Newsletter Index -- 7/01/08

    Women Physicians' Team is a Winner at Relay For Life of Mountain View

    Memory Loss and Aging

    Memory Aids

    Announcements

        Teen Time

        Botox Special

        Small Group Personal Training Services

     Women Physicians' Ob-Gyn Services

Women Physicians’ Team is a winner

at Mt. View Relay for Life

Women Physicians Ob-Gyn received honors at the Mt. View Relay for Life event. We organized a team for the second year in a row for this American Cancer Society fundraiser and received an award for raising the most funds with a grand total of $15,815.  Dr. Sutherland was the top individual fundraiser at $5,826.  We also had one or more walkers on the track for the whole 24 hours, recognizing that cancer never sleeps.  And most importantly, all the participants had fun, got a little exercise, and paid their respects to survivors and caregivers.  Highlights included the opening ceremonies and survivor lap, and the lighting of luminaria at dusk.  We want to thank all of our donors and walkers.  We couldn’t have done it without you!  A special thank-you goes to Jennifer Studley, an amazingly talented opera singer who sang the Ave Maria for the luminaria ceremony to a standing ovation.  

Overall, the Mt. View Relay showed great growth with a doubling of teams to 27, a doubling of walkers to over 300, and a doubling of fundraising to over $60,000.  That can go a long way for cancer research and education. 

Memory Loss and Aging

·          Is memory loss an inevitable part of aging?

This thought invariably crosses your mind when you struggle to remember someone’s name or what you were planning on getting at the grocery store.   You just chalk it up to all those birthdays.  But aging doesn’t automatically mean significant memory loss.  What may seem like forgetfulness is actually more of a slowing of your ability to absorb, store and retrieve information.

·          Why can I remember how to drive a car (a skill learned many years ago) yet I can’t remember where I left the car keys thirty minutes ago?

It’s important to remember that memory involves many different parts of the brain.  The type of information you want to remember greatly influences where in the brain this data gets stored.

And many brain functions, like how to do things you’ve always done and do often, are unaffected by normal aging.

·          What can I do to cope with these expected memory changes?

--Make “to do” lists, use calendars and other memory aids.  If you want to remember  a name or fact, try to mentally connect it to another meaningful thing.

--Minimize stress, anxiety and depression since all these can increase your forgetfulness

--Try to focus on one task at a time.   Often what we think of as forgetting is simply not paying attention.  Try to minimize distractions, like noisy surroundings.

--Be patient with yourself.  It may take you somewhat longer to recall a name, word or fact than it used to.

--Realize that it may take a little longer to learn something new, but that it can be done.

--Stay organized.  Make it a habit to routinely put your keys, glasses, bills etc. in the same place.   If necessary, write down where things are (like where you parked in the parking garage).

·          Can anything help improve memory?

We know now that brain training and new learning can occur at any age.  Moreover, the brain can make new cells at any age.

In fact, there are many things we can do to keep our brains healthy and, as a result, improve our memory and possibly even reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

This list is discussed in more detail on the Alzheimer’s Asociation web page:  Maintain Your Brain (http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_brain_health_maintain_your_brain.asp)         

--Stay mentally active.  Brain cells, as well as the connections between them, can be strengthened by doing mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles or memory exercises, taking classes, attending lectures or plays.

--Remain socially active.  Travel, volunteer, join clubs, stay active in the workplace.

--Stay physically active.  This is helpful in many ways, including decreasing your risk of disorders that lead to memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

--Adopt a brain-healthy diet – low fat, low cholesterol, anti-oxidant foods like dark fruits and vegetables, no more than moderate alcohol consumption

--Don’t smoke.

--Get enough sleep.  This allows you to more easily remember new facts and improves your concentration.

·          Is memory loss the first signs of something more serious like Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other dementias?

Most of the time, small lapses in memory are normal.  Examples would be:  sometimes forgetting names or appointments; sometimes having trouble finding the right word; forgetting where you were going; temporarily misplacing keys or a wallet; needing to use notes for reminders.

AD patients have more severe difficulties with reasoning, communicating, learning and thinking that result in a negative impact on one’s family life, social activities, work, or ability to care for oneself.

·          When should I discuss my memory concerns with my doctor?

If you’re concerned that your memory changes are affecting your ability to function normally or if you or your loved ones have noticed significant changes in your personality or behavior, then you should let your doctor know.

There are reversible conditions that can decrease memory.  These include:  poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, bad reaction to medications, thyroid gland dysfunction, a minor head injury, high fever or dehydration.

And don’t forget to consider hearing loss.  After all, if you can’t hear what people are saying, how can you remember it?

·          Is there anything positive about  getting older and memory?

Those younger will always envy the wisdom that comes from a lifetime of rich experiences.   And when tested for knowledge and vocabulary, older adults actually do as well or better than younger people.

·          Where can I find more information?

If you’d like more information on memory loss, consider reading the recently published book: Where Did I Leave My Glasses?  The What, Where and Why of Normal Memory Loss by Martha Weinman Lear.  It is well researched but also written with great skill and wit by this respected health journalist.  Here’s a website link where you’ll find an excerpt from the book.  At this same website, you can also listen to an informative interview with the author discussing her work.

Memory Aids

Announcements

Teen Time

Summer is the best time to bring in your teenage daughter for an introduction to the world of women’s health and wellness.  We recommend an appointment in the high school years to acquaint young ladies with our office and let them know they can talk  about “private” matters in a confidential and supportive setting. Most teens do not need a pelvic exam or pap smear.  If your daughter is going off to college this fall, make sure an appointment is on the pre-college “to-do” list.

Botox^® Special

Want to look your best for all those school and family reunions?  Do you feel too young to have worry lines, crow’sfeet, and a wrinkled brow?  Our summer Botox^® special is a great time to try it out if you’ve never used Botox^® before or to resume treatment if you’ve fallen behind.  For each site, we inject 20 Units which will last approximately 3 months.  For a limited time, we are offering treatments at $250 for the first site and $195 for the second.  Bring a friend for an extra $20 off for each.  

Small Group Personal Training Classes

Summer is also the time to get in shape.  If personal training doesn’t quite fit your budget, but you need an experienced, certified, and motivating trainer to make the most progress, you may want to consider the small group classes now being offered at 4 EverFit  at their new Saratoga location right off Highway 85 and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road.  Groups are only 3 to 5 students with an ACE-certified personal trainer.  For more information, go to www.4everfit.org. 

Women Physicians Ob-Gyn Services

Everyone knows that we deliver babies and do annual exams.

Did you know that the following conditions can be treated at our office?

·          Excessive sweating of the underarms, hands or feet

·          Wrinkles including frown lines, crow’s feet, or forehead lines

·          Urinary leakage with cough or sneeze using a sling procedure

·          Unsightly spider veins

·          Excessive menstrual bleeding using endometrial ablation

·          Sterilization with a hysteroscopy procedure

·          Contraception with the 3-year Implanon insert

If any of these conditions are bothering you or someone you know, please call our scheduling desk at 650-988-7550 or visit our web site at www.elcaminoobgyn.com for more information.  

Information on this website is for educational and reference purposes only and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice.

Copyright © 2010

Women Physicians Gyn Medical Group

650.988.7550