In an effort to provide you with the best and most comprehensive gynecology care possible, we are expanding our services. We have a state-of-the-art bone densitometer which measures your bone density quickly and accurately.You will know in minutes whether you have osteopenia or osteoporosis. We are installing a 3-dimensional ultrasound next week, which will allow us to evaluate the pelvic organs with even greater accuracy. We are adding an office hysteroscopy system which enables us to visualize the uterine cavity and diagnose disease in seconds. We pride ourselves in offering you cutting-edge technology and compassionate service.
Free Educational Seminar
Join us on October 2 or November 6 at 7 p.m. at our office in North Scottsdale to find out if you're a candidate for minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures. Call 480.391.3638 to reserve a seat at our free educational seminar.
Abnormal bleeding is an extremely common problem, particularly for women in their 40's and 50's. While abnormal bleeding is usually due to hormonal imbalances (particularly around menopause), more serious reasons need to be ruled out.
A typical work-up for abnormal bleeding includes a sampling of the uterine lining cells and an ultrasound. Sometimes, however, we need to actually visualize the uterine cavity in order to obtain all of the information we need. A hysteroscope is a small lighted scope that is passed through the cervix into the uterine cavity, enabling us to see if abnormalities exist.
Up until now, we had to take patients to the operating room and perform hysteroscopy under anesthetic. Recently, however, sophisticated optics have produced tiny hysteroscopes that produce very little pain when passing through the cervical canal. This makes it possible to perform hysteroscopic examinations in the office with a local anesthetic only. We can gather a tremendous amount of information about the uterine lining in just a few seconds with minimal discomfort. We can visualize fibroids, polyps, areas of hyperplasia (overgrowth of uterine lining), or cancer.
We are proud to be able to offer this service by the end of the year.
Osteoporosis results in more that 1.5 million hip, spine and wrist fractures annually. This disorder affects nearly one-half of all postmenopausal women, the largest group at high risk for osteoporosis.
Our office just acquired a new, state-of-the-art LUNAR bone denistometer. The PRODIGY is the premier device for axial measurement of bone density. Previously, evaluating bone density using conventional x-ray systems did not reveal a potential problem until a patient had lost 25-50 percent of her bone density. Now, in just 30 seconds, this highly sensitive densitometer identifies bone loss at a much earlier stage, comparing your result to your own age group and to a young, normal female. The test is completely painless and provides your risk score in just a few minutes.
The following are risk factors for osteoporosis:
- Small, thin frame
- Female
- Asian ancestry
- Never taken estrogen
- Early menopause
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Avoidance of dairy foods
- Low vitamin D intake
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Smoker
- Caucasian ancestry
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive caffeine intake
Would you like to know if you are at risk? Many treatment options are available, but we won't know if you need treatment unless we know that you have bone loss!
Please call 480-860-4791 for more information or to make arrangements for a bone density measurement.
Author Allen Kanner, a Psychologist, often asks the children he treats for emotional and behavioral problems to talk about what they want to be when they grow up. "Until about 10 years ago, kids told Kanner they wanted jobs such as astronaut, physician, baseball player, and ballerina. Then, their aspirations took a sharp turn for the purse. Gap-toothed grade-schoolers and gangly middle-schoolers started telling Kanner that they just wanted to be rich."
In some cases, people who buy into the values of consumer culture end up starved for close friends, family or any deeper meaning in their lives. Kanner states, "When money becomes the focus of what you think is important, your motivation and well-being suffer."
A good article, a good book, and something to think about.
Dr. Wilson and her husband (with 2 dogs and 2 birds) recently took a hiking trip to Telluride, Colorado. They had a wonderful time except for some ill-timed snow on the second day of the vacation.
On the way back, they stopped at a truck stop in the Navajo reservation and Dr. Wilson noticed a puppy running loose among the cars and trucks. When she came out of the convenience store, the puppy was licking a popsicle stick behind the wheel of a truck that was about to back up. She snatched the puppy, confirmed with the owners of the convenience store that the puppy had no owner, and plopped it in the car. He was filthy, starving and thirsty.
The plan was to try and find him a good home, but her 17-year-old son fell in love with the puppy and he is now a permanent resident. His name is, appropriately, Lucky.
This article defines PMS as a characteristic group of physical and psychological symptoms occurring in the second phase of the menstrual cycle and diminishing or completely resolving shortly following the onset of menses. Symptoms generally include depression, anxiety, mood swings, anger, emotional sensitivity, fatigue, food cravings, breast tenderness, headache, and joint and muscle pain.
The study found that women with PMS suffered worse physical and emotional health impairment as compared to women without PMS. The psychological impairment in women confirming PMS was evidenced by significant differences on several measures: interference in relationships and hobbies, reductions in work productivity, more missed work days, greater health care utilization, and larger health care costs associated with outpatient medical visits.
An interesting observation regarding the impact of PMS is that the disruption in a woman's life extends beyond her symptomatic interval. Among women who had PMS, over 50% experienced some illness effects for over 2 weeks. Clinicians note that women may be forced to contend with the sequelae of events occurring during the premenstrual phase of the cycle. For example, relationships that are adversely affected by a woman's premenstrual disorder may not easily be repaired even when the symptomatic period is over.
There appears to be a relationship between work productivity and PMS symptoms. Reduced productivity enduring at least 5 days occurred in over 80% of women with PMS in contrast to 50% of women who did not have PMS.
Treatment for PMS ranges from life-style changes, which work for some, to a variety of medical therapies. Avoidance of caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and salt seem to help. Exercise definitely helps. If the symptoms persist despite these changes, mild tranquilizers or anti-depressants can be prescribed.
The Ride began in 1996 with 35 participants and has grown significantly each year. Starting in Scottsdale, the Ride takes you along the incredible back roads of Paradise Valley. This route has beautiful scenic views and relatively flat terrain. Ride for the Children is not a race, but an opportunity for you to do two things you love: ride your bicycle and make a difference at the same time. In the past 6 years, this event has raised more than $400,000 for the Schools.
Don and Conde Rogers (Ride Founders) wanted to get involved in the community and were looking for a worthy charity. They did a tour of the Thomas J. Pappas School, were very impressed and made aware of their immense needs. For example, the Schools provide 2 meals every day for the children along with clothes, medical care, emotional support and most importantly, the education they need to break the cycle of poverty. All of this is in an environment without the teasing and ridicule they might encounter in public school. The Ride funded and supports the School's medical clinic, provided playground and sun shelters, summer school classes, classroom materials and resources, and much more.
It is their intention to involve members of the community in donating their money, time and services, so that everyone has a chance to make a lasting impact in the lives of the students at the Pappas Schools. For example, riders raise funds to sponsor their participation, Bashas' donates the post-ride breakfast and the Paradise Valley Police, Phoenix Police, and Sheriff's Posse all have donated their support.
How can you participate?
1. Ride - There is a 10-mile, 25-mile or Metric Century route. The minimum pledge required to participate is $50. Registration is available on-line at www.RideForTheChildren.com.
2. Pledge a Rider - People are welcome to pledge a friend, family member or fellow bike rider. Or, they can sponsor one or many of the children from the Pappas Schools who will ride in this year's event. Pledge forms can be found on the Web site and mailed to: Ride for the Children, P.O. Box 12422, Scottsdale, AZ 85267.
3. Volunteer - Volunteers are needed for the day of the Ride and a few days prior to the event.
For more information call 602-788-5200 or visit www.RideForTheChildren.com.
Copyright ©2003 Dr. Deborah Wilson, eNews Design ©2003 The Rogers Group, Inc.