Sept. 4, 2009, Vol. 7 Issue 10

Oprah has opened the door to talk about just about anything on network television, especially when it comes to body parts and functions. Still, when it comes to you, and your body, that’s another matter, isn’t it? And especially if those questions are intensely personal, female, and, about those parts, “down there.”

It’s those mysterious, hard-to-discuss problems that Marie Savard, M.D., tackles in her newest book, Ask Dr. Marie. One of America’s most trusted names in women’s health, Dr. Savard is an ABC News Medical Contributor and internist specializing in women’s health.

She’s heard it all, and, in this book, takes women’s intimate questions and answers them in a conversational, accessible style. It’s as if your sister or best friend were a doctor with all the time in the world to discuss symptoms and solutions. That’s exactly why I like her speaking style as well.  She’s always knowledgeable, friendly and understandable.

Ask Dr. Marie

“I wrote this book because I am fascinated by the many challenges that women face when making the best decisions about their health, hormone, or birth control options,” Dr. Marie said.  “I never hesitate to weigh in on the latest research and how it can be applied to women in the real world – far removed from these often faulty research studies. My earliest research in women’s health helped women decide for themselves if they had vaginitis or cystitis and how best to treat these conditions safely, naturally and with as little medication if possible.

“So it is no surprise that women often pull me aside to ask sometimes difficult — but almost always embarrassing — questions about what is going on ‘down there.’ Is this discharge or dryness normal? How long will this last? Is this what menopause, sex after childbirth, having painful cystitis or bacterial vaginosis — the list goes on — really like? Will this cream or pill work for me? What hormones, vitamins, and supplements do YOU take? Are bioidentical hormones the safest way to go? I thought that my bleeding was just a hemorrhoid. I didn’t realize it could be something else. I am newly divorced – what precautions do I need to take before having sex again? How will I know if he is okay? The list of intimate questions from women (and often men want to know the answers to these questions, too) goes on and on.”

In the pages of Ask Dr. Marie, she shares with you what is normal, when to get help, what you can treat on your own, what are the best and most up-to-date tests to get, and how best to make the right decision for you. Always an advocate for patients, Dr. Marie lists specific concerns and questions to bring to your doctor’s attention, so you can make the most of the time you have during an appointment.

“I also talk about my all important ‘lifestyle pill.’ how to manage your weight and waist size as you get older, and why stress can be different for women,” she said. The overarching theme for all of Dr. Marie’s insider advice is her Golden Rule of Women’s Health: “Do unto yourself as you would do unto others.” She firmly believes you need to take care of yourself with at least as much devotion as you take care of everybody else. “We tend to put ourselves last on our list of priorities,” she said. “But that’s not good for those we love any more than it’s good for us.”

Here are some of the specific topics you’ll find covered:

•        Straight talk about sex at any age

•        Lists of symptoms so you’ll know whether to get help for those aches and itches and discharges and bumps

•        Lists of diagnostic tests including those you can do yourself

•        Examples of actual medical test results

•        Solid medical advice about treatment options ranging from over-the-counter and home remedies to surgery

•        Translations of medical jargon into English you can comprehend

•        Sketches to help you understand once and for all what’s going on “down there”

•        The voices of women including Dr. Marie herself dishing about the intimate and sometimes funny details of everything from birth control to bladder problems to menopause.

•        Dr. Marie’s “Lifestyle Pill” that trumps medication in so many cases and goes a long way to prevent a host of problems in the first place, and plenty of encouragement to help you find a fresh and positive perspective about the inevitable transformations you’ll encounter as you enter each new chapter of your life.

To learn more about Dr. Savard’s speaking availability, visit our website or give us a call at 503-699-5031.

Morning Walks Lead to Purple Fingers

About mid-May, I started walking every morning — 35 minutes to an hour.  It feels sooooo good to be moving again (without pain!), and getting out and doing something active on a regular basis. If you know anyone wondering about knee replacements, please feel free to give them my number.  It’s been a long haul, but now I can say that it was all worth it.

My morning walk goes through neighborhoods, two parks, and paths lined with wild blackberry bushes. I’ve been watching them closely. A couple of weeks ago I started nibbling; couldn’t resist bringing home a handful to my husband.  The next time I went out, I took a container. Then two. Then I took a friend — with buckets. Last Saturday, my husband went with me, and we filled our buckets and came home and made blackberry freezer jam. It will remind us of warm summer days when the winter rains come (if it lasts that long).

I’ve made at least 5 blackberry crisps (good for breakfast if there are any leftovers). Love this recipe that was originally for pears.

Easy Berry Crisp

Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 20 minutes

½ cup uncooked regular oats

¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons cold butter

3-4 cups fresh berries (fill pie pan)

2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl, and cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Combine fruit and juice, toss well. Spoon berries into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle oat mixture over berries. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 cup).

Feeling indulgent?  Add a small scoop of nonfat or lowfat frozen yogurt while the crisp is warm from the oven. Yummmmmmm.

Savor the tastes of summer and take care of yourself for your well being and those you love.

Yours truly,

Barbara

PLEASE NOTE: The information shared in this e-news is designed to help you make informed decisions about speakers and the programs they offer. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment prescribed by a doctor. If you suspect you have a medical problem, seek competent medical help.