Preventive care, including regular doctor visits, is important for everyone. There are certain tests and screenings that are specific to women and their needs. Consider incorporating these four screenings, tests and exams into your life to promote good health and prevent the onset of certain conditions.

1. Mammogram—A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that allows doctors called radiologists to look for changes in breast tissue, which helps doctors find or detect breast cancer early, making treatment more effective. Women should have a mammogram every one to two years after age 50.
2. Pap smears—Women should have their first Pap smear at age 21 and continue to have one three years until they are 65. Women over 65 who have three or more normal Pap smears in a row with no abnormal results can stop having tests.
3. Pelvic exams—Women should have a pelvic exam every one to three years after having three consecutive normal exams to detect signs of illness.
4. Colorectal cancer screening—Women should have a colorectal screening to detect cancerous cells and growths in the inside wall of the colon after the age of 50.

Please speak with your doctor about what other health screenings would be beneficial for you and your personal health. Read More

Shingles is an extremely common—and painful—viral infection, affecting 1 out of every 3 Americans at some point in their life. It’s caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, so anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body. While scientists are unsure what causes the virus to awaken at a later date, they do know that the only way to reduce the risk of getting shingles is to get vaccinated.

Recommended Shingles Vaccine

The CDC recommends that adults use a new vaccine called Shingrix instead of Zostavax, which had been the recommended vaccine from 2006-2017. Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common shingles complication. In studies, two doses of Shingrix were found to be more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and PHN. Read More

Snacking can be an important part of a healthy diet. Healthy snacks can provide midday energy boosts and fuel for exercising, and can help decrease your hunger and the odds of overeating at mealtime. Try incorporating these five simple snacks into your meal plan.

1. Almonds—1.5 ounces of almonds (about 35 nuts) provides enough fiber, protein and good fats to keep you feeling full until your next meal.

2. Greek yogurt parfait—1 cup of Greek yogurt with berries is a great way to get protein, calcium, fiber and antioxidants.

3. Blueberries and mini Babybel cheese—1 cup of fresh blueberries has only 80 calories. When paired with two mini Babybel cheeses, you get a high dose of fiber, antioxidants, protein and calcium.

4. Apple and . cup roasted chickpeas—Apples are fat-, sodium- and cholesterol-free. What’s more? One medium-sized apple has less than 100 calories. When paired with. cup roasted chickpeas, you get a snack that provides protein, and good fats and carbs.

5. Veggies with hummus—Snacking on raw, fiber-rich vegetables during the day can help keep you full between meals. For extra protein, eat your veggies with hummus. Be sure to check the serving size on your hummus container to keep your portion size in check. Read More

Everyone occasionally has bouts of sadness, but these feelings are usually temporary. When a person has a depressive disorder, it interferes with daily life. Depression is a common but serious illness.

There is no single cause of depression, but it likely results from a mix of genetic, biochemical, environmental and psychological factors. Depression commonly coexists with other illnesses, such as anxiety disorders or substance abuse. It can affect anyone at any time, including children. Read more