Wellness comes in many forms
There are all kinds of definitions of wellness. We encourage you to think broadly about how you approach wellness and health.
To that end, we’re exploring the connection between financial wellness and self-care. We’d love to know your desire to hear more about financial wellness or other related topics. Let us know in the feedback at the bottom of the newsletter.
- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik
The Tasting Menu
What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor - And Why Are They Everywhere?
Wellness in Your Wallet
5 Facts - Uterine Fibroids
What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor – And Why Are They Everywhere?
TV ads and social media feeds seem full of CGMs or continuous glucose monitors. Previously, monitoring glucose regularly was something only people with diabetes did. Now, folks are trying to “hack their metabolism” for weight loss and overall wellness. CGMs are an increasingly popular tool. It’s big business and the market is projected to be worth $ 16 billion seven years from now.
There’s even a rumor that the next Apple watch will have a glucose monitoring feature.
Let’s clear up misconceptions. A CGM doesn’t measure blood sugar.
Wait, what?
That’s right, the sensor is just under your skin and measures the glucose level in the fluid under your skin. Not in your blood. If you need or want to measure blood glucose, you need to use a fingerstick.
To have a CGM covered by insurance, you need a prescription from your doctor and a diagnosis that justifies insurance coverage.
The question for us remains: How helpful is this wellness trend, if it isn’t supported by a professional who can guide you in making sense of the information and make decisions accordingly?
If you want the perspective of someone who has worn one of these to manage diabetes for years, read Erin Parter’s piece in Fortune Well.
Wellness in Your Wallet
We’ve talked a lot about wellness and it’s many different facets. We know that wellness and self-care has many dimensions and so we want to dive in a bit more to how your level of wellness in different areas can impact your health.
In a 2020 survey from Creditwise (as reported by Purdue University), finances were ranked by 73% of respondents as their main cause of stress, making it the number one stressor, above work, politics, and family. And, a 2022 study from the Nature Public Health Emergency Collection showed that high financial stress equals high psychological stress - and its effects are more pronounced when looking at those who are unmarried, unemployed, have lower income, and those who rent homes - which is unsurprising to us.
Finances can be so stressful because they can impact so many other aspects of our lives - like our security and safety. And that stress can have far-reaching consequences beyond just your mental health. According to Everyday Health, it can cause disruptive sleep or insomnia and can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, and other disorders.
Financial Self-Care
Yes, sitting down to make a budget or examine your bank account definitely sounds a lot less fun than taking a bubble bath – but taking the time to do this is self-care and can help get you on a path to be able to reduce stress by creating a greater understanding of your finances.
That said, there is no one-size fits all approach as everyone’s financial situations are different, but we do have a few tips to help get you on the right path and start to lay the groundwork for better financial wellness.
Talk about the issue – whether with a financial advisor, a friend, or a therapist, it can be helpful to talk about the feelings of stress and the issues. Money is often seen as a taboo topic, but you don’t have to struggle in silence – you’d probably be surprised at how many other people in your life worry about money!
Analyze your finances – before you can make a plan, you have to identify the root of the problem
Come up with a plan that’s realistic for you – maybe that’s consolidating debt or finding a budget system/tool that helps you see where your money is going. Your solution will be unique to your situation and what you can stick to!
5 Facts - Uterine Fibroids
Our 5 Facts series continues this week with learning about uterine fibroids. Did you know that fibroids are the leading reason for hysterectomy in the United States?
Muscular noncancerous (except in rare cases) tumors that grow on the uterine wall, fibroids can be symptomless or cause heavy bleeding, extremely painful periods, and infertility and pregnancy complications
There is a greater impact on black people. They develop fibroids 3 times as often as white people and are more likely to need treatment including surgery
The cause isn’t known
To diagnose fibroids, medical professionals rely on pelvic ultrasounds and MRIs
Treatment can include hormones such as those that reduce estrogen levels or oral contraceptives or a variety of surgical options to remove them
This is also your reminder that women’s pain is often discounted or dismissed by medical providers. If you are experiencing extremely painful periods, pursue answers and a medical professional who takes your pain seriously.
Resources
Verywell Health Uterine Fibroids Facts and Statistics
Merk Manuals Consumer Quick Facts: Fibroids
Medical Term of the Week
According to Merriam-Webster, interstitial is defined first as: “occurring in or being an interval or intervening space or segment : of, relating to, or forming an interstice”
That sounds like something out of Star Trek
The second definition is “situated within but not restricted to or characteristic of a particular organ or tissue” As in the space between the cells in the body. And our term for the week, Interstitial Fluid, is the liquid found in those spaces.
That fluid is composed of water, sugars, hormones and many other substances. It helps bring these substances to the cells and to carry away waste products. Isn’t the body amazing?
The Latest
Ovia Health has teamed up with The National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC) and Johns Hopkins to create a framework for more inclusive birth care. You can learn more about the NBEC and it’s work (From Ovia Health)
Exciting new company tackling drug treatment for PCOS. About time (From Femtech Insider)
Even Oprah is talking menopause and the heart palpitations she didn’t realize were a sign. Yes, this phase of our lives is getting its moment. (From Oprah Daily and People)