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Women who have a history of endometriosis—a risk factor for cardiovascular disease—should take measures to reduce their other cardiovascular risk factors.

Getting immediate attention for symptoms of a transient ischemic attack can minimize the risk of a subsequent stroke.

Letters notifying women that they have dense breasts are difficult to understand. Women receiving them should contact their doctors.

Both music and exercise help prevent and alleviate disease. Fusing the two may have even greater benefits than either alone.

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Dancing is a universal human experience. We dance to express joy, celebrate life events, and enact religious and cultural rituals. Dance also has physical and cognitive benefits that may exceed those of other forms of exercise.

What dance does for your health

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Wearing lenses that screen out harmful ultraviolet radiation is essential for keeping your eyes healthy.

Large wraparound lenses offer the best protection.
Image: Wavebreakmedia/Thinkstock

When you buy sunglasses, your primary aim might be to find a style that looks good on you and is comfortable. If so, like almost half of people selecting sunglasses from the racks, you've failed to consider the most important detail鈥攖he amount of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation the lenses screen out.

Hiccups are often caused by many everyday situations, including distention of the stomach (which can be the result of overeating), swallowing air, or drinking carbonated beverages. They usually go away on their own, but episodes that last longer than 48 hours could be a sign of certain medical problems. 

Ask the Doctor

Q. I've found lately that when I make a routine appointment with my doctor's office, I may be seen by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner instead of my doctor. I really don't have any complaints, but I'm wondering why they seem to be taking on things that my doctor used to handle. Is this a new trend?

A. In my practice, many patients see a nurse practitioner instead of me. The appointment might be for an initial visit to get established in the practice, for routine prenatal care, for an urgent issue such as a miscarriage, or for bothersome symptoms such as those from a persistent yeast infection. If a woman has complex medical issues, the nurse practitioner immediately consults me, and together we decide the best next steps.

Ask the doctors

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Q. My daughter is 38 years old and pregnant with her first child. Her due date is in two weeks, and her doctor has recommended that she have labor induced a week early. Why can't she just allow nature to take its course?

A. Having a baby when you're "older" can have some advantages鈥攚omen may feel more secure with them-selves, their relationships, or their careers. However, expectant moms 35 or older鈥攁nd their babies鈥攈ave some increased pregnancy-related risks.

Each of your medications may be affecting how the others work, leading to harmful side effects and complications.

Each additional medication you take increases the risk of drug interactions.
Image: SheilaFitzgerald/Thinkstock

Are you taking more than one drug? Are you taking a few different types of medications? Are you seeing several different doctors? If so, you may be at increased risk for drug interactions, which occur when a drug, a supplement, or even a food affects the way your body processes a medication. Such interactions can make a drug more powerful鈥攕o that a standard dose becomes an overdose鈥攐r can render it less potent or altogether ineffective.