Healthy Women Today Newsletter

Somewhere between the first day of school, Halloween costumes, and runny noses I know I must have stopped to do something good for myself at some point—if I did, I'm sure it was only for a second before I was off taking care of someone else.

Taking care of others might seem like the natural thing to do—especially if it's a child that is sick or hurt. For short periods of time, caring for others probably won't disrupt your life. But there are 44 million families and friends who provide unpaid care to another adult, sometimes around the clock. Their job is often paired with other full time employment, a family, and other obligations. These caregivers not only provide health care needs, but they often are the only listening ears, caring hearts, and kindness in the other person's life.

In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month and National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, our Featured Health Article is about caregiving and the challenges and rewards it brings. In her article "Hardship Into Hope: The Rewards of Caregiving," author Connie Goldman talks about her personal experiences with taking care of her mom and dad. She also shares the touching stories of other caregivers and the experiences that resulted from that care.

This month's focus on caregiving also brings attention to perhaps the most vulnerable among us—babies, born too early, who need extra love and attention. In recognition of Prematurity Awareness Month and Prematurity Awareness Day on November 21, visit the March of Dimes web site and read more about what you can do to show you care.

While you're out and about this month, take some time to show others you care with a small act of kindness. It's something you can surely be thankful about this Thanksgiving.

Valerie Scardino, M.P.A.
Communications Director, Office on Women's Health, HHS

Featured Health Article for November

There are 44 million families and friends who provide unpaid care to another adult, sometimes around the clock. Connie Goldman was one of those people. Caring for both her elderly mother and father and some of her friends, she has gained wisdom from all those she has had the pleasure of caring for. In her article "Hardship Into Hope: The Rewards of Caregiving", she shares pieces of real life stories collected over the years in the hope of offering support, comfort, insight, and inspiration to women in all caregiving situations.

How Can We Help You?

We get hundreds of e-mails from you every month. From thank you letters to serious health questions, we strive to reply with the most accurate and up-to-date health information.

Summary of an e-mail and our response:

We received an e-mail from a woman who suffers from severe narcolepsy and is unable to work or drive. She talked about having difficulties with insurance. She has no resources or money and was looking for suggestions about where she could go for more information.

We first directed her to a publication by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute called "Facts About Narcolepsy". The site contains information on how narcolepsy can be classified as a disability under the section titled, “Living with Narcolepsy.”

Additionally, we suggested that if she was unable to work because of her narcolepsy, there was a good chance that she could qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits. We directed her to publications for information on how to apply for these benefits. We also gave her resources she could use if she had already applied and was denied.

• Benefits for People with Disabilities
• Adult Disability Starter Kit
• What You Need To Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits
• The Appeals Process

We suggested the following publications:

• Narcolepsy Fact Sheet
• Narcolepsy

We suggested she also contact the following organizations for more information:

• Social Security Administration Office of Public Inquiries
  Windsor Park Building, 6401 Security Boulevard
  Baltimore, MD 21235
  (800) 772-1213


• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
  P.O. Box 5801
  Bethesda, MD 20824
  (800) 352-9424


• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center, NHLBI, NIH, HHS
  P.O. Box 30105
  Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
  (800) 575-9355


• Narcolepsy Network, Inc.
  P.O. Box 294
  Pleasantville, NY 10570
  (888) 292-6522


• Center for Narcolepsy, Sleep and Health Research
  College of Nursing M/C 802, The University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60612
  (312) 996-5176


• National Sleep Foundation
  1522 K St. NW Suite 500
  Washington, DC 20005
  (202) 347-3471

November's Featured Health Topic

A feature designed to help you find important health information on womenshealth.gov and girlshealth.gov

Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease, affecting millions of Americans and growing at epidemic rates, with one million new cases of Type 2 diabetes each year. Diabetes happens when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal.

The good news is that in most cases, diabetes is preventable. November is American Diabetes Month, Diabetic Eye Disease Month, and Foot Health Issues Related to Diabetes Awareness Month. Womenshealth.gov wants to provide you with answers to your questions about this condition and help you get on a path to good health.

• Illness & Disabilities: Diabetes
• Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes
• Preguntas Frecuentes Acerca de la Diabetes
• Hispanic American/Latinas and Diabetes
• African-American Women and Diabetes
• American Indian/Alaskan Natives and Diabetes
• Asian American/Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians Women and Diabetes
• Men's Health: Diabetes

November Recipes

In addition to one of the biggest food related holidays this month (think turkey and pumpkin pie!), November is also American Diabetes Month. We've put together some healthy recipes from the American Diabetes Association for everyone at your table this year!

• Roasted turkey
• Turkey gravy
• Ham with blueberry sauce
• Basic bread stuffing with variations
• Fresh peas with tarragon
• Maple glazed sweet potatoes
• Apple cranberry streusel pie

Skin Deep
They say that beauty is only skin deep-but we know this is a difficult point to make with a teen suffering from acne, oily skin, breakouts, or blackheads. To them it can seem like the end of the world!

November is National Healthy Skin Month. Share girlshealth.gov's "Your Skin" section with your teen and teach them about what causes acne, the ingredients in eye shadow, and that there is no such thing as a safe sun tan.

Growing Great Girls
Introducing Growing Great Girls, a newsletter for parents of “tween” and teenage girls! Each month we will pack it full of information that will help you teach the girls in your life the importance of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Go to our Parent's section on girlshealth.gov and click on the yellow subscription box on the right side to register today!

News from womenshealth.gov and OWH

We still need your stories!
Have you had an experience with a health condition or issue that you would like to share with others? If so, let us know! Your story may be featured in a book about women's health. We are interested in learning about how women have dealt with a variety of issues. We'd like to hear about difficult struggles as well as positive stories about how you have dealt with your diagnosis or situation.

The list of topics we’re still looking for is below. Share your story with us. If you don't have a story, but know someone who does, please pass this on to her.

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Oral health
• Reproductive health, such as PCOS or fibroids
• Respiratory health, such as asthma

Seafood During Pregnancy
The March of Dimes position regarding seafood consumption for pregnant women remains unchanged. The March of Dimes continues to recommend that pregnant and nursing women eat no more than a maximum each week of 12 ounces of fish that are low in mercury, such as shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish, and canned light tuna; and no more than 6 ounces of white (albacore) tuna in one week, because of the concern that albacore is high in mercury, which is especially toxic during early brain development. This position mirrors the recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Pregnant and nursing women should choose fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids but low in mercury. Although fish is one source of omega-3 fatty acids, there are others, including eggs from specially-fed hens and fish oil capsules.

The March of Dimes will continue to monitor research findings, and if the scientific evidence changes, they will review their position.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes web site at www.marchofdimes.com (En español)

Other News on Women's Health

Lung Disease
In recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Independence from Smoking—A Breath of Fresh Air features information on why it's important to quit, how to quit, special sections for teens and parents, and additional resources about quitting smoking. We also have our Frequently Asked Questions About Lung Disease that talks about conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).