Women's Health Archives - Page 3 of 11

January 4, 2019 By Dr. Viral Thakkar Leave a Comment

Safe Pregnancy

safe pregnancy

It is said that a child gives birth to a mother.

Bringing a new life in this world is a huge responsibility. The woman bears’ the responsibility of creating the new generation. It is sad to see that something so essential and pertinent is taken lightly today. And no wonder, that the instances of risk pregnancy have steadily risen.

You are at risk if you-

Have a history of chronic hypertension, diabetes, heart disorders, breathing problems, Hypothyroid
Your age is above 35 years
Smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or consume drugs- before and during pregnancy
Malnutrition like anaemia
Mental health issues like stressful life and depression
Had complications like abnormal placenta position, fetal growth fetal growth restriction and Rh (rhesus) sensitization — a potentially serious condition that can occur when your blood group is Rh negative and your baby’s blood group is Rh positive.
Have a history of surgery on your uterus, including multiple C-sections, multiple abdominal surgeries or surgery for uterine tumours (fibroids)
Pregnancy risks are higher for women carrying twins or higher order multiples.

What can you do?

To ensure a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby’s health, ensure you prepare your body. Be sure that you and your partner both want a child. The mental state of a mother plays a very important role in the health of the baby and mother too, and hence the partner also should be equally involved. Nowadays we see a lot of couple marking as ‘WE’ are Pregnant as it is very important that both are involved together. Sit in a quiet place, contemplate and decide.

Eat right! Food rich in folic acid, protein, calcium and iron goes a long way to ensure a healthy pregnancy. If you love smoking and drinking, please adopt a baby! Spare the new life!

safe pregnancy 1

Get your body to move and groove! Exercise! Yoga and pranayama ensure holistic health and pregnancy is a part of it. However, if you are pregnant, consult your healthcare provider for appropriate yoga poses or any exercise.

Pregnancy or not, happy thoughts ensure good health. While you are eating right and exercising, include some smiles- you are in the process to get life into this world! Meditate for this and keep stress at bay!

A Specialised Tests which you want to know about!

Lab tests might be conducted for urinary tract infections and screen you for infectious diseases such as HIV, syphilis, etc.
Specialized or targeted ultrasound targets a suspected problem, such as abnormal development.
Amniocentesis can identify certain genetic conditions, as well as neural tube defects — serious abnormalities of the brain or spinal cord.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can identify certain genetic conditions.
Also known as percutaneous umbilical blood sampling, can identify certain genetic disorders, blood conditions and infections.
Ultrasound for cervical length might use an ultrasound to measure the length of your cervix at prenatal appointments to determine if you’re at risk of preterm labour.
A biophysical profile is used to check on a baby’s well-being. It might involve only an ultrasound to evaluate fetal well-being or, depending on the results of the ultrasound, also fetal heart rate monitoring (non-stress test).

Some prenatal diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling carry a small risk of pregnancy loss. The decision to pursue prenatal testing is up to you and your partner. Discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.

Rush to the hospital if you have

Severe headaches
Vaginal bleeding
Pain or cramping in the lower abdomen
Watery vaginal discharge — in a gush or a trickle
Regular or frequent contractions — a tightening sensation in the abdomen
Decreased fetal activity
Pain or burning with urination
Changes in vision, including blurred vision

If you have any condition different from the norm, it is best to speak with your healthcare provider. Discuss nutrition, healthy weight or any ailment you might have. Your health care provider might also discuss your risk of having a baby with a genetic condition. If you are pregnant, do not take any medicine without the advice of your health care provider- allopathy, homoeopathy, ayurvedic or any pathy!

October 4, 2018 By Dr Manali Rao 4 Comments

The 3 S of Breast Cancer: Signs, Symptoms and Self Examination

CANCER!!! The very word is feared and dreaded by everyone around the globe. Most people suffering this illness feel it’s a death sentence that cannot be reversed. But, seriously it is not the end of the road. There are ways to overcome this illness.

But, before trying to understand how to overcome, it is important to understand what Cancer is? Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth which may or may not spread to other parts of the body. All forms are not cancerous as it is only the malignant ones that spread to various parts of the body and not the benign ones.

One of the most common invasive cancers prevailing around the world today is ‘BREAST CANCER’. More commonly seen in developed countries but, the outcome generally is better-developed countries than in developing countries.

Who would you say is at Risk for development of breast cancer?

More often seen in Females compared to males (yes males can also develop breast cancer although the occurrence is rare).
-Obesity
-Lack of exercise
-Sedentary lifestyle
-Hormone replacement therapy
-Early menarche
-Late pregnancy
-Nulliparous women
-Family history
-Alcohol consumption
-Smoking

Let me now take you through the 3S of Breast Cancer- Signs Symptoms and Self Examination

Look out for these Signs and Symptoms:

-Almost every time the first symptom noticed is a lump in the breast that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue.
-Dimpling or puckering of the nipple.
-Change in position or shape of the nipple may become inverted.
-Orangish discolouration of the skin around the breast or the skin appears like orange peel, called peau de orange.
-Discharge from the nipple.
-Size of one breast may vary from the other.
-Constant pain in the breast area or armpits.
-Swelling in the armpits or around the collarbone.
-Redness / itching / discoloration / increased sensitivity / burning

Please beware that you might not have any symptoms till very late which brings about the need for regular check-ups.

How to self-examine?

The best way to be aware of breast cancer is by self-detection.

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Look out for:
– Their size, shape, and colour.
– Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin
– A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
– Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you’re standing in front of the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts.

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step4.

Indian Breast Cancer Support Groups:

Support groups play a very important role in helping a patient fight cancer, as also give an opportunity to learn from others about the same. By seeing others who have faced the same disease, it gives the patient strength to face and fight her own battle. The most important thing for these patients is hope. If they have hope, they have everything.

July 6, 2018 By GOQii 1 Comment

Fitness for women over 40

Turning 40 is the new 20s. But, remember your body is not what it used to be in its 20s. At 40 and over, women’s bodies go through several challenges. The older you grow the more the challenges. Which is even more reason to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need through a healthy diet.

Now, despite all the exercise and fitness regime and being careful with your diet, you find that your waistline is expanding and don’t know what to do. Let me tell there is no magic formula, but certainly, I can say there is hope.

Did you know? When a woman is her 30s, the body’s metabolism (the rate that helps you burn calories) begins to slow down. In turn, means that she turns 40, she needs about 6 per cent fewer calories than when she was younger. This leaves little less room for that extra piece of pie those oily and carbohydrates filled French fries.

Most women fret over the fact that they are unable to maintain their beauty and body after their first pregnancy. This is because most turn to be careless towards their health, diet and medication. During pregnancy women generally face problems like the weakness of bones because of the deficiency of calcium, lower back pain due to lack of strength of lower back muscles same applies for knee pain as well.

Well, it’s not too late…. You can be in your 40s and still be fit and feel good about yourself. Good food choices and exercise in your 40s and 50s can have a significant effect on your health and quality of life in your 60s, 70s and 80s. It’s never too late to start.

In my neighbourhood, I had a woman who was in her early 40s and she was detected with diabetes and blood pressure. Further due to weak knees she wasn’t able to do any kind of physical workout and that led her to become very lethargic and inactive. She knew I was in the fitness industry and a personal trainer and so approached me for some tips on how she can be fit at her age.

Her is what I suggested to her ….

Exercise– When you are over 40 and if you haven’t been fitness training then lifting any kind of weights or doing cardio in the gym might become strenuous ….so here’s a solution …

* WALKING-is better than any exercise…it helps to maintain and build your lost muscles as we age and also increases metabolism in the body. WALKING & EXERCISE also helps us to keep our heart more healthy and prevent illness.

*YOGA– Yoga is good for adults of all ages. Studies have shown that yoga can be extremely helpful when it comes to combating stress, fatigue and pain. Some yoga poses increase core strength and balance, which reduces the risk of fall-related injuries. Other poses can alleviate senior women-related health issues such as menopause. Above all, yoga is a form of exercise that can help senior women feel better and younger. Here are some of the yoga asanas which can help

(1) Pranayama: Yoga Sutra cites Pranayama as a means to accomplishing higher status of awareness. The holding of breath is an important practice of reaching ultimate salvation or Samadhi. “Prana” is Breath or vital energy in the body. On subtle levels, prana represents the pranic energy responsible for life or life force, and “ayama” means control. Pranayama means the holding up of the process of exhaling and inhaling.

(2) Surya Namaskara: Surya Namaskara has its origins in Hindu worship of the solar deity. It is a completely safe set of yoga poses that will not cause strain or injury. Surya Namaskar provides all of the key health benefits of yoga in a very concise package. This holistic exercise provides not only physical health benefits but also mental or emotional as well as spiritual benefits. The apparent gain of Surya Namaskar is the workout it provides for the muscles, but it also benefits joints, ligaments and the skeletal system by improving posture, flexibility and balance.

(3) Yoga Mudra: Yoga mudra in an entwined contemplative posture and cures constipation; exercises the intestines and has beneficial effects for asthmatics. It is a perfect asana for women who want to hang on to their beauty and youthfulness. It activates and exercises the lungs, cures loss of appetite, ulcer, indigestion and constipation. It also makes spine, waist, veins and muscles flexible, cures diabetes and reduces obesity

Spice it up. As you grow older, your taste buds decrease, causing many people to eat more bitter and sweet foods. Adding, natural herbs and spices to meals can keep the food healthy and appealing without adding more fat, salt and/or sugar.

Fruits and veggies. Eat two cups of fruit like oranges, apple and watermelon and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables with variety each day. One serving can be a cup of frozen or fresh fruit or half a cup of dried fruit. If you have difficulty chewing raw fruits and vegetables, consider adding soups, vegetable juice, tomato sauce, stir fry or a cup of fresh, fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Stay hydrated. Ageing diminishes thirst perception. Drink fluids throughout the day. Water is probably the best calorie-free beverage and best for a flawless skin, but don’t go for soda’s and those carbohydrate drinks can be harmful to your blood sugar level.

Women in their 40s and above should never feel old but, feel good about themselves. You can feel energized and fit by doing these simple exercises. You follow this regime you will achieve your goal. All you need some willpower and dedication to follow a routine.

June 30, 2018 By Payal Choudhury 23 Comments

Healthy eating tips for women at 40

“Lordy, lordy, look who’s forty!” The big 40—it’s a milestone for sure, signalling a time of transition from young adulthood to middle-age.

This is an important decade for preventing lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and many cancers later in life. So, if you’ve been making healthy lifestyle choices, keep it up in your 40s, and if you haven’t, now’s the time to start!

Healthy habits like eating right, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, not smoking, and can help reduce your risk for a number of chronic medical conditions.

Age 40 is a milestone when the risk of many health conditions increases. This makes the 40^th birthday a perfect time for taking stock of your health. Today, Forty is considered the new twenty. So if you want to feel young and healthy now is a good time to take stock of the situation. Though there might be other things out there more important, do take a deep breath and feel good and healthy.

Adopting a healthy eating plan now is the best disease preventative measure that can be taken. There are foods which have to be avoided, foods to be included, in varying proportions, and hence making changes slowly but gradually.

Good nutrition starts with the basics: a well-rounded diet consisting of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and lean sources of protein. These kinds of foods provide women with plenty of energy, the means for lifelong weight control, and the key ingredients for looking and feeling great at any age. Our diet has a major effect on our food cravings, stress levels and energy throughout the day.

Applying some simple rules will assist our body to maintain hormonal balance and promote our long-term well-being.

Focus on whole, plant-based foods. Fill most of the plate with fruits and leafy green vegetables. Also include a variety of whole grains, beans, and other legumes to give a filling fibre.

Bone up on calcium. Women are at a greater risk than men of developing osteoporosis, so it’s important to get plenty of calcium to support your bone health. While dairy products are high in calcium, their animal fat and protein can accelerate bone loss. So also consider plant-based sources of calcium like beans, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and collard greens.

Make sure you get enough iron. Many women don’t get enough iron in their diet. On top of that, women lose a lot of this important mineral during menstruation. Boost your intake by eating iron-rich foods such as lean red meat, dark poultry, lentils, spinach, almonds, and iron-fortified cereals.

Cut back on alcohol and caffeine. Women who have more than two alcoholic drinks a day are at higher risk of osteoporosis. Caffeine consumption interferes with hormone levels and also increases the loss of calcium. Try to limit alcohol consumption to one glass once in a while and caffeine to one cup a day.

Eat the right type of protein. Protein is an essential part of any healthy diet. Protein at this point in your life is going to help you maximize your current metabolic rate and also really help to prevent the lean muscle mass loss. Eating too much animal protein can cause calcium loss and lead to a decrease in bone density and osteoporosis. Instead of red meat and processed meat, such as hot dogs, bacon, and salami, opt for fish, skinless chicken and turkey, low-fat dairy, and plant-based protein sources, such as beans, nuts, seeds, peas, tofu.

Some of the healthy tips to be focussed on:

Avoid

-Readymade meals and microwaving your food in plastics and cling film.

-Genetically modified foods

-Sugar as much as possible

-Food additives such as MSG (monosodium glutamate or better known as Ajinomoto), Fructose, Glucose-Fructose-Syrup, Corn Syrup, Aspartame, Colourings, and E numbers.

-Cut down on sodium

-Eating any food that is burnt

-Carbonated beverages, especially ‘diet’ varieties

-Margarine and other ‘fake’ butter

All foods labelled ‘diet’ or ‘low calorie’ or ‘fat-free

Highly processed foods

Refined grains (white).

Options that can be included in the meal platter:

Eat plenty of raw organic fruit and vegetables

Eat complex carbohydrates

Eat Essential Fats – oily fish, nuts, & seeds (avoid nuts in cases of acne and allergies)

Include healthy fats such as coconut oil, olive oil and butter

Increase your fibre intake

Drink sufficient clean water every day

Eat good, clean sources of proteins.

Eat vegetarian at least once each day

Wash all fruits & vegetables thoroughly before eating.

Feed your body high-quality fuel, monitor its intake and routinely push your engine’s limits to keep it running smoothly. Remember, you are the captain of your plane. Just reach out and take the controls.