Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer occurs when cancerous cells grow out of control within breast tissue.  Although all of the causes of breast cancer are not known, it is known that cancerous cells within breasts begin with changes in the DNA of breast cells (Mayo Clinic,  2025).  These cells may join together to form a tumor which can not only grow in size, but also travel to and invade other tissues in the body (metastisize) (Mayo Clinic, 2025).  Eighty percent of breast cancer cases metastisize to other parts of the body (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).  Cancers metastisize through blood and lymphatic systems.  As part of the immune system, the lymphatic system is compromised of lymph nodes, ducts, vessels and organs.  Together, the parts of the lymphatic system remove lymph from throughout the body and drain it into the blood system.  The lymphatic system drains lymph from breast tissue through:

• Auxillary Lymph Nodes - Lymph nodes under the arm.
• Internal Mammary Lymph Nodes - Lymph nodes in the chest under the breastbone.
• Supraclavicular Lymph Nodes - Lymph nodes above the collar bone.
• Infraclavicular Lymph Nodes - Lymph nodes below the collar bone (ACA, 2021).

Breasts are comprised of several parts including:

• Lobules - these are the glands where breast milk is produced. 
• Lobular Breast Cancer
• Ducts - these are the canals that connect lobules to the nipple and carry breast milk as it is produced. 
• Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDL)
• Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
• Nipples - location where ducts coalesce into larger ducts in a way that breast milk can leave the breast.
• Paget's Disease of the Breast
• Areola - the daarker thicker skin that surrounds the nipple.
• Stroma - fat and connective tissue that surround the ducts and lobules in order for them to stay in place.
• Phyllodes Tumor
• Blood Vessels and Lymph Vessels - carry blood and lymph to and from breast tissues.
• Angiosarcoma  (ACA, 2021)(Cleveland Clinic, 2025)

Behind Skin Cancer, Breast Cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in women.  Breast Cancer, however, can also occur in men as well due to all people, including men, having breast tissue (Mayo Clinic, 2025).

Breast Cancer can also be impacted by hormones.Types of Breast Cancer can be further typed into hormonal receptor subtypes.  Cells have receptors attached which can react with specific hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone.  Both of these hormones impact cancerous cell growth.  Subtypes include:  

• ER positive (ER+):  have estrogen receptors.
• PR positive (PR+): have progesterone receptors.
• HR positive (HR+): have estrogen and progesterone receptors.
• HR negative (HR-): have no estrogen or progesterone receptors (Cleveland Clinc, 2025).

Women have an one in eight chance of developing Breast Cancer.  Women who are HR- and do not have irregular levels of the HER2 protein are said to have Triple Negative Breast Cancer.  Black women are at higher fisk of developing this aggressive cancer.  Black women are also more likely to die from Breast Cancer (ACA, 2025)

 

There are many symptoms of Breast Cancer, including:

• New lump near or in breast or armpit.
• Changes in breast size and shape.
• Puckering or dimples in skin.
• Nipple turning inward.
• Nipple discharge.
• Skin of nipple becoming scaly, red or swolen.
• Breast pain.
• Color changes of breast skin (Mayo Clinic, 2025)(Cleveland Clinic, 2025)(Medline Plus, 2025).

There are also many risk factors for Breast Cancer incluidng:

• Older age
• Gender
• History of Breast Cancer
• BRCA gene and other genetic mutations
• Dense breast tissue
• Menarche at an early age
• Older age at first childbirth
• Having never giving birth
• Menopause at older age
• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Radiation Therapy to breast or chest area
• Obesity
• Alcohol
• Smoking (Mayo Clinic, 2025)(Cleveland Clinic, 2025)(Medline Plus, 2025)

Prevention options are available.  Making life changes can lower risk of Breast Cancer.  These changes include:

• Speak with health clinician about screening
• Do breast exams
• Moderation of drinking alcohol
• Regular exercise
• Limit menopausal hormone therapy
• Maintain healthy weight
• Eat healthy diet
• Genetic screening
• Preventative medicines
• Preventative surgery (ACA, 2021)(Medline Plus, 2025)(Mayo Clinic, 2025)(Cleveland Clinic, 2025)

Many things can be done in order to diagnose Breast Cancer, including:

• Medical history
• Breast exam
• Mammogram - x-ray of breast tissue
• Breast ultrasound - pictures are created using sound waves
• Breast MRI - pictures created using magnetic field and radio waves
• Biopsy - tissue sample removed for testing to see if cells are cancerous
• Staging of the Breast Cancer through:
• Blood tests
• Bone scan
• CT scan
• MRI
• PET scan
• Immunohistochemistry - looks for hormone receptors
• Genetic testing
• HER2 test - tests for the HER2 protein which is involved in cell growth

There are several types of treatments.  They include several types of options including:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone Therapy - blocks hormones from attaching to cancer cells
• Immunotherapy 
• Surgery
• Mastectomy
• Lumpectomy
• Breast reconstruction (Cleveland Clinic, 2025)(Medline Plus, 2025).

If  you or someone you know have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, there are resources available.

American Cancer Society

Susan B. Komen for the Cure

ACS. (2021)  Breast Cancer.  American Cancer Society.  Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer.html

ACS. (2025)  Key Statistics for Breast Cancer.  American Cancer Society.  Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html

Cleveland Clinic. (2025)  Breast Cancer.  Cleveland Clinic.  Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3986-breast-cancer

Mayo Clinic. (2025)  Breast Cancer.  Mayo Clinic  Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470

Medline Plus. (2025)  Breast Cancer.  Medline Plus.  Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/breastcancer.html

Stress Management

Stress, either psychological or physical, is a natural reaction and the response that the human body has to changes or stressors.  There are three types of stress:

• Acute - an event that is short term  in nature.
• Acute episodic -  frequent short term event.
• Chronic - events that are persistant in nature (Harvard, 2021).

The stress reaction is one of protection and the human designed to react to stress.  As parrt of the Autonomic Nervous System, the hypothalamus in the brain sets off the fight or flight reaction when an individual perceives a threat.  In response to nervous and hormonal signals, adrenal glands, on top of the kidney, release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones).  Adrenaline increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and energy, while cortisol increases glucose, enhances the use of glucose by the brain and increases substances that repair tissues.  Cortisol also slows down bodily functions that are not useful in the fight or flight reaction (Mayo Clinic, 2025)(Cleveland Clinic, 2024).

With acute stress, the stress resolves quickly.  Everyone, at different parts of their lives, experience acute stress.  With chronic stress, if the stress is not managed, health issues may arise.  As a result of the activation of the Autonomic Nervous System and the resulting in nervous and hormonal sequalae.  There are many symptoms of stress that can occur.  The symptoms  can be physical, psychological, or behavioral.  Symptoms include:

Physical

• Muscular pain
• Chest pain
• Exhaustion
• insomnia
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Hypertension
• Muscle Tension
• Jaw clenching
• Digestive problems
• Weakened immune system
• Infertility

Psychological

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Depression
• Panic attacks

Behavioral

• Alcohol Use Disorder
• Gambling Disorder
• Eating Disorder
• Hypersexuality
• Smoking
• Substancce Use Disorder (Mayo Clinic, 2025)(Cleveland Clinic, 2024)(Medline Plus, 2024).

There are things that can be done to manage stress when it happens in order to manage stress when it happens in order to decrease the impact of the stress, including:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Mindful eating
• Regular exercise
• Getting enough sleep (Read our article on Sleep hygiene, https://healthylivingforyourself.blogspot.com/2025/05/sleep-hygiene.html) 
• Meditation
• Journaling
• Hobbies
• Friendships
• Volunteer
• Work - Life balance
• Set goals
• Social support
• Mental Health counseling (Harvard, 2021)(Mayo Clinic, 2025)(Cleveland Clinic, 2024)(Medline Plus, 2024).

Cleveland Clinic. (2024)  Stress.  Cleveland Clinic.  Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11874-stress

Harvard. (2021)  Stress and Health.  Harvard School of Public Health.  Retrieved from https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/stress-and-health/

Mayo Clinic. (2025)  Stress Management.  Mayo Clinic.  Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

 

Medline Plus. (2024)  Stress and your Health.  Medline Plus.  Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003211.htm

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D Deficiency is something that can affect anyone despite age, gender, or ethnicity.  The likelihood of it developing does depend on several factors, however.  It is said that someone is Vitamin D Deficient when the amount of Vitamin D is inadequate which may have health consequences (Yale, 2025).  Vitamin D is important for the process of the body, including bone, to absorb Calcium, phosphorus, and Magnesium.  Vitamin D Deficiency causes these to not be absorbed well.  Vitamin D also plays an essential role in the nervous, musculoskeletal, and immune systems (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).  Vitamin D Deficiency can also be linked to  increased risk of:

• Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Depression
• Muscular Sclerosis
• Type 2 Diabetes (Watson, 2024)

Several things may contribute to someone developing Vitamin D Deficiency.  These include:

• Not enough exposure to sunlight
• Darker skin Pigment
• Malnutrition
• Kidney or Liver failure
• Certain medications
• Certain cancers
• Family history of  Vitamin D Deficiency or Childhood Rickets
• Chorn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, and Celiac Disease
• Obesity
• Weight Loss Surgery (Yale, 2025)(Watson, 2024)

There are also some risk factors for developing Vitamin D Deficiency including:

• Age - 65 years old or older
• BMI greater than or equal to 30
• Melanated skin
• Smoking
• Not eating foods fortified with Vitamin D (Watson, 2024).

Although he signs and symptoms may be more obvious in kids, there are also signs and symptoms in adults  In kids, signs and symptoms include:

• Weak, sore, painful muscles
• Incorrerct growth (bowed or bent legs)
• Muscle weakness
• Bone pain
• Joint deficiencies (Watson, 2024)

In adults, signs and symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Bone and joint pain
• Muscle weakness, aches, or cramps
• Increased sensitivity to pain
• "Pins and needles" sensations in hands and feet
• Muscle spasms
• Waddling while walking due to muscle weakness i n hips and legs
• History of broken bones
• Mood changes (Yale, 2022)(Watson, 2024)

You may be wondering how much vitamin D people need each day.  Well, it is age dependant.

• Birth to 12 months - 400 IU
• 1-13 years - 600 IU
• 14 - 18 years - 600 IU
• 19 - 70 years - 600 IU
• 71 - older - 800 IU
• Breastfeeding or pregnant - 600 IU (Medline Plus, 2024)

Who are individuals who may be at risk for Vitamin D Deficiency?

• Breastfed infants - breast milk is low in vitamin D.  Infants who are sole breast fed should be given a vitamin D supplement equal to 400 IU every day.
• Older adults - skin does not make vitamin D as efficient as it did when someone is younger.  Also, Kidneys do not convert vitamin D to its active form as well.
• People with increased melenation (darker skin) - darker skin has decreased ability to produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.  
• People dealing with Obesity - body fat binds sone vitamin D which decreases the amount available in the blood stream.  Increased body fat binds more vitamin D removing more vitamin D from bloodstream.
• People who have had Gastric Bypass Surgery - this surgery bypasses part of small intestine where vitamin D is absorbed.  Having part of the small intestine bypassed affects absorption of vitamin D.
• People with Chronic Kidney or Liver Dizease - affects ability to change vitamin D into active form.
• People taking certain medications - certain cholesterol, anti-seizure and weight loss medications can affect vitamin D level. 
• People with Cystic Fibrosis, Chrohn's Dizease, and Celiac Disease - these conditions prevent vitamin absorption in intestines.
• People who do not spend a lot of time in the sun.  (Medline Plus, 2024)(Cleveland Clinic, 2022)

There is a blood test that can be done to determine vitamin D levels.  Those individuals who are at risk for Vitamin D Deficiency can have a 25 - hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] blood test done (Watson, 2024).

Once Vitamin D Deficiency has been diagnosed, there are ways that it can be treated.

• Foods that naturally have vitamin D include:
• Fatty Fish - salmon, tuna, markel and sardines
• Rainbow Trout
• Beef liver
• Mushrooms
• Egg yolks
• Cod liver oil
• Foods that are often fortified with vitamin D include:
• Cow's, soy, almond and oat milk
• Breakfast cereals
• Orange juice
• Dairy products
• Vitamin D supplements may be taken.

Your healthcare provider should be consulted to determine the best way to increase vitamin D levels if deficient (Medline Plus, 2024).

What happens if you have too much vitamin D?

Although not common, it is possible to concume too much vitamin D, primarily through supplements.  Signs and symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include:

• Nausea
• Increased thirst and urination
• Poor Appetite
• Constipation
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Ataxia - impaired balance or coordination
• Dysarthria - unclear speech
• Irregular heartbeat
• Kidney Failure (Medline Plus, 2024)

Cleveland Clinic, (2022)  Vitamin D Deficiency.  Cleveland Clinic.  Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency#diagnosis-and-tests

Medline Plus. (2024)  Vitamin D Deficiency.  Medline Plus.  Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/vitaminddeficiency.html

Watson, L. (2024)  Vitamin D Deficiency.  WebMD.  Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-d-deficiency

Yale. (2025) Vitamin D Deficiency.  Yale University.  Retrieved from https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/vitamin-d-deficiency

Sleep Hygiene

What is Sleep Hygiene you may ask?

Sleep Hygiene is a group of healthy sleep habits that can improve your sleep.  Good sleep hygiene can improve overall health.  

How does good sleep hygiene improve health?

Some benefits of having good sleep hygiene and obtaining adequate, good quality sleep include:

• Your body having the ability to repair itself, particularly the heart and blood vessels
• Boost of immune system
• Supports hunger hormone balance
• Supports regulated insulin levels
• Supports health growth and development
• Decreases risk of conditions such as heart disease, High Blood Pressure, obesity, Diabetes and stroke
• Helps to maintain a healthy weight
• Emotional and cognitive renewal
• Decreases stress
• Lower risk of motor vehicle crashes
• Improves attention and memory (Solodar, 2025)(CDC, 2024)(NIH,2022)

What can you do to have better sleep hygiene?

There are behaviors you can incorporate and habits you can develop to increase the quaility of your sleep.  These include:

• Make your sleep environment comfortable - keep bedroom  quiet, relaxing and at a cool temperature
• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule -try to go to sleep at the same time every day
• Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime
• Follow a bedtime routine that helps you fall asleep
• Exercise regularly - even 30 minutes of aerobic exercise can increase sleep quality      
• Avoid lage meals and alcohol before bedtime
• Avoid caffeine in afternoon or evening - effects of caffeine can last 3 - 7 hours
• Avoid smoking - Nicotine is a stimulant
• Limit napping
• Manage stress
• Manage light exposure (Solodar, 2025)(CDC, 2024)(Healthline, 2024)

What is meant by sleep quality?

Quality sleep encompasses not only how many hours you sleep, but also how well you sleep.  Poor sleep quality may include:

• Trouble falling asleep
• Waking up during the night
• Feeling sleepy or tired after a full night's sleep (CDC, 2024)

What are some common sleep disorders?

• Insomnia - trouble falling or staying asleep 
• Restless Legs Syndrome (Willis - Ekbom Disease) - a neurological condition causing an irresistible urge to move legs
• Narcolepsy - a chronic disorder causing someone to be very sleepy during day hours and disrupts nighttime sleep.  An individual may fall asleep during daily activities
• Sleep Apnea - a condition where breathing stops and restarts many times (NIH, 2022)(NIH, 2022) (NIH, 2025)(NIH, 2025)(NIH, 2025)

According to the CDC, the following is how much sleep is recommended for each age group every day:

• 0 - 3 months:    14 - 17 hours
• 4 - 12 months:   12 - 16 hours
• 1 - 2 years:  11 - 14 hours
• 3 - 5 years:   10 - 13 hours
• 6 - 12 years:  9 - 12 hours
• 13 - 17 years:  8 - 10 hours
• 18 - 60 years:  7 or more hours
• 61 - 64 years: 7 - 9 hours
• 65 years and older:  7 -8 hours (2024)

To find Sleep Hygiene resources, visit the National Sleep Foundation's website at:  

https://www.thensf.org/sleep-health-topics/

CDC. (2024)  About Sleep.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html

Healthline. (2024)  12 Tips For Better Sleep Hygiene.  Healthline.  Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-hygiene

NIH (2022)  Insomnia:  What is Insomnia?   National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute.   Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia

NIH (2022)  Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency:  How Sleep Affects Your Health.   National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute.Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation/health-effects

NIH. (2025) Narcolepsy.   National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute.  Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/narcolepsy

NIH. (2025)  Restless Leg Syndrome.  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.   Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome

NIH (2025) Sleep Apnea:  What is Sleep Apnea?  National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute.  Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea

Solodar. (2025)  Sleep Hygiene: Simple practices for better rest.  Harvard Health Publishing.  Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/sleep-hygiene-simple-practices-for-better-rest

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is when an activity takes away a driver's attention while driving.  These activities can be:

Visual - taking your eyes off the road

Manual - taking your hands off the wheel

Cognitive - taking your mind off driving (CDC, 2024).

Texting while driving is a common distraction.  Either sending or reading a text can take someone's eyes off the road for five seconds.  If someone is driving 55 MPH, the distance driven can be the length of a football field (NHTSA, n.d.).  Other examples of activities that can be distracting while driving are talking on a cell phone, using a GPS, or eating.  

In 2019, more than 3,100 people were killed and approximately 424,000 people were injured in the United States in motor vehicle accidents involving a distracted driver (CDC, 2024).  This equates to nine people in the United States every day being killed in a motor vehicle accident involving a distracted driver (CDC, 2024).  When looking at motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers, there is a higher percentage of drivers aged 15 - 20 than those 21 and older.  Of fatal crashes among drivers 15 - 20 years old, 9% were distracted at the time of the crashes (CDC, 2024).  When surveyed, 39% of high school students stated that they had either texted or emailed at least once in the past 30 days while driving (CDC, 2024).

There are ways to prevent distracted driving.  Many states enacted laws to prevent distracted driving to include banning texting while driving, hands-free laws, and limiting the number of young passengers riding with teen drivers (CDC, 2024).  Physical alerts, such as rumble strips, are installed in some states to alert individuals when drowsy or distracted (CDC, 2024).  Federally, the United States Department of Transportation released the National Roadway Safety Strategy in 2022 to support vehicle technology to detect distracted driving.  President Obama issued an Executive Order in 2009 that prohibits federal employees from either texting while driving a government-owned vehicle or while on government business.  Additionally, commercial vehicle drivers were banned from texting while driving in 2010 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (CDC, 2024). 

 To learn state laws concerning distracting driving where you live, visit the Governor's Highway Safety Association.  The National Highway Travel Safety Administration provides education concerning distracted driving, develop campaigns and Public Service Announcements, partner with states and local police to enforece laws (NHTSA, n.d.).

CDC. (2024).  Distracted Driving.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/distracted-driving/prevention/index.html

NHTSA. (N.D.)  Distracted Driving.  National Highway Travel Safety Administration.  Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

Stroke

 Stroke is a condition of blood arteries going to and in the brain, in which, becomes blocked and the blood supply is no longer able to traverse the artery.  As the blood does not reach its intended brain cells, the cells begin to die due to the lack of oxygen within minutes (CDC, 2023)(Cleveland Clinic, 2023).  Globally, stroke is the second most common cause of death (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).  Stroke is additionally a leading cause of disability.

There are two types of strokes: Ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.  A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), which are at times referred to as mini strokes, are medical emergencies as are stokes, however, are differentiated from strokes as it lasts for five minutes or less (CDC, 2023).  Ischemic strokes occur when either blood clots, fatty deposits (plaques), or other particles block the blood arteries (CDC, 2023).  These types of strokes account for 87% of strokes (ASA, 2023).  Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood artery ruptures or leaks blood and account for 13% of strokes (CDC, 2023)(ASA, 2023).  Two types of blood vessel malformations that can cause hemorrhagic strokes are aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) (ASA, 2023).  Uncontrolled hypertension is the most common cause of hemorrhagic stroke.  Hemorrhagic strokes can be either intracerebral, within the brain, or subarachnoid, between the inner and outer layer of dura that covers the brain (ASA, 2023).

Because death to brain cells can occur within minutes, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke quickly and obtain treatment even quicker.  Symptoms of stroke include:

• Trouble speaking
• Trouble understanding what people are saying
• Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
• Loss of muscle control on one side of the face
• Blurry or blackened vision
• Sudden partial or total loss of one or more senses
• Neck stiffness
• Emotional instability
• Dizzines
• Nausea
• Vomiting (Cleveland Clinic, 2023)(Mayo Clinic, 2023)

There are several risk factors for stroke.  They can be divided into Lifestyle, Medical, and other types of risk factors, and include:

• Lifestyle
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Heavy or binge drinking
• Illegal drug use
• Medical
• Hypertension
• High Cholesterol
• Smoking
• Secondhand smoke exposure
• Diabetes
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Personal or family history of stroke
• COVID-19 infection
• Clotting Disorders
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Migraine Headaches - there is an increased risk with migraines, especially if migraines are preceded by auras
• Other
• Age - people 55 years of age and older are at greater risk
• Race or ethnicity -  African Americans and Hispanics have a greater risk
• Sex - men have a higher risk than women
• Hormones -  birth control pills or hormonal therapy with estrogen can increase risk (Mayo Clinic, 2023)(Cleveland Clinic, 2023)

Once diagnosed, it is important to treat a stroke as quickly as possible.  Regardless of what type of stroke is being treated, Blood Pressure management should be part of the treatment plan.  When treating an Ischemic Stroke, it is important to restore blood flow to the brain.  For Ischemic Strokes, treatments include:

• Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) - must be given within 4 1/2 hours from the start of symptoms.  Helps to dissolve blood clots.
• Emergency Endovascular procedures - medications can be delivered directly to the brain through a catheter that is inserted into the artery to deliver the medication directly to where the stroke is occurring,
• Removing clot with stent remover - useful with large clots and can be done with or without TPA
• Carotid Endarterectomy - removes plaques that are specifically blocking the carotid arteries
• Angioplasty and stents - a catheter is inserted into the artery.  A stent can be placed to help support the section of the narrowed artery that was expanded.  (Cleveland Clinic, 2023)(Mayo Clinic, 2023)

With hemorrhagic strokes, treatments include:

• Blood thinning medications
• Medications to decrease pressure in the brain
• Surgery -  with large bleeds, blood vessels may be repaired
• Surgical Clipping - clamps can be placed at the base of an aneurysms to stop blood from flowing to it
• Surgical AVM removal - when accessible, smaller AVMs can be removed
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery - multiple beams of highly focused radiation can be used to repair blood vessel malformations (Cleveland Clinic, 2023)(Mayo Clinic, 2023).

Once someone has had a stroke, they may experience complications, such as:

• Paralysis - particularly on one side
• Difficulty talking or swallowing - a stroke can affect the mouth and throat muscles
• Memory Loss
• Emotional Problems - may have difficulty in controlling emotions and/or develop depression
• Pain - pain and/or numbness may occur in parts of the body associated with locations in the brain that were affected by the locations in the brain that were affected by the stroke
• Changes in behavior and self-care ability (Mayo Clinic, 2023)

There are things people can do to try to prevent strokes, including:

• Controlling hypertension
• Lowering cholesterol and saturated fat intake
• Quitting smoking and other tobacco use
• Managing Diabetes
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating fruits and vegetables
• Regular exercise
• Limit alcohol intake
• Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Avoid illegal drugs

Attached is the Cleveland Clinic's FAST reminder card.

For more information on stroke, visit one of the three references below.

ASA. (2023) About Stroke.  American Stroke Association.  Retrieved form https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke

Cleveland Clinic. (2023)  Stroke.  Cleveland Clinc.  Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5601-stroke#symptoms-and-causes

Mayo Clinic (2023) Stroke.  Mayo Clinic.  Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113

Menopause

 Menopause is a phase within a woman's reproductive cycle where there have been twelve consecutive months without a mentrual cycle.  Menopause can occur naturally or be the result of surgery (where the ovaries and/or uterus is removed), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or primary ovarial insufficiency (Mayo, 2023).  Although menopause can occur during your 40s or 50s, the average age for menopause to occur is 51 (Mayo, 2023).

When occurring naturally, ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone.  It is a gradual process that occurs in stages.  The first stage is perimenopause that can begin anywhere between eight to ten years before monopause.  During this period, estrogen and progesterone are produced at different levels and decrease durin this period.  The next period is menopause where the varies cease to release eggs and producing estrogen for twelve consecutive months.  During this time, women tend to have increased symptoms.  The last stage is postmenopause.  In this stage, symptoms decrease and there is an increased risk of certain health conditions such as osteoporosis, stroke, and heart disease (Cleveland Clinic, 2023)(OASH, 2023(Duke, 2023).

There are many signs and symptoms of menopause to include:

• Hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms) - a sudden feeling of warmth that encompasses the entire body
• Night sweats
• Cold flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary urgency
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Insomnia
• Emotional changes - irritability, mood swings, anxiety
• Dry skin
• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Racing heart rate
• Weight gain
• Joint and muscle aches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in libido
• Breast tenderness
• Increasing symptoms of PMS
• Irregular periods
• Hair loss (Cleveland Clinic, 2023)

These symptoms can occur over several years.

Menopause is diagnosed after twelve months without a menstrual cycle.  Some blood tests may be helpful when menstruation is or becomes irregular such as:

• Estrogen levels
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
• Luteinizing Hormones (LH) (Medline, 2020)

There are several treatments available for menopause including:

• Hormone therapy - can replace hormones that the ovaries no longer make.  Helps symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.  It can also help to prevent Osteoporosis.
• Estrogen therapy (ET) - can be used only with women who have had their uterus removed.  There is a risk with ET when used with women who still have their uterus intact of endometrial cancer.
• Hormone Therapy with both Estrogen and Progesterone (EPT) - can be used with women who still have their uterus intact
• Risks of hormone therapy include:
• Gallstones
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Stroke
• Risks are lower when therapy is started within 10 years of menopause
• NNon-hormonaltherapy 
• Changing diet - limit caffeine and spicy foods
• Avoiding triggers of hot flashes
• Keep the bedroom cool at night
• Quitting smoking
• Losing weight
• Exercise - can help with insomnia
• Support groups - an outlet for emotions
• Anti-depressants - can manage mood swings 
• Gabapentin - decreases hot flashes
• Clonidine - decreases hot flashes
• Fezolinetant - decreases hot flashes
• Medications to prevent or treat Osteoporosis (Mayo, 2023)

Although women who are in the post menopausal phase are not able to get pregnant, they should still take precautions to practice safe sex, such as using condoms, to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases.  If a woman experiences vaginal bleeding after menopause, she should seek medical attention as it can be a sign of serious medical conditions including:

• Endometrial or vaginal atrophy
• Uterine or endometrial cancer
• Endometrial hyperplasia
• Uterine polyps
• Cervical cancer
• Cervicitis
• Endometritis (Cleveland Clinic, 2023)

Cleveland Clinic. (2023)  Menopause. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21841-menopause#symptoms-and-causes

Cleveland Clinic. Post-Menopausal Bleeding.  Cleveland Clinic.  Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding

Duke. (2023) Menopause Treatment. Duke. Retrieved from https://www.dukehealth.org/treatments/obstetrics-and-gynecology/menopause?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&cr=obgyn_treatments&utm_campaign=OB+GYN+-+Condition+-+NB&keyword=menopause&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cKiBhD5ARIsAKXUdybehANc9eRjm6npusX8I1nH28VI6GXo5RbOovSGFWttSkfbp807hMsaArDjEALw_wcB

Mayo Clinic. (2023)  Menopause.  Mayo Clinic.  Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401

Medline. (2023) Menopause.  Medline Plus.  Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/menopause.html

NIH. (2023) What are the symptoms of menopause?  National Institutes of Health.   Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menopause/conditioninfo/symptoms

OASH. (2023)  Menopause.  Office of Women's Health.  Retrieved from https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-basics