“10 Signs You Should Dump Your M.D.”

The relationship you have with your doctor is one of the most important in your life. Here's how to know if the one you're seeing is good enough for you.

1. He Doesn't Value Your Time. Waiting is sort of inevitable—on average, patients sit in the reception area for 21 minutes before their name is called—but you shouldn't feel like you might actually waste away before you see a doctor. "If it happens often, it could be a sign that the office is poorly managed or that your M.D. is overbooking himself," says Marni Nicholas, M.D., an internist at Beacon International Medicine in Portsmouth, NH. It's a strategy some use to keep up with the financial realities of running a practice (remember, it is a business). But even so, you deserve an apology when your doctor finally makes it to the exam room, Nicholas says. If you get nada after cooling your heels for a frustratingly long time, it might be time to move on.

2. She Doesn't Call When She Says She Will. It doesn't matter whether your doctor communicates good test results by email and abnormal ones by phone, or if she only reaches out to patients when something's up—as long as she makes her policy clear at the outset and follows through. "A breakdown in communication is one of the main reasons people tell me they switch practices," says Nieca Goldberg, M.D., medical director of the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women's Health at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. And when you do receive results, you shouldn't be expected to decipher them on your own. "It's the doctor's responsibility to explain them in a way that you can understand," she says.

3. He Makes You Feel Like You're the Crazy One. "Hysteria" was once a catchall diagnosis handed out to ladies whose symptoms couldn't be explained (horrible!). And, sadly, "there are still doctors out there who will take your complaints less seriously simply because you're a woman," Nicholas says. Don't stand for it: You should be able to talk about anything—fatigue, mood swings, that nagging pain in your side—without being made to feel like your questions are stupid or that your symptoms are all in your head, says Susan Blum, M.D., of Rye Brook, NY, who practices functional medicine, a specialty that focuses on treating the underlying causes of disease.

4. She Doesn't Care If the Sex Is Good For You. Research shows that only 63 percent of ob/gyns routinely ask their patients about what's going on in the bedroom, and far fewer (29 percent) ask if they're satisfied with their sex life. It can be a tough conversation on both sides, but your M.D. should know that it matters. "Pain during sex is a red flag for conditions like fibroids and endometriosis, while low libido may be linked to depression," says study author Stacy Tessler Lindau, M.D., an associate professor of obstetrics/gynecology at the University of Chicago. And anyway, you deserve to have great sex.

5. He Cuts Your Dates Short to See Someone Else. At a standard appointment, you should have your doctor's undivided attention for 20 to 25 minutes before he rushes off to see another patient or take a phone call, Blum says. (No texting, either!) Anything less than that isn't enough time to address all of your concerns and leave room for questions. If you feel constantly shortchanged, see someone who has more time for you.

6. You Have Needs That She Can't Meet. "If you've seen your doctor twice about the same thing and she still doesn't have anything meaningful to offer you, find someone else," Blum says. Yes, it's true that some symptoms, like headaches, dizziness, or a period that's all over the place, are difficult to diagnose since they can be caused by a number of things. But your doctor should be committed to finding a solution, whether that means referring you to a specialist or even considering supplements or other forms of healing, if that interests you. She needs to work at it if you're going to stick around.

7. His Friends are the Worst. Bottom line: A doc's staff is a reflection of him. They should treat you with the same respect you do them. Don't put up with anything less.

8. It Feels Like She Never Listens to You. There's nothing worse than being talked over, and unfortunately, it's a bad habit for many doctors. On average, M.D.'s cut patients off within 23 seconds of asking what brought them in, research shows. And patients are only able to voice all of their concerns about 25 percent of the time. "It can be hard for us to let you finish," Goldberg admits. "We're already thinking about what your symptoms might mean." But you need a doctor who will hear you out, so bring a list of questions next time. "Say that you'd like to cover those first," Blum says, and see what happens.

9. He Always Has to be Right. Guess what? It's your body, and that means you should be able to question any medication or test your doctor recommends (Are there any side effects? What is this test looking for? What does it involve?) without being thrown serious shade. "Explain that you're concerned and you want to be prepared," Goldberg says. And if you think it's worth getting a second opinion? "You should be able to ask for a referral, too, without your doc getting defensive," Blum says.

10. You're Not the Same People Anymore. The doctor you were happy with at 22, when you only needed to be seen for a birth control refill, may be different from the one you want to work with in your 30s. As women age, they often start to think about their health in a broader sense, which might lead them to integrative medicine—a combination of conventional medicine and other therapies, like proper nutrition and acupuncture, Blum says. Others who are done having kids switch from an OB to a gynecologist who's more experienced in peri menopause, menopause, and cancer prevention, she adds. "Your needs change, and that's okay."
 
By Liz Krieger, RedBookMag

 Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

“Thinning Hair Causes and Solutions”

Hair Is Tied to Self-Image: Long, short, bouncy, sleek -- for most women, hair is far more than a bundle of fiber. It's an expression of style and personality. Research also suggests hair and self-image are closely intertwined. If an occasional "bad hair day" can make a woman feel bad, hair loss can be a distressing sight to face every morning in the mirror.

 

Hair Loss Common in Women, Too: The idea that thinning hair is a guy problem is simply wrong. Forty percent of people who experience temporary or long term hair loss are women. Some have hair that is thinning all over, while others see the center part gradually widen. Still others develop distinct baldness at the crown of the head. Unlike men, women rarely develop a receding front hairline.

 

How Hair Grows: The average scalp has 100,000 hairs. Each follicle produces a single hair that grows at a rate of half an inch per month. After growing for two to six years, hair rests awhile before falling out. It's soon replaced with a new hair, and the cycle begins again. At any given time, 85% of hair is growing, and the remainder is resting.

 

How Much Hair Loss Is Normal?: Because resting hairs regularly fall out, most people shed about 50-100 strands every day. You'll typically find a few in your hairbrush or on your clothes. Abnormal hair loss can happen in several ways. You may notice dramatic clumps falling out when you shampoo or style. Or your hair may thin slowly over time. If you're concerned about changes in your hair, check with your doctor.

 

Finding the Roots of Hair Loss: Hair loss in women can be triggered by about 30 different medical conditions, as well as several lifestyle factors. Sometimes no specific cause can be found. As a starting point, hair loss experts recommend testing for thyroid problems and hormone imbalances. In many cases, hair will grow back once the cause is addressed.

 

Measuring Women's Hair Loss: The Savin Scale is a common measure that ranges from normal hair density to a bald crown (very rare). It's helpful in documenting female pattern baldness, which affects about 30 million American women. Experts think genetics and aging play a role in androgenic alopecia, along with the hormonal changes of menopause. Hair may become thin all over, with the greatest loss along the center of the scalp. A receding hairline is very rare in women.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: Thyroid Problems: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. It produces hormones that regulate many processes throughout the body. If the gland makes too much or too little thyroid hormone, the hair growth cycle may falter. But hair loss is rarely the only sign of a thyroid problem. Other symptoms include weight gain or loss, sensitivity to cold or heat, and changes in heart rate.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: PCOS: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a chronic hormonal imbalance. The body makes higher levels of androgens than expected. This often causes extra hair to sprout on the face and body, while hair on the scalp grows thinner. PCOS can also lead to ovulation problems, acne, and weight gain. But sometimes thinning hair is the only obvious sign.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: Alopecia Areata: Alopecia Areata causes hair to fall out in startling patches. The culprit is the body's own immune system, which mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles. In most cases, the damage is not permanent. The missing patches usually grow back in six months to a year. In rare cases, people may lose all of the hair on their scalp and body.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: Ringworm: When ringworm affects the scalp, the fungus triggers a distinct pattern of hair loss -- itchy, round bald patches. Bald areas can appear scaly and red. Ringworm of the scalp is treated with antifungal medication. The fungus is easily spread by direct contact, so family members should be checked for symptoms, too.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: Childbirth: Some women may notice their hair seems fuller during pregnancy. That's thanks to high levels of hormones that keep resting hairs from falling out as they normally would. But it doesn't last forever. After childbirth, when hormone levels return to normal, those strands fall out quickly. This can mean a surprising amount of hair loss at one time. It may take up to two years for hair to return to normal.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: The Pill: A little known side effect of birth control pills is the potential for hair loss. The hormones that suppress ovulation can cause hair to thin in some women, particularly those with a family history of hair loss. Sometimes hair loss begins when you stop taking the pill. Other drugs linked to hair loss include blood thinners and medicines that treat high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, and depression.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: Crash Diets: You may lose more than weight with a crash diet. People may notice hair loss 3-6 months after losing more than 15 pounds, but hair should regrow on its own with a healthy diet. Be prepared to shed some locks if your diet is very low in protein or too high in vitamin A.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: Tight Hairstyles: It's no myth: Wearing cornrows or tight ponytails can irritate the scalp and cause hair to fall out. The same is true of using tight rollers. Let your hair down, and it should grow back normally. Be aware that long-term use of these styles can cause scarring of the scalp and permanent hair loss.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: Cancer Treatment: Hair loss is an infamous side effect of two cancer treatments: chemo and radiation therapy. In their quest to kill cancer cells, both treatments can harm hair follicles, triggering dramatic hair loss. But the damage is almost always short-lived. Once the therapy is finished, hair usually grows back.

 

Hair Loss Trigger: Extreme Stress: Extreme physical or emotional stress can cause a sudden shedding of one-half to three-quarters of the hair on your head. Examples include:

• Serious illness or major surgery
• Trauma involving blood loss
• Severe emotional trauma

The shedding may last six to eight months.

 

Treating Hair Loss: Medicine: Minoxidil (Rogaine) is approved by the FDA for female pattern hair loss. It can slow or stop hair loss in most women and may help hair grow back in up to a quarter of those who use it. The benefits are lost when you stop using it. For women with alopecia areata, corticosteroids can help regrow hair. And if you have an underlying medical problem or a nutritional deficiency, hair usually grows back on its own once that condition is under control.

 

Treating Hair Loss: Laser Devices: Devices that emit low-energy laser light may stimulate hair growth to help fight thinning hair. They're available in some clinics and as hand-held devices to use at home. At least one device has gained FDA approval for both men and women, based on a small study that showed effectiveness in at least some of those who tested it. It took 2-4 months to see the results. The FDA does not require the same rigorous testing for devices as for medicines. The long-term safety and effectiveness are unknown.

 

Hair Transplants in Women: This procedure involves moving hair to thinning scalp areas from donor sites. The trouble is, female pattern baldness causes thin hair all over, so good donor sites may be limited. The exceptions are women with male pattern baldness or hair loss caused by scarring.

Hair-Loss Products and Devices: A quick Internet search will turn up dozens of products intended to stop hair loss or regrow hair. Unfortunately, there's no way to know whether before and after pictures have been doctored. To evaluate a hair-loss treatment, you can check with:

• A dermatologist
• The FDA medical devices division
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

 

Coping With Thinning Hair: Ask your stylist for tips -- a short cut, a different part, maybe a gentle body wave. A styling product for thin hair may help hide hair loss. You apply it to the root area and gently blow dry to build volume. (Let hair air dry partially before using a blow dryer.) Special cosmetics can camouflage visible areas of scalp. And keratin fiber hair cosmetics may be worth a try. They're sprinkled over the thinning patch, where their static charge makes hair appear thicker.

 

Coping With Significant Hair Loss: Adjusting to permanent hair loss is challenging for most women. If thin areas are very obvious, consider a weave, a hairpiece, a scarf, or a hat to cover bald spots. Good quality wigs are more comfortable than ever -- and they rarely have bad hair days. If hair loss interferes with your job or social life or makes you reluctant to leave the house, think about talking with a counselor.

Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on June 29, 2012

SOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology: "Hair Loss, Who Gets and Causes," "Structure and Function of Hair Follicles," "Tinea (dermatophyte) Infections," "Alopecia Areata," "Hair Loss: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome," "Hair Care Products Can Deliver the Goods for Thinning and Textured Hair," "Good Hair Care May Head Off Hair Loss."
American Academy of Family Physicians: "Hair Loss and Its Causes."
American Hair Loss Association: "Women’s Hair Loss: Introduction" "Degree of Hair Loss," "Women’s Hair Loss: Oral Contraceptives."
Consumer Reports: "Baldness Remedies."
FDA: "510(k) Summary, Lexington International, LLC LaserComb," "Medical Devices."
Federal Trade Commission.
Hockenbury, D. Psychology, MacMillan, 2002.
International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery: "Hair Loss & Restoration in Women."
Medline Plus: "Tinea Capitis."
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development: "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)."
Schweiger, E. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, November 2010.

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

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