September 2010

Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy

Women who undergo treatment for breast cancer may be offered the possibility of reconstruction if they opt for mastectomy.  This may lead to a discussion on whether or not to do reconstruction immediately during the initial surgery or delay it until any other treatments like chemotherapy are complete.  Two new studies published in the September edition of the Archives of Surgery provide additional information that could influence this decision.

Original Article

New Report Evaluates Progress in Women’s Health

A new report by the Institute of Medicine issued on Sept. 23, concludes that there has been some progress in women’s health over the past two decades especially in lessening the burden of disease and reduced deaths among women in the areas of cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and cervical cancer, specifically. The effort has yielded less but still significant progress in reducing the effects of depresssion, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis in women.   However, the report also identifies several areas that are important to women that have seen little progress, namely, unintended pregnancy, autoimmune disease, alcohol and drug addiction, lung cancer, and dementia.

Original Article

Study Suggests Gender/Sex Differences in Cognition Impairment

Older men may be at risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease, earlier in life than older women, according to a study appearing today in Neurology. The study raises the question of whether there may be a gender difference in the development and progression of MCI.

Scientists evaluated the cognitive health of 1,969 dementia-free older people and found 16 percent showed signs of MCI, a condition usually marked by memory problems or other cognitive problems greater than those expected for their age. Prevalence was greater among the older participants, and it was consistently higher in men than women across all age ranges.

Original Article

More on Endometriosis

For some unknown reason, we are suddenly receiving a lot of comments on our March 2010 posting on Endometriosis.    Maybe it is because endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases, affecting more that 5.5 million women in North America alone.   There is a comprehensive fact sheet available from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development on this topic that is very helpful.    Click here to view the information.

Original Article

Aerobic Exercise Relieves Insomnia

The millions of middle-aged and older adults who suffer from insomnia have a new drug-free prescription for a more restful night’s sleep. Regular aerobic exercise improves the quality of sleep, mood and vitality, according to a small but significant new study from Northwestern Medicine and the Feinberg School of Medicine.  Insomnia is more prevalent in women.

Original Article

Sex Differences in Stress Hormone Receptors

An understanding why women experience more stress-related mental disorders like depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has eluded scientists but a new study in rat brains may help explain why women are more prone to mood and anxiety disorders than men.

In order to better understand this study, I found it helpful to look up a few key definitions:

Original Article

Men to Benefit More from Healthcare Reform Expanded Coverage

Contrary to some commonly held beliefs, men, more than women will likely benefit more from expanded healthcare coverage.   According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research June 2010 Fact Sheet,  men represent a majority of non-elderly US adults who lack health insurance across all age groups but particularly ages 18-34.    Under age 18, boys and girls with health insurance have nearly the same coverage with many insured under public plans.   The jump begins when students leave their parents’ plan at either high school or college graduation.  This will definitely improve when the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) becomes effective on September 23, 2010 and raises the age a young adult can stay on their parents’ plans.

One of the reasons young women have better coverage is the fact that they have access to healthcare through Medicaid which has traditionally provided a safety net for family planning and pregnancy coverage for those with low or no income.

Original Article

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