Raising Awareness About Blood Disorders in Women

Women are at a higher risk for certain blood disorders, including anemia and blood clots.

(NewsUSA) - Blood disorders can be dangerous and are of special concern to women because of the unique risks posed by pregnancy, oral contraceptives, menstrual bleeding and hormone-replacement therapy for menopause.

"The hormones estrogen and progesterone can put women at greater risk for blood clots," says Dr. Nancy Berliner, president of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). "These hormones are used in birth control formulations and menopause therapies and are also at higher levels during pregnancy. Women are also at higher risk for anemia than men because of blood loss due to menstrual periods and pregnancy."

ASH therefore urges women to be aware of the following blood disorders, in particular:

- Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells to transport oxygen to organs and tissue. Pregnant women are especially at risk as they need more red blood cells to support their own bodies and their babies. Red blood cell production requires iron, and pregnant women often don't have enough iron to be able to make the required increased numbers of red blood cells. Heavy menstruation can also result in iron-deficiency anemia. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath.

- Thrombophilia is a dangerous condition in which blood clots form in veins and arteries, blocking the flow of blood. This may cause swelling, pain or redness. Since pregnancy and hormonal medications increase the chance of clotting, women are especially at risk for the disorder.

- Von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding disorder in women. It is an inherited condition in which blood cannot clot properly. Symptoms include bleeding gums, bruising easily or heavy and long menstrual periods (the most common symptom).

An awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of these disorders is critical, so treatment can be sought before any problems worsen. If you suspect that you have a blood condition, talk to your doctor immediately.

It is especially important for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to talk with their obstetricians about these conditions. "Two of the most common blood disorders during pregnancy are blood clots and anemia," said Berliner. "Both blood conditions are treatable, and there are easy ways to help prevent them."

For more information, visit www.bloodthevitalconnection.org.

Survey Shows Unique Needs of HIV-Positive Women Often Not Addressed

Dawn Averitt Bridge, founder and chair of the Board of The Well Project.
(NewsUSA) - There are now an estimated 300,000 women in the United States living with HIV/AIDS. New findings from the "Women Living Positive" survey show that a communication gap exists between women living with HIV and their health care providers when it comes to having important discussions about HIV and its treatment that meet their individual needs.

More than half of women surveyed (55 percent) say they have never discussed with their health care provider how HIV medications might affect women differently than men.

"With the rise of HIV infections in women, it is important that women living with HIV and their health care providers maintain open lines of communication and discuss important topics including their emotional well-being, family planning considerations and care that best meets their health and lifestyle," said Kathleen Squires, M.D., director of Infectious Diseases and Environmental Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and professor of medicine at Jefferson Medical College.

In addition, each year more than 6,000 HIV-positive women in the United States give birth. The survey shows that many HIV-positive women and their health care providers aren't discussing how HIV treatment options might affect a pregnancy until after they conceive.

More than half of respondents (52 percent) identify themselves as caregivers. Forty-three percent of women feel that living with HIV has made taking care of their families "much more," or "somewhat more," difficult.

"We hope the "Women Living Positive" survey findings will encourage more discussion between women and their health care providers about HIV medications that best meet their individual needs," said Dawn Averitt Bridge, founder and chair of the Board of The Well Project, a non-profit organization for women affected by HIV, and an HIV-positive mother.

The survey was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in collaboration with The Well Project.

GfK Roper Public Affairs conducted the survey with 700 U.S. women, aged 21 and over, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and on HIV treatment for three or more years. The women interviewed were part of three different ethnic or racial groups -; African-American, Caucasian and Hispanic.

For more information about the "Women Living Positive" survey, visit www.thewellproject.org

Women: Don't Let Migraines Take Over Your Life

(NewsUSA) - According to the National Headache Foundation, many women report that migraines make them feel like they're losing control of their own lives. But women can take steps to keep migraines from interfering with day-to-day activities.

Migraine is the most common form of disabling headache, affecting about 50 million Americans. About 75 percent of the Americans suffering migraines are women. Doctors believe that fluctuations in hormone levels, which women undergo until menopause, may be responsible.

Migraines cause such severe pain that most sufferers find themselves debilitated, and women juggling professional and domestic responsibilities can ill afford to put their lives on hold. Luckily, faster and more effective treatments are becoming available. The makers of LipiGesic-M (www.lipigesic.com), a non-prescription migraine medication, offer the following tips:

* Start a migraine journal. Most migraines are caused by specific triggers. Learn what triggers cause your migraines, and you learn how to prevent them. Start a journal in which you record waking time, bedtime, temperature, meals eaten and whether or not you are having a period. When you do have migraines, you can look into your journal for trends. Common triggers include lack of or too much sleep, skipped meals, loud noises, wine, caffeine, stress, weather changes and foods containing aspartame, MSG or nitrates.

* Try all-natural solutions. Certain herbs, such as peppermint and ginger, may help ease headaches. Feverfew, a plant related to daisies, may be especially effective in treating migraines. LipiGesic-M uses a revolutionary sublingual delivery method to speed its migraine-fighting ingredients into the bloodstream, resulting in quick pain relief. You can get on with your life within minutes.

* Reduce stress. Everyday stresses, such as an upcoming deadline or worries about a child's grades, cause most headaches. Help eliminate stress by exercising, eating healthily, getting enough rest and practicing relaxation techniques, like meditation.

For more information, visit www.lipigesic.com.