Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month

by Medical Ultrasound Awareness MonthWomen's Health

For Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month, we are excited to share the many ways that ultrasounds can be used in healthcare. The theme for 2021 is “Changing Lives One Scan at a Time”.

What is an Ultrasound?

Diagnostic ultrasound (also called sonography or diagnostic medical sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within the body. There are no known risks to getting an ultrasound due to the use of low-power sound waves. However, ultrasounds do have limitations because sound does not travel well through air or bone. Because of this, your doctor may need to order further tests.

Many people associate the word “ultrasound” with pregnancy, but there are many ways we use ultrasounds in healthcare.

How We Use Ultrasounds at the Women’s Centre:

  • Obstetric Ultrasound: This type of ultrasound produces pictures of a baby as well as the ovaries and uterus. It does not use ionizing radiation, so it has no known harmful effects to the mother or baby.
  • Gynecologic Ultrasound: This is used to obtain images of the pelvic organs. There are two types – transvaginal and transabdominal.
  • 3D & 4D Ultrasound: This type of ultrasound shows a complete view of the baby’s face and body. It is not a medical necessity, but a wonderful memory and keepsake.
  • Sonohysterogram: This test provides imaging of the uterus. It is used to diagnose the cause of underlying pelvic pain, infertility, or vaginal bleeding.
  • Nuchal Translucency Sonogram: This is an ultrasound evaluation that is combined with a maternal blood test to evaluate the fetus and identify risks for specific chromosomal abnormalities. This optional test is offered between the 11th and 13th week of pregnancy.

How to Prepare for an Ultrasound

Before your appointment, be sure you wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing. The ultrasound sonographer will need access to your abdomen, so be sure not to wear anything that could restrict access to that area. To get the best possible ultrasound image, be sure you have a full bladder. Before your ultrasound drink two or three glasses of liquid, preferably water. If you are having a sonohysterogram, then you should stop drinking fluids four hours before the exam. Our team will make sure you know how to prepare for your ultrasound exam.

In-office ultrasounds are just one of the ways we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and quality health care services to all women. Contact our office to schedule your appointment!

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5 Ways to Celebrate National Women’s Health and Fitness Day

by National Women's Health and Fitness DayWomen's Health

Did you know the last Wednesday of every September is National Women’s Health and Fitness Day? This is a national holiday to raise awareness and focus on the importance of regular exercise and healthy living for women. Here are 5 ways to celebrate National Women’s Health and Fitness Day.

  • Try a new exercise. Head to your local gym and try some different exercise classes. Or go on YouTube and see what fun exercise videos you can find. Daily movement is important for overall health and wellness. Switching up your routine can keep it more exciting.
  • Consider getting your thyroid checked. This small gland in your neck can cause a variety of health problems if it’s not functioning properly. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms you might be having to see if you should get your thyroid checked.
  • Eating some superfoods. Diet can have a big impact on your health. Add some superfoods to your next meal (think: apples, broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin, sweet potato, dates, kiwi) to help boost your immune system and keep your heart healthy.
  • Stay hydrated. The old adage is make sure you drink eight glasses of water every day. Whether or not that applies to everyone, it is important to stay hydrated. Water is such an important part of staying healthy and ensuring that everything is working properly.
  • Preventative health screenings. Talk with your healthcare provider about which routine health screenings you should get and how often. Some important ones you should be doing regularly are breast and cervical exams and screenings.

Here at Mt. Naomi Women’s Health, we know how important health and fitness are to women’s overall wellness. From the first gynecological visit, to menopause care, we offer health services for every woman. Our team will be with you from routine check-ups to major surgeries. Contact us with any questions or to schedule your appointment.

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Celebrate Healthy Aging Month

by Healthy Aging MonthWomen's Health

Did you know that September is Healthy Aging Month? This is a time to focus on all the positive aspects of growing older, including physical, social, mental and financial health. We encourage you to celebrate the vibrant, vital, healthy ways we can age and also dispel those old, tired myths about getting older.

Tips for Healthy Aging

  • Stay moving. Exercise on a daily basis. Regular exercise can help prevent a variety of diseases and also improve mental health and lower risk of falls.
  • Stay social. You are never too old to make new friends. Social connections are such an important part of healthy aging. Reconnect with old friends and make an effort to join new social activities. Some ideas could include joining a book club, a walking group, dance class, volunteering or whatever other hobbies you might enjoy.
  • Stay balanced. As we age, the risk of falling becomes greater. Try practicing yoga to help with balance and coordination.
  • Stay healthy. Maintain a balanced diet that emphasizes fruits, veggies, and whole grains.

If you find yourself recently retired and not sure what to do, this is a great opportunity to incorporate these tips for healthy aging into your day-to-day life. It’s also important to learn how to say no. You don’t have to do every activity that you are invited to. Take it one step at a time until you find your comfort level. This is really important for mental health as well as physical health.

Growing older can sometimes make us feel down. Slight mindset changes can lead to a positive, happier life. Healthy Aging Month is a great reminder of all things that should be celebrated about aging!

Health Screenings

Here are some important health screenings you should do during your annual physical. It’s also good to routinely get vision and balance checked and ensure your home is safe to prevent falls.

  • Diabetes: Starting at age 45 and every three years thereafter.
  • Colon cancer: Starting at age 50 and every five years thereafter.
  • Osteoporosis: Start no later than age 65.
  • Blood pressure: Annually starting at age 45.

At Mt. Naomi Women’s Health, our passionate team of healthcare providers is here to help you through this stage of life in a comfortable and compassionate environment. Contact us with any questions or to schedule your  next appointment!

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Women's Health Blogs

5 Women’s Health Blogs to Follow

by WellnessWomen's Health

Women's Health BlogsSubscribing to blogs is one of the best ways to keep informed about just about any topic under the sun. In the case of women’s health blogs, you want to make sure the ones you’re reading cut the mustard when it comes to the quality of the information they provide. It’s essential that your sources for health advice and recommendations are 100% trustworthy – because your well-being is connected to the tips or advice you pay attention to or integrate into your life.

Interested in Women’s Health? Check Out These 5 Women’s Health Blogs to Follow

Women’s Health Associates Blog

The WHA Blog is alive and well. We publish relevant blog posts regularly and invite you to bookmark our blog to read fresh content each month. One thing that makes us unique is that we are an all-female provider staff, committed to providing you with personalized and professional care, and our patients feel that is pretty awesome.

In addition to our blog, here are a handful that we love, trust, and often provide links to regularly:

Women’s Health Mag.com

We like this blog because while their health-based articles are well-researched and informative, they also include some “fluffier” topics around health. For example, in the same stream of blogs where you can read, “Weight Loss Versus Fat Loss—What’s The Difference, Anyway?” and “30 Health Screenings Every Woman Over 40 Needs, According to Doctors”, there are also some pretty typical “How to lose weight from fill-in-the-blank-part-of-your-body” tips and the latest dieting news. Together, it all comprises a very well-rounded array of information the majority of women are looking for.

Healthy Women

This nonprofit website and blog are dedicated to providing health tips and expert opinions about life in general, affecting the modern woman. This may look like a blog talking about postpartum depression or meditation; OR it may be very specific, addressing topics such as cervical health and awareness or how dogs can benefit our physical and mental health. Again, like womenshealthmag.com you get to enjoy a tone and narrative that is easier to read than many clinical blog sources, but still share important and accurate information.

Speaking of Women’s Health

This blog was initially headed up by Holly Thacker, MD, who also happens to be the Director of the Center for Specialized Women’s Health at the Cleveland Clinic. In other words, you can trust that the information found here is based on hard, scientific evidence-based facts. In addition to very specific topics, you’ll also find more generalized information and solutions for the sort of everyday “stuff” we all encounter, like fatigue during menopause, coping with kids who still wet the bed, sleep apnea, and treatment (for ourselves or our spouses) and so on. While the information comes directly from the medical experts’ mouths, we find the posts are written in a manner that keeps them engaging and easy to understand.

mindbodygreen women’s health

Mindbodygreen’s tagline is “Where soul meets science” and is full of articles that are wellness-inspired and backed by research. You can choose from a wide range of categories including mindfulness, health, food, movement, beauty, and social good.  In the women’s health category, you’ll find topics such as “How to Eat Based On Your Menstrual Cycle Phase, According To An MD” and “Are You At Risk For Osteoporosis? Here Are The Facts?”.  They also offer functional nutrition programs and online fitness classes.

Do you have a favorite women’s health blog?  If so, we’d love for you to share it with us!

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