Who is Dr. Vivien Brown? That’s the first question asked by Ashley Robson from the Distinctive Women Organization. Here is a brief interview about me and my recent endeavors to educate women about the importance of healthy aging and important steps they can take towards that goal.
Tag: drvivienbrown
Is Life Expectancy Heading Downward?
Have we reached the tipping point?
An interesting article recently appeared in the prestigious Journal of American Medicine Association (JAMA) about life expectancy and death rates in the US. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US (CDC) noted that death rates for the first nine months of 2015 increased significantly most notably due to obesity. Leading some to predict that life expectancy would decline in the United States by the middle of the 21st century.
The CDC report suggests that a “tipping point may have been reached beyond which technological advances may no longer compensate.” The article goes on to point out that between l961 and l983, life expectancy increased in a relatively consistent fashion throughout the United States. However, between 1983 and 1991 life expectancy decreased significantly for men in 11 US counties and 180 counties for women. The counties were those most severely affected by the obesity epidemic.
Some experts like David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD, of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Centre in Boston predict that the downward trend will almost certainly accelerate as the current generation of children- with high body weights earlier in life than ever before—reaches adulthood.
You might be aware that death rates have been dropping. This is largely due to modern medical care that may be able to prevent premature deaths among adults who develop obesity at a young age, by prescribing blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medications, heart bypass surgery, and various other medical interventions.
But over time, some experts are predicting that obesity-related chronic diseases might outstrip the ability for technology to counteract the rise in obesity and its consequences.
As a physician, I can tell you that the most important step you can do for yourself and your family is to choose to live a healthy lifestyle and make healthy choices.That means getting regular exercise of at least thirty minutes a day, five days a week,eating fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes and nuts while eliminating high fat, processed foods and added sugars in your diet.
Read labels on packaged food and educate yourself and your family on the value of eating nutritional foods and not to be swayed by advertising.
A few actions today may forestall the predictions that children of today and tomorrow will lead a shorter less healthy life than their parents.
Disclaimer
The material contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes. Great efforts have been made to maintain the quality of the content. However, it is strongly recommended that the treatment/management of any medical conditions mentioned here, should not be used by an individual/visitor of this blog, on their own, without consulting competent persons such as your doctor, or health care provider. As always we encourage your comments on this blog or any others and hope you will join discussions.
Top Trends in Preventative Healthcare
Science and Technology Converge
Part I
As a passionate advocate of preventative healthcare and wellness, I am glad to see that there will be an increased focus on prevention, because many older people continue to have chronic diseases which overwhelm their daily activities and are not enjoying a good quality of life in their later years. It is worth emphasizing that while most of us will face some sort of illness in our later years, it is important to live a healthy lifestyle; get enough exercise, eat a healthy diet, avoid smoking, excessive drinking, sugar, salts and unhealthy fats and processed foods. That way we will cope with illness, aging and any disability in a strong and independent manner.
Advances in technology and science are making it easier for people to focus on preventative healthcare. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and for a more health conscious society, let’s look at some of the possibilities and opportunities.
Wearable Technology will continue to grow! And why do I love it?
It seems we need to quantify every step, every workout, every morsel of food and every waking and sleeping minute of the day and as a result there is an ever-expanding range of technologies to support our need to chronicle our daily lives. Interest in mobile apps such as activity trackers like Fitbit will continue to capture consumer interest. According to a report by international consulting firm, PwC, “Adoption of health-related smartphone apps doubled in two years, from 16 percent in 2013 to 32 percent in 2014 and will continue. There are many fitness and activity trackers on the market today, it can be confusing. PcMagazine, has an excellent article comparing various trackers and recommends you try them out before you buy. Once you’ve bought a fitness tracker, the next step is to integrate it into your daily routine, which I recently wrote about. “You’ve bought a fitness tracker—Now what!
What has worked for me is the challenge of maintaining my commitment by using my Fitbit, trying really hard to maintain that 10,000.00 steps per day. I appreciate a measurable outcome. And yup, I have learned once again, that “hectic does NOT equal aerobic”.
Disclaimer
The material contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes. Great efforts have been made to maintain the quality of the content. However, it is strongly recommended that the treatment/management of any medical conditions mentioned here, should not be used by an individual/visitor of this blog, on their own, without consulting competent persons such as your doctor, or health care provider. As always we encourage your comments on this blog or any others and hope you will join discussions.
PAP TESTS HELP ELIMINATE CERVICAL CANCER IN CANADA
Every year there are 400,000 Canadian women who receive news that their Pap test results are not normal. The voice of women physicians, The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (www.fmwc.ca) wants to change that. This month they are launching an awareness campaign aimed at physicians to urge their female patients to have a PAP test. #endcancer
Cervical cancer is the 4th most common reproductive cancer in Canadian women today.
This year, 1500 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and sadly 380 women will die. Cervical cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the cells of the cervix. Malignant means that it can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. Cells in the cervix sometimes change and no longer grow or behave normally. Changes to cells of the cervix can also cause precancerous conditions. This means that these cells are not yet cancer, but there is a chance that these abnormal cells might become cancerous if not treated. Most women with precancerous changes of the cervix are successfully treated and don’t develop cancer. *
Cervical Cancer is Preventable!
Most cervical cancers are diagnosed in women who have never been screened or have not been screened regularly. Screening is the only way to detect the early changes that might lead to cervical cancer. I can’t emphasize enough how important is to have a PAP test. In Ontario PAP tests are recommended at the age of 21, if the individual has ever been sexually active. If the test is normal, then screening should be done every three years.
HPV and Cervical Cancer can be prevented with vaccines.
Another way to protect against cancer is to get vaccinated against HPV, the Human Papillomavirus. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection with more than 40 types of HPV contracted through sexual intercourse, genital skin-to-skin contact and oral sex. They can infect the genital areas of men and women, including the penis, vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum and anus.
There are millions of women in Canada who still do not get regular PAP tests and/or a HPV vaccination.We are fortunate in Canada to have access to government-funded healthcare. Prevention is the best way to reduce your chances of facing a serious illness.
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Disclaimer
The material contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes. Great efforts have been made to maintain the quality of the content. However, it is strongly recommended that the treatment/management of any medical conditions mentioned here, should not be used by an individual/visitor of this blog, on their own, without consulting competent persons such as your doctor, or health care provider. As always we encourage your comments on this blog or any others and hope you will join discussions.
Brain Drain and Menopause: Reality or Myth ?
Is there such a thing as Brain Drain and Menopause?
Research shows that the female sex hormone, estrogen, plays a key role in brain function. Estrogen declines during menopause, but that doesn’t mean your brain function will decline along with it. Although estrogen produced by our bodies helps the brain function, there’s no clear clinical evidence to support the notion that the brains of women after menopause don’t work as well as they did in the past. What we are learning is the difference between changes with menopause and normal age-related changes in function.
Often, postmenopausal women do have memory slips or difficulty concentrating. However, research suggests a variety of potential underlying causes. These include disturbed sleep, extra stress, or depression. If you’re awakened by night sweats several times during the night, that’s often enough to interfere with your ability to concentrate or remember details for the next days’ meeting.
Should hot flashes be the reason for your insomnia and the fuzzy thinking and memory glitches that follow a sleepless night, try reducing their hold on you with some lifestyle changes. Exercising daily is linked to a lower incidence of hot flashes. And some products designed to lower your temperature, such as the menopod, may be helpful. And if you’re a smoker, this may be the motivation you need to finally quit: Women who smoke have more intense and more frequent hot flashes than nonsmoking women.
If you think you might be depressed, which can cause difficulty concentrating, make an appointment with your doctor. Menopausal hormone fluctuations can be linked to depression in some women. Feeling occasional sadness isn’t the same as being depressed.
If your stress level is noticeably high, you may be able to control and reframe your intensity by practicing some form of relaxation. One of the simplest ways to combat stress is deep breathing. Meditation, yoga, tai chi, or gentle stretching are also good ways to reduce stress. If stress, memory slips, or other menopausal symptoms continue to bother you, consult your doctor. The key is to take action that will let you feel more in control.
Now what was I saying?
#woman #brainhealth #healthy #menopause
Chilling hot flashes? You might want to check out the Menopod. (www.menopod.com)- It contains a cooling technology inside the device. There are no fans or moving parts. When you turn the power on, it instantly drops to a cool temperature) so that you can discreetly place it on the back of your neck to stop the hot flash.
Disclaimer
The material contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes. Great efforts have been made to maintain the quality of the content. However, it is strongly recommended that the treatment/management of any medical conditions mentioned here, should not be used by an individual/visitor of this blog, on their own, without consulting competent persons such as your doctor, or health care provider. As always we encourage your comments on this blog or any others and hope you will join discussions.
CAFFEINE-THE UPS AND DOWNS. HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
Millions of us rely on coffee to wake us up, keep us going and improve concentration and focus. But how much is too much and what is the difference between caffeine and coffee. Caffeine is a naturally occurring chemical found in more than 60 plants including coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts and as we know used to flavour soft drink colas. It is also found in cacao pods used to make chocolate products. Man-made caffeine is sometimes added to foods, drinks and medicines. So caffeine is not just found in coffee.
Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults.
That’s roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee. For children, 100 milligrams a day is the most a child should be allowed, although I would not recommend that children drink coffee.
Caffeine and Medications
Heavy caffeine use among adults can cause unpleasant side effects and may not be a good choice for people who are highly sensitive to its effects or take certain medications.
For instance, caffeine is used in painkillers such as aspirin and acetaminophen and for simple headaches. It’s also used in drugs such as 222’s because caffeine helps absorb the codeine – so certain medications include caffeine.
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than are others. If you’re susceptible to the effects of caffeine, just small amounts — even one cup of coffee or tea — may prompt unwanted effects, such as restlessness and sleep problems. Here are some of the side effects. How you react to caffeine may be determined in part by how much caffeine you’re used to drinking. People who don’t regularly drink caffeine tend to be more sensitive to its negative effects. Other factors may include body mass, age, medication use and health conditions such as anxiety disorders. Research also suggests that men may be more susceptible to the effects of caffeine than are women.
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Stomach upset
- Fast Heartbeat
- Insomnia
So I would say yes to a cup or two but no to a pot!
#coffee #caffeine #healthy #breakfast
DISCLAIMER
The material contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes. Great efforts have been made to maintain the quality of the content. However, it is strongly recommended that the treatment/management of any medical conditions mentioned here, should not be used by an individual/visitor of this blog, on their own, without consulting competent persons such as your doctor, or health care provider. As always we encourage your comments on this blog or any others and hope you will join discussions.
Menopause: Hot tips and a new technology can help keep hot flashes at bay
Any menopausal woman will tell you that hot flashes seem to come out of nowhere, usually when they are least expected, accompanied by an embarrassing outbreak of ‘the sweats’ which can leave you drenched in sweat, flushed, and feeling uncomfortable.Hot flashes develop when your brain reacts to changing hormone levels in your body, which happens during menopause. The change in hormone levels causes your temperature regulation mechanism to be slightly impaired. Body temperature rises too easily. Your body then wants to disperse blood flow to cool you down and sends blood to the surface, to your neck, chest and face, causing you to sweat.
While you can’t stop the changes going on in your life, there are a few things you can do to help weather those hot flashes and keep them in check. Let’s look at lifestyle options for treatment of hot flashes. The most common one is dressing in layers. Dressing in layers, with a tank top with and a shirt on top of the tank allows you to open the shirt or take it off when you start getting hot. There are also many new fabrics that will wick away the perspiration from your skin to help you cool down faster. Check travel stores and outdoors stores for products that can take the heat. Turn your thermostat down, open the windows or use an air conditioner to help maintain a lower body temperature, especially at night.
Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water helps keep your body’s cooling system from over heating. If you do have a hot flash, drink cool water right away to replace what you’ve lost. Stay away from hot foods and spicy foods.
One of the most interesting ways of cooling quickly I’ve come across recently is a new technology called a Menopod. It’s a simple electronic cooling device that looks similar to a computer mouse. With one press of the power button, the device drops to 5 degrees Celsius or 41 Degrees Fahrenheit and provides instant relief for hot flashes. It can be used discretely anywhere and anytime.
The Menopod, contains a cooling technology inside the device. There are no fans or moving parts. When you turn the power on, it instantly drops to a cool temperature) so that you can discreetly place it on the back of your neck to stop the hot flash. By applying the Menopod to the base of your neck, you are telling your brain you are not hot and the flash decreases or goes away. This is a Canadian invention which was recently introduced at the International Menopause Society World Congress, and doctors loved it. It’s worth checking out.
In an upcoming blog, I will discuss other prescription options for those women that are having ongoing symptoms, not responding to lifestyle options.
#women #menopause #menopod #mature #healthy
Flu Season is here!!!
Ontario has already documented a few cases of flu and the vaccine is HERE
Influenza vaccines authorized for use in Canada are safe and associated with minimal side effects and can be administered to anyone over 6months of age. *We know that between 10% and 20% of all Canadians will get the flu this winter. And for some of us it can be severe, life threatening and perhaps even life ending. About 4000 Canadians die every year of flu and related complications. Generally the very young and the very old are most at risk, but we know pregnant women, children under 5, those with asthma, COPD, heart disease and diabetes are also at significant risk compared to the general population. And even if you personally are not a high risk individual, chances are you will spread this easily to others in your family or community who are at greater risk. You need to protect yourself and others!
Does the flu shot eliminate every case of flu? NO. But if you have been immunized, but still get the flu, chances are it will be much less severe than if you were unprotected. So you are less likely to need the emergency room and in- hospital treatment. And that’s what it’s all about. We can’t avoid every case of influenza, but we can decrease our chance of a serious episode!
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get a flu shot. I have taken mine, immunized my family, my staff and my coworkers! Have you had yours?
Aside from having flu shot, here are everyday preventative measure to protect you from colds and flu
Top ways to fight the flu*
Wash your hands with soap and water
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as germs spread this way
Sneeze into your arm or sleeve
After or blowing your nose with a tissue, throw away the tissue and wash your hands.
Stay home and avoid crowds if you feel sick
*Health Canada, Flu Watch
Life-saving vaccine school program gets boost from Toronto Board of Health.
Each year the diagnosis and treatment of HPV-related infections (Human Papillomaviruses (HPV)) cost the Canadian health care system more than $300 million. HPV are the cause of almost all cervical cancers, are a leading cause of other genital cancers, anal cancers, and warts, and contribute to cancers of the head and neck. Three out of every four Canadians will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime. Not every infection leads to cancer, but medicine still is unclear as to why some people clear this virus, while others have persistent virus that then does become more aggressive.
In 2007, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended the use of the HPV vaccine for females between nine and 26 years of age to prevent cervical cancer, as well as other infections such as genital warts. That year, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) made the HPV vaccine publicly available, free of charge, to all grade 8 girls (13-14 years of age). In September 2012 the MOHLTC also funded a “catch-up” program to vaccinate females born between 1993 and 1998 that had not received all three HPV shots while in grade 8.
In January 2012, NACI added a recommendation for all males aged nine to 26 to receive HPV vaccine to prevent anal and genital cancers and genital warts. It also recommended HPV vaccine for all males who have sex with males since they have a disproportionately higher burden of HPV infections. Vaccinating males with HPV vaccine will also reduce the spread of HPV infection to females.
To date, the Ontario’s MOHLTC has not acted on this recommendation, and the HPV publicly funded vaccination program remains available only to females in grades 8-12. In other provinces, PEI and Alberta, the program is being funded for boys as well. Ontario needs to step up to the plate.
As a family physician and member of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to expand this program to include boys!!! This is a contagious infection that has serious potential to spread and we have the tools to stop it! This is what we mean by primary prevention, stopping infection and disease, before it starts.
Currently, I am meeting with all 3 parties at Queen’s Park to discuss these issues and to encourage equitable access for all young Ontarians. It is only fair.
Top Ways to Manage Stress & Lead a Healthier Most Positive Life
A few more tips..Part 2
We all have stresses in our lives…but if those stresses are positive and stimulating, we are productive, interesting and ultimately satisfied. It is also important to recognize that stress that can be overwhelming but if you adopt the appropriate strategies you will be able to cope and conquer stress.
Here are a few more tips to manage stress.
Change your behaviour
Get organized—poor organization is one of the most common causes of stress. Prioritize your objectives and your duties and activities to make them more manageable and achievable. Good organization will help to avoid personal and professional chaos and protect against “out of the blue” problems.
Vent–A problem shared is a problem halved. Develop a support network through friends or colleagues to talk with. It’s not always events that are stressful but how we perceive them. Often friends add new perspectives that could lessen your stress.
Use humor—cliche as it might seem, laughter is the best medicine. It is a good stress reducer at home and at work and it relieves muscular tension, improves breathing, pumps those good endorphins into the bloodstream.
Take time out—Get away from things that bother you and give yourself time to reduce your stress level and calm down to think logically.
Be assertive
Assertiveness helps to manage stressful situations, and will, in time, help to reduce their frequency. Lack of assertiveness often shows low self – esteem and low self – confidence.
Time Management
Make a list. What MUST be done vs. What SHOULD be done vs. What would you LIKE to do? Cut out time-wasting and unimportant activities. Learn to drop unimportant activities
And JUST SAY NO. Plan your day. Set achievable goals. Don’t waste time making excuses for not doing something
Change your lifestyle
Diet. Nutritional stress is actually a major type of physical stress in today’s 2.0 world. Are you eating chemically and toxin loaded food and expecting your body to cope? Are you smoking and drinking too much caffeine and alcohol?
Exercise. Exercise. Exercise.
Exercise uses up excess energy released by the “Fight or Flight” reaction. It helps improve blood circulation and pumps those feel good endorphins into your bloodstream. We are less stressed, less fragile, when we feel strong and healthy.
Sleep
Sleep is essential for adequate brain function. Often when people are stressed they lose sleep. One great way to purge your body of stress so your mind can relax is to learn progressive muscle relaxation and deep muscle relaxation techniques. Meditation is also a valuable tool to relax your body and quiet your mind — it can easily transition you into sleep.