HealthyLife Articles

Tag: treatment

Hope For Migraine Headaches

SELF-CARE CORNER

Migraine headaches are more than an inconvenience. Migraine pain is severe and can interfere with a person’s life. Fortunately, today’s migraine treatments can help many people get the relief they need.

There are two types of medicines for migraines: abortive and preventive.

Abortive medicines

Abortive medicines, also referred to as acute, are designed to stop, or abort, a migraine. They should be taken as early as possible when a person feels a migraine starting. Some of these medicines include:

* Pain relievers. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other common pain relievers can be used to treat mild migraines. But, for many people, these aren’t enough to get rid of a migraine. Experts say people shouldn’t take these medicines more than twice a week. Overusing these medicines can lead to stomach problems and can even cause more headaches.

* Prescription migraine medicines. Your doctor may prescribe special medicines that are designed to relieve migraine pain and other symptoms, such as nausea. These may work well for people who don’t find relief from over-the-counter pain relievers.

Preventing migraines

Some of the medicines available today are used to prevent migraines before they happen. These are called preventive treatments. These types of medicines are recommended for people who:

* Get four or more migraines a month

* Have migraines that last 12 hours or longer

* Haven’t found relief with abortive medicines

* Can’t take abortive medicines

There are different types of preventive medicines available. Sometimes a person needs to try several different medicines before finding the one that works best for them. Keeping track of how many migraines you have and their severity can help you see how well a medicine is working.

In addition to medicines, you and your doctor may discuss migraine triggers and how to avoid them. Certain foods, stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, and many other things can cause migraines. Learning your own triggers and how to avoid them is an important part of preventing migraines.

What makes a migraine

Migraines usually have the following symptoms:

* Severe pain and intense pounding in the head that makes it impossible to do daily tasks

* Nausea and/or vomiting

* Sensitivity to light or sound

Some migraines also start with an aura. An aura may be vision changes, like seeing flashes of light or lines. Some people have trouble seeing clearly and cannot focus on objects. An aura may also cause tingling in an arm or leg. Only about 20 percent of people who get migraines will have an aura.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Fibroids

Women’s Health

Fibroids are benign (not cancerous) tumors made mostly of muscle tissue. They are found in the wall of the uterus and sometimes on the cervix. They can range in size from as small as a pea to more than 6 inches wide. With larger fibroids, a woman’s uterus can grow to the size of a pregnancy more than 20 weeks along. About 20% to 25% of women over the age of 35 get fibroids.

Signs & Symptoms

Some women with uterine fibroids do not have any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they vary due to the number, size, and locations of the fibroid(s). Symptoms include:

* Abdominal swelling, especially if they are large.

* Heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods or after intercourse, or bleeding after menopause.

* Backache, pain during sex, pain with periods, etc.

* Anemia from excessive bleeding.

* Pelvic pressure.

* Passing urine often from pressure on the bladder.

* Chronic constipation from pressure on the rectum.

* Infertility. The fallopian tubes may be blocked or the uterus may be distorted.

* Miscarriage. If the fibroid is inside the uterus, the placenta may not implant the way it should.

Diagnosis

Fibroids are diagnosed with a medical history and a pelvic exam. Your doctor can also do other tests, such as an ultrasound and hysteroscopy to confirm their presence, location, and size.

Causes & Risk Factors

Reasons a Woman is More Likely To Get Fibroids

* She has not been pregnant.

* She has a close relative who also had or has fibroids.

* She is African American. The risk is three to five times higher than it is for Caucasian women.

The exact cause is not known, but fibroids need estrogen to grow. They may shrink or go away after menopause.

Treatment

“Watchful waiting”

Your doctor will “watch” for any changes and may suggest “waiting” for menopause, since fibroids often shrink or disappear after that time. If you have problems during this “waiting” period, you may decide that you do not want to “wait” for menopause, but choose to have something done to treat your fibroids. Problems include: Too much pain; too much bleeding; an abdomen that gets too big; the need to take daily iron to prevent anemia; and other abdominal problems.

Medication

One type is called GnRH agonists. These block the production of estrogen by the ovaries. This shrinks fibroids in some cases, but is not a cure. The fibroids return when the medicine is stopped. Shrinking the fibroids might allow a minor surgery (with less blood loss) to be done instead of a major one. GnRH agonists are taken for a few months, but not more than six, because their side effects mimic menopause and may lead to osteoporosis. In some cases, GnRH agonists can be used longer with “Add Back Therapy.” This uses low dose estrogen to make side effects milder.

Surgery Methods Include:

* Myomectomy. The fibroids are removed. The uterus is not. This can be done using a laparoscope and a laser (laparoscopy). The fibroids could also be cut out using a resectoscope (hysteroscopy). Fibroids can be removed under direct vision during abdominal surgery (laparotomy). Myomectomy methods may allow fibroids to grow back. The more fibroids there are to begin with, the greater the chance they will grow back.

* Procedures to destroy the uterine lining. These do not remove fibroids or the uterus, but stop or lighten menstrual flow from then on. The uterine lining can be destroyed using a laser, heat, or ultra cold.

* Uterine artery embolization. A catheter is inserted in a large blood vessel in the groin and sent to the level of the uterine arteries. A substance is given that blocks blood flow to the uterine arteries that nourish the fibroids. This treatment shrinks the fibroids.

* Hysterectomy. This surgery removes the uterus and the fibroids with it. This method is advised when the fibroid is very large or when other treatments don’t stop severe bleeding. It is the only way to get rid of fibroids for sure. A women can no longer get pregnant after the surgery. This treatment is also advised if the fibroid is cancerous. This rarely occurs.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Take medications as advised.

* Maintain a healthy body weight. Follow a diet low in fat. The more body fat you have, the more estrogen your body is likely to have. This promotes fibroid growth.

* Do regular exercise. This may reduce your body’s fat and estrogen levels.

Resources

National Women’s Health Information Center

www.womenshealth.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How To Stop A Nosebleed

SELF-CARE CORNER

When the furnace fires up and the humidity drops, the nose is most at risk. Nosebleeds can range from a simple, brief annoying amount of bleeding to life-threatening bleeding, according to Dr. Peter Shepard, an ear, nose, and throat expert.

The nose has a collection of blood vessels called Kiesselbach’s plexus. This area is located at the front of the septum, the cartilage that divides the nose. Vessels from several different main trunks all meet in this spot and are very close to the surface. This is also the area of the nose that tends to dry out the most.

If the surface cracks, the vessels will bleed. The size of the vessels determines how bad the bleeding is. People are more at risk if they have high blood pressure, take blood thinners, use oxygen, or have a deviated nasal septum.

The best treatment for nosebleeds is avoiding them in the first place. Unless you can take an extended trip to Hawaii, you’ll want to work on improving the humidity inside your nose.

Apply Vaseline at the front of your nostril twice a day. Saline spray can be kept with you and used throughout the day.

If you do have a bleed, a few simple things will usually stop it.

* Apply pressure by squeezing the soft part of the nose between your thumb and index finger. Lean forward so you don’t swallow any blood (do not hold your head back, as some suggest).

* If that is not enough, oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray can be a miracle drug for nosebleeds. It is a decongestant but works for nosebleeds since it causes blood vessels to tighten. Blow the blood out of the nose, spray twice, and then apply pressure for 15 minutes.

* If the bleeding won’t stop, go to the emergency room.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (Pid)

Women’s Health

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that goes up through the uterus to the fallopian tubes. Both females and males carry the organisms that cause PID. These can be passed on to someone else. This occurs even when no symptoms are noticed.

Signs & Symptoms

When symptoms are present, they can vary from woman to woman. PID can be acute or chronic.

Symptoms of Acute PID

* Pain in the abdomen or back. The pain can be severe.

* Vaginal discharge with a foul odor.

* Pain during sex.

* The abdomen is tender and/or bloated.

* Menstrual cramps are very painful.

* High fever.

Symptoms of Chronic PID

* Pain in the abdomen or back is less severe. This often occurs halfway through the menstrual cycle or during a pelvic exam.

* Skin on the abdomen is sensitive.

* Vaginal discharge. Change in menstrual flow.

* Nausea.

* Low grade fever.

Causes

* Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. The organisms that cause these STIs spread into the internal reproductive organs. Many times, PID is caused by more than one of these organisms.

* Having had PID in the past.

* Recently having vaginitis.

* Bacteria normally found in the intestines can get into the pelvic cavity. Times this can happen:

– After sex, especially having vaginal intercourse right after having anal intercourse.

– With high risk sexual practices that increase the risk of infection. Examples are having multiple sex partners or having sex with a person who has many partners.

– After an intrauterine device (IUD) is put in or adjusted. This is a low risk, though.

Diagnosis

The symptoms of PID are a lot like those of other conditions, such as endometriosis and urinary tract infections. This can make it hard to diagnose PID from symptoms alone. Most of the time your doctor can diagnose PID with an exam and simple laboratory tests. Rarely, your doctor may need to do a laparoscopy. This is a minor surgical procedure which allows your doctor to see all the structures inside your abdomen. An ultrasound may also be done.

Treatment

Antibiotics treat diagnosed PID. If the infection is severe, bed rest and antibiotics given through an IV may be needed. Treatment for an infected sex partner is also needed. This prevents getting the infection again.

When PID is not treated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. If it spreads to the blood, it may threaten life.

Scarring from the infection can cause damage to a woman’s reproductive organs. It can cause infertility. Also, a woman who has had PID is at increased risk for:

* A tubal pregnancy.

* Premature labor and birth.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to keep bacteria from getting into the vagina.

* When you menstruate, change tampons and/or pads often.

* Don’t have vaginal sex right after anal sex.

* Don’t have sex with anyone who has not been treated for a current case of PID or an STI or with anyone who has partners that haven’t been treated.

* Use barrier birth control methods with spermicides. These reduce the risk of getting PID from an infected partner. These include the male or female condom, cervical cap, or diaphragm. Use these even if you use other forms of birth control, such as the pill.

* Don’t use an IUD if you are at risk for STIs. If you use an IUD, have your doctor remove it if you become pregnant and then miscarry. If it is left in, your risk for PID goes up.

* Don’t smoke.

* Don’t use douches. These can spread bacteria further up the vagina.

* After childbirth, wait until you stop bleeding to have sex. After a D & C, abortion, or miscarriage, wait 1 week to have sex. Use a latex or polyurethane condom for 2 weeks after having an IUD put in.

* If you are at risk for PID, get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every 6 months.

Resources

National Women’s Health Information Center

www.womenshealth.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Know About Prostate Cancer

MEDICAL NEWS

Experts at Mount Sinai Medical Center offer this prostate cancer prevention advice:

*Age is the strongest risk factor:Almost two-thirds of prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65.

*Family history can be important:Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing this disease.

*Race is a factor:Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than in men of other races.

*Follow a healthy diet:Eat more low-fat, high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, and limit intake of red or processed meat.

*Diagnose cancer early:Speak with your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer and the benefits of screening. For men at high risk, screening should be considered at age 40.

Screening works

Screenings consists of a PSA blood test, which measures the level of PSA, a protein that is produced by the prostate gland, and a digital rectal exam, which can uncover physical abnormalities of the prostate that may be a sign of cancer.

NOTE:

Prostate cancer screening guidelines vary with different health groups. Ask your doctor at what age you should discuss prostate cancer screening. Ask about the benefits and risks of PSA blood tests.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Prostate Cancer

Cancer

This cancer is rare in men younger than 40, but the risk of having prostate cancer rises after age 50.

Men aged 50 to 69 years should discuss the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening with their doctors. African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should do this starting at age 40.

When present, symptoms of prostate cancer include:

* Passing urine often or having a hard time passing urine

* Pain and burning when you pass urine, have an erection, or ejaculate. Pain in the hips, pelvis, ribs, or spine

* Blood in the urine

Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms, which can be the same ones for other prostate problems.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Nail The Infection

SELF-CARE CORNER

Despite the wealth of over-the-counter products available that claim to treat fungal nail infections (in the toenails and sometimes in the fingernails), the only way to cure an infection is to see a skin doctor (a dermatologist).

Over-the-counter topical medications don’t penetrate the nail and therefore aren’t as effective as oral prescriptions. A dermatologist can prescribe the proper drugs to get rid of the fungi that are the problem in yellowing and misshapen nails.

One of the best ways to deal with fungal nail infections is to prevent them from happening. The fungi love warm, damp environments around swimming pools and gym locker rooms-and inside your warm, sweaty socks.

The best way to nail a nail infection is to keep your feet clean and dry and wear sandals in public shower areas.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Sexually Transmitted Infections (Sti)

Sexual Health

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also called STDs. They are infections that pass from one person to another through sexual contact. STIs can be present without any symptoms.

Latex and polyurethane condoms reduce the spread of HIV and other STIs. They do not get rid of the risk entirely. Use a condom correctly and every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Do this unless you have sex with only one partner and neither of you has an STI.

Barriers made of natural membranes, such as lamb skin, do not give good protection against STIs. Buy condoms that state, “Protect against disease” on the package label. Also, do not use a male condom and a female condom at the same time.

Oil-based or petroleum lubricants can damage latex condoms. If a lubricant is used for sex, use a water-based one, such as K-Y Brand products.

If you are sexually active, talk to your doctor about screening tests for STIs.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Non-Drug Options For Chronic Pain

SELF-CARE CORNER

Pain that lasts a long time or is ongoing is called chronic pain. A variety of conditions may lead to chronic pain, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, past injuries, or migraine headaches.

Always speak to your doctor about any natural remedies you wish to try and any herbs or supplements you take. Not all natural treatments are safe for everyone, including if you are pregnant. Some can interact with medicines. Your doctor can help you find options that will be best for you. The following options are alternative, non-drug treatments that may be helpful.

Acupuncture

This Chinese medicine practice involves the placement of thin, small needles into the surface of the skin at various points on the body called meridians. Acupuncturists should be certified or licensed and should use sterile needles. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help with osteoarthritis pain, lower back pain and headaches.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on the present moment only. You calmly acknowledge feelings and thoughts that arise and go back to thinking about the present moment. This treatment may be helpful for people with chronic pain.

Herbs and dietary supplements

Various natural supplements may be helpful for chronic pain.

* Omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and the herb thunder god vine may help with rheumatoid arthritis pain.

* Butterbur, feverfew, magnesium, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 may help prevent migraines.

* Vitamin D supplements may reduce pain in people with fibromyalgia who have low vitamin D levels.

* Devil’s claw and white willow bark taken by mouth may be helpful for back pain.

* Cayenne, comfrey, Brazilian arnica and lavender essential oil may help back pain when used on the skin (do not take these by mouth).

Massage

Massage therapists use their hands to rub or knead the muscles and joints of the body. Some studies show that massage therapy can help with neck pain. Massage may also help reduce pain from osteoarthritis.

Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Depression

Student Health

Depression is the most common reason college students go to their school’s counseling service. Depression makes a person less able to manage life. It affects a person’s mood, mind, body, and behaviors.

Signs & Symptoms

The number and severity of the symptoms vary from person to person. A person who is depressed has one or more of the signs and symptoms listed below.

* Feeling sad, hopeless, and helpless.

* Feeling guilty and/or worthless.

* Thinking negative thoughts.

* Having a loss of interest in things, such as social activities, hobbies, and sex.

* Sleeping too little or too much.

* Fatigue or loss of energy.

* Problems concentrating or making decisions.

* Ongoing physical symptoms, such as headaches, chronic pain, or digestive problems that don’t respond to treatment.

* Uncontrollable crying.

* Poor appetite with weight loss, or overeating and weight gain.

* Thoughts of suicide or death.

Causes & Risk Factors

* Major changes and stress that accompany college, including choosing career goals, leaving home, and the strain from trying to study and socialize at the same time.

* Obsessing about expenses.

* Abuse of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.

* Relationship changes, such as break ups, a family divorce, or the death of someone close.

* Brain chemical imbalances. Also, some types of depression run in families.

* Hormonal changes. This could be from taking birth control pills or using anabolic steroids which can cause changes in mood.

* Lack of natural, unfiltered sunlight between late fall and spring. This is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It may only affect some people that are prone to this disorder.

* Holiday “blues.”

Most likely, depression is caused by a mix of: A family history of the illness; brain chemical imbalances; emotional issues; and other factors, such as a medical illness or alcohol abuse.

In some people, events like extreme stress and grief may cause depression. In others, depression occurs even when life is going well.

Treatment

Treatment includes medicines, psychotherapy, and other therapies that are specific to the cause of the depression. Exposure to bright lights (similar to sunlight) for depression that results from SAD can be helpful. {Note: Some antidepressant medicines can increase the risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially in children and adolescents. This risk may be higher within the first days to a month after starting the medicine. Persons who take antidepressants should be closely monitored.}

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Take medications as prescribed. Get your doctor’s advice before you take over-the-counter herbs, such as St. John’s Wort, especially if you take other medications.

* Don’t use illegal drugs. Limit alcohol. These can cause or worsen depression. Drugs and alcohol can also make medicines for depression less effective. Harmful side effects can occur when drugs and/or alcohol are mixed with medicine.

* Eat healthy foods. Eat at regular times.

* Get regular exercise.

* Talk to someone who will listen to the tensions and frustrations you are feeling.

* Try not to isolate yourself. Be with people you trust and feel safe with, even though you feel down.

* Do things you enjoy. Do something that lets you express yourself. Draw. Paint. Write your thoughts in a diary or journal.

* Relax. Listen to soft music, take a warm bath or shower. Do relaxation exercises.

* Avoid stressful situations or taking on added commitments when you feel depressed.

* Keep an emergency number handy (e.g., crisis hotline, trusted friend’s number, etc.) in case you feel desperate.

Feeling better takes time. Don’t expect to just “snap out” of your depression.

To Help A Friend Who Is Depressed

* Help your friend get an appropriate diagnosis. Make an initial appointment with a professional and offer to take your friend.

* Do not ignore remarks about suicide. Report them, immediately, to a student advisor, teacher, or health care provider.

* Be aware of the type of medication your friend needs to take and when it should be taken. If necessary, alert your friend’s health care provider about any side effects that you notice.

* Be supportive. Depression is no different from any other physical illness. It requires patience, understanding, love, and encouragement. Encourage your friend to continue with treatment and to see his or her health care provider if there is no improvement.

* Listen with care. Point out your friend’s successes and attributes when he or she feels worthless, helpless, or down about the future. Helping your friend see previous successes can help give the confidence needed to continue with treatment. Your friend doesn’t need you to tell him or her what to do. Listening is very helpful.

* Encourage your friend to go out and do things with you or with others, such as to see a movie or to do things your friend enjoyed in the past. Don’t push, though, or make too many demands.

* Seek support from organizations that deal with depression.

Resources

Your school’s Student Counseling Service or Student Mental Health Service. (Normally, these services are no cost to you.)

International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (IFRED)

www.ifred.org

Mental Health America (MHA)

800.969.6642

www.mentalhealthamerica.net

National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse

800.553.4539

www.mhselfhelp.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026