WILMINGTON, Del., March 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- New tips and talking points women can use to help guide conversations they have with their doctor are now available on the website of the national health education movement, Embracing Women's Health: http://www.embracingwomenshealth.com/learn/. The guide -- "Talking to Your Doctor 101" -- can help women get the most from doctor visits and was developed by members of the LLuminari(r) network of health experts and physicians including Marianne J. Legato, MD, FACP, founder and director of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University.
"Women can be better equipped to ask about warning signs, symptoms and treatment issues that are different for women than for men," said Dr. Legato. "Understanding how and why some diseases can develop differently in women is an important step toward helping your physician provide you with the best, most effective care possible."
Dr. Legato says the differences in how women and men experience diseases underscore why women should consider asking gender-sensitive questions as part of their doctor office visit.
"For example, research shows that doctors may at times attribute women's symptoms to emotional disturbance or hysteria, particularly if they concern chest pain, palpitations or shortness of breath," Dr. Legato said. "Being aware of gender differences can help women ask better questions during a doctor visit and get answers specific to managing disease and medication in women."
"Talking to Your Doctor 101" tips at www.embracingwomenshealth.com
"Talking to Your Doctor 101" provides an overview of therapeutic areas where gender-differences are particularly important subjects to discuss with physicians. Areas presented include depression, respiratory disease, a woman's gastrointestinal tract, eating disorders, heart disease and also why some medicines taken orally are absorbed differently in women.
"Many prescription drugs affect men and women differently," Dr. Legato said. "Women should ask their doctors whether the drugs they are taking have specific side effects for men and women."
The new guide also points out that some tests are more accurate for men than for women. For example, the guide notes that a simple treadmill stress test to rule out coronary artery disease is sensitive for men, but a stress echocardiogram is preferred for women. Dr. Legato said this test combines a treadmill test with cardiac imaging by ultrasound so that a picture of heart function at rest and at peak exercise can be checked for telltale signs of coronary artery disease.
"When we hear a friend, loved one, associate or our doctor say 'talk to me,' we know that's a signal for meaningful sharing and discussion," said Elizabeth Browning, CEO, LLuminari. The "Talking To Your Doctor 101" guide is a new tool that provides women with the background they need to feel more comfortable in establishing an effective dialogue with their physicians."
LLuminari: A History of Commitment to Women's Health
The recent introduction of www.embracingwomenshealth.com is the latest milestone in the ongoing LLuminari mission to address gender-based health issues. The web site provides women's health information from Dr. Legato, and from other members of the LLuminari network of health experts and physicians, in an easy-to-understand format. The information highlights gender-based issues women should be aware of as they manage their health and discuss concerns with their doctors.
LLuminari (Loo-min-R-ee), based in Wilmington, Delaware, is a health education company comprised of nationally known physicians and health experts committed to women's health, both in the workplace and at home. Named to evoke the idea of illumination, LLuminari physicians and health experts translate complex medical information into powerful and comprehensive formats and points of view that people understand and can act upon to improve personal and family health.
More information about LLuminari and Embracing Women's Health is available at www.LLuminari.com and http://www.embracingwomenshealth.com. Support for Embracing Women's Health provided by GlaxoSmithKline.
Editor Note: Embracing Women's Health Press Center at web site -- www.embracingwomenshealth.com -- for news, facts, background and downloadable images.
The LLuminari logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1422