Barb's Daily Dose

Don't Wait for Chest Pain

Did you know that when a woman has a heart attack, she may not have the same symptoms as men. Only about 60 % of women will experience crushing chest pain, while the 70% of men have chest pain with a heart attack. 

Because women's symptoms may be more subtle and not as obvious as men's are, this can delay treatment, which puts a woman at increased risk.

Yoga Poses

Are you as flexible as Gumby?  If you're not, then you'll want to take a peak at these simple Yoga poses that will help you strengthen your core and keep your back healthy.  These are poses that anyone can do.

Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir

I've had the pleasure to read and review the book "Outshine: An Ovarian Cancerr Memoir" by Karen Ingalls.  I am very impressed with Karen's personal story, attention to detail and inspiration for others battling cancer.  Karen expresses "this book is the result of my increased awareness that there is a great need for more information about ovarian cancer. Our mortality rate is 70%, compared to 15 % for breast cancer.  A woman needs to know about the whispering symptoms of ovarian cancer and be encouraged to be her own advocate."

Indigestion and Hip Fractures

If you're like millions of American women over 60, you might have a little indigestion after meals, especially at night. Go to any pharmacy and you can find lots of over the counter and/or prescription medications that aim to relieve the excess acid and decrease heartburn.

Robotic Surgery Part IV

Robotic Surgery:  An Innovation That Changes Everything

This changes everything.  How many times have you heard that and wondered if it was really true.  Well, in the case of Robotic Surgery, not only is it true, but it's transforming the way patients are getting treatments and recovering in days instead of weeks. Imagine the old-fashioned way, when as surgeon, Dr. Mary Kilkenny described, she had "Barbie Doll arms" and could only access areas of the body using the equivalent of "scissors on a stick".  You can see my interview with Dr. Kilkenny and Dr. Pisani and listen to what real women who had the procedure have to say.  

Disclosure: I'm thrilled to be working with El Camino Hospital to highlight some of the extraordinary ways that they do whatever it takes for patients. The more I learn about the innovations and cutting-edge use of technology in health care, the more impressed I am.

Robotic Surgery

Dont' forget to watch me tonight on CBS 5, KPIX at 7:20 p.m., before Judge Judy in the San Francisco Bay Area.  I'll be talking about robotic surgery for gynecologic conditions.  I hope you'll tune in.

Robotic Surgery Part III

Wednesday, April 25th,  at 7:20 on CBS 5, KPIX in the San Francisco Bay Area, join me as I showcase the innovations with Robotic Surgery.

I wish that I could bring all of you along with  me to the Operating room and watch a surgery using the DaVinci Robot. Many people hear Robot and automatically think of something out of a Science Fiction movie. And yet, this is just another tool for surgeons to use. The surgeon is in complete control at all times.

Robotic Surgery Part II

Easier Recovery

During my nursing career, I've cared for many patients who are recovering from surgery. One of the most difficult aspects is the pain they have from the incision or opening in the skin and muscles. These cuts could extend for inches and didn't just leave permanent scars on the skin, the memory of the pain was something that people never forget. Immediately after surgery, coughing, deep breathing and getting up to walk were important, but with excruciating pain, it was often difficult to impossible to motivate people. 

Robotic Surgery Part I

Here's the First in the Series of 5 Blogs on Robotic Surgery

I was so excited when I was offered the opportunity to go with a patient, Kara*, into the Operating Room (OR) and watch her surgery. I was even more excited because unlike the past with an open procedure that meant 6 weeks of recovery, she opted instead to have her hysterectomy done by Robotic surgery. I had seen the brochures and watched a few videos prior to getting dressed in scrubs and heading for the OR, but I wasn't prepared for the simple elegance of what I saw there.

Menopause Explained - A Chinese Medicine Perspective / Part II

Our Featured Guest Writer Today is Ted Ray, L.A.c., DNBAO

Acupuncture, Herbs, Nutrition

Menopause Explained - What Causes Yin Deficiency and What You Can Do About It- Part 2 in a 3-Part Series

Last time we talked about the “kidneys” and the energetic role they play in fertility and menstruation. Now we can get down to the details with answers to the questions my patients always ask.

Why Women Get Hot Flashes

Women handle incredible workloads. They raise families, manage households, and work full time. But without adequate rest, they must pull from their reserve tanks to get through the day.