Issue Date: September 30, 2001
Briefs for better living
A few more healthful pointers to improve women's quality of life, from Tedd Mitchell, M.D., USA WEEKEND Magazine's medical expert.
Sleep: Develop better habits. Women have special sleep deprivation caused by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. In fact, according to a National Sleep Foundation poll, 53% of women aged 30-60 have trouble sleeping often or always. Try to work it out by reducing stress, creating a quiet, cool, dark, comfortable environment; taking decongestants and other sleep-disturbing drugs early in the day; eliminating or paring down caffeine, alcohol and tobacco; and getting moderate exercise. For more information, visit www.sleepfoundation.org.
Varicose veins: Uncross your legs. Women have this problem more than men, often because of pregnancy, which puts pressure from the pelvis on the large vessels on the legs, creating dilated veins. And because women shave their legs, smaller varicose veins are more noticeable. For those you can feel, minor surgical procedures often are necessary. For 'spider veins" that are visible but not palpable, other procedures are available. Avoid crossing your legs, visit a dermatologist, elevate your feet whenever possible and avoid tight garments at the waist or knee.
Breasts: Give them proper support. As women age, breast tissue itself generally decreases in mass and is replaced by fat. That can make the breasts sag. Adequate support is vital, particularly during exercise. It's even more important for large-breasted women, as regular exercise literally can tear the ligaments that support the breasts. Wear support that binds the breasts as much as possible without discomfort.
Spas: Which type is right for you? Spas are as varied as women's needs themselves, ranging from the intensely medical to the intensely pleasurable. Our own Cooper Wellness Program's spa focuses on medical aspects. After performing a comprehensive medical evaluation, we start work on behavioral changes in diet, exercise and stress management. So the question is not which spa is best, but which spa is right for you? Ask yourself how much time and money you have and what you want out of a spa -- pampering or pushing. Visit spafinder.com.
Sex: How's your relationship? Women's sex drive is based on testosterone, at least in part, so you'd think their sexual behavior might be similar to men's. But women tend to have 'good" sex in good relationships. So if you're less interested in sex, your relationship may be the problem. If the relationship itself is good, a physician can run hormonal tests to uncover problems that can be treated with medication.
Arthritis/joint problems: Stay strong. Women's knees and certain other joints are more predisposed to injury because of anatomical differences between the sexes. Also, women are at higher risk for developing autoimmune types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. So new joint problems in women should be evaluated by physicians. Exercises that emphasize the muscles surrounding arthritic joints help maintain the joint.
End headaches: Watch what you eat. Women have more headaches than men do; migraines, in particular, are more common in women. In general, sufferers should: Avoid foods associated with headaches (some common culprits are cheese, chocolate, yeast and tomatoes). Limit alcohol. Minimize stress with counseling and biofeedback if necessary. Do regular aerobic exercise. Get a good 7-8 hours of sleep a night. And get the latest information from a physician with experience in treating headaches and from sources such as the National Headache Foundation, www.headaches.org or 1-888-643-5552.
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