September means back to school time and also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer is a disease we ALL need to be aware of, because many of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are nonspecific, such as abdominal pressure, bloating, and pelvic pain. This means the disease is hard to detect early. Only 20% of ovarian cancers are found before the tumor has spread beyond the ovaries. The American Cancer Society reports ovarian cancer is the 5^th leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S.

This year more than 20,000 women in the United States will develop ovarian cancer, and 15,000 will die from the disease.

Because of the aggressive nature of the disease and the nonspecific symptoms it is important that women be aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, because the sooner the cancer is found and treated, the better the chance for recovery. Ovarian cancer usually occurs in women over age 50, but can affect younger women. Many times, women with ovarian cancer have no symptoms or just mild symptoms until the disease is advanced and hard to treat. YOU know your body best!

If you have any symptoms that are not normal for you, such as pain in the pelvic or abdominal area or bloating that lasts longer than 2 weeks see your doctor. Also if you have any vaginal bleeding that is NOT normal for you talk to your doctor. There are genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 and cancers including breast and uterine that put women at increased risk for ovarian cancer. This does not mean you will develop ovarian cancer but it does mean you need to talk to your healthcare provider about your body and your individual risk for ovarian cancer. Researchers are working hard to find the exact causes and a cure for ovarian cancer. For more information about ovarian cancer click here: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian/basic_info/.

Become informed and help us stop ovarian cancer. You never know the information you learn may save the life of someone you love!

XO

Dr. V

 

Save the receipt for that breast pump ladies because it’s tax deductible! Yes that’s right since 2009 if you set aside pre-tax dollars for healthcare spending a breast pump is a tax-deductible item. August is National Breast Feeding Awareness Month and August 1^st – 7^th is World Breast Feeding Week. Did you know that according to the U.S. Surgeon General, “75% of U.S. women start out breastfeeding but by 6 months less than 13% are exclusively breastfeeding their little one?” Well, don’t beat yourself up about not breastfeeding, ladies. Britain has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the developed world, the majority of women stop within six weeks. In 2005 data showed less than 1% of Britain’s babies were exclusively breast fed at 6 months.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of your little one’s life. And there are numerous benefits to you and your baby if you choose to and are able to breastfeed. Read on to see some of the baby and mommy benefits of breastfeeding. First and foremost it allows a mother to bond with her baby. An added bonus is that breastmilk is absolutely natural and FREE! It requires no mixing of formula or temperature testing.

Breastfeeding after delivery stimulates the uterus to contract and become smaller. As a mom continues to breastfeed it actually leads to weight loss for her and weight gain for baby; as breast milk is like “liquid gold” – it has all the nutrients a baby needs to grow.

HARVARD here I come … Research has shown that breastfed babies have higher IQ scores, in addition to better brain and nervous system development.

Breast milk contains your baby’s first needle free immunizations because the milk contains immunoglobulins that are passed from mother to child. These immunoglobulins have been show to protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  Studies have also revealed breastfed babies have a decreased risk of developing childhood cancers, allergies, obesity, and diabetes.

The health benefits of breastfeeding aren’t just for baby. Mothers who breastfeed are at decreased risk for anemia, osteoporosis, and breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. Additionally, exclusively breastfeeding can decrease (but not eliminate) the risk of pregnancy in women who are not using contraception.

The US National Guard’s Motto is “Always Ready, Always there” .. this is a similar situation for breast milk. A mother regulates her body temperature and therefore her breast’s temperature, resulting in her milk always being at the right temperature for her little one. This eliminates the need to have, heat, and clean plastic bottles that can break down and release chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA). Exclusively breastfeeding is also a way to go green. It decreases waste and your family’s carbon footprint.  And the quality of a mother’s milk changes to meet a baby’s needs. Milk produced in the evening has a higher fat content than milk produced in the morning. The fattier evening milk actually helps keep your little one satisfied and aids with sleep. Breast milk sits better in your baby’s belly this means your little one’s digestive track can better absorb breast milk versus formula or cow’s milk. Easier digestion means breast milk leads to less diarrhea, constipation, gas and spitting up. Since breast milk helps encourage bowel movements your baby should do “number 2” two to three times a day but it wouldn’t be unusual for your baby to have a bowel movement after every feeding.

Babies can eat up to 10-12 times a day whether you are breastfeeding or using formula. Since babies feed around the clock don’t worry if you can’t breast feed for every meal. Even if you only breastfeed during the day your baby will still gain all the benefits of breastfeeding if he or she has formula at night.

Breastfeeding your baby is a very personal and individual decision. For some breastfeeding is not an option because of the inability to produce milk or the difficulty in coordinating it with their lifestyle and responsibilities e.g. multiplit births or a newborn/infant with medical needs. As statistics have shown less than 13% of U.S. women exclusively breast feed their baby after 6 months. If you would like to learn more information about how to breastfeed while you are in the hospital speak to a lactation consultant or the Labor and Delivery team and inquire about their baby friendly initiatives. Most importantly DO NOT FEEL GUILTY if you cannot or choose not to breastfeed your baby. You are still a fabulous mommy!

Dr. V’s Feeding Tips:

1. Crying is a LATE hunger cue – meaning a baby is VERY hungry when he/she cries to be fed. Earlier signs of hunger include rooting, chewing on his/her hands, and opening of his/her mouth.
2. Always remember to offer your second breast to your baby during feedings. He or she may not want more milk, but it’s important to try.
3. NEVER heat plastic bottles in the microwave, or wash them in the dishwasher – heat can cause the plastic to release toxic chemicals.
4. Make sure you and baby are always belly-to-belly for feedings.
5. One must have item for breastfeeding moms is the Boppy!

 

It’s summer in the city! And July is UV safety month! This means it’s time to talk about how to be safe while you are out and about in that summer sun.  Whether you’re basking on a beach or walking to the office we’re all exposed to the sun’s Ultraviolet (UV) rays. These powerful rays can cause wrinkles, sun spots and even cancer. Yes, cancer! Did you know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States? 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed every year in 2 million people. That’s an astounding number, because most skin cancers are preventable.

1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. We’re all exposed to the sun’s rays, therefore, we’re all at risk. Depending on your skin color, activities, and family history the risk is higher for some than others. As a commitment to safe sunning this month why not share the tips below with your loved ones about ways to protect your skin and minimize your risk for skin cancer while enjoying the sun.

• Stay out of the sun (e.g Don’t lay out) between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
• Use sunscreen DAILY with SPF 15 or higher – even on cloudy days
• Check your skin for any changes: e.g. moles, new freckles once a month
• Wear a hat and long sleeves if you’re out in the sun for extended periods of time
• Put sunscreen on 30min before heading outdoors
• Wear stunner shades that block both UVA and UVB rays from your eyes 

If you desire that J Lo glow try a tan in a bottle (spray tan) for happy healthy sun-kissed skin this summer. Trust me, your skin will thank you later.

XO

Dr. V

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June is Men’s Health Month. This June in celebration of Men’s Health Month wear blue and show a man in your life that you care about his health. We all know at least one man in our life that stays as far away from the doctor’s office as possible, but is that really the best thing for his health? NO, it’s not! Well he’s not alone men between the ages of 18 and 44 are 70% less likely to go to the doctor than women, according to the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. That’s an astounding number and the difference can be attributed to multiple factors including lack of access to healthcare, barriers to health education, and holding onto that “tough guy I’m OK” mentality and only going to see a doctor when there’s an absolute medical emergency.  Overall, both men and women hold off visiting the doctor, but preventative health screenings and health maintenance are extremely important to living a healthy fruitful life.

Many of the leading causes of death for men are silent killers. The #1 leading cause of death for men is heart disease. More than 50% of men who develop heart disease have few or no symptoms. Which means the first time a man may have chest pain it could be the sign of a major cardiac event like a heart attack. The causes of heart disease vary from hereditary and lifestyle factors, to cholesterol, blood pressure, alcohol intake, smoking, and obesity. The 2^nd leading cause of death in men is cancer. Lung, colon, and prostate cancer are the leading causes of cancer death in men. Quitting smoking is a great way to decrease your risk of lung cancer, and getting a colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon and rectal cancer screening. Why not sign up your dad or uncle for a screening colonoscopy today? The 3^rd leading cause of death in men is unintentional injuries ranging from motor vehicle accidents to accidental death from drug overdose or poisoning.  Men are 2x as likely to die from accidents compared to women. Perhaps one of the reasons is due to the fact that men are 10% less likely to wear seatbelts while driving than women.

So, this June make a pledge to help a man in your life live a healthier lifestyle. Why not join him in a 30 day challenge .. to perhaps quit smoking, exercise more, stop texting while driving, or even have one less beer at happy hour. It may mean the difference in life and death.

 

 

May is national Lupus awareness month. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects young women between the ages of 15-44. 90% of people affected with Lupus are women although when the disease affects men it can be more disabling and debilitating, and even children and newborn babies can have Lupus. Interestingly women of color are diagnosed with Lupus 2-3 times more often than Caucasian women. Lupus is a chronic disease that can affect any organ of the body from the skin to the heart. For 1/3 of those with Lupus the only visible symptom is the malar, “butterfly rash” found on the nose and cheeks. Researchers have been working for years to understand the basis of Lupus and how to treat and cure it because for many the long-term complications from Lupus can be devastating and include strokes, seizures, heart attacks, and renal failure.  In 2010 the first drug was approved to specifically treat Lupus and many people are living long and productive lives with Lupus. This month stand up and support the 1.5 million Americans who are living with Lupus by wearing purple.

April is National Donate Life Month.

Did you know the first kidney transplant was successfully performed in 1954. Organ transplantation has come a long way. But even with medical advancements today there are 117,743 people on the organ transplant list (UNOS). Every 10 minutes a person’s name is added to the list and he or she waits for an organ – that’s 130 people per day! Sadly, 19 people die everyday waiting to receive an organ that never comes.

 1 organ donor can save the life of 8 people!

In 2012 more than 28,000 people received an organ or tissue donation while only 14,000 people were donors. You’re never to old to consider becoming an organ donor. And age doesn’t preclude you from RECEIVING an organ. There are infants and even grandparents on the transplant list. This month please consider giving the gift of life. There’s so many ways to give. Why not opt to donate blood or platelets? Or consider putting your name on the bone marrow registry list? Even better why not register to become an organ donor. Check out this link to find your state’s registry. http://organdonor.gov/becomingdonor/stateregistries.html

You never know the life you save may be the life of someone you love.

Wishing you the best in health,

Dr. V