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The Health Mistake 1 in 10 People Make
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The Dangerous Mistake 1 in 4 Women Make
Are you guilty of this major health misstep? Continue reading
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The Mistake that Puts You at Risk for HPV
You wouldn’t stop running a 5K a quarter of a mile before crossing the finish line—or stop having sex just moments before orgasming. Yet 10 percent of women who start the HPV vaccination series never finish it, rendering it less effective, according to new research from the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Researchers examined data from the National Health Interview Survey, which tracks more than 27,000 adults in the U.S. They found that, as of 2010 (the most recent year for which stats were available at the start of the study), more than 75 percent of women ages 18 to 26 had not begun the HPV vaccination series. What’s more, 10 percent of the women who had received at least one shot weren’t administered all three doses. Since it’s not yet known how much protection girls and women receive from just one or two doses of an HPV vaccine, it’s crucial to finish out the series to reap the full benefits.
Introduced seven years ago, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series prevents infection from the four strains of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine series also helps prevent cancers of the vulva and the vagina and is approved for the prevention of anal cancers in both men and women. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. At least half of all sexually active men and women contract genital HPV at some point in their lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The problem: HPV vaccines are administered on a three-dose schedule, with the second shot administered one to two months after the first dose and the third shot administered six months after the first dose. Because of this, completion rates are an issue, says lead author Abbey Berenson, MD, director of the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health.
“Most people do not typically need to go to the doctor three times in six months,” says Berenson. “They forget their follow-up appointments or do not make them a priority.”
If you’ve missed one or two HPV shots, it’s not too late to finish the series. According to previous research from the University of Washington in Seattle, delaying doses of the vaccine won’t diminish the series’ effectiveness. What may? Skipping a dose altogether, says Berenson.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the vaccine to women up to age 26 who did not get one or all of the doses when they were younger. (The best option for females is getting vaccinated between the ages of 11 and 12, but most of us were already older than that when the vaccine first became available.)
Planing to see your doc for the doses you missed? Two brands of the vaccine are approved for use in women (Cervarix and Gardasil). If possible, it’s best to get all of your doses from the same brand—so try to figure out which one you already received before you book your appointment. It’s also a good idea to go ahead and schedule any follow-up appointments now. Once they’re on your calendar, they’ll be harder to miss.
photo: AbleStock.com/Thinkstock
More from Women’s Health:
The Health Risks of Oral Sex
Should I Get the HPV Vaccine?
Reduce Your Cervical Cancer Risk
The Mistake Your Doctor Might Be Making
You probably trust your doctor to diagnose and cure your symptoms. (It’s why you turn to her, not Dr. Google.) But even good doctors sometimes make mistakes—and it often happens right before your eyes: A recent study found that 80 percent of doctors’ diagnostic errors were made during the patient-doctor interaction.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M, and University of Texas at Houston investigated the medical records of 190 patients at the Houston VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence who ended up in the hospital or back at the doctor within two weeks of a primary care visit. Sixty-eight of the patients were diagnosed with previously-undetected health conditions as serious as cancer, heart disease, meningitis, dementia, iron deficiency anemia, asthma, and even HIV.
In 4 out of 5 of these cases, errors in the patient-practitioner encounter played a role in the missed diagnosis. For instance, doctors messed up diagnostic test orders and physical exams, and overlooked important parts of the patients’ medical records. And in 81 percent of cases, doctors skipped differential diagnosis, a routine but crucial part of the diagnostic process in which doctors reflect on their patient’s symptoms and exam, and record their thoughts on what the condition could be.
“It’s not that these doctors were negligible,” says lead study author Hardeep Singh, M.D., a research scientist at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of the Health Policy and Quality Program at the Houston VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence. “It’s that the conditions that they’re treating are complex—even if they’re common.” Just think: Your pesky cough could be accompanied by any number of other symptoms. Plus, your aches and pains evolve over time: symptoms that scream bronchitis today could turn into pneumonia tomorrow.
And it doesn’t help that most doctors face the same work pressures as you. They, too, are pressed for time and pushed to be more productive—even though it’s your health that’s at stake.
While you can’t carve more time in your doctor’s day, you can help your physician help you with the best patient practices:
Bring a list of your symptoms
Doctors rely heavily on patient information, says Singh, so it’s important to present the most thorough picture of your health. If you’re on medication, feverish, or stressed, you might forget to mention the symptom that tips the scale toward the correct diagnosis. So make a list of your complaints before your exam, and whip it out when your doctor asks.
Answer questions thoroughly
During most medical exams, your doc should ask about your medications. The way she asks you is important–like, “Which medications do you take regularly?” or, “What meds have you taken today?”–but so is how you answer, says Singh. This is your time to take the mic and belt out a list of every pill you pop, from supplements to The Pill, and over-the-counter drugs. Even OTC cold medicines can quicken your heartbeat or disguise signs of sickness, says Singh.
Do your research
Spend too much time Googling your symptoms, and you’re bound to uncover a mild case of hypochondria (look it up!). But reliable, up-to-date resources like Medline Plus (not Wikipedia) can inform and empower you to ask smart questions (like, “Could I have strep?”). This creates a dialog that can ultimately help you and your doctor get to the root of your issue, together.
And if you have a preexisting health condition, or know of one that runs in your family? Stay abreast of its symptoms so you know what to look for. For instance, diabetics are prone to eye issues. If you have diabetes and haven’t had an eye exam in years, ask your doctor for an ophthalmologist referral.
Understand the plan
Before you leave the exam room, note your doctor’s answers to the following questions. Bring a pen and paper if it helps you remember.
• What do I have?
• What is the treatment and how long should it last?
• When should the treatment alleviate my symptoms?
• What should I do if I’m not feeling better then?
• What should I do if I feel worse?
• What’s the best way to reach you?
• Do I need any follow up tests, referrals, or visits?
Follow Doctor’s orders
If your doctor says to call or return if you’re not better in two days, do it, says Singh. And even if doctor doesn’t ask you to follow up, always call her if you’re not feeling better or feeling worse.
Be skeptical
“Doctors try their best, but we work in imperfect systems and are imperfect beings,” says Singh. “There’s a lot of uncertainty, and doctors make their best judgments. But mistakes happen.” If your doctor seems unsure about your diagnosis, it’s OK to return for a follow up visit or seek out a second opinion.
photo: beerkoff/Shutterstock
More from WH:
7 Signs of a Bad Doctor
13 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Are You Honest With Your Doctor?
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The Money Mistake You’re Probably Making
Suffering from credit card bill-induced panic attacks? You may be setting yourself up for a lifetime of debt. Younger Americans rack up more credit card debt than their parents and are slower to pay it off, according to a recent study in the journal Economic Inquiry.
Researchers at Ohio State University used monthly surveys to look at the credit card habits of 32,542 Americans between 18-85 years old. They found that Americans born between 1980-1984 will rack up over $ 5,000 more debt by the time they’re 45 than people born between 1950-1954 had at that same age. Plus, they’ll pay off 24% less every month, when compared to their parents’ generation. “It’s a simple calculation to show that they’re never going to pay off that debt,” says co-author of the study, Lucia Dunn, Ph.D., professor of economics at Ohio State University.
But this younger generation isn’t necessarily reckless with their money. “They’ve racked up enormous amounts of student debt,” says Dunn. “There are also many things that people consider necessities today—like a car—that others didn’t think of as necessities before.”
Need another reason to curb your spending? Women are more likely to stress about debt than men, according to a follow-up study by Dunn and her colleagues. So whether you’re deep in debt or working hard to avoid it, use these tips to stay on top of your finances:
Double your minimum payment
Here’s some good news: Research showed that when the minimum monthly credit card payment is raised just a little, it causes people to pay back even more, which means you’ll get out of debt quicker. “It has a psychological impact on people,” says Dunn. “It makes them take repaying more seriously. In the end, everything costs less if you pay off faster.” Since you can’t control what the bank asks for, make your own rule and stick to it. If your bill says you owe a minimum of $ 50, make it $ 100.
Forget your friends’ finances
When it seems like everyone is suffering the same money woes, it can make you less serious about taking control of your spending. “It’s still not the norm to carry credit card debt, but many think it is,” says Liz Weston, financial expert and author of The 10 Commandments of Money. “Don’t take comfort in thinking everyone else is in debt.”
Pick the right plastic
Those fancy reward cards are great, but their rates can be higher than normal. If you’re paying your bill in full every month, go for it. “But if you’re carrying a balance on your card, look for one with a low rate instead,” says Weston. And read the fine print—some cards are made for really big spenders.
Check out these tools
Websites like Mint.com let you track your spending so you can figure out where you budget needs some work. You can also set up helpful text alerts from your bank. Need to save for a big purchase? Set up an online account somewhere like Ally or ING Direct, says Weston. They’ll let you set up free sub-accounts that will automatically subtract savings each month.
Don’t forget the future
It may seem way too far away, but the best time to start saving for retirement is in your twenties and thirties. Even if you’re paying down student loans and credit card debt, keep a little money stashed away in savings so that it gains interest. “People think, ‘I have my whole life to save,’ but that’s not how the math works,” says Weston.
Know when to wave the white flag
Unfortunately, if your debt becomes unmanageable, it’s better to get help sooner rather than later. “If your debt is equal to half or more of your income, it’s time to talk to a credit counselor or bankruptcy attorney,” says Weston. Check out the National Foundation for Credit Counseling at NFCC.org for help.
photo: Hemera/Thinkstock
More from WH:
8 Money Tips to Avoid Credit Card Debt
Money Secrets Couples Keep
Quiz: Are You Wasting Your Money?
Discover surprising walking tips, tricks, and techniques to melt fat fast and get a tighter, firmer butt with Walk Your Butt Off! Buy it now!
The Money Mistake You’re Probably Making
Suffering from credit card bill-induced panic attacks? You may be setting yourself up for a lifetime of debt. Younger Americans rack up more credit card debt than their parents and are slower to pay it off, according to a recent study in the journal Economic Inquiry.
Researchers at Ohio State University used monthly surveys to look at the credit card habits of 32,542 Americans between 18-85 years old. They found that Americans born between 1980-1984 will rack up over $ 5,000 more debt by the time they’re 45 than people born between 1950-1954 had at that same age. Plus, they’ll pay off 24% less every month, when compared to their parents’ generation. “It’s a simple calculation to show that they’re never going to pay off that debt,” says co-author of the study, Lucia Dunn, Ph.D., professor of economics at Ohio State University.
But this younger generation isn’t necessarily reckless with their money. “They’ve racked up enormous amounts of student debt,” says Dunn. “There are also many things that people consider necessities today—like a car—that others didn’t think of as necessities before.”
Need another reason to curb your spending? Women are more likely to stress about debt than men, according to a follow-up study by Dunn and her colleagues. So whether you’re deep in debt or working hard to avoid it, use these tips to stay on top of your finances:
Double your minimum payment
Here’s some good news: Research showed that when the minimum monthly credit card payment is raised just a little, it causes people to pay back even more, which means you’ll get out of debt quicker. “It has a psychological impact on people,” says Dunn. “It makes them take repaying more seriously. In the end, everything costs less if you pay off faster.” Since you can’t control what the bank asks for, make your own rule and stick to it. If your bill says you owe a minimum of $ 50, make it $ 100.
Forget your friends’ finances
When it seems like everyone is suffering the same money woes, it can make you less serious about taking control of your spending. “It’s still not the norm to carry credit card debt, but many think it is,” says Liz Weston, financial expert and author of The 10 Commandments of Money. “Don’t take comfort in thinking everyone else is in debt.”
Pick the right plastic
Those fancy reward cards are great, but their rates can be higher than normal. If you’re paying your bill in full every month, go for it. “But if you’re carrying a balance on your card, look for one with a low rate instead,” says Weston. And read the fine print—some cards are made for really big spenders.
Check out these tools
Websites like Mint.com let you track your spending so you can figure out where you budget needs some work. You can also set up helpful text alerts from your bank. Need to save for a big purchase? Set up an online account somewhere like Ally or ING Direct, says Weston. They’ll let you set up free sub-accounts that will automatically subtract savings each month.
Don’t forget the future
It may seem way too far away, but the best time to start saving for retirement is in your twenties and thirties. Even if you’re paying down student loans and credit card debt, keep a little money stashed away in savings so that it gains interest. “People think, ‘I have my whole life to save,’ but that’s not how the math works,” says Weston.
Know when to wave the white flag
Unfortunately, if your debt becomes unmanageable, it’s better to get help sooner rather than later. “If your debt is equal to half or more of your income, it’s time to talk to a credit counselor or bankruptcy attorney,” says Weston. Check out the National Foundation for Credit Counseling at NFCC.org for help.
photo: Hemera/Thinkstock
More from WH:
8 Money Tips to Avoid Credit Card Debt
Money Secrets Couples Keep
Quiz: Are You Wasting Your Money?
Discover surprising walking tips, tricks, and techniques to melt fat fast and get a tighter, firmer butt with Walk Your Butt Off! Buy it now!