, and since some women may not receive the full vaccine series.
If you have daughters between ages of 9 and 26, check with your pediatrician if they offer HPV vaccination. If they don’t, or if you are in this age range, please feel free to schedule an appointment with us for counseling and immunization. This is an exciting breakthrough in the prevention of cancer for women.
Wishing you good health!Women’s Health Specialists
2299 Mowry Avenue, Suite #3C
Fremont, CA 94538
510.796.7057
www.WomensHealthFremont.com
Share this newsletter with those you care about… sisters, mothers, friends
