Lupita Nyong'o's Secret Health Struggle After Oscar Win
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths/tumors that grow inside the uterus. Although it's common, many women can go years without realizing they have them, while others may experience symptoms like heavy or painful periods, pelvic pain, longer or more frequent periods, constipation, and strong discomfort or pain during sex, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Earlier today, in a vulnerable post published to Instagram, the A Quiet Place: Day One star shared when she first learned about her diagnosis, and why she refuses to suffer in silence anymore.
"This Fibroid Awareness Month and beyond," Lupita wrote, "I hope my experience will resonate with anyone else who has ever felt dismissed, confused or alone."
"And I hope to seek answers for the far too many women dealing with uterine fibroids (80% of Black women and 70% of white women by age 50!). We deserve better. It's time to demand it. Silence serves no one!"
Lupita went on to reveal that she had 30 fibroids and she went into surgery to have them all removed. But after speaking with her doctor, she was left shocked after being told there was nothing she could do to prevent the tumors from growing again.
She also provided some vital information about the condition in hopes of more women speaking out about it, and to encourage more doctors to view it with more concern. Lupita noted that the size of the fibroids can range from the "size of a pea to as large as a melon."
"When we reach puberty, we're taught that periods mean pain, and that pain is simply part of being a woman," she added. "We're struggling alone with something that affects most of us. No more suffering in silence!"
"We need to stop treating this massive issue like a series of unfortunate coincidences. We must reject the normalization of female pain."
To help provide more research into uterine fibroids, Lupita revealed that she's joined several women in Congress to introduce a package of uterine fibroid bills that will ultimately expand research funding, assist with early detection and intervention of fibroids, study causes of uterine cancer, and, of course, spread more awareness.
She also launched a grant that will seek research proposals to "develop minimally invasive or non-invasive treatments for uterine fibroids to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for the 15 million patients suffering from this chronic condition in the U.S. alone."
To learn more, be sure to check out Lupita's full post below, along with the resources she's provided.
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Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Six back-to-school tips to set students up for success this year
Believe it or not, school is just around the corner, and these last few weeks of summer are the perfect time for families to start helping their students prepare for the new school year. Here are six tips to set students up for success and make the transition back to school as easy as possible. Make it fun The first day of school can be daunting to students, especially when they're entering a new school. But addressing those feelings of uncertainty before the first day can assure your student that they're ready to take on the challenge. An article from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages families to visit the school campus prior to the first day of school to help students learn their way around, perhaps during a back-to-school night or orientation event. The article even suggests that parents take their students to play on the school's playground a few days before school starts. Parents can also point out the fun aspects of school, like seeing friends or a favorite teacher, which can help the first day seem less scary, the article says. Create a sleep schedule Summer break often brings a more relaxed sleep schedule, but as the start of school nears, it's important to reintroduce some structure. An article from the Mayo Clinic says children aged 6-13 require nine to 11 hours of sleep each night, while ages 13-17 need between eight and 10 hours, and this is especially important during the school year. Johns Hopkins Medicine adds that insufficient sleep increases the risk of health issues like depression, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. The Sleep Foundation suggests that parents incrementally adjust kids' sleep schedules in the weeks leading up to school. Every few days, the foundation's website says, parents should have their child wake up and go to bed 15 minutes earlier until they're sleeping and waking at the desired times for school. It's also a good time to establish a good bedtime routine without electronics, the Sleep Foundation says, including things like taking a shower, brushing teeth and reading in bed. Have conversations and make a plan To help students know what the school year will look like, the AAP article says, it's important to have conversations to set expectations. The article encourages parents to sit down with their children before the school year starts to talk about how they'll get to school each day and what their routine will be once school begins. These conversations are also the perfect time to ask how the student is feeling, the article says. Are they excited about going back to school, or is it a bit scary? What are they most looking forward to once school starts? Do they have any goals for the school year? And, AAP says, it's also important to come up with a plan for dealing with conflict and bullying so that the student knows what to do if they or a classmate is bullied. The AAP website has a page about bullying and how to address it, as well as a first day of school checklist with important reminders to ensure parents and students know what to expect going back to school. Encourage healthy eating The Mayo Clinic website says eating a healthy breakfast with some form of protein each morning helps students prepare for learning because if they're hungry, they're more likely to have trouble focusing. And sending kids to school with water rather than soda will keep them hydrated and help cut down on sugar intake, the AAP article says. Support good study habits Establishing good study habits at the beginning of school will help lay the foundation for the rest of the year, and, AAP says, this includes creating a homework-friendly environment where students can hit the books at home. The article says students should have a quiet place for doing homework free of electronics and other distractions. And if they need some help organizing, AAP says, parents can work with them to come up with a system that helps them stay on task using tools like checklists and timers. The last few weeks of summer are also a good time to go through kids' backpacks to throw away any unneeded items and organize them for the year ahead, the article says. Know your resources Going back to school can be hard, the Johns Hopkins article says, and sometimes it can take a while for students to adjust. But there are resources both in and out of the student's school district if families need a little extra help. It's good to regularly check in with students about how they're feeling, Johns Hopkins says, and keeping their teachers and school administrators in the loop is also important. The Mayo Clinic article adds that if anxiety or depression may be a contributing factor to a student not adjusting well, families can connect with a social worker or counselor at the school, and outside help can be found through a family doctor. Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Rayleigh Deaton at rdeaton@ This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Tips, tricks to make back-to-school transition easier Solve the daily Crossword
Medscape
2 hours ago
- Medscape
Helping Your Patients Manage COPD in the Workplace
Your patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may need help not just coping with their condition but also managing it in their workplace. The symptoms of COPD, a lung and airway condition that causes shortness of breath, fatigue, and persistent cough, may interfere with some job responsibilities, according to several pulmonologists Medscape Medical News consulted as well as studies published in the past few years about COPD in the workplace. The Mayo Clinic reported that symptoms for most patients with COPD begin when they are at least 40 years, so well into their working years. Patients with COPD must continuously monitor if their condition affects their job performance and how potential workplace exposures to toxic chemicals or dust, and hazards such as stairs, worsen their breathing issues, the pulmonologists told Medscape Medical News . Several recent studies evaluated how workplace exposures to gases, vapors, dust, and fumes raised employees' risks of developing COPD, worsened their symptoms, or increased their chances of complications from the chronic disease. To combat such outcomes, pulmonologists share ways they teach their patients about navigating their workplace environment, recognizing hazards, understanding workplace protections, and seeking help. Weighing Work Options Whether a COPD patient can keep up with the job requirements depends on the person and their worksite experience, said David Mannino, MD, a pulmonologist and chief medical officer for the COPD Foundation, and chair of the Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky. 'Some jobs are more physically demanding than others,' he said. 'Every patient has a unique situation and there's never a one-size-fits-all approach. It's very individualized.' Mannino said he's had patients who worked in coal mines or warehouses, and had to navigate those dusty and dirty environments, which can be difficult for patients with COPD. David Mannino, MD If they can't function reasonably well or keep up with the demands of the job, they may need to ask their employer for special accommodations such as switching to a different position or changing worksites, said Mannino, who sees patients several times. 'Some of my patients are on oxygen and that's fine if you're at a desk job. You can wear oxygen and that's not a problem.' In other settings, it might be more difficult or impossible, he said. 'If you have a patient who is a woodworker and he is self-employed and he uses respiratory protection, that he can do reasonably well. I've had some older patients who work at the university in desk jobs and so they can continue to work with no real changes in their responsibilities or schedules.' Some people with COPD may choose to retrain for careers where there aren't as many physical demands, he said. Mannino treated an older patient who was a plumber and could no longer keep up with some of the physical aspects of his job, so he was able to retire. Environmental Triggers Cleveland Clinic Pulmonologist Maeve MacMurdo, MD, said she spends time with patients with COPD evaluating their job, their challenges in the workplace with the disease, and potential triggers. 'So often people find that common triggers are things like strong perfumes or chemical cleaners,' she said. Incense and candles might also trigger COPD for some. Weather also plays a major role in the lives of patients with COPD. 'The humidity definitely impacts a lot of patients, so the air quality is one thing I tell them, when you wake up in the morning, look at the humidity for the day,' said Rohan Mankikar, MD, a pulmonologist with NYU Langone Health, New York City. 'The sweet spot for my COPD patients is like between 40%-70%, so if the humidity is above 70%, they might feel it more.' Maeve MacMurdo, MD On cold days, humidity < 20% might also affect patients with COPD, he said. 'But even days that it rains, snows, [they are] exposed to environmental changes such as wildfire smoke, I have patients that come in with COPD flares or exacerbations.' Patients should also check the allergen, pollen counts, and the air quality index for the day, Mankikar said. 'This is just something simple they can do before driving to work because sometimes you drive with the windows down and you might be inhaling pollen. The job site could be construction and there's exposure to dust,' he said. Potential workplace hazards are myriad, he said. From copy machines that accumulate dust to beauticians who get exposed to different chemicals and smells, it all could possibly trigger an episode. Mankikar said some of his patients wear a mask when they can. Patients should note what triggers their COPD and if it improves in different environments, Mankikar said. They should survey their work area to ensure it's safe for them. For instance, the air quality or humidity in the room. If it's a confined space with poor ventilation or an old building with mold that might require mold remediation. One of the most important triggers to address is smoking, which is the primary cause of COPD, he said. 'That's the biggest allergen for them and they might not realize it because they're saying: 'Well I'm used to this and did this [most of] my life.' But it weakens the immune system when you're actively smoking and creates more mucus production, which then acts like a glue for dust and pollen exposure.' Workplace Protections The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects employees with substantial breathing difficulty and requires employers to provide 'reasonable accommodations' or adjustments to the employee's role. Though the ADA doesn't list specific medical conditions such as COPD, it considers breathing a physical impairment that substantially limits or restricts a major life activity covered under the act. Major life activities include respiratory functions along with performing manual tasks, working, learning, reading, thinking, and communicating. To be protected, an employee must have a record of or be regarded as having a substantial impairment. If an employee's COPD stops or limits their ability to work effectively, they can apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). COPD is listed among the respiratory disorders covered under the SSA's list of covered impairments. Monthly SSA disability benefits can be used to pay for food, clothing, housing, medical bills, medications, childcare, and training if an employee wants to return to work. To qualify, the government requires medical evidence to document the severity of the respiratory disorder such as with pulmonary function tests, including spirometry, which measures ventilation of the lungs, or pulse oximetry, which measures oxygen saturation of peripheral blood hemoglobin. What Help Patients May Need In addition to portable oxygen, patients may have to request access to therapeutic options to help them perform their job functions, Mannino said. Those might include access to medications that can be used at work, such as handheld inhalers or nebulizers. If a patient becomes short of breath when they climb stairs and that's a job requirement, they may have to ask their employer to modify their duties or look for another position within the company, resign or retire, he said. It's up to the employer to decide whether the request for accommodation is reasonable, Mannino said. If you're a welder and you need to be on oxygen, that's not really safe because it can create a fire hazard, he said. 'I think employers want to typically work with their employees…and that it's possible to make the workplace better for that person who has COPD.' If the company has an occupational health specialist in their human resources department, they may be able to assess the employee's needs and offer suggestions, said Francesca Polverino, MD, PhD, a pulmonologist and medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association. For some employees, access to a wheelchair may help them navigate the distances they might have to traverse at work, especially if they are carrying oxygen, said Polverino, who is also a professor of medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine. Francesca Polverino, MD, PhD Patients with COPD also would benefit from further education of their coworkers and supervisors about the disease because there's often a stigma associated with it, Polverino said. Compared with asthma, which tends to be inherited or unintentionally acquired, COPD is often caused by a preventable addiction — smoking. It's also not considered as alarming as other chronic diseases because COPD worsens slowly over a longer period, she said. For these reasons, workers with COPD may be reticent to ask for help, she added. MacMurdo said 'reasonable accommodation' from an employer might include a private office, an air purifier, working from home or having a flexible schedule. She agreed that not all work adaptations will be possible, but employees can brainstorm solutions with their doctors. Patients should keep a log of what they are doing and when they experience symptoms to help doctors identify triggers and come up with workarounds they can suggest to their employers, MacMurdo said. Ideally, patients should discuss with their doctors what they recommend and decide what's practical for the particular job to control COPD symptoms, she said. How to Ask for Help Mankikar said he's written letters for patients to take to their employer asking if it's possible for them not to be exposed to certain chemicals or dust that might exacerbate their COPD. 'For example, if the patient is a teacher and has COPD and they're doing construction [nearby], then I might have them try to teach a different class that's away from the construction site, so they're not in the hallways inhaling the dust.' Patients often request a doctor's note to leave early from work for pulmonary rehabilitation, Mankikar said. 'Unfortunately, those facilities are only open Monday through Friday from 9 to 5…so that's an example of writing a letter to make that accommodation happen to strengthen their lungs.' Employers tend to be very responsive to his notes, he said. 'The moment they know that some of these dust exposures can increase their [employee's] risk of COPD they want to make accommodation for them because they don't want the employee to miss work due to the illness.' Employers know that if their employees are exposed to chemicals or allergens, there's also a financial burden they might face, Mankikar said. If the employer is willing to work with the patient, they might move them to an administrative role instead of a direct occupational one. He cited a patient who worked for a landscaping company and managed other landscapers. The exposure to allergens raised his risk for COPD flareups, so his employer agreed to move him to an area that's well-ventilated and on days when the pollen count was high, he was able to work at a different site. These resources also may help patients navigate COPD in the workplace: How to Manage COPD's Impact on Your Job Early Warning Signs of Work-Related COPD | American Lung Association Lung Health on the Job | NHLBI, NIH
Miami Herald
15 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Shelter Dog's Death at Miami Facility Sparks Heat Safety Concerns
Rocky, a 3 to 4-year-old pit bull terrier mix, died last weekend at Miami-Dade County's overflow animal shelter in Medley after rapidly deteriorating from apparent heat-related distress, according to local reports and social media posts from the agency. The dog appeared healthy during his morning walk before becoming lethargic and vomiting in his kennel, according to NBC 6 South Florida. Despite emergency treatment at the facility's clinic and the main Doral shelter, veterinarians were unable to stabilize Rocky, leading to his death. Newsweek reached out to the Miami-Dade County Animal Services via email outside of normal business hours for comment on Saturday. Rocky's death has intensified scrutiny of animal shelter conditions across Miami-Dade County, particularly regarding temperature control during extreme heat periods in Florida. The incident has sparked widespread community concern and social media outcry about potentially unsafe conditions at municipal animal facilities. With over 500 animals currently under county care and summer temperatures reaching dangerous levels, the case highlights broader challenges facing animal welfare systems nationwide as they struggle with capacity limitations and infrastructure adequacy. The Medley overflow facility houses 117 of the county's 526 animals in care, operating as an open-air building designed to accommodate the system's overcrowding crisis. According to shelter officials, Rocky appeared healthy during his morning walk but quickly declined by midday when staff noticed his lethargy and discovered him vomiting in his kennel. Annette José, director of Miami-Dade County Animal Services, told local station 7News, "Rocky was out for a walk acting, like his usual self. But later, became to get lethargic. Alerted staff to keep an eye on him. He was found in his kennel after vomiting. Quickly, staff and volunteers ran him to our clinic that we have here and tried to get his temperature down." Emergency protocols were immediately activated, with staff and volunteers rushing Rocky to the facility's on-site clinic where they attempted to reduce his body temperature through IV fluid treatment. When these interventions failed to stabilize the dog, he was transferred to the main Doral shelter for advanced veterinary care, but medical staff were ultimately unable to save him. Recent facility tours by 7News revealed approximately a dozen industrial fans scattered throughout the Medley location, with kennel thermometers previously photographed showing temperatures reaching 91 degrees. Former volunteers criticized the fan placement to the news outlet, noting that some units blow air horizontally into concrete walls rather than providing direct cooling relief to animals. Additional cooling measures include continuous cold-water access, shaded play areas for exercise, and small pools for animal use. Miami-Dade Animal Services (@adoptmiamipets) wrote in a statement on Instagram last Saturday: "We are aware of the circulating concerns and discussions regarding the tragic recent loss of Rocky (#A2684435), and as always, we are committed to transparency and providing clarity. Our priority is to keep our community informed, and it is important to us that you hear the full details of what transpired to assure you that we are handling this with the same care and respect that we provide for all the animals in our care." "Today, our hearts are heavy as we share the loss of Rocky, a dog who had been with us at our Medley shelter since May. This morning, Rocky was bright and alert-even playfully jumping around in his kennel. He was housed inside the shelter where large fans run 24/7 to keep air circulating for the comfort of our pets. He and the other pets have access to play pools as well." The agency continued: "Around noon, a diligent volunteer observed Rocky lying down in his kennel with vomit present and promptly notified the staff. He was quickly assessed and, though still alert and able to walk, he collapsed near the play yard. Medical staff responded immediately, administering fluids and swiftly transferring him to our Doral clinic for more extensive care." "Upon examination, our veterinarians determined that Rocky was gravely ill and made the compassionate decision to humanely euthanize him to prevent further suffering. While we are still uncertain about the exact cause of this sudden condition, we have sent samples to the lab for analysis in hopes of uncovering more information." The animal service concluded the statement: "We want to assure our community that Rocky was never alone during this difficult time. From the moment a volunteer noticed something was wrong, to his final moments in the care of our veterinary team, he was surrounded by people who cared deeply and acted quickly to help him. In the end, he was met with kindness, love, and dignity. He was not just another animal in our care - he was a living being who touched the hearts of many." "We remain committed to the safety and well-being of every animal entrusted to us. The loss of Rocky is a painful reminder of how vulnerable these animals can be, and why we need our community's continued support to help us find them loving homes." A concerned Instagram user named @erinsharoni asked the agency: "Can you address the allegations that there are only 3 working fans in the Medley facility when just one year ago with the community raised $15,000 to purchase seven fans from @bigassfans that are now nowhere to be found?" 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