FitSugar

Felicity Huffman Tries a Tri

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Every once in a blue moon we'll see celebrities acting as really good role models for health. Since it doesn't happen all the time, I really enjoy sharing it with you when it does...

A real treat for you today, is seeing Felicity Huffman, participating in The Nautica Malibu Triathlon at Zuma Beach, in Malibu, CA. I am always impressed when anyone completes a triathlon, but even more impressive is that a few hours later Felicity Huffman was dressed to the nines at the 2007 Primetime Emmy Awards -- Now that's inspiring! I am totally motivated by her at this point, especially since a lot of other celebs would have thrown out the idea of doing a triathlon on such an important celebrity celebration day. You go girl!

To see more pics of Felicity, William H. Macy, David Duchovny and Andy Baldwin (The Bachelor, in case you were wondering) participating in the tri, just read more

View 10 Photos ›

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Uterine fibroids

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:52:59 -0700

Illustrations

Pelvic laparoscopy

Female reproductive anatomy

Fibroid tumors

Uterus

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that develop within or attach to the wall of the uterus, a female reproductive organ.

Alternative Names

Leiomyoma; Fibromyoma; Myoma; Fibroids

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor. Fibroids may be seen as many as 1 in every 5 women in their childbearing years (the time after starting menstruation for the first time and before menopause.)

Fibroids usually affect women over age 30. They are rare in women under 20 or in those who have gone through menopause. They are more common in African-Americans than Caucasians.

The cause of uterine fibroid tumors is unknown. However, fibroid growth seems to depend on the hormone estrogen. As long as a woman with fibroids is menstruating, a fibroid will probably continue to grow, usually slowly.

Fibroids can be so tiny that you need a microscope to see them. However, they can also grow very large. They may fill the entire uterus, and may weigh several pounds. Although it is possible for just one fibroid to develop, usually there is more than one.

Sometimes, a fibroid hangs from a long stalk, which is attached to the outside of the uterus. This is called a pedunculated fibroid.

Symptoms

Abdominal fullness, gas
Bleeding between periods or very prolonged bleeding with periods
Increase in urinary frequency
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), sometimes with the passage of blood clots
Pelvic cramping or pain with periods
Sensation of fullness or pressure in lower abdomen
Sudden, severe pain due to a pedunculated fibroid

Note: There are often no symptoms.

Signs and tests

A pelvic examination may reveal an irregularly shaped, lumpy, or enlarged uterus. Frequently, this diagnosis is reliable. In some cases, diagnosis of fibroids is difficult, especially in obese women. Fibroid tumors have been mistaken for ovarian tumors, inflammation of the fallopian tubes, and pregnancy.

A transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound may be done to confirm the diagnosis of fibroids.

An endometrial biopsy (biopsy of the uterine lining) or a pelvic laparoscopy may be needed to rule out cancer.

Treatment

Treatment depends on various factors, including:

Age
General health
Severity of symptoms
Type of fibroids
Whether you are pregnant
If you want children in the future

Some women may just need pelvic exams or ultrasounds every once in a while to monitor the fibroid's growth.

Treatment for fibroids may include:

Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) to help control heavy periods
Iron supplements to prevent anemia due to heavy periods
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naprosyn for cramps or pain with menstruation

Some women may need hormonal therapy (Depo Leuprolide injections) to shrink the fibroids. This medicine reduces the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The hormones create a situation in the body that is very similar to menopause. Side effects can be severe and may include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and loss of bone density. Hormone treatment may last several months. Fibroids will begin to grown as soon as treatment stops. In some cases, hormone therapy is used for a short period of time before surgery or when the woman is expected to reach menopause soon.

Surgery and procedures used to treat fibroids include:

Hysteroscopic resection of fibroids: This outpatient procedure may be needed for women with fibroids growing inside the uterine cavity. In this procedure, a small camera and instruments are inserted through the cervix into the uterus to remove the fibroid tumors.
Uterine artery embolization: This procedure stops the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it to die and shrink. The long-term effects of this procedure are still unknown, and the safety of pregnancy after this procedure is a concern.
Myomectomy: This surgery removes the fibroids. It is frequently the chosen treatment for women who want to have children, because it usually can preserve fertility. Another advantage of a myomectomy is that it controls pain or excessive bleeding that some women with uterine fibroids have. More fibroids can develop after myomectomy.
Hysterectomy: This invasive surgery may be an option if medicines do not work and other surgeries and procedures are not an option.

Support Groups

National Uterine Fibroid Foundation - www.nuff.org

Expectations (prognosis)

A pedunculated fibroid can become twisted and cause a kink in the blood vessels feeding the tumor. This type of fibroid may require surgery.

A fibroid sometimes blocks the fallopian tubes and prevents sperm from reaching and fertilizing eggs, which may cause fertility problems. In some cases, fibroids may prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine lining. However, proper treatment may restore fertility.

After a pregnancy develops, existing fibroids may grow due to the increased blood flow and estrogen levels. The fibroids usually return to their original size after the baby is delivered.

Most women are able to carry their babies to term, but some of them end up delivering prematurely because there is not enough room in the uterus.

Some pregnant women with fibroids may need acesarean section because fibroids can occasionally block the birth canal or cause the baby to be positioned wrong.

Complications

Fibroids may cause infertility. They may also cause premature delivery.

Severe pain or excessively heavy bleeding with fibroids may require emergency surgery.

In rare cases, cancerous changes may occur. These usually take place after menopause.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if gradual changes in your menstrual pattern occur, including a heavier flow, increased cramping,or bleeding between periods, or if fullness or heaviness develops in your lower abdomen.

References

Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007: pp. 441-447.

Viswanathan M, Hartmann K, et al. Management of uterine fibroids: an update of the evidence. Evid Rep Technol Assess. 2007;154: 1-122.

Evans P, Brunsell S. Uterine fibroid tumors: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2007; 75(10): 1503-8.

Griffiths A, D'Angelo A, et al. Surgical treatment of fibroids for subfertility. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006; 3: CD003857.

Hehenkamp WJ, Volkers NA, et al. Uterine artery embolization versus hysterectomy in the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids (EMMY trial): peri- and postprocedural results from a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005; 193(5): 1618-29.

Review Date: 5/26/2008

Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Fibroid tumor treatment

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:51:35 -0700

Overview

Alternative Names
Information
References

Illustrations

Fibroid tumors

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Treatment - fibroid tumors. Treatment - uterine leiomyoma

Information

Fibroid tumors are noncancerous growths (tumors) in the uterus. In most cases, treatment is not needed at all. Treatment is only considered if the fibroid is growing rapidly or if you have symptoms such as:

Abdominal enlargement
Abdominal pain
Excessive vaginal bleeding
Pelvic pressure
Pain with intercourse

In the past, most women who had fibroids with symptoms required surgery to correct the problem; recent research, however, has led to many new treatments that do not require surgery.

Medication: The following medicines are used to decrease the size of fibroids in preparation for surgery, or to decrease the symptoms caused by fibroids:

GnRH agonists such as leuprolide (Lupron). These drugs stop the body from making the hormones that cause women to have their periods. As a result, fibroids shrink and symptoms decrease. GnRH agonists only shrink fibroids to 30-50% of their original size, and fibroids will regrow when women stop taking the medicine. For this reason, GnRH agonists are used only to help decrease bleeding as a woman prepares for surgery.
Birth control pills can also decrease bleeding caused by fibroids. If a woman does not have risk factors that prevent her from taking hormones, this may be a good option for treating the symptoms caused by fibroids.
NSAIDS are over-the-counter medicines that can decrease the amount of menstrual bleeding, as well as treat minor to moderate pain caused by fibroids.

Surgical Treatments

Myomectomy: removal of the fibroid or fibroids that are causing symptoms. This can be done through an incision in the abdomen (abdominal myomectomy), or through the vagina without an incision (hysteroscopic myomectomy).
Hysterectomy: partial or complete removal of the uterus. This can be done through an incision in the abdomen (abdominal hysterectomy), through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy), or through instruments placed through several small incisions in the abdomen (laparoscopic hysterectomy)
Endometrial Ablation: This treatment uses electrical energy or heat energy to destroy the lining of the uterus. It reduces the amount of bleeding a woman has with her periods.

Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE): UAE shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. A catheter is threaded from the groin up into the uterine artery. The blood vessels supplying the fibroids are identified and material is used to block blood flow to the tumor. This procedure is usually done in women who are not planning to get pregnant again.

References

Katsumori T, Kasahara T. Uterine artery embolization versus hysterectomy in the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids (EMMY trial). Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006;195:1190.

Evans P, Brunsell S. Uterine fibroid tumors: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75:1452-1453.

Gupta JK, Sinha AS, Lumsten MA, Hickey M. Uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;25.

Lethaby A, Vollenhoven B. Fibroids (uterine myomatosis, leiomyomas). Clin Evid. 2005;14:2264-2282.

Review Date: 11/9/2007

Reviewed By: Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

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