Bundled up against the cold and snow this winter, your legs and how they appear are probably the last things on your mind. This, however, is exactly the right time to start addressing your varicose veins and all the problems associated with symptomatic venous insufficiency, a condition in which the veins have problems returning blood from the legs back to the heart. (more…)
Guest post by H. Marie Williams
One of my favorite roles as a physician is educating patients during the process of taking care of them. When patients come to my office for an evaluation regarding a specific condition (thyroid, diabetes, pituitary, bone) I start by asking them what they know about the disorder. Often, even if the patient has had the condition for many years, I can teach them something about how their body works. In this post, I aim to teach you all something about the pituitary gland, part of the body’s endocrine system.
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized structure located in the brain directly behind the eyes. Despite its small size, I think of the pituitary gland as the “quarterback” of the body. This quarterback relays the signals from the “head coach”—a small section of the brain called the hypothalamus—to the rest of the glands of the body. These interactions make up the so-called hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The hormones from the pituitary gland control reproduction, thyroid function, breastfeeding, growth, our stress response and much more.
The best part of this whole system is that it makes sense. The head coach (the hypothalamus) knows what plays to call based on the feedback it gets from the rest of body. For example, if the circulating level of thyroid hormone is low, then the hypothalamus will receive this message and communicate with the pituitary gland to increase the stimulatory signal to the thyroid to produce more hormone.
Many different types of conditions can compromise the function of the pituitary gland. Some of these conditions send out excess hormone and some may cause a deficiency in a specific hormone. Of course, since the pituitary gland is the quarterback, this can cause many changes in the body.
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland. These are generally non-cancerous growths called adenomas. An adenoma may be producing extra hormone, such as prolactin, which is the hormone that regulates breastfeeding. A high prolactin level may cause breast discharge and disrupt the menstrual cycle. This condition, called a prolactinoma, can generally be treated with medication.
Other adenomas do not produce hormone, but may affect the normal hormone production by the pituitary gland. For example, testosterone deficiency in males may be caused by a large pituitary adenoma, which has decreased the stimulatory signals to the testes.
I hope this basic overview provides you with insight into how the pituitary gland helps create balance in our complex body.
To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.
Twice a month, the Lactation Department of Mount Sinai Beth Israel offers a breastfeeding support group: “The Breastfeeding Café.” Expectant parents often ask us why a support group is necessary for such a “natural” process. (more…)
Despite what your mother or grandmother may have told you, pregnancy is no excuse to eat whatever and however much you want. The theory of eating for two is no longer acceptable in today’s society of overweight and obesity. Too much weight gain during pregnancy can be detrimental to you and to your baby.
The Institute of Medicine’s guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy are based on pre-pregnancy body-mass-index (BMI). Therefore, if you are overweight or obese before becoming pregnant, it is recommended that you gain less weight during your pregnancy. On the other hand, if you are underweight before becoming pregnant, it is recommended that you gain more weight. A weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds does not fit all.
With the exception of women carrying multiples, minimal to no weight gain is recommended during the first trimester. On average, only 300 to 500 additional calories are needed during the second and third trimesters to support adequate weight gain. That is just a couple of snacks above a healthful intake, or an after-dinner dessert.
Snacks are necessary. Just as they are important for metabolism and weight control when not pregnant, healthy snacks help curb cravings throughout the day, and thereby control weight gain during pregnancy. Snacks are especially important for controlling blood sugar in women who are diabetic.
Eat your breakfast! Not only is breakfast the most important meal of the day to kick-start your metabolism, it also is a great opportunity to include folic acid (vitamin B9) in your diet. Folic acid is essential in nervous system development and the prevention of neural tube defects, and is best absorbed through fortified foods and supplements. Thus, a bowl of cereal is a great way to add this B vitamin to your diet.
Think twice before ordering egg whites. Choline, though often forgotten in comparison to folic acid, is also essential in nervous system development and such functions as memory and muscle control. The best source of choline for the fewest calories is a full egg.
Include healthful fats in your diet. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, is found in fish and shellfish in a ready-to-use form. It is essential for your baby’s brain development during pregnancy, nursing and the first few years of life. Many women do not even consume a quarter of their recommended DHA requirements.
Remember, the choices you make before and during pregnancy can affect you and your baby later in life. Making changes in your diet and eating behaviors now will help you prepare for pregnancy. For instance, be mindful of folic acid, choline and DHA, as these nutrients are important during the very early stages of pregnancy, even before many women learn they are pregnant. And, if you are not already at a healthy weight prior to pregnancy, get there! Include in moderation whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fruits and vegetables for a healthy baby and a healthy you.
Some of you have probably thought about or written down a New Year’s resolution for 2013. All too often, we notice those resolutions fading as February 1st rolls around. We all have the ability to keep our New Year’s resolutions and to make important and healthy changes in our lives. The dilemma is that we often lack the strategies needed to stay on track. Here are some helpful tips to keep you focused and successful in 2015! (more…)
Picture it: The holidays have come and gone. A brand new year is here, and you’re feeling both positive and optimistic about 2013. Such optimism is reflected in your New Year’s resolutions, such as “buy a gym membership” or “lose weight.” This year, you’re actually going to follow through with your resolutions—right?
Well…maybe. A study published by the psychology department of the University of Scranton reported that of participants who made New Year’s resolutions, 31% planned to lose weight and 15% planned to join a fitness program. After following participants for 6 months, the study found that less than 50% of people who made resolutions were successful. This makes us wonder, what is the key to a successful resolution? Here are some tips to help you achieve your goals this year:
1. Be Specific – Goals should be measurable and have a time frame. For example, “buy a gym membership” is general whereas “work out for 60 minutes 3 or more days of the week through February” clearly defines the goal.
2. Be Realistic – Set an achievable goal for yourself. Instead of planning to “lose 50 pounds,” aim for a more realistic goal, such as “lose 1 to 2 pounds a week.” This weight loss is considered “healthy” for most people and allows you to have a weekly “success.”
3. Be Creative – There are many changes you can make in your life to become healthier. If you have a medical condition, you can also incorporate a goal this year to help you achieve better control. Examples include:
• Don’t skip meals – I will eat 3 meals a day.
• Get more sleep – I will go to bed 30 minutes earlier on weeknights.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables – I will have at least one serving of fruit or vegetables with every meal.
• Eat out less during the week – I will bring lunch from home 4+ days a week.
• For my high cholesterol – I will switch to low-fat dairy products (e.g., 1% or non-fat milk, low-fat yogurt).
• For my diabetes – I will eat a piece of fruit in the morning instead of drinking juice (e.g., have a small orange or banana)
• Drink more water (and fewer sweetened beverages) – I will drink 8 glasses of water a day.
Remember, these are only suggestions. Think about what works best with your lifestyle, and what is realistic for you to change. Spending the time to really think about your resolution will ensure that you’ve picked something meaningful and achievable.
Good luck in 2013!
References:
Norcross JC, et al. Success predictors, change processes, and self-reported outcomes of New Year’s resolvers and nonresolvers. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2002; 58(4) 397–405.