A wide spectrum of mood and anxiety disorders affects almost one in five adults in the United States every year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (some experts think the number might be much higher). About two thirds or more of them do not receive treatment. Anxiety and depression come in many [...]
Expecting mothers these days, encouraged maybe by their friends or doula, create a birth plan while they are pregnant. If that’s true for you, are you also thinking about an after-birth plan? Currently, the spotlight is trained more on what to expect at your birth, and how to prepare for it to increase your chances [...]
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that affects a surprisingly large number of Americans, especially women. It is also underdiagnosed and undertreated. Hashimoto’s is the cause of hypothyroidism in approximately 80-90 percent of patients. It is often missed because a common thyroid screening test, which evaluates TSH levels in your blood, is generally interpreted as normal [...]
Experiencing chronic pain is no laughing matter. It can profoundly impact your quality of life, your ability to function—both physically and mentally—and undermine your livelihood. Maybe the only thing that’s worse than experiencing chronic pain is when you have to rely on pharmaceuticals to manage your pain. The causes of pain are complex and so [...]
Women in their middle years are more and more interested in taking a holistic path to health and wellness. What does this mean? When we look at a person holistically, we may shift our perception and see the person as a whole, we appreciate the web of functions, experiences and challenges she has. And we [...]
Just in case you’re still wondering: No, menopause is not a disease! The cessation of menstrual periods around the age of 50 is a natural process for women. Many, if not most women, are actually glad that their menstrual cycles, the accompanying discomforts and mood swings, the risk of unplanned pregnancy, etc. are coming to [...]
It’s a hot topic for women and the people around them: What’s happening in midlife? Menopause! Women are usually so busy with careers, kids and care-taking that they don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about the health changes inevitably coming their way as they enter their forties and fifties. Some people also find [...]
Have you found yourself in the middle of a stressful experience wishing you knew how to meditate? You’ve probably heard or read that meditating can help you deal with challenging situations, with your emotions, with pain, and even many chronic health issues. But how does it work and how do you get started? Meditative practices [...]
The National Cancer Institute estimates that 1 in 8 women in America will develop breast cancer at some time in her life. Exposure to chemicals, unhealthy lifestyle and genetic predisposition may all play a role in the development of breast cancer, but the single most significant risk factor is growing older. Cancer of the breast [...]
Have you been feeling more lethargic than usual? Sleeping poorly? Gaining weight? Feeling cold? These are just a few of the many manifestations of a poorly functioning thyroid. Let’s take a closer look. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck and an important part of your hormone (or endocrine) system. [...]
