Dr. Lori Gore-Green | Women's Health Professional

Dr. Lori Gore-Green's Portfolio of Experience as a Women's Health Professional

Medical Screenings & Tests Save the Lives of Women

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Dr. Lori Gore-GreenWomen benefit from routine medical screenings, which are necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Women, as well as men, encounter gender-specific testing that acts as a tactical preventative step for ensuring they’re in tune with their personal health. There are a number of important tests and screenings women should submit themselves to, so that they stay abreast of diseases or conditions that threaten their long-term health, such as exams that screen for breast, lung, cervical, skin, colon, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.

Cervical Cancer: Health care professionals ask that women receive pelvic examinations as early as 21-year-old, or earlier if a woman is sexually active. Pap smear testing is instrumental for discovering if cancerous cells are present on and/or around the cervix, which could suggest cervical cancer. The general consensus is that women age 30 and older should receive pap smears every three years if they had no abnormal tests in the past. However, women who have abnormalities should chat with their gynecologist with regards to how frequently they should be tested for cervical testing.

Breast Cancer: Woman and men alike can develop breast cancer, but women face a greater risk of falling victim to cancer that develops from breast tissue. Approximately one-in-eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in her lifetime, according to BreastCancer.org. The sooner a woman learns she has breast cancer, the more likely she is to survive. Breast cancer that’s discovered early on is more likely to be caught, and less likely to spread to the lymph nodes. Industry professionals recommend that women self-examine, but they should also receive mammograms. Women should develop an individualized plan with their doctors regarding a mammogram screening schedule.

Skin Cancer: There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell cancer, squamous cell skin carcinoma, and melanoma, with the most serious being melanoma. These deadly forms of cancer have increased in incidence among young women. Screenings can help to identify melanoma and nonmelanoma cancer early on. Dermatologists and other healthcare professionals should be able to diagnose melanoma.

Osteoporosis: Bone density tests are administered to screen for the weakening of bones, which leads to fragility. This is also known as osteoporosis, a condition that’s frequently discovered after a fracture. Women face the additional risk of osteoporosis, particularly those going through menopause. Estrogen declines during menopause can lead to bone loss. Screening for changes through bone mineral density tests and embracing healthy living habits can help to identify issues early on. Women should begin receiving bone density tests ahead of their 65th birthday.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women get screened for a number of conditions in the interest of disease prevention, including colorectal cancer, cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes.

Bright, Fun Ideas for Maintaining a Healthy Weight in the New Year

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Dr. Lori Gore-GreenThe deliciously creamy desserts and savory dishes consumed during the holiday season stay with us well after the moment it touched our lips. Unfortunately, this influx of sugary, fatty, and/or salty items translate to weight gained. The good news? There are a number of fun and simple ways to shed those new pounds, which should encourage you to maintain a healthy weight in the new year and years to come!

Brighten Up Your Diet

Perhaps you’re feeling sluggish and underfed after devouring a salty or sweet snack? It’s not a secret that processed and packaged foods are filled with empty calories and other things you don’t necessarily want in your body. Instead, try leafy greens and other fresh foods. Access to organic food may or may not available depending on your location or your economic situation, but most individuals should live in fair proximity to a market, facilitating the purchase of brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, grapefruit, pears, sweet potatoes, passion fruit, papaya, grapefruit and dates. There are plenty of delicious choices!

Zumba and Hula Hoops

Zumba is a fun, Latin-inspired aerobic workout that’s gained popularity over the last decade. It incorporates elements of hip hop, soca, reggaeton, flamenco, mambo and so much more. Many swear by it, but others enjoy other activities, such as yoga, hula hoop sessions, skating, frisbee, kickboxing, badminton, swimming and trekking. These exciting activities can be adjusted to different limitations or skill levels, and they burn hundreds of calories.

 Buddy Up!

For every individual experiencing difficulty losing weight, there are countless others struggling with the same issue. Why not work together to lose weight. Finding a partner who wants to weight loss as much as you do isn’t just fun, it brings accountability into the equation. Collaborative 2-hour treks through the park and partnered trips to the gym sound much more exciting than going it alone. It’s particularly rewarding when you push one another to go a little farther each time.

Become Julia Child

The American-born French chef didn’t just cook, she loved food. The 6-foot tall aficionado loved the smell of food, the taste of food and preparing quality food. 

If you truly fall in love with food and the preparation of food, you’ll come to create food that truly speaks to your palate, not just your unhealthy cravings. Also, preparing food at home will help you avoid the numerous additives added to restaurant food. When preparing food at home, you’ll know the name of each ingredient going into your dish. Also, you know how much salt and seasoning is added to it.

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Know that weight loss isn’t instantaneous, it’s a journey. It’s a gradual process. Improving your diet, exercising and eating healthy items regularly will nourish your body, and it will provide you the energy needed to take on the day.

Dr. Lori Gore-Green Selected for Prestigious Doctor of the Day Program

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Dr. Lori Gore-GreenThe Oklahoma Osteopathic Association or OOA sponsored the Doctor of the Day Program throughout the month of March at the Oklahoma State Capitol. This year, marks 41 years of commending outstanding osteopathic physicians at the State Capitol’s First Aid Station during the legislative session. The Doctor of the Day Program gives Osteopathic Physicians an opportunity to bring Osteopathic Medicine to the policy makers, as well as see their House and Senate members at work. During the Doctor of the Day program, physicians provide the crucial service of providing healthcare to various members of the legislature, as well as to legislative employees. The nominated physician will be available at the State Capitol Building from 9a.m. to 4p.m., but will also make time to advocate for important issues to physicians. Physicians are supported by a nurse, as well as a medical student from the OSU Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Oklahoma D.O.s have made this program a success!

On March 18, 2015, Dr. Lori Gore-Green, DO had the pleasure of serving as a 2015 Doctor of the Day and meeting with various House and Senate members, including Senator Mike Mazzei and Representative Pam Peterson.

The mission of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association or OOA is to advocate for the osteopathic profession and to promote the health and well-being of all Oklahomans. This medical association was founded in 1900 and acted as an affiliate of the American Osteopathic Association.

Since its initially founding at the turn of the century, the OOA continues to popularize the stated causes, and objectives of the osteopathic profession as a whole throughout Oklahoma.This state organization is composed of physicians who practice osteopathic medicine. The OOA, as a collective, believes that the individual is best served with the focused support of an Association. Nearly all of Oklahoma’s medical professionals who specialize in Osteopathic medicine are also members of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association.

 

Endometriosis : Is Your Pregnancy at Risk?

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Dr. Lori Gore-GreenFindings of a recently released study of 15,000 women suggest that women with endometriosis had a greater chance  of suffering from serious complications throughout the duration of their pregnancy as compared to women without the condition. These complications also increased the chance of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and premature birth.

Endometriosis is a medical condition wherein the uterine lining or the “endometrium” grows in other places like the fallopian tubes, ovaries, vagina or pelvis. Over time, this lining builds up and can cause cysts, heavy periods, severe cramping and possibly infertility. Approximately 5 million women in the US alone have this condition, though the true number is unknown, as it may go undetected.

However, there are certain symptoms that some patients with the condition tend to share.

Pain, both acute and chronic tend to be a marker of endometriosis, for some. Painful menstrual cramps that worsen over time are a commonly shared symptom of the affliction as is chronic pain of the lower back and pelvis.Pain during or after sexual intercourse that is often described as a “deep pain”  is often a common symptom of endometriosis. Intestinal pain can be a symptom, as can painful bowel movements. Stomach and digestive problems resulting in diarrhea, constipation, bloating and/or nausea – particularly during menstrual periods can be a symptom of the condition. Painful urination – particularly during menstrual periods is another symptom of endometriosis. In rare cases, blood found in stool or urine can indicate the condition. Bleeding and spotting in-between periods can also be a symptom, as can infertility. If you are someone you know suffers from any of these symptoms, see a doctor as it may be a symptom of another endometriosis or another condition.

The findings of the recently published longitudinal study on endometriosis, though important, are not wholly surprising  as endometriosis is associated with both structural and functional changes in the endometrium and the uterus. Researchers discovered that this condition increased the odds of a miscarriage by 76 percent, the risk of premature birth by 26 percent and the incidence of needing a caesarean section by 40 percent. The chances of sustaining an ectopic pregnancy (this is where the fetus develops outside of the womb) nearly tripled.
This study was based in Scotland and a longitudinal study conducted from 1981 to 2010 with a mix of women who had and did not have endometriosis. Although infertility is a known side effect of endometriosis, this newly collected data will hopefully return the focus to antenatal care particularly for pregnant patients with endometriosis.

The Most Alarming Health Trends for Women

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Dr. Lori Gore-GreenThe Institute for Women’s Policy Research culled data from the last twenty years showing certain trends (or health hazards) of which women should make themselves aware. Knowledge is power, and it is certainly the strongest arm in the battle against harmful risks to health.

As always, women should learn about the dangers, statistics, methods of protection against sexually transmitted infections. Women (and men, for that matter) are increasingly infected with diseases like Chlamydia with numbers rising 40% incidence over the last ten years. Today, it is estimated that more than one million people are infected. At least one half of women (and upward of three-fourths) infected show few to no symptoms, increasing the risk of transmission to sexual partners and children through childbirth. As is the case with many diseases, Chlamydia left untreated may result in greater problems of infertility and pelvic and cervical infections. Fortunately, Chlamydia and similar infections can be treated early with a course of antibiotics.

Women will also benefit from asking themselves how they feel, and if they are satisfied with their lives. Recently general feelings of well-being and happiness come back low, and suicide in on the rise. Women are slowly feeling more stressed and anxious leading to severe, untreated cases of depression. Many symptoms are ignored as insignificant, and may even go unnoticed as part and parcel of life’s experience. Whether stresses are attributed to personal hardships or universal complaints (such as a declining economy, and weaker job prospects) women should take their mental health and bodily cues more seriously. (Caucasian women, specifically, showed a greater-than-average tendency to commit suicide after prolonged periods of sadness and anxiety.)

As is a trend on the national scale, fewer and fewer women report daily exercise routines, as more face problems of physical health such as obesity and diabetes. Less than half of the country actively participates in some form of regular exercise—running, swimming, yoga. The Institute’s report showed six out of every ten women are overweight, with one in ten already suffering from diabetes. Being overweight puts women at a greater risk of a number of health problems including heart disease and stroke. (Black and Native American women showed the highest incidence for diabetes.)

Good health is crucial to a sense of well-being and fulfilment. Precautions against health risks must not wait until after negative effects begin to show. Just as a contagion can spread from one woman to another, good health and well-being are communicable too.