Women’s Health: Cervical Smears
By: Peter Lenkefi
All women at some point in their life will have to have a cervical smear as a part of a health checkup. But do you know exactly what a cervical smear is, and how it can affect, diagnose or treat women’s ailments? Read on for more information about this common procedure.
Women’s Health: What is a Cervical Smear?
A cervical smear is a test used on women to tell if there are any changes in the health of the cervix. This is helpful to diagnose the early stages of cancer.
The cervix is located at the end of the uterus, and connects to the top of the vagina. There is a central canal that connects the vagina to the inside of the uterus, and it measures approximately 3cm square.
Women’s Health: Why Have a Cervical Smear?
The main reason to have a cervical smear is to monitor the health of the cervix, and to lower the number of women who contract cervical cancer. The smear is targeted to detect early strains of potentially cancerous cells. If caught in time, women’s health may not suffer terribly, and the growth of the cancer may not progress further. However, a cervical smear is just a screening process; it won’t detect all forms of cancer, all of the time.
Women’s Health: Who Needs a Cervical Smear?
Women who are sexually active, or who are 18 or older (whatever comes first) should take their health in their own hands and have regular cervical smears until the age of 70. A regular smear would be every three years for most women, depending on their health and the results of the last smear. Also, women who are not healthy should have annual smears, such as those with HIV.
Women who have had a hysterectomy who have had abnormal pap smears in the past should get themselves checked every year by a health practitioner; there is still a risk of abnormal cell growth at the top of the vaginal canal.
Women’s Health: How is a Cervical Smear Done?
A cervical smear is only taken when women are in good health, and are not bleeding. Any blood that appears during the testing can skew the results unnecessarily.
The procedure is performed with women on their backs, and their legs held up in the air by a health practitioner or stirrups. A speculum is placed inside the vagina, so that the health practitioner can view women’s cervix closely. Then a brush-like instrument is placed over the cervix, and cells are wiped onto the brush, and then placed onto a glass slide for diagnosis.
Women’s cervical smears can be done by a health practitioner, such as a doctor or nurse. The procedure usually only takes a couple of minutes, at the most, and isn’t painful, although it may be a bit uncomfortable.
For more more information about women’s health click here.
The Weight Watchers Diet
Diet Summary: The Weight Watchers Diet is a point diet. Each food has a certain point value, and you are given a point quota each day. Weight Watchers was a good and bad diet for me. I did lose weight. I actually lost a total of 15 pounds in about 3 months.
Pros: One good side to this diet is that it teaches you about portion control. I was shocked at how much I actually ate. I went from 1/2 a bag of Milano cookies to ONE Weight Watchers single serving carrot cake!
That leads me to another positive. Weight Watchers has tons of snacks. The offer a variety of cakes, cookies, ice creams, and desserts. And, most of them are, well, YUMMY!
My final positive about the Weight Watchers Diet is that I lost weight.
Cons: OK…now for the down sides of the Weight Watchers Diet.
It is said that you can eat anything, and no food is off limits. Well, that’s true. However, with their point system, if you eat that big juicy burger with cheese and bacon it’s going to cost you 1/2 your points or more for that day. YIKES!
I was constantly hungry. I got so tired of eating veggies. The constant hunger led me to cheat more than was good to maintain the weight loss. So, I finally gave up…even though it did help me lose 15 pounds.
The good news for those that love salad, veggies, and fruit is that you CAN find success with the Weight Watchers Diet. Unfortunately, if you are more like me…well…
Weight Watchers Diet Break Down
The benefits of following the Weight Watchers Diet Plan is that you have the opportunity to get involved with a weekly support group. Many participants feel it is these meetings, and the motivation they get there that keeps them focused on their weight loss goals.
How Does the Weight Watchers Diet Work?
Weight Watchers uses a point system. You are allotted a certain number of points depending on weight. Every food has a certain point value given to it. Weight Watchers gives you a book full of information and all the food points. You will calculate your daily amount of points allowance based on your weight, height and gender. You also have the option of joining online.
Another good thing about Weight Watchers is that it encourages you to exercise. When you participate in physical activity you are given bonus points for that day if you choose to use them.
In closing, Weight Watchers is like most diets. It can work for you if you stick to the plan. The Weight Watchers Diet is a healthy diet that teaches good nutrition, portion control, and encourages daily exercise.
Written By: Lara Velez
Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved
