Feeling extra sneezy?
Is it just us or is allergy season longer each year?
Oh, it’s not just us. If you’ve noticed this too, you may be living somewhere that has a longer growing season than years ago. So you might need to stock up on that allergy medication and talk to your provider about any time limitations on any of the products you use.
- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik
The Tasting Menu
Bladder Health - 5 Things To Know
What’s Up With Pregnancy Cravings?
Racial Disparities in Maternal Health
Bladder Health - 5 Things To Know
Bladder health is an important aspect of women’s overall health and well-being. The symptoms and conditions related to our bladders are ones people are reluctant to discuss. So we added this to our list of topics we are going to talk about!
What is the bladder?
It’s a hollow, triangle-shaped muscular organ that stores urine before it is emptied from the body through the urethra. Certain factors can affect the health and function of the bladder, leading to a range of conditions that can cause discomfort, pain, and embarrassment.
How do you keep your bladder healthy? What are some signs and conditions to watch out for? We’ve got you covered with 5 things to know.
Drink plenty of water: Drinking adequate amounts of water can help keep the bladder healthy by flushing out bacteria and preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). There are many debates on how much water is right. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day at least.
You know we love a good pelvic floor exercise: Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to urinary incontinence, which is a common problem for many women. Pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen these muscles and improve bladder control.
Stay active: Regular exercise can help improve bladder health by promoting circulation and reducing the risk of constipation, which can put pressure on the bladder and cause incontinence.
Watch for signs and talk to your provider Seek treatment for bladder problems: If you experience symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, pain or discomfort during urination, or incontinence, it is important to have a conversation with your provider.
UTIs are not the only issue: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bladder problems that women face. They occur when bacteria enter the urethra and travel up to the bladder, causing infection.
However, they share some symptoms with an overactive bladder (OAB). OAB is a condition in which the bladder muscles contract involuntarily, causing a frequent and urgent need to urinate. Discomfort and urinary problems could also be a sign of bladder prolapse. Bladder prolapse occurs when the bladder drops down into the vagina, causing discomfort and urinary problems. People who have given birth, gone through menopause, or have a family history of pelvic organ prolapse may be at higher risk for bladder prolapse.
What’s Up With Pregnancy Cravings?
Last week we asked our followers who have been pregnant “what kind of cravings did you get”? The answers – chocolate milk, gummy bears, Five Guys (very specific), cereal, carbs, citrus – they run the gamut.
Pregnancy cravings are common – 50-90% of pregnant people in the US experience cravings, but what causes them and do they mean anything specific? Pampers suggests two possible reasons for cravings during pregnancy:
Changes in your body's nutritional needs
Surge in pregnancy hormones
This could also be the reason why you might have an aversion to other foods you used to like.
Interestingly, the BBC reports that studies show that other cultures don’t report cravings nearly as much as those in the US and UK, and the types of cravings that do get reported are wildly different. There’s also some studies that suggest that the common cravings aren’t fulfilling a nutritional need.
So what does this mean? That’s not to say that you should ignore your cravings but only giving into cravings can have some broader consequences. It’s important to look at your nutritional intake holistically and make sure you’re balancing getting in the nutrients you need and satisfying those cravings. Here’s some suggestions on the best ways to balance that out
Make sure to eat a variety of foods
Work in smaller meals or snacks every few hours
Get in enough water and hydration - 12 cups of water or other caffeine-free/100% fruit juice type beverages throughout the day
Racial Disparities in Maternal Health
As we’ve previously shared a shocking 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are preventable. Even more stark when digging into the data is the racial disparity in maternal health. Despite advances in medical technology, pregnant people of color are still more likely to experience pregnancy complications and death compared to their white counterparts.
In the US, Black pregnant people are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. This disparity is due to a variety of factors, including systemic bias, socioeconomic status, and access to quality healthcare.
One of the main reasons for this disparity is the lack of access to quality prenatal care. Pregnant people of color are more likely to be living in areas where healthcare facilities are scarce (remember healthcare deserts?) and data shows they often don’t have the same access to health insurance coverage. This can lead to delays in receiving medical attention and increase the likelihood of complications during pregnancy.
However, one startling study recently revealed that income did not translate into better outcomes for mothers or infants in the black community. Discrimination also plays a significant role in maternal health disparities. Studies have shown that healthcare providers often hold implicit biases that negatively impact the quality of care provided to women of color. This can result in misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment, leading to further complications and even death.
Improving access to quality prenatal care and addressing implicit biases in healthcare are crucial steps to ensure that all women have the opportunity to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Medical Term of the Week
Mammogram or Breast Sonogram?
Mammograms and breast sonograms are both medical imaging tests used to screen for breast cancer and detect abnormalities in the breast tissue. However, they use different technologies to produce images and are used for different purposes.
A mammogram is a type of X-ray that produces images of the breast tissue. Mammograms are often used for breast cancer screening in women who do not have any symptoms of breast cancer. They can detect changes in breast tissue that may be too small to feel or see, such as calcifications or small masses.
A breast sonogram, also known as a breast ultrasound, uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the breast tissue. During a breast sonogram, a technician applies gel to the breast and uses a wand-like device to create images of the breast tissue. Breast sonograms are often used to evaluate breast abnormalities that are found during a mammogram or a clinical breast exam, such as a lump or a cyst. They can also be used for breast cancer screening in women with dense breast tissue, which can make it difficult to see abnormalities on a mammogram.
The Latest
Before you reach for that melatonin gummy, check out a recent study about the doses found in these unregulated supplements. (From CNN)
This is a long, interesting and unsettling piece about how little we really know about periods. Why? (From The New Yorker)
Frustrated by the lack of insurance coverage for menopause hormone treatments? We are too. We loved this piece on how to hack insurance for them. (From Oprah Daily)