Science for Every Woman

Chasing down depression

2005-04-23T19:20:00.000Z

Exercise is not just good for our heart and physic...it's very good for our minds as well. It has long been common knowledge that exercise can help relieve stress. Now it seems that it can also fight depression - a mental disorder to which women are often vunerable.

Scientists at the University of Texas have shown that 30 minutes of intense cardiovascular exercise (such as jogging or biking) five times a week can be as effective in treating depression as medication or cognitive therapy. When individuals with mild to moderate depression took on this exercise routine, their symptoms of depression dropped by nearly 50%.

It just goes to show that taking care of our bodies often has more benefits than we realize.

Dunn et al. (2005). Exercise Treatmeant for Depression. American Journal of Preventative Medicine 28(1):1 - 8.

What Every Woman Needs to Know about Bladder Infections

2005-02-08T20:24:00.000Z

Okay, so it's not a sexy topic. But about 50% of women will have a bladder infection at some point in their lives, so you might as well make sure you know a little about it. Fortunately, there are some simple tips to help you prevent and recognise this condition. But first: what exactly is it?

Urine is normally a sterile liquid inside the body. A bladder infection can occur when bacteria from the vagina or rectum are displaced near the opening of the urethra, where urine leaves the body. The bacteria may then travel up through the urethra to the bladder, where they flourish and create an infection. Bladder infections are much more common in women than men because:
1. The female urethra is short (around 4 cm).
2. The anus is closer to the urethra opening in females.
3. The vagina provides an extra source of bacteria for infection.

The result can be a very uncomfortable condition, involving:
1. The need to urinate more urgently and often than normal, often while urinating very little once you make it to the bathroom.
2. A painful, burning sensation during urination.
3. Cloudy and smelly, or bloody urine.
4. Leaking of urine.
5. Pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.
6. Fever, sometimes with chills.

These symptoms usually make a bladder infection easy to diagnose, especially if you've had one in the past. However, always see a doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms because they can be confused with those of other disorders (such as kidney stones and cancer) and you will likely require a prescription antibiotic to treat your bladder infection. Also, don't put off the doctors appointment simply because the discomfort seems bearable. Bladder infections may be mildly uncomfortable at first, but the severity of symptoms accelerates quickly as the infection progresses. While you're waiting for that valuable doctor's appointment, you may try to alleviate the symptoms by:
1. Drinking plenty of water. As much as you can.
2. Drinking cranberry juice. This is thought to fight bladder infections by producing hippuric acid in the urine which prevents bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls. While some studies have shown cranberry juice to be effective in treating and preventing bladder infections, some argue that the results may simply be an effect of the increased acidity, vitamin C, and fluid intake that could be achieved with other juices. Nevertheless, it has been shown to help and it certainly won't hurt.
3. Taking vitamin C supplements. But be sure to tell your doctor!

The good news is that bladder infections are usually cured quickly and easily with prescription antibiotics. The symptoms may even go away within hours of taking your first pill! Even so, it is extremely important that you continue taking your pills for as long as prescribed by your doctor to make sure all the bacteria have been dealt with. Otherwise, you might find yourself with the same old problem a couple weeks down the road.

The only thing better than a cure is not getting sick in the first place. There are some simple habits you can keep to avoid this nasty state:
1. Urinate before and within 15 minutes after sexual intercourse. Many women get their first bladder infection shortly after becoming sexually active because bacteria can be pushed into the urethra opening during the act. Rinsing bacteria out before and after sex by taking a quick whizz can greatly decrease the risk of infection.
2. Drink plenty of fluids.
3. Drink cranberry juice regularly. Heck, it's good for you either way. Make sure it's 100% juice and not just cranberry-flavoured sugar water.
4. Wipe from front to back after urinating. Not back to front like most of us were taught! A front to back motion will clear rectal and vaginal bacteria away from the urethra, not towards.
5. When you gotta go, you gotta go. Don't "hold it in" when you need to urinate. This can encourage infection.

Other useful links:
http://www.coolnurse.com/bladder.htm
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec11/ch149/ch149c.html
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/14.cfm

Cellulite: Myths, Miracles, and Even Some Facts

2005-02-04T01:28:00.000Z

Cellulite doesn't just make it's sufferers cringe; it gives dermatologists a difficult time as well. Despite how common this skin disorder is, how annoying it is, and how far people are willing to go to get rid of it, remarkably little is known about the nature and treatment. This lack of information makes a breeding ground for quack "dermatologists" who also seem to be able to offer the next miracle cure for only $59.99. So what are some of the myths about cellulite and are there any treatments or cures available? Let's find out.

Myth: Cellulite results from water build-up and "toxins" in disordered fat tissue. This idea has been pushed by companies that offers cures based on "detoxification" or release of water stores in the cellulite fat (adipose tissue). However, scientific studies have shown that while the structure of tissue surrounding fat in cellulose skin areas is abnormal, the physiological and chemical nature of cellulite adipose cells appears to be no different from that in other parts of the body (Rosenbaum et al., 1998). In affected skin areas, the connective tissue has discontinuities that allow the underlying soft adipose tissue to push through, which causes a dimpled flesh appearance.

Fact: Cellulite results from genetics and hormones. One of the strongest factors in determining whether or not one has cellulite is in one's genes. You are either born susceptible to cellulite or not. Beyond this, oestrogen levels also seem to play an important role in spurring on cellulite. While women are much more likely to have cellulite than men, men who take estrogen treatments are at a higher risk of developing cellulite. Finally, while it is possible to be quite thin and still have this condition in extreme cases, excess body fat in individuals who are mildly susceptible to cellulite can aggravate the degree to which it is expressed.

Myth: Creams, massage therapy, vibration devices, electrical stimulators, and a collection of other devices are scientifically proven to cure cellulite. It is generally agreed that when it comes to cellulite, no non-surgical treatment has been unequivocally demonstrated to be effective. Some devices, such as electrical muscle stimulators, have been declared by the FDA to be fraudulent. Others, such as massage therapy by trained experts, have not undergone unbiased testing. Most scientific investigations of cellulite treatments have focused on creams that claim to combat cellulite. A brief literature search revealed great controversy. In some studies, (often ones in which pharmaceutical companies did the research), cellulite creams were found to be effected (Bertin et al, 2001). However, other studies carried out by independent laboratories found no such effects (Collis et al., 1999). So the verdict is still out, but if you really have the time and money to blow, a cellulite cream containing retinol may be worth a shot (Pierard-Franchimont et al., 2000).

Fact: Surgery is the only real cure. For some who overweight, proper diet and exercise may help improve the appearance of cellulite-ridden skin. For others, surgery may be the only treatment available. Indeed, surgery is sadly the only current known cure. It's an extreme measure for cosmetic purposes, with considerable discomfort and expense, so be sure to consult with a dermatologist to discuss this option if you feel yourself heading down this road.

As for the most of us, we'll might just have to put up with our little lumps and bumps and accept them as a part of our wonderfully unique bodies. Hey, one must be optimistic.

Healthy Skin Without the Hype

2005-02-01T02:13:00.000Z

We’ve seen the commercials and we’ve read the ads. Skincare appears to be all around us. But if you don’t happen to have your own personal dermatologist and the thought of botox makes your ever-aging skin crawl, how are you to know which over-the-counter miracle potion will really lead to a healthier, vibrant, youthful face? Let me help you out.

I’ll be honest. When it comes to facial treatments, there are lots of options and it’s difficult to know which is best for you unless you try them. However, there are some general rules to help you narrow the search and save you time and money.

Moisturizer: Thumbs up! In the dry and cold winter months, facial skin can become mildly inflamed, which interrupts normally functioning of the stratum corneum layer and basically looks less lavishing. A study by Kikuchi and fellow dermotological researchers has shown that daily use of a generic moisturizing cream is effect in preventing cellular moisture loss and inflammation of the skin during the winter. In essence, Oil of Olay twice a day really works.

Facials: Thumbs down! While a luxurious day at the spa with relaxing massages and deliciously scented creams are reported to be “rejuvenating” and may even make your skin feel softer and smoother, there are some unpleasant side effects to consider. In Khanna and Datta Gupta’s (2002) study, up to one third of women who received facials at well-established beauty salons experienced subsequent skin problems that were less than attractive. These included erythema, edema, dermatitis, and acne. In other words, if you plan to get your first facial, make sure you don’t have any major social events shortly after.

Anti-aging creams containing alpha-lipoic acid (LA) Thumbs up! These chemicals are potent scavenger with anti-inflammatory properties, and they are found in many over-the-counter creams. Beitner (2003) examined the effectiveness of a cream containing 5% LA by applying it to one half of 33 women’s faces twice daily for 12 weeks. The other half of their faces was given the same treatment with a non-LA cream. The LA cream was significantly better at reducing signs of photoaging (i.e., sun damage), such as skin roughness.

THE most effective treatment for skin care: With thumbs way up from all scientists! The best thing you can do for your skin to increase its health and its beauty is to protect it from the sun (see Holck and Ng, 2003). This is especially true for fair skin or freckled individuals. To look less like a prune at 50 and avoid cancer in the process, there are three important rules. 1. Avoid long periods of direct sun exposure when the UV index is high. Sun tanning should be a thing of the past, like bell-bottoms. 2. Always, always wear sunscreen with SPS 15 or higher. 3. Don’t smoke. In fact, you can make that a general rule for almost every area of health.

Thus, there are things we can do to improve our skin, and they don’t have to cost us an arm and a leg. There are tons of other options out there, which I’ll leave for you to research, but hopefully this will help set you on the road to that fresh, glowing look of healthy skin.

Kikuchi, K. et al. (2003). Improvement of mild inflammatory changes of the facial skin induced by winter environment with daily applications of a moisturizing cream. A half-side test of biophysical skin parameters, cytokine expression pattern and the formation of cornified envelope. Dermatology, 207(3):269-75.

Khanna, N., Datta Gupta, S. (2002). Rejuvenating facial massage--a bane or boon? International Journal of Dermatology, 41(7):407-10.

Beitner, H. (2003). Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin. British Journal of Dermatology, 149(4):841-9.

Holck, D.E., & Ng, J.D. (2003). Facial skin rejuvenation. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, 14(5):246-52.

A Wine for your Mind

2005-01-30T21:46:00.000Z

Did we really need another reason to justify that perfect glass of chardonnay with dinner? A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine this January was the first to examine the link between moderate drinking and cognitive performance in women. It found that women who have about one alcoholic drink per day were 23% less likely than non-drinkers to become cognitively impaired over a two year period. An amazing 12,000 women participated in this study, and the intriguing findings are likely to lead to much more research in this area.

Of corse, it's important to keep in mind the dangers of overindulgence in alcohol, so scientists are not quick to advise people to reach for the bottle. Nevertheless, for those who can enjoy a drink in moderation, the benefits to both heart and mind are nice added bonus. So whether you prefer a sweet red wine or a cold beer, "Cheers to your health" and please drink responsibly.

Stampfer, M. J. et al. (2005). Effects of Moderate Alcohol Consumption on Cognitive Function in WomenNew England Journal of Medicine,352:245−253.

For more information: http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050117/full/050117-10.html

Who's Hot and Who's...Ovulating?

2005-01-09T22:02:00.001Z

How many times have I heard a frustrated, newly-single woman ask herself, 'why do I always date jerks?' or 'What did I see in him?'. There are many answers to these questions, but I never realised that some small part of which men we are attracted to can be explained by when our period is due!

Yes, you read that right. Several studies have now shown that the hormone fluctuations associated with different parts of our menstrual cycles can have some subtle but interesting effects on taste in mates. Firstly, Dr. Gangestad and Dr. Thornhill at the University of New Mexico have found that women who are ovulating show a stronger preference for the scent of men who are physically symmetrical (a chemical sign of developmental stability). Secondly, they have also shown that women find masculine facial features more physically attractive on days that they are ovulating. Finally, even the male behaviours that women find attractive can change with our cycles. In this study, Dr. Gangestad and colleagues asked women to watch videos of men proposing a date. They found that when women are ovulating, they are more likely to be attracted to men who have a strong social presence and are competitive with other men.

Does this mean that we are all victims of the hormonal ride of our menstrual cycles? Thankfully not. The changes described above are only at the level of rating short-term physical attraction, not long-term relationships. When it comes to the important decisions, we still have our conscious mate-o-meters to depend on. So you can still spot a jerk, even if he smells good.

Gangestad, S.W. et. al (2004). Women's preference for male behavior displays change across the menstrual cycle. Psychological Science 15(2):203.

Thornhill, R., & Gangestad, S.W. (1999b). The scent of symmetry: A human pheromone that signals fitness? Evolution and Human Behavior 20:175-201.

Gangestad, S.W., & Thornhill, R. (1998). Menstrual cycle variation in women's preference for the scent of symmetrical men. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 262:727-733.

Yet Another Benefit of Breastfeeding

2005-01-07T13:01:00.000Z

It seems that enough good things cannot be said of breastfeeding. For babies, Mom's milk is much better than animal milk or formula when it comes to nutritional value, immune-boosting ingredients, and physical and psychological development. But now studies are showing that breastfeeding may lend advantages to Mommy, too.

In this week's Journal of Neurosciece, Craig Ferris and his team of co-scientists report that mother rats experience a "high" during nursing that is physiologically similar to that experienced by virgin rats on cocain. In 1999, Hecht and collegues demonstrated that mother rats actually choose nursing their pups over shots of cocaine. In Ferris et al.'s study, they used fMRI to take pictures of brain activity while rats where either nursing or having a cocaine high. They found that the same areas of the brain were active during these two rewarding activities.

This is in line with the testamony of mothers over the years who claim that breastfeeding is a rewarding, soothing experience. In addition, nursing also carries health benefits for Mom, such as protecting against iron deficiency anemia, providing temporary birth-control, and even helping to lose some of that pregnancy fat!

All that and it's enjoyable too? Ok, breastfeeding is not just a picnic. For many women, starting to breastfeed can require much patience and I hear it's not always easy on the nipples. The point is, it's well worth your best efforts. With all the pain our bodies go through related to childbirth, it's nice to know there's little paybacks on the side.

Ferris CF, Kulkarni P, Sullivan JM Jr, Harder JA, Messenger TL, Febo M. (2005). Pup suckling is more rewarding than cocaine: evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional computational analysis. Journal of Neuroscience 25(1):149-56.

For more on the benefits of breastfeeding: http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0297/breastfeed0297.html

Best diet plan: whichever one you stick to

2005-01-06T17:51:00.000Z

The variety of weight-loss programs available these days is bewildering. All claim to be a revolutionary key to getting the waistline you've always dreamed of, and they usually sound good enough on the surface. So when it comes to the huge time, money, and mental investment of committing yourself to a diet plan, how on earth is a girl to know which diet is best?

A research article in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association has put the power of choice back in your own hands. Dr. Michael Dansinger and his colleagues studied the weight loss and cardiac health of 160 overweight volunteers who enrolled in one of four popular diet plans: Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone Diets. On average, all four plans were found to produce similar modest reductions in weight (as much as 5% body weight for a quarter of the volunteers) and cardiac benefits. Neither plan came out on top overall. What did make a big difference in weight loss outcomes was how well each participant stuck to their diet. The volunteers who followed their diet plan most closely lost twice as much as those who gave up or cheated more often - regardless of which diet plan the people were on.

Thus, if you're trying to decide how to shed off some of that extra holiday stuffing, don't worry too much about which diet plan is the latest and greatest fad. Instead, choose a diet that you honestly believe you can follow. If you're a serious carnivore, this might be Atkins. If you're prone to a little chocolate cheat now and then, Weight Watchers may be more fitting. Most importantly, make sure your diet includes some foods that you enjoy and is compatible with your time schedule.

With any luck, you'll soon be deciding which new slim pieces to add to your wardrobe.

JASA article: Dansinger M. L. & Wadden T. A. (2005) J. Am. Med. Assoc., 293: 43 - 53.
Review by Nature News Online: http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050103/full/050103-3.html#B3