Woman, she is a precious creature of God. She gives birth and grows up a family. Her health is somewhat important as she have to perform in many roles. She is a wife, mother and the controller of a complete home. So in every stages of her life she needs care because it has its own importance. Her health needs extra care when she is at her delicate teenage. Women’s growth is completed at the end of teenage. At this time she has to eat foods which should be sufficient for her growth. Otherwise it may affect their quick growth badly. Vitamins and proteins deficiency may cause several health problems like anemia, depression, tiredness etc. As the menstruation process starts during this stage, there is a chance to lose the blood more from body. In order to compensate the blood she has to eat proper food. During this age several health problems may occur. Very important problem is hygiene. If the proper hygiene is not maintained during menstruation it may cause other diseases in future. Mother should teach her to keep maximum hygiene. After the teenage, she is entering into a world of a life where she got a responsibility to take care of her husband’s health also. But she should be aware about her health to perform her duties well. Here also hygiene is maintained. She should keep hygiene in sexual life otherwise it may affect her pregnancy. After being a mother her responsibilities are increased. At that time she may forget about her health as she engaged completely by her child and husband. But the duty is now goes to husband. He should take care of her. She must • Do exercise to prevent the over fat in body • Monthly check up to examine blood pressure, cholesterol etc • Don't give up beauty care completely • maintain a healthy diet and routine When she enters her 40 years, there are some health problems. After 40, monthly check- up is must. Menstruation process is gradually stopped .As a result there are chances for hormone problems. The bones become weaker hence chance to break easily. She should eat sufficient food to keep balance of proteins and vitamins. To maintain her good health family support is must. All members, husband and children should help her. Then only she can be energetic and serve them well. If she is healthy all family is healthy. Author: Nayana Valsaraj (Kannur) … [Read more...]
Hormone Replacement Therapy-assumptions
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) raised some controversies in the recent days. Scientific community divided over the benefits of the HRT in women. HRT is usually given to women after menopause when symptoms of menopause appear. Clinical symptoms of menopause: These symptoms will appear due to estrogen deficiency. They are hot flushes, vaginal dryness and bone loss. These can be prevented by Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Past assumptions: Image Courtey: American Academy of Physicians. 1. HRT decreases heart disease risk while increases breast cancer risk. In 1990, American heart Association recommended HRT to older women to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease. But in 2002, a clinical trial conducted by National Institute of Health revealed that HRT increases risk for both Breast cancer and heart diseases. After this trial, doctors are prescribing HRT only for short duration whenever required. Doctors are now giving symptomatic treatment for estrogen deficiency symptoms. But according to a study published in New England Journal of Medicine, HRT protects women from heart disease if they took it during menopause from onset onwards but not later. According to a new research report by UT Southwestern Medical Centre, a by-product (27-hydroxycholesterol) of cholesterol metabolism interferes with the beneficial effects of estrogen on cardiovascular system by binding to the same receptor. These results were published in the October issue of Nature Medicine. There are still no concrete answers available on the effects of Hormone replacement Therapy in post menopausal women. More research should be done before coming to conclusion. Debate may goes on. … [Read more...]
Breast Cancer awareness – Myths and Facts
People have many myths about breast cancer. People think that breast cancer means death as there is no cure for it. Truth is majority of breast cancer cases are curable if diagnosed early. Following facts are applicable to most cancers. Myth 1: If parents have cancer, children also get it. Fact: It is not 100% hereditary. But, some cancers like breast cancer and Large intestine cancer genetically occur to the children (to some extent). – If mother gets breast cancer at the age og 60 years, the chances of occurring cancer in the children is very less. - If mother gets the breast cancer at the age of 30 years, the chances of children getting cancer is some what more. They should undergo regular checkups from the age of 30 onwards. Myth 2: Breast cancer occurs only in females. Truth: It is incorrect. Males also may get breast cancer, but rarely (1 in 10 lac males). Breast mass is less in males. In females, Mammography helps in identifying breast cancer at an early stage. If there is a hard mass – consult the doctor immediately. Myth 3: All tumors are cancerous. Truth: It is wrong statement. Fibro adenomas are benign tumors (not cancerous). If they are removed by operation, it is enough. But, if you noticed any tumor in the body, consult the doctor for correct diagnosis. Don’t neglect even unhealed skin sore. Any chronic swelling suddenly enlarged in size, contact your doctor immediately. Myth 4: As there is no cure for cancer, why should we take treatment? Fact: It is wrong. Though, some terminal cancers are not curable, most cases of cancer are curable with early diagnosis. Even in terminal cases, life scan can be prolonged. - If prostate cancer is diagnosed early, it is completely curable.- Cervical cancer is also curable. - Most of skin cancers are curable by surgery. Myth 5:Treatment of cancer is more painful rather than cancer itself Fact: It may be true in olden days. But, in today’s advanced cancer treatment scenario, it is completely a myth. With the help of Lasers, the cancers in neck, throat can be removed within minutes without pain. There are also so many advances in radiation therapy also. With the help of advanced radiation techniques, only cancerous cells can be removed. Though, chemotherapy causes loss of hair and vomiting. But, it is a temporary phenomenon. Latest drugs for cancer have minimized most of the side effects. Myth 6: Cancer may spread if knife is used. Truth: It is a wrong statement. With the latest knowledge on cancer spread, doctors take care of recurrences and precautions. Myth 7: Are we helpless in preventing cancer? Cancer Fact: With proper disciplined daily life, we can prevent many cancers. - Avoid taking excess of fatty foods. - Obesity - Take fiber rich diet. - Daily exercise - No smoking and drinking - Keeping genital organs clean. There is a greater need to increase the awareness of cancer in people who have so many wrong myths on cancer. … [Read more...]
