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Women’s heart health issues & taboos related to reproductive health Global NewsView Full Coverage on Google NewsWomen’s heart health issues & taboos related to reproductive health - Global News
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Thursday, February 2, 2023
Women’s heart health issues & taboos related to reproductive health - Global News
Women’s heart health issues & taboos related to reproductive health - Global News
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Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Women's heart and stroke symptoms commonly missed: report - Global News
Women's health taboos create barriers to care: Alberta report - Edmonton Journal
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It took Kristina Jarvis more than a decade to understand what was happening in her own body.
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Now 40, Jarvis says she started experiencing symptoms related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when she was in her mid-teens, but her issues were continually chalked up to stress. It wasn’t until her late 20s, after she pushed for a hormone test, that an abnormal result and an ultrasound finally confirmed she had the hormone disorder.
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But even then, Jarvis describes how her doctor told her not to worry about it until she wanted to have a baby, since PCOS can contribute to fertility problems. When a different doctor later referred her to a specialist, only then did she start to understand the other ways PCOS could affect her, from hair loss to insulin resistance.
Jarvis spoke Wednesday as the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation (AWHF) released a new report showing how “taboos” in women’s health contribute to real medical issues being dismissed or misdiagnosed.
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“By treating these disorders and other women’s health issues as a reproductive-related issue, the overall health and well-being of people is ignored,” Jarvis said.
“In terms of research in women’s health, there is a disturbing lack of knowledge and care from many, but not all, doctors.”
The report, Surveying the Silence: Exploring the Taboos in Women’s Health, surveyed 2,200 Albertans, the vast majority of whom identify as women. The report notes that the health issues being examined also applies to transgender men and non-binary people who were assigned female at birth.
Data was collected over several weeks last summer, with participants being invited to take part through an online panel.
Women and Children’s Health Research Institute executive director Dr. Sandra Davidge said there can be a perception that “women’s health” is limited to the time around pregnancy, but there are so many more issues that can affect quality of life.
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Respondents reported an average of five pelvic health issues each, from recurrent yeast infections to endometriosis to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Nearly two-thirds of the survey respondents said they find it difficult to talk to health providers about their pelvic and gynecological concerns, and only about one-quarter said they find their doctor “very knowledgeable” about gynecological and reproductive health.
The report describes how the continuing social unacceptability of speaking openly about things like periods and menopause leads to not only a general lack of awareness, but normalizing symptoms that could actually be cause for concern.
“Many women have had their symptoms dismissed by loved ones and health professionals as, ‘Just part of being a woman,’ driving them towards isolation and hopelessness and even leading some to consider suicide,” the AWHF document says.
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Dr. Jane Shulz, a urogynecologist at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, said one in three women will suffer from pelvic floor disorders. But problems like urine leakage and pelvic pain are not talked about.
“The key to this is breaking down these stigmas and enhancing education for women so they know pathways to care,” she said, adding there also needs to be further support for research, as well as good education for health-care providers.
Jarvis said doctors need to ensure they’re equipped to provide good care, but she said it’s important to fight against the ingrained stigma in their own communities.
“Believe yourself. Believe what you’re feeling, what you’re seeing, what you’re noticing,” she said.
“You have to be a very active advocate. The reality is no one can advocate for you better than you. So you have to be the one to stand up and ask the questions.”
Women's health taboos create barriers to care: Alberta report - Edmonton Journal
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Seaforth hospital reducing ER hours due to staff cases of COVID-19 - CTV News Kitchener
Seaforth Community Hospital is temporarily reducing its emergency room hours as it deals with “sudden health human resource shortages related to COVID-19.”
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) said the ER will shut its doors overnight, starting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 1.
Between Feb. 2 and Feb. 5, the emergency department will open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anyone requiring urgent medical treatment outside those hours should call 911, and paramedics will transport patients to the nearest hospital in Exeter, Goderich or Stratford.
Regular ER hours are expected to resume on Feb. 6.
Over the weekend, the HPHA declared COVID-19 outbreaks within the inpatient unit at Seaforth Community Hospital and Clinton Public Hospital.
Clinton’s emergency department is currently open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Seaforth hospital reducing ER hours due to staff cases of COVID-19 - CTV News Kitchener
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Study Highlights Symptoms of Heart Disease, Stroke in Women - VOCM
A new study is drawing attention to the signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke in women.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s new report reveals that 40 per cent of Canadians do not realize that those issues are the leading cause of premature death in women.
Cardiologist Dr. Sue Fagan says that in addition to the usual factors such as hypertension and diabetes, women are at a higher risk because things like pregnancy and menopause can increase cardiovascular risks.
She says for years women have been under-represented in studies of heart and brain health, with most of the studies involving men, though this has been improving in recent years.
Fagan points to the presentation of symptoms as a reason why not as much attention is put on women’s health.
As an example, she says in 50 per cent of women who have a heart attack, their symptoms go unrecognized.
Fagan says symptoms in women could include uncomfortable sensations in the back, upper abdominal discomfort. she says they often are dismissed or not given same attention as, for example, chest pain.
Study Highlights Symptoms of Heart Disease, Stroke in Women - VOCM
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Model With Lifestyle, Health Behavior Information Predicts CKD - The Suburban Newspaper
TUESDAY, Jan. 31, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Self-reported lifestyle and health behavior information can predict incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published in the January issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Ariana J. Noel, M.D., from the University of Ottawa in Canada, and colleagues developed and validated a survey-based prediction equation to identify individuals at risk for incident CKD. Data were obtained from 22,200 adults with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥70 mL/min/1.73 m2 who completed a comprehensive general population health survey between 2000 and 2015. Demographics, comorbidities, lifestyle factors, diet, and mood were included in prediction equations. Models with and without baseline eGFR were derived and validated externally in 15,522 participants from the U.K. Biobank. The primary outcome was new-onset CKD.
The researchers found that during a median follow-up of 4.2 years, new-onset CKD occurred in 1,981 participants (9 percent). Lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, physical activity) and comorbid illnesses (diabetes, hypertension, cancer) were included in the final models. For individuals with and without a baseline eGFR measure, the model was discriminating (five-year C statistic, 83.5 and 81.0, respectively) and was well calibrated. The five-year C-statistic was 78.1 and 66.0 in external validation with and without baseline eGFR, respectively, and maintained calibration.
"Our equation demonstrated excellent discrimination and calibration, and may serve as a patient-facing tool to improve CKD awareness and education," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Model With Lifestyle, Health Behavior Information Predicts CKD - The Suburban Newspaper
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Ultra processed foods linked to higher ovarian and other cancer deaths, new study finds - Times of India
According to a statement issued by Imperial College London, each 10% increase in ultra processed food consumption was associated with a 2% increase in developing any cancer. The same amount of consumption was also associated with a 19% increased risk for being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Death risk from cancer also increased. For each additional 10% increase in ultra processed food consumption, the death risk from any cancer increased by 6%. According to the statement, the risk of dying from ovarian cancer rose by 30% with an additional 10% increase in ultra processed food consumption.
“This study adds to the growing evidence that ultra-processed foods are likely to negatively impact our health including our risk for cancer,” said Dr. Eszter Vamos, the study’s lead author and a clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London’s School of Public Health.
Ultra processed foods linked to higher ovarian and other cancer deaths, new study finds - Times of India
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