Tag: Female health

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“We can reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease by 80%” Dr.Tamanna Singh @ClevelandClinic










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@ClevelandClinic
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Can you prevent heart disease if it runs in your family? A sports cardiologist goes over how people with a family history of heart disease may be able to reduce their risk.
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Blackrock Health Womens Health Centre is officially open at 2-5 Warrington Place, Dublin 2!

Blackrock Health Womens Health Centre is officially open at 2-5 Warrington Place, Dublin 2!

From gynaecology to menopause, cardiology to pelvic health – we offer a wide range of services for every stage of your health journey.

Don’t delay your well-being and book your appointment today.

You can access our clinic directly through our website, or with a referral from your GP. Learn more about our patient-centred approach and book an appointment here: https://ow.ly/jGy850XsMvR

#WomensHealth#BlackrockHealth#NewClinic#BookToday#EmpowerWomen#PuttingWomenFirst

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Make coffee part of your morning routine.@HarvardHealth

Coffee may help your skin stay healthy

By , Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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Here’s a medical news story that combines a common habit (drinking coffee) with a common skin condition (rosacea) — and it even has a happy ending.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is probably something you’ve seen plenty of times and didn’t know what it was — or perhaps you have it yourself. It’s that pink or red discoloration on the cheeks some people have, especially fair-haired women. Sometimes there are small bumps that may look a bit like acne. If you look closely (after asking nicely for permission, of course), you’ll see tiny blood vessels just under the surface of the skin. In more severe cases it may involve the chin, forehead, nose, ears, and other skin surfaces. It may affect the eyes, eyelids, and cause thickening of the skin over the nose.

We don’t know what causes rosacea. However, there are theories that it may be, at least in part, a genetic condition, as it can run in families. Because the immune system seems to be involved in the inflammation of rosacea, and because other autoimmune conditions (such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis) may accompany rosacea, abnormal immune function may play a role. Medications (such as topical anti-inflammatory drugs) and antibiotics can reduce redness and inflammation but there is no cure. Many people seem to be able to reduce signs of rosacea by modifying their diet to avoid foods that trigger it.

Rosacea affects more than 14 million people in the US, including some celebrities, such as Bill Clinton and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. And while it’s not dangerous, it can have a significant cosmetic impact. Caffeine, sun exposure, spicy foods, and hormonal factors are thought to be able to trigger rosacea’s development or make it worse once present. Yet, a new study challenges the connection between caffeine and rosacea.

More coffee, less rosacea?

A recent study analyzed health data from surveys provided to nearly 83,000 women over more than a decade and found that:

  • Those drinking four or more cups of coffee per day were significantly less likely to report a diagnosis of rosacea than those who drank little or no coffee.
  • Those drinking less than four cups of coffee each day were also less likely to have rosacea, though the protective effect was smaller.
  • Consumption of decaffeinated coffee was not linked to a lower incidence of rosacea.
  • Caffeine intake from other foods or beverages (such as chocolate or tea) had no impact on the likelihood of developing rosacea.

Why is this important?

These results of this study are more than just interesting observations. If other research can confirm the findings, it could lead to a better understanding of why rosacea develops in some people and not in others. Because inflammation driven by the immune system is thought to play an important role in rosacea, insights into the development of this disease could extend to advances in other autoimmune disorders. Finally, many people with rosacea (or a family history of the disease) who like coffee may avoid it because of the widespread notion that coffee will make it worse. The findings of this study suggest that’s not true.

There are always caveats

As with all research of this type, there are limitations to consider. For example, this study

  • only included women, most of whom were white — we’ll need additional studies of men and other ethnic groups to know if the findings extend widely.
  • relied on health surveys and study participants’ memories regarding past diagnoses and diet; such survey data may not always be accurate.
  • found a link between higher coffee consumption with lower risk of rosacea, but it cannot determine whether coffee consumption actually caused a reduction in rosacea.

The bottom line

Coffee is one of the mostly widely consumed beverages on the planet, and it’s also among the most widely studied. While it can cause problems for some people (such as heartburn, tremor, or palpitations), it’s a source of pleasure and enjoyment for millions. In addition, coffee has been linked with a number of health benefits, ranging from reductions in type 2 diabetes and liver cancer to greater longevity. From this latest research, it appears that you can add the possible prevention of rosacea to the list.

About the Author

photo of Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Robert H. Shmerling is the former clinical chief of the division of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and is a current member of the corresponding faculty in medicine at Harvard Medical School. … See Full Bio

View all posts by Robert H. Shmerling, MD

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Panorama – The Truth About Forever Chemicals – reveals how PFAS can be ingested through wine from spraying grapes (vines) with chemicals

I have high levels of forever chemicals in my blood – what can I do about it? Catrin Nye reveals how PFAS can affect health and contaminate the environment, and asks if the UK government is doing enough to keep us safe  On

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Panorama – The Truth About Forever Chemicals

Reporter Catrin Nye reveals how PFAS can affect health and contaminate the environment, and she asks if the UK

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Dr.Akhil Anand – research shows that Generation Z is drinking far less alcohol than previous generations. @ClevelandClinic #alcohol

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Colorful fruits and vegetables are packed with phytonutrients that help calm inflammation — by Tamara Soerense @MayoClinic

Can eating the rainbow help to reduce inflammation?

11/6/2025 by Tamara Soerense

nFruitRainbow

Inflammation is a natural process initiated by the immune system in response to illness, trauma, toxins, physical stress and chronic disease. While acute inflammation is protective and allows our bodies to heal, it can become harmful if it persists, leading to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation, in turn, can lead to conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes.

Several foods can contribute to inflammation. These include highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, or foods high in added sugars. Conversely, other foods can help calm the immune system, decreasing inflammation.

Let’s explore which foods help lower inflammation and how they can be incorporated into an anti-inflammatory diet.

  • Fruits and Vegetables: Colorful fruits and vegetables naturally contain various phytonutrients and bioactive compounds that help keep inflammation in check. These foods form the foundation of the anti-inflammatory diet and can be enjoyed in abundance. For an extra boost of protection, try drizzling antioxidant-rich olive oil on your veggies..
  • Protein: Choose primarily from plant-based sources such as legumes, soy, nuts, and seeds, with smaller amounts from lean cuts of animal protein and fatty fish. The fats in these proteins, mainly monounsaturated and omega-3, play a significant role in combating inflammation. The American Heart Association recommends 6 to 8 ounces of fatty fish and 5 ounces of legumes, nuts, and seeds per week.
  • Whole grains: Whole grains contain all parts of the grain, whereas refined grains remove the germ and bran, eliminating important inflammation-reducing compounds. Of these, fiber is a bit of a superstar, shown to help reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Aim for at least 50% of your grains from whole grain sources, such as rolled oats and brown rice.
  • Herbs and Spices: Herbs and spices add flavor to your food and help reduce oxidative stress, which can trigger inflammation. Add ginger, turmeric, clove, cinnamon, oregano, and garlic to your next meal.

What change can you make today to shift your body into a less inflamed state?

Consider adding one colorful fruit or vegetable to your diet each day. Suggestions include tomatoes, oranges, yellow bell peppers, arugula, blueberries, pumpkin and broccoli.

Tamara Soerensen completed her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and her master’s in nutrition at Bastyr University. She is currently a dietetic intern at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Special interests include digestive health and the utilization of diet for disease prevention.

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Heavy Alcohol Use Linked to Earlier, More Severe Strokes, Mass General Researchers Find

Alcohol bottles in Broadway Marketplace.

Alcohol bottles in Broadway Marketplace. By Grace E. Yoon

By Noor Ali, Alma T. Barak, and Christopher Schwarting, Contributing Writers

November 17, 2025

Heavy alcohol consumption may lead to earlier and more severe brain bleeds, according to a study published by researchers at Massachusetts General Brigham earlier this month.

Using data from patients admitted to MGB between 2003 and 2019 who had brain bleeds, the researchers found that people who drank heavily — defined as three or more alcoholic drinks a day — were 11 years younger, on average, when their bleeds occurred.

Strokes can be categorized into two types: ischemic strokes, which occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked, and hemorrhagic strokes, which result from a ruptured blood vessel. The researchers focused on the latter, which typically lead to more severe damage.

“Hemhorrhagic strokes, or brain bleeds, are less common, but they are a lot more dangerous,” said Edip Gurol, an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and author of the study. “50 percent of people who have a brain bleed die within the first month.”

The study, published in Neurology, tracked 1,600 patients over the course of 16 years, of which seven percent reported heavy alcohol consumption. The median age of brain bleeds for heavy drinkers was 64, compared to 75 in those who did not report heavy alcohol consumption.

“There was a very, very significant difference, which is telling us that one way or the other, heavy drinking is accelerating the brain bleeds,” Gurol said.

Using CT scans to determine the size and location of bleeds, the authors found that heavy drinkers experienced 70 percent larger bleeds and were twice as likely to have a bleed deep inside their brain.

“The brain bleeds in those patients were more likely to be deep and more likely to open inside the spinal fluid-filled spaces, the ventricles of the brain,” Gurol said.

Patients who reported heavy alcohol usage had higher blood pressure and lower blood platelet counts when they were admitted to the hospital, the study found. Those patients also showed greater evidence of small vessel damage in the brain, which is linked to several other health conditions such as dementia and heart failure.

“Despite their younger age, very probably because of the excessive alcohol use, these people had more severe small vessel disease-related brain damage, which is called white matter disease,” Gurol said.

Alvin S. Das, an assistant professor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, said the finding that heavy drinkers experienced larger brain bleeds would prompt him to stress the importance of cutting back on alcohol to his patients.

“What it might compel me to do is in a patient that comes to my office and they’ve had a deep hemorrhage, not only counsel them on aggressive hypertension management down the road to prevent another hemorrhage, but this study also would push me to counsel alcohol cessation,” Das said.

Because the number of heavy drinkers in the study was small and the data came from a single hospital, the researchers noted that future work should use larger datasets to examine how varying levels of alcohol use affect brain aging and stroke risk.

Gurol, for his part, said the findings underscore the importance of limiting alcohol consumption broadly, even in individuals without pre-existing health conditions.

“Even for people without known risk of alcohol damage, it is probably best to not to exceed three glasses per week and not to exceed one glass in over 24 hours,” Gurol said.

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Blackrock Health Womens Health Centre is officially open at 2-5 Warrington Place, Dublin 2!

Blackrock Health Womens Health Centre is officially open at 2-5 Warrington Place, Dublin 2!

From gynaecology to menopause, cardiology to pelvic health – we offer a wide range of services for every stage of your health journey.

Don’t delay your well-being and book your appointment today.

You can access our clinic directly through our website, or with a referral from your GP. Learn more about our patient-centred approach and book an appointment here: https://ow.ly/jGy850XsMvR

#WomensHealth#BlackrockHealth#NewClinic#BookToday#EmpowerWomen#PuttingWomenFirst

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Looking for a satisfying, plant-based meal? This tempeh, black bean, and veggie chili is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners. @MayoClinic

Tempeh, black bean, and veggie chili

This vegetarian chili is so satiating and flavorful, you won’t miss the meat. Tempeh, a protein source made from organic soybeans and often combined with millet, brown rice, and barley, is a traditional ingredient in Indonesian and Japanese cui­sine. To serve this dish as a family meal, top with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and sliced scallions. You can find this recipe and 100 more delicious and safe recipes designed for busy caregivers in Cooking for Dysphagia and Other Swallowing Disorders by Diane Wolff. 

Servings: 6

Serving Size: 1 cup

Nutritional Information Per Serving

  • 165 calories
  • 4 g total fat
  • 1 g saturated fat
  • 214 mg sodium
  • 27 g total carbohydrate
  • 6 g dietary fiber
  • 6 g total sugars
  • 10 g protein

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
  • 6 ounces tempeh, cut into ½-inch cubes 
  • 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce 
  • red onion, finely diced
  • 1 garlic clove, sliced 
  • ½ jalapeno pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely diced 
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced 
  • 2 cups kabocha squash, cut into 2-inch pieces 
  • 3 large portobello mushrooms, cut into 2-inch pieces 
  • leeks, white parts only, cleaned and sliced 
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce 
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained 
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 2 tablespoons red wine (optional) 
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional) 

Directions  

  1. Warm the oil in a pot over medium heat or in a slow cooker with a sauté function. Add the tempeh and sauté, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden. Season with the soy sauce and stir to coat. Transfer the tempeh to a plate. 
  2. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, bell pepper, kabocha, portobellos, and leeks to the pot. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beans, Worcestershire, red wine, and chili powder, if using. 
  3. Return the tempeh to the pot and stir. If using a stove, bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, and cook, covered, with the lid ajar, about 1 hour. If using a slow cooker, cook on high for 1 hour. Set aside any servings for family meals
  4. For the puree, blend chili in batches, filling the pitcher only two-thirds full and venting the lid. Blend until you achieve the desired texture, transferring each batch to a large bowl. 
  5. Test as you go and at time of serving to see if a thickening agent, thickened sauce, or thickened stock is needed; use IDDSI Testing Methods (iddsi.org) to help achieve the desired IDDSI level. See pages 42-47. 
  6. Serve immediately or divide into servings for storage or freezing, following the directions for Serving, page 77. 

Notes:  

The dishes shown in the photos accompanying the recipes that follow are IDDSI Level 7. Please use the IDDSI instructions (pages 42-47) to modify the texture of each dish to the individual IDDSI level prescribed by your healthcare provider. Please refer to Andrew Cullum’s section (pages 74-75) on piping to create a beautiful plate. 

The recipes that follow allow for serving right away to yourself, to the person with dysphagia, or to family and friends. Generally, if not serving immediately, divide the extra servings (the beauty of the batch-cooking method!) between freezer- and oven-safe glass storage dishes. Allow to cool completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours or freeze for up to 3 months (exceptions noted in individual recipes). 

An excerpt from Cooking for Dysphagia and Other Swallowing Disorders by Diane Wolff.