Barb's Daily Dose

Know Your Family History: A Gallbladder Story

Our Featured Guest Writer Today is Melanie Norall, a part-time writer for El Camino Hospital.

For the past year or so, I've had occasional sharp pains in my right shoulder blade (always in the same spot) and sometimes felt a bit sick to my stomach after going out to dinner. But my symptoms were always short-term and sporadic--the pain would come on at night but would always be gone in the morning, causing me to think that perhaps I had just imagined it. But in January 2012, I was in so much pain I went to the ER at 3 a.m. in tears.

Dental X-rays and Brain Tumors

I just read today that the risk of developing a type of brain tumor is 4.9 times greater if you had a certain type of dental x-ray as a child.  The researchers also found that people who had had Bitewing Dental X-rays ever in their life were twice as likely to have a brain tumor. I just had my bitewing x-rays 6 months ago, OMG!

Women & Herpes

Women at Higher Risk

We know that women are 6 to 7 times more likely than men to become infected with herpes.

A new report by the WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that worldwide up to 28 % of women will be infected with Herpes by age 50! Here in the US, studies have found that in general between 20 -25% of women are infected, with 90% being unaware that they have this particular infection. 

Questions and Answers about Heavy Periods

How Do I Know if I Have Heavy Periods?

Although many women may feel as though they are the only ones experiencing heavy periods, women of all ages have heavy periods that interfere with their day-to-day lives. You may have heavy periods if your period:

• Lasts a long time
• Is so heavy that you need to change pads or tampons every 1 to 2 hours
• Is so heavy that you often have a tampon AND a pad for more protection, and
• Is so heavy that you have to change pads at night.

The Condom Broke! I Want to beTested for Everything!

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, I would be taking more vacations to tropical beaches! When I hear this, what I also understand is that the person wants to be tested for every sexually transmitted disease/infection (STD) ever known. By the time, the person comes in to see me, I can offer up a few tests that will help them know if they contracted an infection.

Female Heart Attack-Read & Pass it On!

February is American Heart Month

This could save your life or the life of someone you know and love!!!!

NURSE'S HEART ATTACK EXPERIENCE written by:  "A nurse who was circulating her account of her experience via the internet to reach and educate as many women as she could."

I am an ER nurse and this is the best description of this event that I have ever heard. Please read, pay attention, and send it on!  FEMALE HEART ATTACKS I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever had. 

Worrying About Breast Cancer

- USATODAY.com.

Women, like me, who have a family history of breast cancer worry more about breast cancer according to a new study. One of the best things that I did was to get tested for the BRCA 1 & 2 genes, which helped me have more information and less fear. Having information and then talking about it with my surgeon, breast specialist and gynecologist helped me feel more empowered.

I found out that because my mom tested positive for the BRCA gene, meant that my brothers should consider being tested so that they could understand their risk for pancreatic and prostate cancer, since they're related cancers.

An A-Fib Experience

Our Featured Guest Writer Today is Genevieve Fire-Halvorsen - She is a Wife, Mom, and an Engineer in Silicon Valley

Although atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) is the most common heart arrhythmia, I knew little about it until my diagnosis in 2008, at age 51.  For ten years before that, I’d had periodic episodes of palpitations, shortness-of-breath, and chest pain. Since numerous tests indicated all was normal, doctors attributed these symptoms to anxiety, not an uncommon situation.  Finally, the episodes became so frequent the arrhythmia was captured on a portable ECG.

Panel Advises Testing Children for Cholesterol

Today's Featured Article is by Deena Beasley / Reuters - Fri, Nov. 11, 2011

(Reuters) - Children from ages 9 to 11 should be routinely screened for high cholesterol so that action can be taken to avoid the development of heart disease, according to new guidelines from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

The guidelines, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, aim to identify early risks that can sharply increase the likelihood of developing heart disease as an adult.

Dense Breasts and Breast Cancer Risk

My friend Amy* ( not her real name) lost 30 pounds and was enjoying  how she looked in her new clothes. She had to buy new bras and one night before bed noticed a very odd feeling in her left breast.  She was tired and laid down on her side, where the combination of gravity and her position, made it easier for her to feel a hard lump.  Now, I wouldn't have been able to sleep, but Amy is one of those people who can pu things out of her mind and deal with them when there's more information. The next morning, she called her sister who's a OB/GYN and got a same day appointment for an exam.