Sutter Delta - Index

Sutter Delta - spring2008magazine - Index

the Unmentionable
Be sure to follow these suggestions for good health:
◾ Choose a diet low in saturated fat and high in fiber that
includes plenty of fish, fruits, vegetables and beans.
◾ Get plenty of calcium—1,200 milligrams a day after age 50
(plus at least 400 international units of vitamin D to help
your body use the calcium).
◾ Get regular exercise to help manage your weight, keep your
heart and bones strong, and boost your spirits.
◾ Limit caffeine and alcohol and keep stress under control.
◾ Quit smoking to help reduce hot flashes and prevent
serious health problems.
I have bladder control problems. Should I be concerned?
Urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, has long
held a stigma. But it’s a common problem that deserves a
closer look—particularly because the condition may have a
medical or surgical fix.
Although the condition is often associated with aging, urinary
incontinence can be caused by many other factors, such as
childbirth, infection, pregnancy, surgery and neurological diseases.
It can even be a side effect of medication. Common types
of incontinence include:
◾ Stress incontinence, which occurs when laughing, exercise
or coughing puts too much pressure on weakened bladder
muscles
◾ Overflow incontinence, in which the bladder never empties
completely and eventually becomes so full that it overflows
◾ Urge incontinence, or overactive bladder, in which a person
has the powerful urge to urinate but often cannot get to the
bathroom in time
◾ Functional incontinence, in which a person has normal urine
control but has difficulty making it to the bathroom in time
Incontinence can be treated with medication, behavioral modification
or sometimes surgery.
How do I know whether I have a sexually
transmitted disease?
Women are at special risk for sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). Often women have no symptoms and don’t get treatment
until complications develop. Warning signs may include:
◾ Lower abdominal pain or pain when you urinate
◾ Vaginal discharge
◾ Genital or rectal sores or growths
◾ Fever, fatigue and headache
The most common STDs are genital warts, chlamydia, herpes
type 2, gonorrhea and syphilis. If left untreated, STDs can lead
to more serious health problems, such as infertility or cervical
cancer. Most STDs are treatable, so if you have symptoms or
think you may have contracted an STD, see your doctor.
I sweat a lot, and it’s embarrassing. Is this normal?
Nearly 2.5 million Americans sweat so much that it causes
them social embarrassment and occupational problems. You
don’t have to suffer in silence. Most people can be helped.
Sweating helps lower your body heat. But with excessive
sweating (hyperhidrosis), the amount of perspiration is much
greater than needed to maintain a normal temperature.
About half of hyperhidrosis patients have overactive sweat
glands in the underarms and must change into dry shirts several
times a day. Sweaty hands make simple activities such as
typing, shaking hands or gripping tools difficult. Doctors think
the problem can be traced to the area of the brain that tells the
body when to sweat. If this area becomes oversensitive, even a
hint of anxiety or heat will unleash floods of perspiration. The
good news: Prescription antiperspirant is available. Talk with
your doctor to see whether this is an option for you.
Need to Find a Doctor You Can Talk With?
Visit www.thedoctorforyou.com to search our network
of more than 3,500 doctors associated with Sutter Health.
Tests You Need for Better Health
You feel fine, so why get health screenings? Many illnesses
have no symptoms, so testing is the only way to
know for sure. Find out about the tests you need by visiting
www.sutterhealth.org/health/guidelines/
preventcare_guidelines.html.
PATION ~ BLOATING ~ INCONTINENCE
Sutter Delta Medical Center www.sutterdelta.org 9