Whelehans Health News

Pressure Sores Prevention and pain relief tips   Pressure ulcers are lesions caused by unrelieved pressure that results in damage to the underlying tissue. Generally, these are the result of soft tissue compression between a bony prominence and an external surface for a prolonged period. Pressure ulcers are among the most common conditions encountered in patients in hospital or requiring long-term institutional care. American studies have shown that pressure ulcers also are common among patients admitted to nursing homes, with reported rates ranging from 10 to 35 percent.   I previously discussed pressure sore in detail in this column including...

Menstrual Disorders   What is Menstruation? Menstruation or menstrual period (period) is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of the monthly cycle in women of reproductive age. Every month the woman’s body prepares for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus (womb) sheds its lining. The menstrual discharge contains both blood and tissue from inside the uterus that passes out of the body. Periods usually start between age 11 and 14. Periods continue until menopause which occurs for most women in their late forties or early fifties. Periods last between three to five days per month. In addition to bleeding...

Osteoporosis Brief Treatment Summary   Osteoporosis is a condition where bones lose density making fractures more likely. Approximately 50% of women and 20% of men over fifty experience a fracture due to osteoporosis. It is most common in postmenopausal women. Previously in this column. I discussed osteoporosis in more detail so in this article I discuss medication only (quick summary), but lifestyle and diet including calcium and vitamin D have an enormous influence on osteoporosis.   Bisphosphonates Examples include alendronic acid, risedronate sodium, and ibandronic acid. They work by slowing down bone loss.   Oral bisphosphonates are taken once weekly,...

Football can be painful for men in more ways than one   With the Euros nearly finished, I decided to discuss a rather “painful” but usually not serious football injury. Getting hit in the testicles with a football, or any other object, can be an extremely painful experience, and multiple impacts can exacerbate the severity of the injury. This article aims to describe what a man deals with physiologically and emotionally when this happens. As a man, I will give the caveat, that men are quote “less able to the deal with pain than women”, but getting hit in the...

Reflexology for Menopause   Reflexology as discussed last week is a complementary therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, and ears to promote relaxation and balance throughout the body.   What happens during menopause? Menopause is a natural stage in a woman's life when her menstrual cycle stops. This stage is often accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia. Reflexology can be a helpful therapy for women going through menopause. Here are some benefits of reflexology for menopause. Hot flushes or flashes are a common symptom of menopause. Reflexology can...