What Happens in the ER when Elderly Woman Reports Chest Pain
Be on the lookout for specific things that should be done in the ER when an elderly woman complains of chest pain.
If an elderly family member is having chest pain, don’t delay getting them to the emergency room. (more…)
Are All Autistic Children Necessarily Withdrawn?
Is a “quirky” child possibly autistic even though they seem to be very socially interactive and uncomfortable being alone?
Of course, not all introverted children meet the diagnostic criteria for autism. (more…)
HIIT vs. Typical Exercise and Drugs for Battling Depression
A form of exercise called HIIT may be much more effective at treating depression than is more typical exercise and antidepressant drugs.
HIIT stands for high intensity interval training. (more…)
Why Don’t More Doctors See Dense Breasts As a Cancer Risk?
There’s a reason why most of the medical establishment still does not take seriously high breast density as a major risk for breast cancer. (more…)
Is Surgery Necessary to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer?
A doctor may suspect ovarian cancer based on symptoms, a blood test & an image of a suspicious mass.
But is surgery always necessary for a formal diagnosis of this ruthless disease? (more…)
WHY Does Stress Increase & Affect Vaginal Discharge?
Have you read somewhere that stress can directly cause vaginal discharge?
“There’s no direct mechanism for stress and vaginal discharge; however, chronic stress can cause hormone imbalances which can lead to abnormal discharge,” says Mylaine Riobe, MD, founder of Riobe Institute of Integrative Medicine.
Dr. Riobe, who’s board certified in ob/gyn and integrative medicine, is the author of “The Answer to Cancer.”
Despite no direct mechanism, stress sets the ball in motion that often leads to changes or increases in vaginal discharge.
“Chronic stress can also cause immune system weakness which can lead to infection, especially with unprotected intercourse,” says Dr. Riobe.
A compromised immune system can pave the path to issues with vaginal discharge.
“In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a mechanism for non-infectious vaginal discharge called damp and also spleen qi (pronounced chee) deficiency.
“Damp is excess fluids in the body, or inflammation. Spleen qi is responsible for management of fluids in the body, and when it’s weak, vaginal discharge can result.
“These causes of vaginal discharge are most closely linked with digestive problems.”
Does stress affect vaginal discharge differently for younger vs. older women?
“Stress-induced infectious vaginal discharge can occur at any age, and risk is increased with unprotected intercourse,” says Dr. Riobe.
“Stress hormones cause suppression of the immune system. The weakened immune system increases the possibility of infection.”
Stress’s Effect on the Immune System
Why does stress compromise immune function?
If you have to fight danger or escape from danger, which body systems do you need?
• Musculoskeletal
• Neuronal
• Cardiovascular
• Respiratory
Chronic stress triggers the same biochemical changes that acute (sudden) stress does.
Shutterstock/Cory Thoman
The body cannot tell the difference between the acute dangers our ancient ancestors faced in the wild, and the ongoing pressure-cooker lives that people face in industrialized societies (e.g., workplace issues, traffic jams, mounting bills, worrying about kids doing drugs).
Chronic stress puts the body in a never-ending state of “fight or flight.”
Shutterstock/tommaso79
The body is always in a preparatory state for that fight or escape from the perceived threat.
You don’t need your immune system to fight or escape from a threat.
The immune system becomes dismantled while more relevant systems gear up for the fight or flight (fast resting heart rate, high blood pressure, accelerated breathing, nervous twitches).
An actual physical fight never comes, of course, so the body remains on perpetual standby – meaning, a perpetually compromised immune system – leading to digestive troubles and creating the perfect storm for vaginal infection leading to more discharge.
“Stress hormones also suppress the ovarian function leading to reduced ovarian hormone levels which can also cause discharge,” says Dr. Riobe.
Again…do you need your ovaries to fight or flee from danger?
“Another possible mechanism is nutrient deficits which are needed by the liver to remove inflammation from the body.
“If the liver is missing key nutrients to perform its function, toxic inflammation will remain in the body causing discharge as well as other problems related to inflammation.”
Dr. Riobe has helped thousands of patients overcome difficult illnesses by addressing root causes, not just masking symptoms. The Riobe Method focuses on the prevention of disease, not the prevention of death from disease. She has 20+ years’ experience using integrative techniques to treat diverse patients.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Prostock-studio
Benign Diseases with the Same Symptoms as Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most misdiagnosed diseases because its symptoms are so similar to many benign conditions.
The time it takes to correctly diagnose ovarian cancer, from the time a woman first sees a doctor for her symptoms, has been well-documented to take up to a year or more. (more…)
Black Specks on Nipple but Not Pregnant: What Can These Be?
Discovering black specks or dots on your nipple in the absence of pregnancy (which can cause this appearance) can be quite alarming. (more…)
Most Likely Cause of Breast Lump in a Teenager
Your teen daughter comes to you worried about a lump in her breast.
What’s this most likely to be?
The concept of “lump” has nearly become synonymous with cancer, so that’s why even when a teenager discovers a lump in her breast, it’s petrifying. (more…)
Can a Fibroadenoma Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer?
Unfortunately, the presence of a complex fibroadenoma in breast tissue means an increased risk of breast cancer.
However, the risk is influenced by this benign tumor’s cellular features.
“Simple fibroadenomas do not seem to increase breast cancer risk,” says Dr. Aashini Master, DO, a medical oncologist with a special focus on breast cancer treatment.
But if the fibroadenoma is complex, then there is a slight increase in risk.
“Since fibroadenomas most often occur in young women who are not undergoing routine screening, it is important that a women be familiar with her own breast tissue,” explains Dr. Master.
“This is where apps such as Keep a Breast can be particularly educational and beneficial for young women who may not have a regular self-check process or know what to do when they feel something abnormal.”
A research paper (New England Journal of Medicine report, July, 1994) says that certain cellular features of the fibroadenoma are associated with an increased risk.
This includes cysts within the fibroadenoma. Another feature is calcifications.
Women should ask their physicians to explain the full report on their firbroadenoma.
If there’s terminolgy that they don’t understand, they should feel free to ask for an explanation.
What exactly is a fibroadenoma?
This is a benign tumor (mass) of fibrous and glandular tissue.
When it has any of the particular cellular features, it is referred to as a complex fibroadenoma.
Ask your physician if your fibroadenoma is simple or complex.
If a complex fibroadenoma is removed, this does not eliminate the increased risk of breast cancer.
KAB for Breast Health
Dr. Master is with the Keep A Breast (KAB) Foundation, which launched its Keep a Breast app Sept. 1, 2020.
This app focuses on information, support and access, connecting users who’ve discovered something concerning with a telehealth medical professional via KAB’s partnership with Carbon Health, a technology-enabled healthcare provider – allowing users to have direct, instant support.
The 8 Signs of Possible Breast Cancer
FOUR BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS. Freepik.com, studiogstock
FOUR MORE BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS. Freepik.com, studiogstock
What about simple or non-complex adenoma and increased breast cancer risk?
The New England Journal of Medicine study by Dupont et al states:
Two thirds of the patients [in the study] had noncomplex fibroadenomas and no family history of breast cancer and did not have an increased risk.
r. Master
