Healthy Women Today Newsletter - May 2012

What Women Want to Know

Highlights from womenshealth.gov

A woman wrote to us wondering if she could have lupus along with other rare disorders. She didn’t know if it was possible to have more than one rare disorder at a time. We told her that there is evidence that having lupus increases your risk of other health problems. It can also cause these diseases to occur earlier in life. We sent her links to the following publication and website.

• Lupus Fact Sheet
• Could I Have Lupus?

Send an email.

Celebrate National Women’s Health Week Online

Visit our Facebook page and like us this week! You’ll see that we post daily tips on good health practices for women. Spreading the word about women’s health through social media is a great way to celebrate National Women’s Health Week. You can also use your own website, Facebook page, Twitter feed (#NWHW), and blog to share important information, encourage discussion, and promote your National Women’s Health Week event.

Learn more about how to celebrate National Women’s Health Week online (PDF, 346 KB).

Mercury Poisoning Linked to Skin Products

Federal health officials are warning consumers not to use skin creams, beauty and antiseptic soaps, or lotions that might contain mercury. The products are marketed as skin lighteners and anti-aging treatments that remove age spots, freckles, blemishes, and wrinkles.

Learn more about these skin products.

Free Training Available for Quick Health Data Online

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women's Health is providing free telephone training for the Quick Health Data Online system. You will learn about the data available and easy ways to extract and present these data while sitting at your desk and using your own computer.

Learn more about this training and how to register.

Could You Have Lupus?

May is Lupus Awareness Month. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys, and brain.

Learn more about the symptoms of lupus, and get support from the community forum if lupus is affecting your life.

Healthy Recipes for a Healthy Life

Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. The disease affects about one in 100 people in Europe and North America. May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Try some of these gluten-free recipes, even if you don’t have celiac disease!

• Chicken Waldorf Salad
• Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Cake
• Gluten-free Crepes with Creamy Chicken
• Lemon Almond Cake with Lemon Cream Filling
• Quinoa Banana Bread

Check out more gluten-free recipes.

Health News Headlines

• Half of U.S. Counties Have No Ob-Gyn: Study
• Health Tip: What's Causing My Muscle Cramps?
• That Long Commute May Be Harming Your Health
• Birth Defect Rates Vary Depending on Fertility Treatment: Study
• Joggers Live Longer, Study Says

Get more news.

Quick Health Data Online Monthly Spotlight

Every month Quick Health Data Online highlights topics of interest and relevant data available on their website. May's spotlight is on National Women's Health Week.