women’s health «

4 Reasons Your Breast Hurts. (For Men Too!)

In case you’ve wondered why pink has become the latest fashion statement for pro footballers this month, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I think you all know about self-exams, medical exams, and mammograms—and to get to a doctor right away if you feel a new lump. (It doesn’t matter if it’s painful or not; get it checked.) And I hope you men know that you can get breast cancer too.

In my mind, prevention and prompt treatment of any medical problem are some of the best preparedness steps you can take. You’ll have one less thing to worry about in case of a disaster. But sometimes things just happen.

You’re not going to be able to do anything about a breast lump you find during a disaster. You’ll just have to wait to get expert medical help. But there’s another symptom you’ll really want to do something about: pain.

Breast pain can get so bad that it becomes debilitating. Fortunately, it usually heralds something less serious than cancer. And there are things you can do about it.

Here are four causes of breast pain that isn’t from an injury. All can happen in men or women. One is life-threatening.

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Likely Women’s Ailment in the Zombie Apocalypse? Bladder Infection

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Sometimes I work at an urgent care facility on Friday nights, and it never fails. A minimum of three of the ten or so patients I see from five until nine will be women with bladder infections. The story is the same. It’s starting to burn when they pee, they’ve had this before, and there’s no way they’re going to suffer until Monday to see their regular doctor. Oh, and if they’re peeing blood, they’re scared to death. Who wouldn’t be?

It’s usually a pretty easy diagnosis. Yes, the burning can be awful, the blood really scary, but ninety-nine times out of a hundred (I never say a hundred percent) it’s a simple bladder infection–cystitis.

This being National Women’s Health Week, I wanted to write about a couple of problems I see women more than men for. Problems that might even be more common in emergency situations. Because of the stress and no time for hygiene or proper toilet facilities, yeast and bladder infections come to mind. I’ve already posted on yeast infections, so I thought I might tell you how I’d diagnose and handle cystitis in an office in hopes that you could glean tips of your own for when it’s impossible for you to make it in.

So here’s what I do if I suspect cystitis:

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3 Yeast Infection Myths. (#1: Men Don’t Get Them.)

Sure, you can eat yogurt for a yeast infection. But for a more direct approach, you can insert a tablespoon where it really counts.

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Since this is National Women’s Health Week, I tried to think of common ailments that I see women for more than men. Things that would be frequent problems in a disaster.

The first ailment that came to mind was yeast infections. (It’s estimated that up to ninety percent of women will have one at some time.) But, men, this affects you too. Much more than may you think. Fortunately, for yeast infections, there are plenty of home remedies.

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Popular Posts

4 Reasons Your Breast Hurts. (For Men Too!)

Likely Women’s Ailment in the Zombie Apocalypse? Bladder Infection

3 Yeast Infection Myths. (#1: Men Don’t Get Them.)

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