At my annual physical, I walked into my doctor’s office ready for the full perimenopause workup — bone density, hormones, the whole thing. But my GP barely looked up from her iPad. After a few basic questions, like whether I brush my teeth or wear sunscreen, she told me that she needed to rush to her next appointment. Cue the eye roll.
I left that appointment feeling dismissed and pretty sure I needed a new doctor. To avoid a repeat experience, here's how I plan to ensure my next provider treats me like a person, not a time slot.
Come prepared. A recent Pew Research Center survey shows that half of people under 50 now get health info from podcasts or social media influencers. As a result, doctor's visits are more collaborative (and contentious). Here’s how to make sure the shift works in your favor.
The World Cup is the gift that keeps giving, and this week it taught the internet a new word: vascularity. After a certain England midfielder’s visibly veiny legs went viral, plenty of us suddenly took a second look at our own.
A quick refresher: Arteries carry blood out to your tissues, while veins carry it back to your heart, kinda like a two-lane highway. How visible veins are depends on a mix of genetics, skin tone, body composition, heat, and exercise. Age plays a role too — they can become easier to see as skin naturally thins and loses collagen over time. That said, there are a few things us mere mortals can do to keep our vascular system pumping as strongly as a pro soccer player’s.
For Your Sanity:
Admire what you’ve got. Super visible veins aren’t a problem on their own. (Bonus: They might make blood draws a little bit less annoying.) And there are a few reasons why highly active people tend to have ultraprominent ones (hey, Jude).
Support your vessel walls. Varicose veins develop when the vein walls and tiny one-way valves inside them weaken over time. Research shows that vitamin C helps your body make collagen, which supports blood vessels. So getting enough of it is one way to promote overall vascular health.
Fight the puff. Lower-leg swelling is common during pregnancy, long flights, desk marathons, or heavy exercise days. Compression socks or leggings, calf raises, walking breaks, and putting your feet up to redirect blood flow toward the heart can all help.
Treat what bugs you. Staying active can help lower your risk of spider veins and varicose veins, though some risk factors — like age, hormones, pregnancy, and genetics — are beyond your control. The good news: Dermatologists and vein specialists can often treat them with procedures such as sclerotherapy and laser therapy.
Know the red flags. Blood clots can be hard to spot — and dangerous to miss. Here's what doctors want you to know about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors.
the more you know
Are You Well Informed?
Your coworker calls you out for “desk shrimping.” She means:
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
Well fed
Yes, You Can Go to the Farmers Market
If news of the "explosive diarrhea outbreak" has you side-eyeing the produce aisle, take a breath. The foodborne parasite cyclospora has made headlines, but it doesn’t have to ruin your summer. Here are three ways to be smart about fresh fruits and veggies.
Know your suspects. These seven items in particular have been linked to cyclospora outbreaks before, and it's worth knowing what's on the list before you fill your cart.
Wash smarter, not harder. A quick rinse under the tap probably won't fully get rid of this parasite. But adopting these food-prep and storage habits prior to serving fresh produce may lessen your risk.
Here's another annoying thing for anyone who hit their "not a girl, not yet a woman" era at the turn of the millennium: We (likely) had chickenpox before the vaccine was widely available. And that leaves us in a tricky spot now, because the same virus that caused chickenpox never actually left — and it can reactivate later in life as shingles.
Shingles isn't just a rough rash. It can bring nerve pain that lingers for months. On the plus side, there's a highly effective vaccine. The catch, though, is that it's only recommended for adults 50 and up, or those in their late teens who meet certain immunocompromised criteria.
If you had chickenpox as a kid, ask your doctor about the shingles vaccine at your next visit. They can assess your risk factors and, in some cases, prescribe the shot off-label before you turn 50. If that happens, though, you'll likely pay out of pocket, since insurance coverage is often tied to the age recommendation — the list price runs about $235 a dose, and it's a two-dose series.
