Women’s Health Center of Excellence Update
November/December 2002, Issue 37
For
Breastfeeding Moms
Are you breastfeeding or planning to, and need a reasonably
priced breast pump? The Women’s
Campaign
to End Domestic Violence:
Applications
Due November 18th - $2,500 Available for Projects
Since 1998, the WHCoE has been active in
education and training on the issue of domestic violence. The Center sponsors the Excellence Triathlon,
which in its 5-year history has raised $60,000 to support domestic violence
programs. This year, the WHCoE is inviting faculty and staff of all WFU campuses to
submit an application to the Campaign to End Domestic Violence. This program is
designed to support efforts that prevent domestic violence, such as patient
education, counseling, support groups, and other activities that address the
pressing need for violence education, training, and outreach for victims.
Cross-campus and community collaborations are strongly encouraged. Proposals may support a new project or assist projects
already underway. Funds cannot be
used for general operating expenses or salary support. The proposal should not exceed $2,500. Proposals are limited to 2 pages which will
be reviewed by a committee of faculty, staff and community workers in domestic
violence issues. For an application
packet, contact Kristin Kidd at 713-5277 or email kkidd@wfubmc.edu. The deadline for applications is
Women’s
Health Themed Book Club Starts November 4th
Would you like to join a book club to learn more about women’s
health? The club is designed and led by
WFU intern Colleen McDermott and will be held at the Women’s
Female Sexuality: November 4th
– “Women: An Intimate Geography,” by Natalie Angier
The Process of Aging: November 11th
– “Juicy Tomatoes: Plain Truths, Dumb Lies, and Sisterly Advice about Life After 50,” by Susan Swartz
Health Care and Cultural Barriers: November 18th
– “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down,” by Anne Fadiman
Healing and Inspiration: November 25th
– “Cure: Stories of Healing Mind and Body,” Ed., by Kristen Couse
Meetings are co-sponsored by the WHCoE and the WFU Women’s Studies Program. Snacks
provided. Contact Colleen at 758-1295, for
copies of the articles or questions.
Women’s
Health Research Seminar Series
November 5 – “Body Composition and Function After Hip Fracture,” presented by Jay S. Magaziner, PhD, MS Hyg,
Professor, Director of the Div. of Gerontology, Dept. of Epidemiology and
Preventative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine.
December 3 – “Racial Disparities in Pregnancy-Related
Mortality,” presented by Margaret Harper, M.D., Associate Professor, Maternal-Fetal
Medicine, WFUBMC.
February 4 – “Update on a Pilot Grant Recipient:
Attenuation of Human Breast Cancer Cell Growth by Angiotensin-(1-7),”
presented by Ann Tallant, Ph.D., Associate Professor,
Hypertension and Vascular Disease Center/ General Surgery, WFUBMC.
Research
Program seminars are held at
Feature
Article
November is National
Diabetes Awareness month. Turn over to
learn more about diabetes in women.
Encouraging
Women to Take Charge of Diabetes
November is National Diabetes
Month, a perfect time to consider that approximately 9.1 million American women
have been diagnosed with diabetes. Many people don't know they have diabetes
until they develop a serious complication such as blindness, kidney disease,
heart disease, or stroke.
What is Prediabetes?
Millions of
American women have a condition called prediabetes,
where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Left untreated, this condition
may develop into diabetes. This condition
was previously called impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose.
These names did not clearly
explain that having
a higher-than-normal
blood glucose level means a high risk for developing Type 2
diabetes within 10
years and an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease and other
associated complications. Simple
lifestyle changes can help women take control. The Diabetes Prevention Program, sponsored by the National
Institutes of Health, found that modest weight loss of 5% to 7% of body weight
and regular exercise of 30 minutes five times a week lowered the risk of
developing diabetes by up to 58%.
What Are the Types of
Diabetes?
The three main types are
v
Type 1 diabetes
v
Type 2 diabetes
v
Gestational diabetes
Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children and young
adults, but it can appear at any age. Symptoms include increased thirst and
urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue.
If not diagnosed and treated with insulin, a person can fall into a
life-threatening diabetic coma.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common
form and develops in adults age 40 and older. The symptoms
develop gradually and may include
fatigue, nausea,
frequent urination, unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent
infections, and slow healing of wounds or sores.
Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy. Though it
usually disappears after delivery, the mother is at increased risk of getting Type
2 diabetes later in life.
How to Stop Diabetes in its Tracks?
ü
Get counseling on losing weight
ü
Increase physical activity
ü
Make healthy food choices
ü
Talk to your doctor
Are You at Risk? Take the Risk Test: Yes No
Are you overweight?
Do you exercise regularly?
Do you have high blood pressure?
(130/80 or higher)
Did you have gestational diabetes
OR a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth?
Are you an African American, Hispanic,
Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions,
talk to your doctor about diabetes.
Information for this article was
provided by the National Women’s
To
learn more about diabetes and other diseases and health issues that affect
women and what you can do to prevent them, visit us at the Women’s
