February is American Heart Month, and much of this month will be spent talking of heart wellness and prevention of heart disease. Heart attacks remain a leading cause of mortality in both men and women. Because heart disease is so prevalent, knowing what to do and being prepared to act could save a life.

You’ve heard the saying ‘you’re only as strong as your weakest link.’ Well, if that weak link is your heart then brawling biceps and six-pack abs will do little to help you hike Saugatuck Dunes or swim along Lake Michigan’s shore this summer.

It’s pretty common to consider taking care of our physical health but what about our mental health? That’s not as common, but in reality taking care of our mental health can have a huge impact on how we manage our physical health and times of stress.   

Because mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being it affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.

Many women that are fabulously 40 and over frequently disregard mid-life care because they are too busy tending to their families, their career and their aging parents. However, at this stage in your life, it’s crucial to reflect on your health and discuss your family history and any lifestyle habits that can jeopardize your health. Creating a good wellness plan with your health care provider can minimize dangerous health risks that set the stage for serious disease later on in your life.

Heart Disease

There are a variety of injuries that can occur to our skin and other soft tissues, like the mouth and tongue, which may require professional care. There can also be injuries to underlying tissues, including adipose tissue (fat), muscles and tendons, and sometimes ligaments and bone. Numerous blood vessels (arteries and veins) and important nerves throughout these layers can be injured as well. Our focus in this segment is to help our readers identify when a soft tissue wound needs sutures or more in-depth care, as opposed to simple home treatment.

The Holidays will be here before we know it. While it is often called the most wonderful time of the year, for many people it’s a season of stress. If you’re like me, the extra demands on our time and resources during this season can really start to add up.

As a menopause care specialist, I hear almost daily from women who are surprised that sex is painful or less satisfying. Their stories vary, but the theme is the same: “I thought having reached this point in my life— empty nest, career success or retirement— my partner and I could enjoy intimacy in a new, more leisurely way. But my body has betrayed me!”