End of the Road...Final Blog

New methods of sexual contraception and chronic diseases are two topics I thought were the most interesting. There are many new alternative forms of birth control pills (like Seasonique), barrier methods (like Lea’s Shield), and sterilization methods (like Essure Micro-implant). Chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes are of great interest to me because I am susceptible developing these diseases. Learning, understanding, and practicing preventive measures such as eating more fruits, vegetables, and grains and exercising regularly will greatly reduce risk for developing chronic disease. It is fascinating how choices we make today can and do affect our health in the long run.

I was skeptical taking this class in the beginning because I thought I had taken a similar class years ago. And now at the end, I am extremely grateful that I did. I’ve learned so much about myself and about being a woman through this course. I have come to appreciate being a woman even more. I feel grateful and lucky to be able to make this journey with my classmates and professors. Thank you!

Blog #9 Female Circumcision

OUCH! I just wanted to scream in pain and agony after watching just a simulation of how girls are circumcised. I can’t even begin to imagine being a young girl living in a culture that still practices this horrific ritual. The older woman in this video clip insists that if this is not done, it is a cultural belief that when the girl gives birth, her baby and her parent will die. The girl dies when the uncircumcised clitoris grows up to the back of her head. What?? Maybe I’m just too emotional after watching this video, but it is appalling to known that many young girls right now as I am writing this is being circumcised. I can understand the reasoning behind this ritual because it is a belief passed down from one generation to the next and they (cultures who practice female circumcision) are not told anything different than what they know. Also there are other contributing factors such as thinking of women as subordinates; women/girls should obey their elders; possibility of being rejected by the community; made to feel unwanted or unworthy if girls/women do not follow through.

The best way to put an end to this ritual is to educate women, men and especially young girls. Teach them that these rituals do more harm than any good. The World Health Organization website discusses some short term and long term consequences of female circumcision:

FGM [female genital mutilation] has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interferes with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies.

Immediate complications can include severe pain, shock, hemorrhage (bleeding), tetanus or sepsis (bacterial infection), urine retention, open sores in the genital region and injury to nearby genital tissue.
Long-term consequences can include:
• recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections;
• cysts;
• infertility;
• the need for later surgeries. For example, the FGM procedure that seals or narrows a vaginal opening (type 3 above) is surgically changed to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth, and sometimes stitched close again afterwards;
• an increased risk of childbirth complications and newborn deaths.

World health organization. (2008). Female genital mutilation. Retrieved on August 6, 2009 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/index.html

Blog #8 Smoking thoughts...

Smoking is a nasty habit. I know and met many people of all ages and backgrounds who choose this habit. My dad smoked cigarettes and cigars started smoking as a young adult on a ship to help relieve boredom. My mom made sure that dad smoked outside and away from us kids. I remember having trouble breathing whenever I inhaled second hand smoke. Dad eventually stopped smoking because he could no longer hold or light a cigarette due to his arthritis. I worked at a job where 99.9% of co-workers smoked cigarettes during break time right outside the front door. And then after work, most of them smoked weed and drank alcohol as a way to relax. I have seen and personally felt some of the effects of marijuana. I didn’t smoke weed first hand, but I did inhale second hand smoke. I felt lightheaded, really tired, sleepy, and relaxed…so relaxed I just wanted to do absolutely nothing. After this only experience I absolutely do not want to do it again. Unfortunately I have some family members who have been and still choose to smoke cigarettes and weed as well as drink into a stupor. As I see it, it is their choice to do that their bodies but I don’t want to be around it.

Within the last in Tyler, the city passed a law forbidding anyone from smoking within 20 feet of an entrance and made restaurants smoke-free. This is great for non-smokers. Even though before when restaurants had a smoking or non-smoking sections, smoke travels. So I am pleased that something is being done about smoking.

Blog #7 Dementia

Grandma love's her french fries:

My grandmother is 80 years old has been suffering from dementia for the past 2-3 years now. Before any signs of dementia appeared, she was an active and independent elder who knows everyone around Chinatown (she lives in California). Now her short-term memory only lasts a few minutes and she repeats herself often. Occasionally she will remember some current events only if it makes her happy like going to the casinos or pisses her off like a child being rude. She has fallen a few times and cuts and bruises show up, but she cannot remember how and when it came about. My two aunts, who live nearby, worry about my grandma all the time. They fear that she will forget her way back home, forget to turn off the stove, or lose her money (which has happened).

I visited my grandmother over Christmas and I can tell she has lost her spunk and independence. Nowadays she sits in her small apartment watching TV. Sometimes she would go to the market forgetting there is plenty of food in the fridge. To keep her safe, my aunts take turns watching over her, making sure she eats, and getting adequate exercise.

I did not anticipate all of these issues with dementia. In my naïve mind, I thought dementia only affected short-term memory slightly. As each day goes by, so does my grandmother’s memory.

Blog #6 Challenges

Exercising and eating a health diet: two things that I am currently working on incorporating into my lifestyle. Fifth grade was around the time I first became self-conscious about my appearance and when I hit middle school that’s when I became aware of my weight. I thought I was overweight so I dieted by eating half a sandwich at lunch and drank a can of soda. That diet didn’t last long and it was not such a smart idea. Through high school I considered myself fat because I always compared myself to the popular, skinny girls, but more than likely I was at a healthy weight. After high school up to 2 years ago, my weight was stable for the most part thanks to working at a job which was physical in nature. Two years ago after my mom died, I drowned my sorrows by eating lots of food. Today I am still working on taking off that extra weight through eating healthier and exercising.

My challenge is having the drive to exercise after a long day at work. Some days I stay late at work so I just want to go home afterwards and relax. I did try going before work, but I have trouble rolling out of bed and I have to worry about getting to work on time. Other challenges are time, crowds, not being prepared, and going by myself. All of these can be taken care of with advance planning: scheduling time to go to the gym or park when it is less crowded, inviting friends to join in the day before, and packing gym clothes in advance and have it in the car. I’ve done all these things, but I end up with an excuse not to go. I have read and understand the benefits of exercise, but my enthusiasm to exercise is low.

There are a few challenges when it comes to eating healthier. It is easier and cheaper to go out and buy pre-made meals or takeout than cooking at home. Often I am exhausted after work and do not want to spend much time cooking. Lunch during the week is horrible because I make excuse to go out like I forgot to bring something or I want to get out of the office. Eating healthier alternatives is expensive at the grocery store or eating out. These are just excuses again and with careful planning I can achieve a healthier diet without spending a lot of money or loosing time.

If I keep up with my current level of diet and exercise, in 5 years I would probably face many health problems like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, etc. My goal in the next five years is to be able to achieve a healthier lifestyle and keep up with a workout regimen. It is going to take a lot of work and effort but I know in the end it will be worth it.

Blog #5 Aging Gracefully

Cartoon Humor:




Women are living longer, fulfilling lives. Unfortunately society’s attitude towards menopause, aging, and older women are negative. Menopause is associated as a period of time in which older women experience significant and uncomfortable physical and mental changes such as hot flashes (a.k.a personal summers), depression, headaches, mood swings, vaginal dryness, & night sweats. Menopause should be looked upon as a positive event. It is a time where women are freed from experiencing the monthly “curse”, worrying about spotting, buying tampons/pads, and some women experience an increased libido. Educating about menopause will help women have a better understanding what is going on naturally and dispel any previous misconstrued notions.

Magazines, movies, reality TV generally focus on young, attractive men and women. The appealing nature is what sells and sadly there is a stigma about aging. Top fashion models are considered old at 24 and star athletes are considered old at 33. But being 24 or 33 is considered young when the population is living to be 85 years old. Society view young adults as automatically looking better, can run faster, and generate new and better ideas than older counterparts. Instead older people, especially older women should be look at as wiser individuals who have so much life experiences that they can share. Wrinkles and gray hair should be signs of maturity. Media should portray women in a positive light so all of us women can feel less anxiety as we age.


References:
Biasiotto, J. (2008). 15 Surprising facts about world class athletes. Retrieved on July 11, 2009 from http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:dIbtVUbPEwYJ:strengthplanet.com/other/15-surprising-facts-about-world-class-athletes.htm+average+age+of+athlete+retirement&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us

WebMD. (2009). Sex and menopause. Retrieved on July 11, 2009 from http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/sex-menopause

Blog #4 My Choice to Parent

I am at the stage in my life where most of my friends are married and are planning to have children or have a few of their own. Personally I want to have two kids in the future. Two is a magical number in my opinion because both kids will have each other as playmates and someone to bond with as they grow up. I am biased because I have only one sister. We share a loving relationship and at times it can be trying but we know we are there for each other. My fiancé is an only child so it was kind of lonely for him. Having lots of cousins and friends helped fill that void but occasionally he wished for a sibling. We agreed to have at least two kids, but he wants a “battalion”-I don’t think so! ;)

Seriously, the decision to have a child or be childless is a private decision made between couples or for an individual. Money, career, lifestyle are some possible reasons why couples or individuals choose to be childless and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Currently I choose this option because I believe in the “get married first then have kids” idea. I guess I am old fashion in that respect.

Blog #3 Menarche

I had my first period at age 10. Mom freaked out. Thinking about what happened long ago makes me laugh at the entire situation. Mom figured I started menses when she was doing laundry. I heard her scream “Allison!” I didn’t know what to think or understand her abrupt reaction. What I can remember is my mom telling me to go into the bathroom, with a pad in hand, and to put the pad on my underwear. Then she hands over the telephone so I could talk to my Aunt K., who just graduated from nursing school. Oh what an embarrassing conversation. I talked to my Aunt K about this significant event years later. My Aunt K remembers that conversation like this:

Mom: Here talk to them.

Aunt K: About what? (Mom hands phone over to me.) How do you feel?

Me: O.k.

Aunt K: Do you understand what is going on?

Me: Yep

Apparently I learned about the menstrual cycle at school but I don’t remember that at all. I believe part of my mom’s reluctance to tell me was because she felt inadequate to explain about the menstrual cycle. English was not her first language so trying to translate from Chinese to English was intimidating. In hindsight, it is possible the reaction my mom had was the same reaction my grandmother had when my mom experienced her first period. Overall I had a unique experience. It wasn’t exactly positive but it wasn’t negative either. It just happened.

Blog #2 Personal Health

Below is a list of 10 questions to RATE YOUR PREVENTIVE PRACTICES from our textbook:

1. Do you eat a healthful diet consisting of the appropriate servings of fruits and vegetables, grains, protein, vitamins, and minerals? Yes and no. I try to incorporate at least one serving of fruits and vegetables everyday. My will power to eat fruits instead of chocolate is weak and something to work on. I think for the most part I eat the recommended amount of protein, grains, vitamins, and minerals. I could improve my diet by making conscious decisions to eat more fruits and vegetables instead of junk foods. One way to do this is to not buy junk food so I would not become tempted.

2. Do you participate in moderate-intensity physical activity at least four days a week? No. Currently I am working my way to 4-5 days of some sort of physical activity like attending classes at the gym, working out at the gym, playing tennis, or walking at the park trail. Usually these activities last from 30 minutes to an hour.

3. Do you get enough sleep so that you do not feel tired throughout the day? Mostly yes. I aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Occasionally I stay up late because I am surfing on the internet or watching a movie/television show.

4. Do you avoid using tobacco products and drugs? YES!!! I don’t smoke or do drugs. But unfortunately I have been around second hand smoke most of my life.

5. If you consume alcohol, do you do so in moderation? Yes. If I were to have a drink, it would usually be one or two drinks maximum.

6. If you are sexually active, do you use condoms or other barrier contraceptives to protect against STDs? Yes. I believe in using protection against STDs.

7. Do you employ methods to reduce stress, find time to socialize with friends and relax, and maintain an overall sense of mental wellness? Yes. I find it relaxing to sit in a quite room reading a great book or to work on a creative project like scrapbooking. I find that a great stress reducer is to talk to my friends or certain family members about any problems. During some stressful events, I like to go walking.

8. Do you practice safe behaviors, such as using seat belts, wearing motorcycle and bicycle helmets, not driving under the influence of alcohol, and not riding with someone under the influence of alcohol? YES! YES! I always wear a seatbelt as a driver or passenger and I make sure that everyone else in the car is strapped down. If I were to drink, I make sure I have a designated driver or take a taxi home.

9. Do you use nonviolent methods of conflict resolution? Yes. I don’t believe that physically or mentally hurting someone is the way to solve a problem. The best way is to first cool down, and then give each other time to talk and listen, and then find a solution or compromise on a solution. Violent methods do not resolve anything. It only brings on resentment, anger, pain, frustration, etc.

10. Do you receive routine preventative care from a healthcare provider? No. I know that I should be getting regular checkups and there are no excuses. I think my fear is to not finding the right doctor or one that really cares about me. I have seen friends and family see different doctors and feel that whatever ache or pains they are having, the doctors will just send them home with band-aid solution and not really getting down to the heart of the problem.

Blog #1 Health Concerns

Cancer (any type), diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, oral health, and mental health are a variety of health concerns that I think about. Cancer is number one on my list because my sister and I have a higher risk of developing cancer because of our family history. Seven years ago my mom and her younger sister were diagnosed with colon cancer and breast cancer, respectively. The odds were against her because she was diagnosed with a stage IV colon cancer, cancer spread to her liver, and she had six months to live. My mom was a trooper and did her best to stay positive throughout her ordeal, but her body became weak and had to surrender. As for my aunt, she is breast cancer free for the past five years in which we are all grateful. My mom’s youngest sister, my sister, and I honored both my mom and aunt by participating in the Avon Walk held in San Francisco. It was truly a life experience to see many breast cancer survivors and all supporters.

I interviewed a Caucasian female friend, 27, and she said her main health concern is excess weight. She feels that being overweight can and does cause many health problems such as back problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Her father is suffering from severe back problems and is trying to teach his children the consequences of carrying excess weight. Diabetes is another issue because it runs in her family and being overweight exacerbates that issue.

I spoke to a Korean female friend, 30, who said her health concern is diabetes. Two years ago she was experiencing fatigue, dehydration, personal summers, blurred vision and frequent urination and just couldn't understand why. She had changed her diet and tried to do what she could do to improve her situation. After no success, she finally saw a doctor who diagnosed her with diabetes and then she found out that all her symptoms matched with the exception of weight loss. Today her diabetes is under control and she feels like a normal person.

Each woman has a different list of health concern but what we each have in common is that list stems from personal experiences. My Caucasian friend and I share the concern that we will suffer from a disease known to occur. My Korean friend has no known medical history of her biological parents since she was adopted.