The exact cause of PCOS remains a mystery to doctors and researchers. However, the symptoms are clear and some researchers believe that it is closely linked to an over active sympathetic nervous system. This system is what controls involuntary bodily functions such as the dilation of pupils.

A group of Swedish researchers conducted a study recently, wherein women with PCOS were divided into three groups. The first group underwent electro-acupuncture (a weak electric current is passed through the needles). The second group underwent a guided exercise routine (at least three times a week). The third group had no additional treatment or instructions. The findings? The activity of the sympathetic nervous system of the first two groups was considerably lower and the women who had acupuncture had a plus: more regulated menstruation. More than this, they also had lower levels of testosterone.

If you have PCOS or know anyone with PCOS, you might want to consider acupuncture.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have conducted a study which yielded the following data:

-Breastfeeding can lower the risk of heart attack and other related diseases
-Breastfeeding can lower the risk of stroke.

These benefits might be had if a mother breastfeeds for a year. More than these two major illnesses, however, breastfeeding can also have a positive effect regarding other conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. As you may have surmised by now, these conditions are closely related to heart attacks and strokes.

The U.S. Surgeon General “recommends that babies be fed exclusively with breast milk for the first six months of life, but “the longer women nurse their babies, the better for both of their health,” says lead study author Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology, obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Health Care in Pennsylvania.”

I guess you know what this means, huh? More mothers should opt for breastfeeding rather than using formula. Then again, should is the operative word here. At the end of the day, the decision rests on the mother.

New studies have shown that pregnant women and new mothers that have diabetes are in far greater risk for developing post partum depression (PPD). Though the reason for the higher risk is not yet exactly known what is known is that out of 11,000 women who were enrolled in New Jersey’s Medicaid program 15.2 percent of those that had diabetes became depressed during pregnancy or up to a year after birth. The percentage of diabetic women who did not suffer from postpartum depression is significantly lower at only 8.5 percent.

What this means for expectant mothers is that if routine diabetes tests give you a positive result you should also discuss with your doctor the possibility of post partum depression and ways to prevent and manage problem. This is very important because post partum depression IS treatable. Since the disorder is underdiagnosed, by being aware and discussing with your doctor the risk factors involved, in case you end up suffering from PPD chances of it going undetected will be minimized, which in turn means fast help for you.

The link between diabetes and depression has already been studied before but it is only now that the figures for diabetes and PPD have come out.

Men are less likely to suffer from chronic pain due to extreme activities than men due to the hormone testosterone which has been shown to help lessen the damage to muscles and tissue, thus leaving women to suffer more. Statistically, women suffer an average of 15 episodes that can lead to depression due to their biology, having them experience fluctuations in their hormonal levels each menstrual cycle.

Headaches, if they are persistent enough should be consulted to a health professional for it may be a sign of underlying disease, or it may just be you drinking too much coffee through the day to keep you awake at your boring desk job!?!

Osteoporosis is a very old disease but sad to say, not too many people pay particular attention to its prevention until it’s a tad late. Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones. A person with the condition has bones that are brittle and have lots of holes inside them – something like a sponge. As a result, people with osteoporosis are prone to fractures. Osteoporosis is most common in women who are above 60 although people outside these demographics are affected as well.

So how do you prevent osteoporosis?

The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests these 5 steps:

• Get your daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D
• Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
• Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health
• When appropriate, have a bone density test and take medication

Pay particular attention to your calcium and vitamin D intake as young as possible. More info on these two:

According to NOF recommendations, adults under age 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium daily, and adults age 50 and over need 1,200 mg of calcium daily. If you have difficulty getting enough calcium from the foods you eat, you may take a calcium supplement to make up the difference.

According to NOF recommendations, adults under age 50 need 400-800 IU of vitamin D daily, and adults age 50 and over need 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. There are two types of vitamin D supplements. They are vitamin D3 and vitamin D2. Previous research suggested that vitamin D3 was a better choice than vitamin D2. However, more recent studies show that vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 are equally good for bone health.

Our bones do not become strong overnight. Their strength is a result of years and years of proper nourishment and care. As such, the steps that are given above should not be delayed in implementation. There is in fact no cure for osteoporosis currently.

I have to admit defeat…during the holidays, despite my best intentions when it comes to weight loss and weight maintenance, even my strongest efforts shatter into pieces right before my very eyes. The moment I lay my eyes on the buffet table, my resolve just seems to disappear.

I have to say that I have found other ways to deal with the whole thing. If I can’t totally abstain from enjoying the holiday feasts, then I will just put extra effort into exercising BEFORE the holidays. MSN has a really good article for people like me (and you, probably!). Check out this computation of calories:

Consider a typical winter-time week: Let’s say you eat an extra 1,500 calories on the day of a big meal, and you stack on an additional 1,000 extra calories at a holiday party on another evening. If you burn off that surplus 2,500 calories on the other five days of your week, you’re likely to keep your weight in check. That means you need to create a caloric deficit of 500 calories on non-feasting days.

Ok, so we have the math down pat. So how do we get to burn off the right amount of calories so that the weight does not pile up during the holidays?

An easy way to burn a few hundred extra calories is by spending 30 to 40 minutes walking briskly or using a cardio machine. If you’re too busy to devote this much time all at once, break up your exercise quota throughout the day. Do two to three of these mini-workouts (they each burn around 100 calories a shot). See these mini-work outs here.

Maybe you guys have some of your own tips to share?

According to breast surgeon Trevor Smith, a change in lifestyle may actually help prevent breast cancer. He urges everyone to pay more attention to the link between breast cancer and lifestyle. Stuff, a New Zealand web site, ran this story today:

Hundreds of published studies identified risk factors which people can easily control and the challenge is to motivate people to want to change, Dr Smith says.

Healthy nutrition should be more plant-based and less processed and energy dense. A binge drinking culture contributes to the risk and alcohol should be limited to one drink a day.

He says he is not trying to promote elimination but moderation. Limiting alcohol is not a popular message, but drinking alcohol daily increases the risk by 10 percent.

“Every bit you do is an investment in your health.”

From the age of 30 women should get an annual breast check and by the age of 40 be having mammograms.

The book, called Breast Care, was launched two months ago, providing a new approach presented in a positive way, he says.

Though his ideas have not gained much ground as of yet, I am inclined to take up for his advice. Again, it wouldn’t hurt to examine one’s lifestyle, would it?

Myth #5: Physical injury or force on the breast can cause breast cancer.
I totally believed this one, to be honest. However, it is completely unfounded. Sometimes, breast cancer is detected in women who have recently experienced trauma in their breast area. The trauma is not the cause of the breast cancer, though. There is no link between trauma and breast cancer.

Myth #6: Breast self-examination is best done in the shower.
There are really no hard and fast rules as to where you conduct your breast self-examination. However, it would be better to do it when your skin is dry. Wet soapy hands are slippery and it may be harder to detect any existing lumps.

Myth #7: Women with small breasts are not likely to get breast cancer.
Breast size has nothing to do with breast cancer. Just because you have small breasts should not be an excuse to be complacent about the possibility of breast cancer.