It’s fabulous that we live in a time when we can draw on the experiences of a community like Yahoo!7 Answers to help us with our dilemmas, share information, provide reassurance and a listening ear at any time of the day or night.

When it comes to our health and wellbeing, though, it’s really important to know how to find information that’s accurate, relevant, and up-to-date. That’s why NPS MedicineWise is a Knowledge Partner here at Yahoo!7 Answers.

Who is NPS MedicineWise?

You might have seen some of our responses to questions about different medical conditions and the use of medicines. NPS MedicineWise is independent and not-for-profit – funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and we have no commercial interests. Our purpose is to enable people to make better decisions about medicines and medical tests – to help people “be medicinewise”.

We keep an eye on Yahoo!7 Answers and try to contribute balanced, evidence-based information to people who are looking to make decisions about their health and the medicines they take.

Delving deeper

The information we do provide is not meant to take the place of medical advice – so that’s why you’ll always see us encouraging people to talk to a qualified health professional such as their GP or pharmacist.

One of the best ways to be medicinewise is to ask the right questions – so that you can get the most out of your medicines and make better informed decisions about them. So keep the health and medical questions coming, and if you want to know more about how to be medicinewise, check out the NPS MedicineWise website: http://www.nps.org.au/bemedicinewise

NPS MedicineWise is a Knowledge Partner in the Health category on Yahoo!7 Answers.

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Today is World Scleroderma Day!

What is “scleroderma” I hear you ask?

jlcrit describes scleroderma in the following way:
“Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses which occur when the body’s tissues are attacked by its own immune system. Scleroderma is characterised by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body. This leads to thickness and firmness of involved areas. Scleroderma is also referred to as systemic sclerosis.”

Patrick elaborates further with:
“Scleroderma is called both a rheumatic disease and a connective tissue disease. The term rheumatic disease refers to a group of conditions characterised by inflammation and/or pain in the muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue. A connective tissue disease is one that affects tissues such as skin, tendons, and cartilage.

An individual with scleroderma may develop either a localised or a systemic form of the disease. Localised scleroderma usually affects only the skin on the hands and face. Systemic scleroderma, however, affects the connective tissue in many parts of the body, including the skin, the esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, heart, and other internal organs. It is unusual for localised scleroderma to progress to the systemic form.”

Scleroderma comes in different types and some people may be more afflicted than others. I myself was diagnosed with limited scleroderma when I was just 10 years old, but I have a mild form, although it is monitored regularly for any changes.

Whilst I am one of the lucky ones, others are not and the disease can take over their bodies, this is called diffuse scleroderma. It can lead to other related illnesses with organs and tissues, making everyday activities extremely painful. According to Scleroderma Australia, there are over 5,000 people currently living with disease within Australia.

For further information, please seek out your local scleroderma societies and bodies. Here are just a few:

• Scleroderma Australia
• Scleroderma Support Group – New Zealand
• Scleroderma Foundation – USA
• Scleroderma Society – UK
• FESCA – Federation of European Scleroderma Associations
• International Scleroderma Network

Kate
Community Manager

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Upon arriving to work of a Monday, is your first thought of coffee? Are you feeling a bit tired after a fantastically relaxing or jam-packed weekend? Are you staring at the clock, willing it to go faster? Does the weekend seem so very far away?

You’re not alone! All of these are signs of what is generally known as Mondayitis… also known as Tuesdayitis, Wednesdayitis… well you get the drift

Which brings me to the following question:

• Where did the term “Mondayitis” originate and what are your tips for getting through it?

We’ve all heard it, we’ve all used it but just where did the term come from?

I’d also love to hear your tips for clearing the cobwebs and regaining your enthusiasm for the working week. So leave a comment below or answer the question above!

Kate
Community Manager

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October is the month of the pink ribbon.

In fact, I myself have worn the pink ribbon proudly as I know many women who have been afflicted with breast cancer. Some of them bounced back to life after surgery or treatment and a few others succumbed to the disease.

So when I decided to write a blog post about breast cancer, I was absolutely certain that it would take me less than ten minutes to do so. After all, I knew stories about all these women. And I thought I was mighty pink because as a woman I knew how to protect myself. Right?

Wrong. As I started to write this post, I realised how little I actually knew about this deadly disease though it had touched my life often enough, albeit indirectly.

Worldwide, breast cancer comprises 10.4% of all cancer incidences among women, making it the most common type of non-skin cancer in women and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. This explains the number of awareness campaigns about breast cancer during the month of October.

And yet I was finding it difficult to write about breast cancer. So I decided to take a look at Answers.

It was no surprise that I found a list of commonly asked questions about breast cancer. I decided to post these questions so it could help women and men like me who know about breast cancer but are hardly aware of the facts relating to the disease.

Six links to save a life!
Understand this cancer better so you can treat it on time if need be!

• How does breast cancer develop in women and what are the preventive measures for it?
• What are the symptoms of breast cancer and what are the consequences?
• What kind of tests or examinations should be done for breast cancer?
• Do people with breast cancer have to get their breasts cut off?
• How long can you live with untreated breast cancer and have no symptoms?
• How common is it to get breast cancer when you are a teenager?

Four typical doubts about preventing and treating breast cancer:

• Is it true that deodorants can cause breast cancer in women?
• Can I get breast cancer if I sleep wearing my bra?
• Are there any Ayurvedic treatments for breast cancer?
• How exactly does breast feeding lower the risk of breast cancer?

Other useful links to understand breast cancer better:

• I may have breast cancer, what questions should I ask my doctor?
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer

And here’s how you can help people with breast cancer.

So do you have a breast cancer story? Is there some knowledge about breast cancer you would like to share? Do send us your story (y_answrs_team_au at yahoo.com.au) or leave us a comment.

Go pink!

Bhumika
Community Manager – India

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Like many Australians, did you over-indulge during the Easter period?

I know from personal experience that it can be quite difficult to ignore the overload of chocolate! Unless you are a hermit, it can be quite hard to escape… It’s everywhere you look – in shops, people giving and receiving, and advertisements galore. It can be quite easy to get swept up in the retail chaos, especially after Easter Sunday when the eggs are all heavily reduced.

Aside from the religious significances of Easter in Australia, the 4-day Long Weekend is a time to relax and enjoy time with friends and loved ones. It is also a time to reflect!

Easter marks roughly 3 months since the year began and when you made all kinds of promises to yourself to begin the year anew. How have you done so far?

Using myself as an example, I started the year out full of enthusiasm. I kept the momentum going in February by looking at different options for low impact exercise; I even ended up replacing my old rusty mountain bike with a lovely new road bike and began commuting to work. I loved getting up earlier and seeing the sun rise and getting home that little bit earlier of an afternoon, I even lost roughly 8kg! But as I progressed into March, I began to falter and by the time Easter rolled around, I was definitely becoming lazy.

So, I need your help to get motivated again

• What are the best ways to get back into activities, such as exercise, after lapsing for a time?

Do you have any tips on how I can get back into the groove again? Maybe I need to alter my approach or thinking? Leave a comment below or on the question above.

Kate
Community Manager

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Have you all been keeping up with the Yahoo! Answers “Get Fit Program“?

If you remember from my post a few weeks ago, “New Year’s Resolutions: Do you keep them?“, one of my goals this year is to get fit. This is something that I am going to be asking you all about over the coming months, as I strive to improve my life in general – plus I need someone to keep me motivated!

All the advertising out there on TV and radio, in magazines and newspapers, even on billboards and other signage outside, screams the message about Australia’s rising weight and fitness problems. Whilst I could stand to lose a few kilos (I’d be lying if I said I was a fit young thing anymore!), I’m not going to obsess over it. What I’d rather focus on is improving things like my lifestyle, eating and exercise habits etc.

I am already active and what I’d like to start off with is, adding some exercise to my week. I suffer from old injuries to my knees, so unfortunately old staples such as running and strenuous gym sessions are already out for the time being, which points me toward low impact exercise. I have access to a bike, and actually use the bike in getting to work sporadically. I also have a few swimming pools and centres around my local area. So which would you recommend?

• What activity, and why, is better for low impact exercise – cycling or swimming?

Answer via the question above or leave a comment below

Kate
Community Manager

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Welcome to week two of the Yahoo! Answers “Get Fit Program.” Last week we told you how you can meet other people looking to share fitness ideas in a Yahoo! Group called “Get Fit, Stay Healthy,” shared some practical exercise tips for corporate employees, and provided a few tips on how to shed excess pounds to tone up your muscles.

This week, our fitness pros, Joanne and Joan from Plus One Health Management have picked a few more questions to answer from the community—you can find their answers below.

Question: “I need help with eating healthy at school when all they sell is cheese fries and pizza!” – Danni

Answer: I can understand your frustration, if you are trying to eat healthy but the healthy options are limited.  You may want to bring your lunch to school, to avoid temptation, and to be prepared.  You can also talk with the foodservice provider to suggest healthier options.  Healthy foods that cafeteria providers sometimes have include sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, baked chicken or fish, and pasta with veggies. Good luck! Also remember that if you are limited on food and have to eat pizza, you can try walking around your school campus with friends to ensure that you’re including a healthy activity with your lunch.

Question: What’s the best way to stretch before working out? – Chris

Answer: Prior to a workout, a warm-up that includes dynamic stretching should be performed. Dynamic stretching involves performing low-intensity movements similar to your workout activity. For example, squats help to get the muscles warm for any type of lower body activity. Static stretching (stretch and hold) is the most beneficial if it is performed after a workout. Not sure what the difference is between dynamic or static stretching is? Check out the definition from our pros, here.

Question: Are there any standing up ab exercises you could do, say, in the shower or waiting in line (that might be awkward)? – Hah.

Answer: Wow you’re really thinking! However, I don’t recommend exercising in the shower as you could slip and injure yourself. Instead, when you’re safe and dry, try standing up tall and tighten your abs. Practice good posture, suck in your abs and maintain normal breathing—all of these things will help you maintain a tight core and help work your abs.

Question from Shine: How do I start exercising when I’m already out of shape?

Answer: Start slowly, but make it count—don’t overdo it. Progress quickly,  keep it up, and read this article for even more tips from Shine.

Check back next week for even more tips from our fitness gurus as they answer even more of your health and fitness questions!

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Last week we asked the Yahoo! Answers community, “How can Yahoo! Answers help you meet your fitness goals in 2010?” – after reviewing your questions, we brought them to our fitness gurus, Joan Arico and Joanne Haggerty  who work with Plus One Heath Management.

As promised, over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting Joan and Joanne’s answers to some of your health and fitness questions here, to help inspire you to meet your fitness goals for 2010. So let’s get started!

Question: “Can you help hook us up with a diet/exercise buddy where we can commiserate or compare and help keep other on track?” – Love Life

Answer: You bet! We know that part of what makes losing weight tough is feeling like you’re on your own. To help you feel like you’re a little less “on your own” we’ve set up a Yahoo! Group called “Get fit, Stay Healthy!” (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/getfitstayhealthy) for anyone looking to find a buddy, share their story, or share weight-loss tips.

Please remember this group is NOT open to spam or marketing, so please don’t join it looking to promote your acai-berry shakes, or your weight loss pills. We’ll also cross-post our fitness tips there each week, as well as fitness and health tips from the health editors over at Shine. We hope to see you all there!

Question: “What are some practical fitness options for corporate employees? Some of those guys spend up to 10 hours in their offices. People are designed to be active, but sometimes our jobs make that impossible for us. We aren’t a country of farm and factory workers anymore. We sit in offices and stare at computer screens. What are some easy ways to step back from the desk and get active, even if we have to do it at home?” – Austin D

Answer: Office workers have to work a little harder to burn calories because of the hours of sedentary living. To counteract this, you can try: walking or exercising during lunch breaks, stretching at your desk, workout before or after work. Or, better yet, have meetings while you walk.

An easy solution when your in the office is to take the stairs instead of taking the elevator, and park as far away from the building as you can—that way you’ll have to walk clear across the parking lot to get to your car in the morning and the evening.

When you get home from work, play with your kids outdoors to cut down on TV time and make exercise a family activity. All of these things can help make corporate employees more active (and productive!) both at home and in the office.

Question: “i was just about to ask this question: i am not muscular. i need biceps and a six pack. should i exercise every day? what should i do? i love yahoo answers. i find everything i need on here. thanks yahoo!”  — wil

Answer: Thanks for the kudos. For us to see those muscles, you have to work off excess body fat and then have muscles to show! Think healthy eating, cardio, and weights! For a few easy and quick workouts, check out this article from Shine.

For more tips and tricks, and to see what questions our fitness gurus answer next, be sure to check back here next week!

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Each January many people across the world make a similar New Year’s resolution: to lose weight, get fit, or get healthy. And each January, they start the year off right—with the best of intentions, and the best laid plans, but about a week in, they run into a road block: where do they go from here?

If you’re one of these people, Yahoo! Answers is here to help! We’ve enlisted the help of Joan Arico and Joanne Haggerty: two fitness pros from Plus One Health Management, Inc., who work with the staff at Yahoo! Headquarters in Sunnyvale, California.

Over the next few days, you’ll have the opportunity to post your fitness related questions to the open question found here and Joan and Joanne will select a handful and answer them over the next few weeks. With your questions and their help, together we’ll help get the Yahoo! Answers community in shape for 2010!

Each week, we’ll feature one question on the blog, as well as health tips and tricks that will help you get in shape and meet your health goals for 2010.

Joan and Joanne: Our Fitness Gurus

Joan Arico

Joan has over 25 years of experience in Corporate Fitness and is certified in both Group Exercise Instruction and Personal Training . She is an AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor, AFAA Certified Personal Trainer, BS Degree Recreation Administration, CPR/AED Certified.

Joanne Haggerty

Joanne believes that physical activity should be an integral part of your life as much as is brushing your teeth, but far more fun and enjoyable. She is a personal trainer and works in both individual and group wellness programs.

Between the two of them, they have more than 33 years of fitness and health experience in both the personal and professional sector. Both enjoy sharing fitness and lifestyle tips with others in addition to keeping Yahoo! healthy!

Please note that all questions must be in line with the Yahoo! Answers Community Guidelines and you should always check with your medical professional before starting any new treatment or health routine. Please review the full disclaimer here.

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As the weather gets warmer and the beach becomes more tempting, quite a few Aussie girls (and probably a few blokes) are looking down at those bat wings,  cottage cheese thighs and muffin top and thinking: “there’s no way I’m going anywhere near a swimsuit until something has been done!”

For all around fitness, I’ve always found that going to the gym starts off well, then a few months into it you’re bored of pounding the treadmill and the elliptical trainer has lost its gloss. And with the weather so lovely, who wants to be cooped up indoors? Some swear by boot camp although people yelling at me tends to make me want to hit them rather than run around the block 20 times.

A varied routine that includes different workouts each day works for people who get bored easily like me. Some recommend a combination of cardio and pilates and others say trying something new like dancing or spinning does the trick.

If it’s a specific area you want to work on, there are lots of different exercises to help tailor your workout. To tone the underside of your arms, mrsross22 recommends:

Military squats- Find a stable piece of furniture like the edge of a sofa and sit on the ground in front of it facing away. Put your arms up behind you and place them on the edge of the sofa. Lift yourself up till your arms are fully extended then drop back down but do not land your butt on the ground, just hover. Then repeat this. I do about 3 sets of 20 reps. More

For that pesky stomach area, yomama recommends a variety of exercises, including:

Resistance training: go for more reps (less weight), try drop sets, try circuit training. All of these are useful for getting more lean and ripped (and as a result will burn fat off your abs). Remember the more muscle you build, the more fat you’ll burn (muscle burns fat). More

The good thing about getting your fitness advice from Answers, is that you know it’s worked for real people out there and the advice isn’t from a stick-thin-never-eaten-a-timtam-in-his-life type of person. Time to grab those sneakers!

Caitlin
Community Manager

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