Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Detox to Dog Walks: Sharing Well Care Tips with Real Women!

Last night's RealWomen on Health! Show was a veritable bonanza of well care tips for women of all life stages. It all started when Jasmine, the wellness coach, shared how she cured herself of her migraines with the help of a naturopath and a single allergy test .

"After doing a scan, my naturopath found that gluten was my primary trigger, secondarily it was soy and third it was dairy. She advised me to rid it out of my diet. Desperate for relief, I went cold turkey and thus began my journey for inner healing. I found complete relief in six weeks. In fact, if I eat gluten, I will get a migraine within 24 hours. I am no longer fatigued, fall asleep at the wheel or an hour after I eat breakfast," explains Jasmine.

Migraines are a women's health issue. Women outnumber men 3 to 1 suffering from migraine headaches. Jasmine was one of them, however, thanks to her resolve and determination to deal with the pain and fatigue, she no longer suffers.

By the way, there are many reasons why women suffer more than men from migraines. While ovulation and menstruation may be one reason, pharmacologic triggers and dietary triggers are others to consider. Stress can be the final "straw" but usually not the only factor.




"Mainstream medicine failed to help me, I took charge of my health and as a woman, that feels good. I learned in Chinese medicine, the stomach and head are on the same chi line. The fact that whatever I was eating gave me acid reflux, then triggered my migraine was fascinating to me"explained Jasmine.

Once Jasmine told her story, several women on the show revealed their own fabulous well care tips:

1. My PR partner, Deborah, a high achieving exec in Fairfield County Connecticut, told us about her 15 year regimen of regular elimination detoxing that has kept her energy levels high. She said that it's best to do any detox in partnership with a doctor or naturopath who knows your clinical status. Since Deb rarely passes up a new biz pitch or a chance to competitive golf...the proof is in the pudding. She has more energy than a twenty year old!
2. Margo is a entrepreneur with a passion for helping patients become empowered, and savvy, working with their healthcare professionals. Her well care tip was two-fold: cook from scratch with natural ingredients and 2) learn how to partner with your doctor. In fact, to help you, she has written a book and tool kit on how to be a savvy patient.

3. My friend, Ann, couldn't say enough about her love for the girls' weekend away as a well care tip. On a monthly basis, she plans weekends with her girlfriends - shopping, eating and the occasional well-deserved glass(es) of wine - the boost of mental and psychic energy that allows her to tackle the pressing business issues she's confronted with daily. In addition, it's been proven that social support is a necessity for women's health and wellness. And, it has nothing to do with the red wine:)) Did I mention Artemis Woman? She's the co-founder of this five year old women's wellness company, one of 2009's Inc 500 fastest growing companies.

4. My spunky sister, Kara, jumped on the line from San Francisco with a really fun tip: get a dog. She recently buckled under the weight of her young daughter's demands for a yellow retriever, and...well, the rest is history. She's in love! The dog, Sandy, requires daily walks or runs, for 20 minutes to an hour or more. Kara says that caring for a dog helps her stay fit, and brings her in touch with people and places you might not otherwise ever meet or see! Going on a bike ride with the dog is demanding, too - I've been with her when the dog has chosen a swampy bird reserve over the well-travelled and dry bike paths!

Finally, I've taken to the sport of rowing or sculling.
I just started to learn the sport two years ago, and I'm addicted. The upper body and stomach work out is great, but what I most enjoy is getting my heart rate up to 60% - 70% target zone without high impact!
For me that means 155-165 beats a minute for 20 min daily. I measure the beats a minute with a heart monitor and, if I can't get to the rowing club on any given day, I substitute on-the-water time with a run, with intermittent walking. You'd be surprised how fast your heart rate can get in the zone...but, if you don't have the stamina to sustain that level for 20 min, you can try interval training. The important point is to sustain target heart zone for 20 min daily, whether you walk or run.

With Women's Health Week in full swing, our RealWomen on Health! show community created a sense that no matter what our age, lifestyle or health, we need to support each other with wellness practices that give us a sense of well-being, and vitality through what's most important to us - whether as a mom, a working woman or a caregiver.
Join us in September with the National Women's Health Resource Center as we discuss healthcare reform and what it means for women. I'll keep you up to date on the timing, just follow us here or subscribe through the feed on the right!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

What's Your Well Care Plan? Give Us Your 3 tips!

In recognition of National Women's Health Week, take a deep breath...and get connected to your own health and well-being. Join Kelley Connors, Host of RealWomen on Health! and Jasmine Jafferali, MPH and other wellness professionals in a candid conversation packed with strategies and tips to help you take charge of your own well-being!

Be sure to bring your own tips with you to share with us in this on-line, telephone health salon! It's free, fun, and worth 30-min of your time to share with others and learn what others are doing to stay well and be their best.

Jasmine Jafferali, MPH is a wellness consultant with her own column in the Chicago Examiner focused on women’s health. Through her writing and coaching, she helps women, moms, children and families achieve healthier lifestyles.


Suffering from bi-weekly migraines and digestive issues, Jasmine took charge of her health after conventional medicine failed her.

She follows a gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free diet and has freed herself from migraines, fatigue and pain. In her spare time, she loves being outdoors with her family and enjoys experimenting in the kitchen.

When: Monday May 11 th, @ 7 :30 pm EST - 8 pm EST

Join the conversation with Jasmine and Kelley on the Live Show.

You can ask your questions directly by registering in at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=vb85e8cab.0.0.hmki94bab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com&id=preview first. Your user name and password will be emailed to you. You can then log in to the show, by going to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=vb85e8cab.0.0.hmki94bab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Frealwomenonhealth&id=preview. When you would like to participate live, you must also dial (646) 929-2625. Please note, this is a New York number. Local/long distance charges from your phone company will apply**.

No computer available or internet just died? Just dial-in for Audio: (646) 929-2625.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

A Women's Health Conversation with Lisa Martinez

"We are all breast cancer survivors" says Lisa Martinez, Executive Director of The Women's Sexual Health Foundation. One in eight women alive today will be diagnosed with breast cancer - that's my mom, your girlfriend, my nieces, your daughter...the chain of survivorship is a tightly linked net. Surely, breast cancer does or will touch someone we love.

With medical advancements in treatment and funding supporting access for more women, today, there are over 2.1 million U.S. women who are living with breast cancer as survivors. Yet, despite many advances, cancer still has a profound impact on a woman’s physical, cognitive and sexual function. Sexual dysfunction has been said to impact 21% – 39% of breast cancer survivors and may be higher for those on hormone treatments, and even higher for women diagnosed with gynecological cancers.

Combinations of the cancer treatments are dependent upon multiple factors like the tumor size and type of cancer but all cancer treatments have side effects and the possibility of impacting the sexual esteem and function of a woman. The impact of cancer and its treatments on a
woman’s sexuality are significant. Side effects like pain and fatigue often impact a woman’s sexual function, sexual identify and feelings of attractiveness.

Estrogen antagonist treatments (i.e. Tamoxifen) for women who are estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive complicate sexual function and a woman’s sexual esteem due to the medically induced menopause. Many of these physical side effects impact a woman’s sexuality both covertly and overtly, as seen in the expression of the sexual self. Lowered immunities, lack of energy, appetite changes, bone and muscle ache and changes in physical appearance can lead to changes in intimate relationships.

Women report feelings of guilt for not being able to maintain their many roles as mother, wife,
partner and employee. Partners are often timid about initiating sexual contact out of fear of hurting her or being perceived as selfish.

If you're a breast cancer survivor, you'll want to listen to our blogtalkradio show this Saturday, May 9th at 9:30 am EST.

This is a 30-minute radio show with on-line chatting feature that is on the internet and available by first registering on the blogtalkradio home page. You will be emailed a username and password. From there follow the instructions which will take you to the show page. You can either listen through your computer (audio) or you can just simply dial in to the phone number. The phone number is (646) 929-6265. The show will be available as a downloadable podcast immediately afterwards.

Please join us!
BlogWithIntegrity.com

blogtalkradio



Blogging Women

Subscribe Now: Feed Icon