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Guidelines for sites linking to mayoclinic.orgTuesday, July 01, 2003
Here are highlights from the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. You may cite this publication as often as you wish. Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource attribution is required. Also, you may reprint up to four articles annually without cost. More frequent reprinting is allowed for a fee. Include the following subscription information as your editorial policies permit: Call toll-free for subscription information, 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.
Doctor's Advice: Meditation to Sooth Mind and Body
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Stressed? Fatigued? Your doctor may recommend a daily dose of meditation.
Meditation is a technique that is making its way into mainstream medicine because studies have shown it can be beneficial to your health, according to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.
Meditation can help you relax, slow your breathing and heart rate and decrease muscle tension. It can lessen your body's response to adrenaline, which can raise your blood pressure and make your blood more likely to clot — both risk factors for heart disease.
You don't have to twist like a pretzel to meditate. You can sit quietly and try to focus. Consider these tips:
Eventually, you're likely to discover the ability to calm yourself in stressful situations. Your practice may result in improved health and well-being.
Watch for Symptoms During High-Altitude Vacations
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Whether you're hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, if you're headed for high altitudes, it's good to be aware of symptoms of altitude sickness.
The mildest form is acute mountain sickness. It's most common when you abruptly climb higher than 9,000 feet. Symptoms can include headache, marked fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and difficulty sleeping.
If symptoms aren't severe, you can spend a night or two at the same altitude before trying to go higher. If symptoms persist or get worse, descend to a lower altitude until they improve. Vigorous exercise tends to make altitude sickness worse.
More serious and potentially fatal are high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), a condition in which fluid accumulates in your brain, and high-altitude pulmonary edema, in which fluid accumulates in your lungs (HAPE).
HACE symptoms include profound lethargy, confusion and lack of coordination. Immediate descent is recommended. HAPE symptoms include breathlessness with exertion and eventually breathlessness at rest, chest tightness, extreme fatigue and a dry cough. It's critical to descend to a lower altitude and seek medical attention.
Before you travel, ask your doctor about medications to prevent altitude sickness or to ease symptoms if it occurs.
When Gallstones Are to Blame for Your Pain
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Gallstones. One in 10 people have them. They can be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a golf ball.
Women are more than twice as likely as men to have gallstones, according to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. That's probably because of estrogen's role in producing cholesterol. The most common gallstones in Americans are composed mainly of undissolved cholesterol.
Most people with gallstones don't have symptoms or require treatment. But about 20 percent of people with gallstones will have a gallbladder attack — an intense, steady ache usually in the upper abdomen. The pain can be severe. Surgically removing the gallbladder is the preferred treatment.
Although you can't entirely prevent gallstones from forming, you can lower your risk by maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly and eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet.
Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.
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