Women’s Health | Special Advertising Section
February is a month filled with hearts and love. Valentine greetings and heartfelt gifts are pleasing, but what does your heart truly desire? Just meditate on that for a moment, especially if you’re a woman.
Could it be that your one and only beating heart would like to go to the gym for a workout more often? Did you know that it craves the benefits of a healthy diet and feels sluggish when you fill up on “bad” fats, sugar, and salt?
Your heart would love for you to lose a little weight, get a good night’s sleep, and schedule regular health screenings and checkups. Oh, and when you’re stressed out, your heart pays the price — so do some deep breathing, get moving, laugh out loud, or try other calming methods.
American Heart Month is a good time for women to start making healthy lifestyle changes, because 1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke each year. Yes, women are busy taking care of everyone else, but life is a balancing act. You need to make time for yourself, and your health should come first. After all, no one is more deserving of your love and attention than You.
Q: I’m too vain to spend years in braces. Four months … I can do that! Can I really have my teeth straightened in only 20 weeks?
A: If you’re looking for a speedier way to straighten your teeth, Fastbraces can be the solution for a more beautiful smile in just weeks or months, rather than years. Dr. Craig Goldin, Dr. Marcy Goldin, and Dr. David Whalen, of the award-winning Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, offer Fastbraces for adults, teens, and children.
“Unlike traditional braces, Fastbraces have triangular brackets that allow the roots of your teeth to move toward their fi nal position, starting from the very fi rst day of treatment. Because the treatment time is shorter, you’ll spend less time wearing braces and you’ll need fewer office visits,” Dr. Craig Goldin says.
“Once the braces come off, you typically wear retainers for only 15 to 20 minutes a day,” Dr. Marcy Goldin adds. “Having straight teeth improves your smile, your bite, your overall dental health, and your self-confidence. For people who have avoided traditional orthodontic treatment, Fastbraces is a lifechanging alternative. It’s quicker, more comfortable, and more convenient.”
Fastbraces are available with aesthetically pleasing clear ceramic brackets and a tooth-colored wire. The Cosmetic Dentistry Institute provides Fastbraces and other state-of-the-art techniques, including porcelain veneers, in-office whitening, and natural-looking dental implants, to create the perfect smile you’ve always wanted.
“We restore health, function, and beauty,” Dr. David Whalen says. “We offer many options to our patients.”
Q: What do Snoring and Sleep Apnea have to do with Weight Gain?
A: Women who have trouble losing weight may be surprised to learn a poor night’s sleep can slow down metabolism. Your body is designed to reset hormone levels while you sleep. This in turn allows energy levels and metabolism to work in harmony.
Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) occurs when there is a restriction of the air to and from the lungs through the nose and pharynx. More commonly called Hypopnea (low breathing) or Apnea (stopped breathing), these interruptions to the sleep cycle can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes and weight gain.
A narrow mouth and high upper palate can be a consequence of being bottle-fed, or from a pacifi er or thumb-sucking. It can develop from poor diet or mouth breathing. Dentists used to remove some crowded teeth during orthodontics. The smile was straightened, but jaw never fully developed.
Your physician might not notice, as it’s a dentally-related problem. There is relief beyond a C-PAP. Dentists certifi ed in DNA and mRDA have methods to help your jaw to develop to its genetic potential, even as a grown adult. Sweet dreams!
Learn more at: www.dnaappliance.com or www.RegianiDental.com.
Q: How can I get rid of my excess belly fat?
A: When it comes to removing pockets of excess fat, no other plastic surgery procedure works as well as liposuction. Dr. Ellen Janetzke performs liposuction on the abdomen, thighs, “love handles,” buttocks, and other areas of the body for women who want a slimmer, firmer, and more feminine shape.
The procedure is done by making one or two small incisions, through which a thin tube is placed to suction out the fat. Dr. Ellen targets the problem areas to create a more attractive, contoured appearance. Women and men who are near their ideal, healthy body weight but are struggling with isolated deposits of fat are usually good candidates for liposuction. The good news is that after having liposuction, the fat won’t return, as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
If you’re frustrated because dieting and exercise programs just aren’t enough to banish the bulge around your belly, call today to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Ellen.
Q: How can gum disease be treated without invasive surgery?
A: One of the latest treatment options starts with a microscope. Dr. Joseph Nemeth is the fi rst periodontist in Michigan to be trained and certified in the Cure for Periodontal Disease, a nonsurgical therapy developed by Montreal dentist Dr. Mark Bonner.
“We use a microscope to identify harmful bacteria that are causing the gum disease. We clean the teeth, and the patient uses home-care techniques to kill the bacteria and eliminate the disease,” Dr. Nemeth explains. “We don’t have to cut or stitch the gums. It’s really remarkable.”
Dr. Nemeth also uses LANAP laser-based therapy to painlessly treat gum disease, targeting the source of inflammation without removing any healthy gum tissue.
“LANAP not only stops gum disease, it’s the only laser cleared by the FDA for the regeneration of bone and soft tissue that has been destroyed by the disease process,” he says.
Dr. Nemeth was the fi rst periodontist in the state to be trained and certifi ed with the minimally invasive Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Technique to lengthen receding gums with no incisions or stitches. For patients with a “gummy” smile, Dr. Nemeth recontours excess gum tissue so the teeth look appropriate and beautiful.
“It’s very exciting that we can help our patients enjoy a healthier and more attractive smile using these ‘ultra’ minimally invasive techniques,” he says.
Q: I’m all stressed out. How can I manage my busy life?
A: Stress and depression levels have grown from bad to worse as many women are multitasking — juggling a career, marriage, children, older parents, and home.
“They’re not allowing time for themselves in this rush to do everything else to perfection,” says bariatric/ internal medicine physician Dr. Gina Randhawa. “Many women get so busy that they put off having a Pap smear, mammogram, and colonoscopy. Out of 365 days, you can make time for these important preventive tests.”
Dr. Randhawa points out that stress can lead to unhealthy eating habits, which can lead to weight gain and more stress and depression. She has noticed that women, particularly younger women, are smoking more than men.
“Whether that’s because they believe it’s going to help with stress or keep their weight down, or they think it looks cool, women — especially of childbearing age — should quit for so many health reasons,” she says.
“I recommend meditation and relaxation to help calm nerves. Studies show that even 20 minutes of exercise is all you need to improve your mood,” Dr. Randhawa adds. “Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, and don’t feel guilty about doing things you love to do, whether that’s reading, cooking, or some other hobby. Having some ‘me time’ every day is very important.”
Q: What are the current concepts for abdominoplasty and body-contouring?
A: When performing a tummy tuck, Dr. Mune Gowda uses liposuction to sculpt the body circumferentially, creating a more flattering, curvy figure.
“Straight lines are very boring to the eye. Shapes, contours, and curves are more interesting,” he says. “The most important concept is the ratio of the waist to the buttocks. There is a generally accepted ratio and an exaggerated ratio, like the body shape of Kim Kardashian — which, for some people, is very appealing.”
Sometimes, Dr. Gowda will do a fat transfer to accentuate the patient’s buttocks. This procedure is known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). “Just a modest increase creates a really stunning body shape, and patients are very happy with the way their clothes fit,” he says.
Q: What is the most powerful anti-aging hormone/substance in the world for women?
A: The simple answer is this: human growth hormone and IGF-1.
Due to its unique, powerful regenerative and rejuvenating properties, HGH/IGF-1 is the only hormone or substance on earth that prevents the deterioration of cells, as well as the decline of the size and function of human body organs that occurs with aging.
As women age, levels of HGH/ IGF-1 and other vital hormones decline, leading to hormone imbalance. This increases health risks and causes many unpleasant symptoms, including low energy and sex drive, lack of sleep and concentration, fat gain, fatigue, and depression. Optimal and balanced hormone levels are essential for a woman’s health and quality of life.
Dr. George Shanlikian, medical director of Genemedics, is a national leader in the field of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and preventive health. He is a pioneer in prescribing HGH/IGF-1, and one of just a few cutting-edge physicians in the country with the expertise to properly balance these hormones. Fellowship-trained and boardcertified in anti-aging and regenerative medicine, Dr. Shanlikian has helped alleviate the symptoms of hormone imbalance in thousands of patients through customized programs of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, nutrition, nutritional supplements, and exercise.
Improve your health, regain your energy, and recharge your quality of life with hormone replacement therapy!
Q: I’ve noticed signs of aging on my face. What noninvasive treatments do you recommend so I can stay ahead of the aging game?
A: Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Myra Danish is seeing more and more younger women who want to stay as youthful and attractive as possible in today’s competitive world.
“Women in their 20s and 30s often have specific issues, such as deep frown creases or early volume loss in the cheeks. Women in their 40s and 50s notice volume loss in the face and the loss of elasticity in their skin,” Dr. Danish says.
“My No. 1 recommendation is injections to diminish frown lines and to restore volume under the eyes, to the cheeks, the laugh lines, the marionette lines, and along the jaw lines. This creates a dramatic difference in your appearance and can make you look 10 years younger.
“Laser facials can regenerate collagen, smooth the skin, and give it a healthy glow. I also recommend noninvasive, no-downtime treatments to tighten sagging skin on the face and body, and to contour fat. All of these popular and effective treatments will help to put the best you forward.”
Q: I have arthritis. How can physical therapy help me?
A: Arthritis is caused by the loss of cartilage in our joints. This places stress on bones and joints, leading to inflammation, pain, bone spurs, and stiffness. In turn, these can cause pain during day-to-day activities and result in reduced activity tolerance.
Physical therapists are specialists in human movement, and arthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting movement. Physical therapy for arthritis begins with a detailed assessment of range of motion, strength, flexibility, and movement patterns. This information, along with the client’s goals, will allow the therapist to develop a customized treatment program.
Treatments usually involve manual therapy techniques and specific therapeutic exercises aimed at strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight muscles. To reduce stress on arthritic joints, movement patterns — such as the way a person gets up from a chair or goes down the stairs — are identified and addressed. Modalities for pain relief, such as heat therapy or electric stimulation, may also be incorporated.
Whether your goal is to golf 18 holes without “paying for it” the next day, or to simply get up from a chair without groaning and creaking, physical therapy may help with the pain of arthritis and allow you to lead a more active life.
Q: Why is heart disease something women shouldn’t ignore?
A: Each year, cardiovascular diseases and stroke kill 1 in 3 women — that’s about one woman every 80 seconds.
The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign aims to raise awareness about cardiovascular risk factors and encourages women to take action to reduce their risks and improve their overall cardiovascular health.
About 90 percent of women over age 50 have at least one cardiovascular risk factor (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity or being overweight, diabetes, or smoking). While you can’t change your age or your family history, you can reduce the modifiable risk factors by adhering to a healthy lifestyle.
If you sit at a desk all day, stand up and move around for at least 10 minutes every hour. Become more active by walking or biking, or participating in other exercise. Pack a nutritious lunch and eat at home more often — studies show it’s healthier than eating out.
Know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), and blood glucose. Ask your physician what you can do to improve those numbers with lifestyle changes or medications.
Typically, women are the caretakers. They’re busy and they don’t put their health first. But, if they don’t take care of themselves, they won’t be able to take care of those they love.
Q: What can I do to stop my hair from falling out?
A: For patients with thinning hair and hair loss, it’s important to take a full history to determine whether there’s a medical cause or any nutritional deficiencies. Along with eating a healthy diet, the first treatment option is Minoxidil, which tends to be very effective as long as you apply it to your scalp consistently. Another option is low-level laser therapy, which also should be used on a regular schedule. You can use a hair laser therapy and Minoxidil in combination.
Some patients who have already tried these options may be good candidates for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. The staff at Procerus Skin Care will draw your blood and process the platelets which contain growth factors. When the platelet plasma is injected back into your scalp, it creates a rich environment to help stimulate hair regrowth and produce thicker hair strands. PRP also can improve the outcome of hair transplants.
Dr. Kathleen Gilmore and her staff educate their patients about the full range of options for hair restoration, to help them achieve the very best results.
Q: My child snores while sleeping at night. Should I be concerned? Is it harmful?
A: This is a common question posed to me by many parents. It’s of no surprise to me, since our children are our top priority — as is their health and comfort.
It is estimated that 12 to 15 percent of children between the ages of 1 to 9 snore, and 3 percent have obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring may be a sign of a sleep disorder. Some causes of snoring in children are:
• Deviated septum (this reduces the amount of airflow in and out of the nose)
• Respiratory infection (this could cause a stuffy nose)
• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids (this is the leading cause of OSA; swollen glands block the airway, making it difficult to breathe)
• OSA
Children (as well as adults) who suffer from OSA can have many associated health problems. Children who breathe through their mouth have a two- to fivefold increase in upper airway resistance as compared to nasal breathers.
Some things to look for at night during your child’s sleep:
• Is your child restless at night? Do they wake up often?
• Do they snore more than three times/ week?
• Do they wet their bed?
• Is their breathing interrupted by gasps? Are their shoulders and chest, rather than the diaphragm, moving during breathing?
• Are they breathing through their mouth?
During the day, look for excessive sleepiness. In addition, were they difficult to wake up in the morning? Are they experiencing any learning, social, or behavior problems? Do they mouth breathe?
Here are some suggestions if you’re concerned about your child’s snoring:
• Videotape your child while sleeping and show their pediatrician. Early intervention is extremely important.
• Remove all possible allergens from their bed, such as stuffed animals and down-filled pillows.
• Referral to a pediatric ear, nose and throat doctor may be necessary.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding your child’s snoring or sleep, please call: 586-416-1444.
Q: How is Pain Free Life Centers’ laser technology changing the face of pain management?
A: Pain Free Life Centers of Michigan is the leader in the use of medical lasers to treat people suffering from chronic pain. It is the only laser pain center in Michigan that offers an exclusive, comprehensive high-dose laser therapy program that has shown proven results.
Pain Free Life Centers offers a no-drug, no-injection, nonsurgical alternative for pain management. Laser treatments are superior to other modalties because the laser is able to treat the pain at its source. The light penetrates through the skin to the cellular level, which stimulates the production of adenosine triphosphate, increasing blood flow and dramatically reducing inflammation — which, for many patients, is the cause of 90 percent of their pain.
It’s truly amazing to be able to change patients’ lives every day. Pain Free Life Centers has the most experienced and highly trained certified technicians in the state of Michigan. The quality of care and positive results they offer are second to none.
Experience the benefits of their FDA-cleared HD laser therapy program. Pain Free Life Centers is so confident in what they do, your first consultation and treatment are absolutely free. Make Pain Free Life Centers your first choice, not your last resort.
Q: How is Pilates beneficial for the pre- and post-natal client?
A: Pilates is a great way for the mom-to-be to gently strengthen and tone muscles, as well as stretch tight muscles. Pilates specifically focuses on the abdominals, back, and pelvic floor, which are important muscle groups to help support the pregnant body. Another benefit of Pilates is that most exercises are easily modified.
“Gentle exercise is important to maintain prenatal strength and flexibility. Pilates helps strengthen the postural muscles, allowing for a more comfortable, pain-free pregnancy,” says Ron Jegadeesh, P.T., MBA.
After having a baby, Pilates can help you get back into shape. It’s an excellent choice for those who want to regain muscle tone, correct pelvic floor dysfunction, and improve postural imbalances due to caring for a newborn. Clients generally find that Pilates will help tone and strengthen all areas of the body.
Be sure to ask your doctor or midwife before beginning any new exercise program. It’s important to train with an instructor who is qualified to teach pregnant women. Many of the trainers on staff at Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center have completed specialized pre- and post-natal training, so be sure to tell your instructor that you’re pregnant and listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, stop the exercise and check with your instructor.
Q: What are some steps I can take to live a heart-healthy lifestyle?
A: Dr. Nishtha Sareen, M.D., F.A.C.C., an interventional cardiologist at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, suggests that women focus on four major lifestyle interventions: eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding stress, and seeing a physician for routine checkups.
“Most guidelines recommend medical screenings for heart disease beginning at age 40. However, if you are obese, you smoke, or you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, you should see a physician right away no matter what your age,” she says. “To maintain heart health, women in their early 20s should start monitoring their blood pressure, BMI (body mass index), and waist size on a regular basis.”
Dr. Sareen recommends minimizing everything “white” in your diet, including white rice, pasta, white bread, sugar, and salt. Fill your plate with a rainbow of colored vegetables and fruits, and stick to whole grains and lean meats. If you can’t commit to 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week at the gym, Dr. Sareen suggests simple everyday interventions to get your heart pumping.
“Take the stairs instead of elevators. Park your car as far away as possible from a shopping mall. Do sit-ups or push-ups while you watch TV. Avoiding smoking and stress, and add meditation or other calming techniques to your day.”
To reach Dr. Sareen or a St. Joe’s cardiologist, call 844-BeRemarkable.
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