Blessed Health

Table of Contents Introduction 1. WHAT MAKES SISTERS UNIQUE? Health Concerns Distrust of Health Care Professionals Poverty and Lack of Insurance Lack of Knowledge Family Traditions The Health Care System Itself It's Time for a Change Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 2. UNDERSTANDING YOUR BODY AND SOUL A Brief Overview of the Female Reproductive System The Brain/Body Connection Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 3. TAKE TIME TO TAKE STOCK Get in Touch with You -- A Health Inventory Assessing Your Answers Checkups and Tests Age-by-Age Test Guide Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 4. THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE Are All Doctors Alike? Finding the Right Doctor Getting the Most from Doctor Visits Understanding Insurance Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 5. COMMON ILLNESSES, SIMPLE CURES Vaginitis Bladder Infections Other Minor Conditions Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 6. A WOMAN'S BODY -- DEALING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS Fibroids Endometriosis Adenomyosis Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Adnexal Mass Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) Pelvic Relaxation Menstrual Disorders Uterine Anomalies Sexually Transmitted Diseases HIV and AIDS Cancer Rare Gynecologic Cancers Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 7. IF YOU NEED SURGERY Knowledge Is Power Common Surgeries Before You Consent -- Seven Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor Do You Really Need a Second Opinion? Caring for the Incision Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 8. BACK TO BASICS -- NUTRITION AND EXERCISE Work That Body Walking the Walk Pump It Up You Are What You Eat Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 9. CARING FOR YOUR BREASTS The ABCs of Breasts From Buds to Breasts A Little TLC Breast Basics Could It Be Cancer? The Facts About Cosmetic Surgery Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 10. THE ABCs OF PREGNANCY A Good Start -- Preparing for Pregnancy The Expectant Mother The Anatomy of Pregnancy Testing, Testing How Your Body Changes Staying Fit Complications of Pregnancy Labor and Delivery Pregnancy after Age 35 Infertility Preventing Pregnancy Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 11. MANAGING MENOPAUSE Demystifying Menopause Signs of Menopause Raising the Stakes -- The More Serious Effects of Menopause Osteoporosis -- The Brittle Bone Disease The Menopause/Heart Disease Connection Managing Menopause -- Is Estrogen the Solution? Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul 12. NOT FOR MEN ONLY -- DISEASES THAT STRIKE SISTERS, TOO Cardiovascular Disease Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Coronary Artery Disease Stroke Diabetes Lung Cancer Colon Cancer Rx: A Prescription for Your Soul Appendix A: The Prescription Center Appendix B: Glossary Appendix C: Resources Appendix D: Sources Index