| Session targets heart disease in women
A big heart in February, National Heart Month, is more than a valentine. It's a reminder that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and many women don't realize that the symptoms of a heart attack often are different in women than they are in men. Classic signs of a heart attack include chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the arm and tightness in the chest. But women often have less recognized symptoms, including indigestion, back pain or abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. Women can learn about heart disease and steps to prevent it at the fourth annual Women Take Heart Conference 8:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 17 at Five Seasons Country Club in Crestview Hills. The program is sponsored by St. Elizabeth Women's Wellness, part of St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Dr. Patricia Grodecki of Cardiology Associates will discuss heart disease in women.
When good burps go bad
It's totally freaky, but if you always thought heartburn was just heartburn, you may be in for a surprise. Most of the time it is, but for some folks it's really gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a really annoying condition that can potentially lead to other scary illnesses like asthma, lung infection, inflammation of the esophagus and even cancer. GERD is caused by the reflux of stomach contents back into the esophagus, and when those are high in acid it becomes a more serious problem. Once you get GERD, many say, it usually becomes a lifelong problem, meaning you will need treatment for the rest of your life. Is that so? .
Don't downplay chest pains
My son recently died of a heart attack. I heard people at work and a relative knew he was having chest pains hours before. Apparently, he said it was stress. He was told he should see a doctor, but no one called 911 or offered to take him to the hospital. I understand ambivalence, that at 45 a heart attack seems unlikely, that it might be embarrassing to call 911 and find that it was only indigestion. But heart pain and heartburn have the same symptoms. Medical professionals sometimes are hard-pressed to tell the difference. The consequence of inaction may be deadly. Stuart was acting odd, so I asked him three times if he was OK. Each time, he said everything was OK. On my way to bed, I knocked on his door and asked him again. He said, cheerily, "I'm fine. Good night, Mom." My family tells me he didn't want to worry me! Please, please, don't try to protect your family.
|
