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CANCER OF THE
CERVIX Cancer can develop in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. At the present time, cervical cancer is essentially preventable. Cell changes that precede cancer can be identified on a Pap smear and prompt treatment can almost always prevent the development of full-blown cancer. |
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ECZEMA Eczema is a chronic skin condition that is partly genetic in origin and partly allergic. It may be mild, requiring regular skin moisturizing to keep it under control; or it may involve large portions of the skin, with a scaly, itchy rash. About one in ten persons of all ages has some problem with eczema. |
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MENOPAUSE – WHAT DO
WE KNOW? Menopause is caused by a waning of the natural hormones in women’s bodies, especially estrogen. Besides natural menopause, for many women menopause is caused by surgical removal of the ovaries. |
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PSORIASIS – A
LIFE-LONG ILLNESS Psoriasis is a skin condition that usually begins in young adults and continues throughout life. It is uncomfortable and disfiguring. In most cases, treatment is only partially successful. The cause is not clear, but the problem can run in families and seems to involve the immune system. It occurs equally in men and women. It is not contagious. |
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WHEN BONES
BECOME BRITTLE Osteoporosis causes bones to be fragile and tends to occur in older adults. It is more common in women than in men. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can result in disability and disease; consequently it is important to prevent osteoporosis, if possible. |
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GENETICS
AND PREGNANCY Everyone has a different genetic make-up. When children are conceived, they receive a mixture of genes from both parents, allowing traits such as hair color to be passed on to future generations. In the past few years, after successful completion of the Human Genome Project, much more is known about genetics and its relationship to medical problems. |
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THYROID DISEASES AND
WOMEN The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces an important hormone used in metabolism. Thyroid hormone controls the rate at which parts of the body function. If a person has too little thyroid hormone, many physiologic processes slow down. Excessive hormone can cause systems in the body to speed up. Thyroid problems are more common in women than men. |
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CHLAMYDIA THE
SILENT EPIDEMIC Chlamydia is common and it tends to go unnoticed, consequently it is important to screen for it. Chlamydia infection is spread by sexual contact. It is particularly common in young persons who are sexually active. It appears that by the age of 30, 50% of sexually active women will have had chlamydia. |
| INFERTILITY
IN WOMEN A couple is said to be infertile if they have not conceived after one year of trying to become pregnant. This is a widespread problem and affects about 6 million couples per year in this country. |
| BREAST
CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in New York State. More than 12,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year in the Empire State, and approximately 3,600 New York women will die from the disease, states JoAnn Nora, Public Health Educator of the Oneida County Health Department. |
| IRRITABLE
BOWEL SYNDROME Irritable bowel syndrome, or irritable colitis, is a condition that causes episodes of abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea. There are some other causes of stomach ache that need immediate attention, so persons with these symptoms should see their own doctor. |
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Nicholas A. DeRosa |
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Oneida County
Department of Health |
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© 2003 Oneida County, New York, USA |
