Category: News

Thanksgiving is this week and  there are so many people out of work in the U.S. who cannot afford to keep up the expense of rent, mortgage, utilities, car expenses and the like.  Families will still gather together to give thanks and “break bread” together in spite of these hard times.

It is during the hard times that I think about how our ancestors who came to America survived hard times through epidemics, WWI, the depression of the 1930’s and WWII.  Their hard work and determination are the reasons why America grew to prosperity.  They never gave up and gathered together to form communities that helped each other through the tough times.  They sought opportunity and not security from the government.  They took the calculated risk to dream and build, to fail and to succeed.

Again, we find ourselves gathering together to help each other in order to survive.   When there is a shortage of food, we grow our own.    Remember, our ancestors did not have credit cards.  We do not spend money we do not have and we save whatever we can to provide for the future.  Cut out the things that cost money but do not serve any functional purpose for you at the present time.   Create ways in which to make money that do not already exist.  Seek out opportunities offered by others that will help make it happen for you.  Enjoy the benefit of your freedom.

Thank you to all of our veterans and active military who are serving our country in any and all areas of the U.S. and the world.  e-nurse Femtique Judith

This weekend of November 5th and 6th the United States will turn clocks back one hour.  It is a time when the days are shorter and there is a longer period of darkness within a 24 hour block of time.

Some people experience a shift in their mood due to the days being shorter.  The term known as “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or SAD terms emotive response to the change of season as it pertains to lessor exposure to sunlight and colder temperatures during the fall and winter months.

One probable cause of this effect is linked to the circadian rhythm and the effects upon it by the reduced level of sunlight.  “Science Daily” (www.sciencedaily,com) reports that  the circadian rhythm is a 24 hour cycle that is important in determining our sleeping and eating patterns.  This affects our brain wave activity hormone production, cell regeneration and other biological activities.

One way to start dealing with this is to take advantage of sunny days and add morning walks outside in sunny days daily if you don’t do so already.  Socialize while doing so by seeking out friends and neighbors within your community to join you.  Connect with people who you like to be around and continue these walks throughout the year.

Provide your body with nourishment from foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids.  Fish and nuts are an excellent source of this protein.  Provision from mind-body therapies will enhance your recovery from this very real disorder which encompasses feelings of hopelessness low self-esteem, poor concentration, low energy and problems with eating and/or sleeping.  These therapies are Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery and Message Threapy.

Your Primary Care Physician is a first-line approach for discussion, diagnosis and treatment options.  In the meantime and in addition to your medical intervention(s), a health coach can help you through this maze of non-medical approaches to assist in getting you through the “tough times” of SAD.

Contact Inquiry@femtique.org to submit a request for a Health Coach.  Feel free to comment and/or share about your thoughts and experiences regarding SAD on this this blog.  e-Nurse Femtique Judith

A reformation in the field of medical care is the use of nurses in the integration of  Ultrasound within the practice of OB/GYN (Obstetric/Gynecological) Nursing.   Ultrasound within Reproductive Medicine has become specialized by nurses in accordance with guidelines put forth in 1993 by AWHONN (Association for Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses).  

The September/October 2011 issue of the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing includes very comprehensive information about training and evaluating nurses performing Ultrasound in Reproductive Medicine.  Programs endorsed by AWHONN such as through HealthNet (www.hnfs.com)  include a continuing education component and is set to provide opportunities to train nurses to policy, education and credentialing for their practice needs and settings.  This is great news for the nursing profession and the women who are served by it.

The availability of nurses to help with this much needed diagnostic procedure is a life-saving measure, especially when needing crisis intervention decision-making.

I leave you to comment .  e-nurse femtique-Judith    

During the past year there has been an increased number of people suffering from an Irritable Bowel problem.   If anyone can share recipes that they know of for this population that includes foods and herbs with nutritional value that taste good and do not cause gas, bloating, cramping or diarrhea please blog them.  Thank you for sharing.    e-Nurse Femtique Judith

Access to health information can be overwhelming for a person without a medical background and experience.  The amount of information is insurmountable and confusing.  Rather than taking on a crash course to learn while seeking help the Private Practice Registered Nurse Health Coach and Registered Nurse Patient Navigator translates and disseminates information while helping people achieve the highest optimum level of wellness for their life.  RNs serve in the role as advocates for all persons; calling on those in authority and those with responsibility for providing health care and educate to exercise due diligence in protecting the public trust through programs of careful and prudent information dissemination, research, health screening as well as health and wellness care.

FEMTIQUE is a joint venture to gather as many RNs on-board who can provide the public with information through your accrued knowledge and skills which ground you in your professional education clinical training and experience, with the aim of achieving and maintaining better health outcomes for those we serve.  This being said, I am calling upon all RNs out there to provide a piece of information that would be helpful to the general public.  The following was forwarded to me through a friend’s e-mail.

Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women, thyroid cancer.  It was a very interesting program and he mentioned that the increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and mammograms.  He demonstrated that on the apron the dentist puts on you for your dental x-rays there is a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped around your neck.  Many dentists don’t bother to use it.  Also, there is something called a “thyroid guard” for use during mammograms.  By coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday. I felt a little silly, but I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer. I asked why it wasn’t routinely used. Answer: “I don’t know.  You have to ask for it.” Well, if I hadn’t seen the show, how would I have known to ask?

Expanding ones knowledge about traditions that are practiced in various cultures adds to a healthy understanding of our global society.  Each year I meet people from all over the world who share my profession.   The demand to learn and understand differences as well as customs nourishes the social skills as we learn from each other in order to help others.

An example of a cultural difference within my own back yard in Wagontown, Pennsylvania, is the Amish Community.  These wonderful neighbors are self-supporting and hardworking individuals who do not rely on worldly things for happiness.  Most attend a one-room school, dress alike to help encourage group strength and loyalty and oppose being photographed based upon the book of Exodus 20:4 in the Christian Bible.  “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or likeness of anything that is in the Heaven above….” This verse is also the reason why many do not put faces on dolls.

What are some of the cultural traditions that are within your culture, family or a population that you encounter?

Embracing this Social Realm of Life – e-nurse Femtique Judith

Healthcare De-Mystified: Creating an Optimal Level of Health: “I am calling on all women to submit a blog on a topic concerning what information you would like to have provided that applies to helping yo…”

Healthcare De-Mystified: Good Back Toning Exercises: “Creating a Better Posture”

Those of us who went to catholic school remember the constant chants from the teachers and nuns “Sit up straight”; “Don’t slouch”; “Stand up straight with those shoulders back”!  After all these years it appears that they were trying to teach us a good habit to improve posture.  Please review my video post imported from Womenshealth.com on some back firming exercises to strengthen those muscles and help alleviate some back issues incurred by poor posture and muscle tone.  If you are under a doctor’s or chiropractor’s care, please clear these with your healthcare provider prior to engaging in the exercises.  Please comment on any other activities that help to tone back muscles with which you have had successful outcomes.  Here’s to your health…….e-nurse Femtique Judith

Creating a Better Posture