Multitasking became very popular, but the more I think about it the more I realize you can only actually do one thing at a time!  At first it seemed like a good idea to drive, talk on the phone, and listen to the radio all at the same time.  That is until more and more traffic accidents occurred leading to entire ad campaigns against these practices by some really famous and influencial people.  Ok so now what?

Well I think it all comes down to just doing your best.  Sure it would be great to ALWAYS check everything off your to-do-list with time to spare, but it’s just not always possible! And guess what?  THAT”S OK. 

Alright.  So maybe I’m writing this blog post for myself as well and that’s ok too.  I’m just going to do my best to get it all done ONE TASK at a time.

Well that is the official answer.  However, most of the time, this is not an overnight process!  Many people require the aid of their physician, their family, their friends, their church, their distant cousins, and most importantly their God to acheive this attainable feat!

So while you work on that… what do you do if you are a 30’something smoker?

“MS “asked this very question.

The pill is out if you are 35 years or older and a smoker.  The estrogen in The Pill is a problem, but there may even be risk associated with the progesterone! (That’s still being studied…)

Discuss with your physcian the possibility of using an intrauterine device (IUD) such as the Paragard.  This is a highly effective form of birth control!  However, every person has an individual set of circumstances which make contact with a primary care physician vital!  During the visit, you could even ask your doc about quitting cigarette use

Condoms used properly may be the best option.  They are readily available with very few side effects!  (Just make sure to avoid latex if you have an allergy!) 

The choice is yours just be sure to involve your physician.  As a smoker, you increase your risk of cardiovascular disease with or without The Pill…

Best of luck “MS” and keep us posted!  Sharing your personal experience will definitely help us learn!

If anyone else have thoughts are suggestions, please comment below so we can all become more enlighted

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a serious condition where a female’s reproductive organs become infected and inflamed. It can spread from one organ to the rest of the reproductive organs and affect the tissues around the organs as well.

Many women do not know about PID but it is quite common. It affects 1 million women in the United States a year and 250,000 are hospitalized due to the infection.

Causes

PID is most commonly caused by gonorrhea and Chlamydia, two bacterial sexually transmitted infections. The bacteria are transmitted through bodily fluids. Therefore, young sexually active women are the most at risk. However, women at any age can develop this infection. Also, women with multiple sex partners are at a higher risk as well as those that use an intrauterine device as a form of birth control.

Symptoms

PID is not easily diagnosed because the signs are not always apparent in many patients. These symptoms include:

• Severe pain in lower abdomen
• Fever, nausea and vomiting
• Irregular period
• Discharge from vagina
• Back pain
• Painful intercourse and urination

These symptoms are worse at the end of the menstrual cycle and the first few days after the cycle is over.

Why is PID so dangerous?

PID is an infection and infections get worse over time if not treated. The infection can destroy the tissue that makes up the female reproductive organs. This can cause severe scarring and chronic pain in the pelvic region. This infection can also make a woman infertile. The reproductive organs become inflamed. Therefore, eggs cannot move through the fallopian tubes efficiently and the sperm cannot fertilize it.

In some horrible cases, women have become pregnant. Unfortunately, the egg can become trapped in the fallopian tube or in another part of the reproductive area that it should not be. The sperm can sometimes get to the egg and it becomes fertilized. A small embryo will begin to grow in the small space and not survive the conditions. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. This can potentially rupture the fallopian tube and cause severe issues. It can cause internal bleeding and even death. Women cannot reproduce in this condition and are infertile.

PID needs to be treated as soon as possible by a healthcare professional. It is a serious disease and needs to be taken care of before it causes permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive organs.

Prevention

Since the infection is caused by bacteria that are transmitted through bodily fluids, the best prevention is abstinence.

However, if abstinence is not a person’s first choice, the use of protection, such as condoms, during sex is another option. Trying to prevent the spread of the bacteria will work as well, however, it is not 100 percent effective.  THE PILL DOES NOT PREVENT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES!

 How important do you think it is for young women to be aware of PID as well as other reproductive infections?

An IUD (IntraUterine Device) is a small, T-shaped plastic device that is inserted into a woman’s uterus by a healthcare professional that is used to prevent pregnancy. The IUD’s available in the U.S. release a hormone called progestin, which prevents ovaries from releasing eggs. The IUD affects the way the sperm move, which makes them unable to join with an egg. It also thickens the cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix to the egg.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

The IUD does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and should not be used as a means of protection.

An IUD can be used for 5 years and sometimes more depending on the brand.

ParaGard and Mirena are the only two IUD brands offered in the US.

Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year while using an IUD.

Never attempt to remove an IUD yourself. A healthcare professional can remove or replace an IUD for you. Attempting to remove an IUD yourself can cause severe damage.

You should not use an IUD if you are pregnant or have a sexually transmitted infection. Discuss with your physician whether or not an IUD is right for you.

Have you or someone you know had an IUD? Share your experiences. The lessons from your story may answer another person’s questions.

Heart attacks are the #1 killer of both men and women. It occurs when there is a blockage in the heart, generally caused from a buildup of plaque lining the coronary artery. The blood cannot flow through the heart while there is a blockage. That means that oxygen is not getting to the heart and the heart muscle becomes damaged and then begins to die.

Causes of Heart Attacks

There are multiple causes of heart attacks.

Coronary Artery Disease is the number one cause. It is the buildup of plaque along the inner wall of the coronary artery. The plaque consists of fat and cholesterol as well as other items found in your blood.  Once the plaque builds up enough to block the blood flow, a heart attack occurs.

Another cause is a severe spasm of the coronary artery. This can occur from drug usage, emotional stress or pain and smoking cigarettes. The spasm closes up the artery and induces a heart attack.

Symptoms/Signs of a Heart Attack

Heart attacks can either come suddenly or build up slowly in a person. That is why it is important to get help immediately. Every second that a heart attack is occurring more and more of the heart muscle is being destroyed.

Chest Pain or discomfort

Shortness of breath

Pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach

Fainting

Nausea/vomiting

Cold sweats

Lightheadedness

When experiencing these symptoms, you or someone else needs to call 9-1-1 immediately to get medical attention as fast as possible.

Tips for a Healthy Heart

The best way to start preventing a heart attack is to begin eating a low fat diet. You need to increase your fruit and vegetable intake and reduce your salt intake. This eating pattern will help reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol level. It will also help you lose weight, which also benefits your heart.

Quitting smoking is also a great idea. It will not only help your heart, but your lungs as well.

Finally, take time to work out. Exercise strengthens all of your muscles, including your heart.

In what ways are you working on your heart health? Have you or someone you know survived a heart attack? If so, tell us about your/their recovery and lifestyle changes.