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BE – AWARE: CERVICAL CANCER

503-the-cervical-cancer-isn-t-just-a-young-woman-s-disease

Recently, I received a call from a friend whose aunt complained of post-menopausal bleeding. My first thought was could it be ‘cervical cancer’ but, I did not voice my concern, instead asked her to take her aunt for a PAP SMEAR Test.

Unfortunately, the results indeed matched my concern. She was diagnosed to have Cervical cancer. This was not the first time that I had come across a case of Cervical Cancer as the numbers have been on the rise for the last decade.

According to a study titled Epidemiology of cervical cancer with special focus on India, every year in India 1,22,844 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 67,477 die from the disease. India has a population of 432.2 million women aged 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cancer. It is the 2nd most common cancer in women aged 15–44 years.

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4404964)

As per world statistics, India’s contribution to cervical cancer cases is 25.4%.  Majority of the Indian women diagnosed with cervical cancer have never been screened for the disease and around 70% of these cases present in advance stages due to absence of any organized cervical cancer screening program. The most important risk factor for development of cervical cancer is persistent infection by a high-risk subset of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Cervical cancer being the third most common cancer in the world, very little is known about it among the masses.

What is cervical cancer? 

Cervical cancer is a disease that develops very slowly and begins with the precancerous condition known as dysplasia. Dysplasia is easily detected in a routine pap smear and is treatable.

High risk
1)Sexual history- has had multiple sexual partners OR established sexual relations before the age of 18 OR has a partner who has had sexual contact with a woman with HPV infection.
2) Smoking
3) Weakened Immunity
4) Giving birth at very young age
5) Long-term use of contraceptive pills
6) Family history

You need to look out for these signs

1) Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods.
2) Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or pelvic exam.
3) Menstrual periods that lasts longer and are heavier than before.
4) Bleeding after completingMenopause.
5) Increased vaginal discharge.
6) Pelvic pain

If you have noticed any of these symptoms, kindly consult your Doctor at the earliest.

Prevention:

As we know Prevention is better than Cure especially for any cancer, creating awareness becomes the first step towards that milestone.

Lifestyle plays an important role in the prevention of cervical cancer. Foods that are rich in Flavonoids (apples, black beans, broccoli, cabbage, garlic, onion, soy, and spinach), Folate (Avocados, strawberries, oranges, lentils) and Carotenoids (Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin) are seen to reduce the chances of cervical cancer.

Other than diet make sure you follow the below habits to keep Cervical cancer at bay;

  1. Regular Screening (PAP SMEAR) post the age of 30
  2. HPV vaccine (most effective when administered before start of sexual intercourse)
  3. Practising Safe sex
  4. Avoid Multiple sexual partners
  5. Delaying first sexual intercourse
  6. NoSmoking

There is an HPV Vaccination that is certified by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). 2 doses of either of the two HPV vaccines for adolescent/pre-adolescent girls aged 9-14 years is recommended. However, this vaccination is optional. One should consult a Gynaecologist to know more about the vaccine and how it helps.

It is always better to be safe than sorry and as we have now seen. Being safe is the best way to prevent Cervical cancer.

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OSTEOPOROSIS

osteoporosis

How often have you come across your parents, grandparents or an elderly relative who has had a minor fall in the bathroom, slipped on the floor or had a terrible jerk while travelling on a bumpy road and sustained fractures of bones with a lot of pain, suffering and disability.

It has been noticed that the culprit for such incidents is OSTEOPOROSIS.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common disabilities encountered in the elderly. It literally means POROUS BONE. The condition results in reduced density and increased fragility of bones resulting in higher risk of fracture with minor falls, cough, sneeze, or minor bumps.

osteo1

The condition is observed worldwide. There are more than 10 million cases per year in India. In the USA about 55% of its population aged 50 years and older have Osteoporosis. One third have disabilities and one third regain their pre-fracture status. The health costs from fractures are tremendous amounting to billions of dollars annually.

It is very important to learn about osteoporosis because it is a ‘SILENT DISEASE’ except occasional bone pains. You may not know that you have osteoporosis until your thin weakened bones fracture in a bump or fall. The more common sites are Hip, Spinal Vertebrae and Wrist.

Clinical studies suggest that approximately 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men aged 50 years and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Such people in this age group usually present with chronic vague backache, loss of height, or stooping (Kyphosis) and should consult doctor immediately.

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THE RISK FACTORS ARE,

  • Advanced age
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Early menopause
  • Short Stature
  • Lack of Exercise
  • Poor nutrition with lack of Calcium
  • Lack of Vitamin D
  • Chronic Cigarette Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
  • Medical Illnesses- like hyperthyroidism, surgical removal of ovaries, long term steroid therapy and rare inherited bone disorders like Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

SCREENING is advised for all elderly above 65 years of age and Men and Women less than 65 years of age who have increased risk of fracture or already suffered from fracture.

DIAGNOSIS – is by bone scan which measures-Bone Mineral Density (BMD). The test called DEXA (Dual Energy X ray Absorptimetry) gives indication of likelihood of fracture due to osteoporosis.

It is also used to monitor response to treatment.

Result.— T score a)   ( -1) and above ——- normal

  1. b)   (-1) to ( -2.5) ——- mild bone loss or osteopenia
  2. c)     ( -2.5) and below —- osteoporosis

Our aim should be to prevent bone less or slow down the occurrence of Osteoporosis and encourage healthy bone mineralization.

Following measures are recommended:

  1. Healthy Nutritional Diet – To be incorporated during childhood and adolescent period itself with adequate calcium and magnesium intake. Calcium intake should be 1000 to 1200 mg per day. Common calcium rich foods are dairy products, cheese, ragi, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, green beans, soy beans, okra, dates, egg, salt water fish and fruits like orange, figs.
  2. Vitamin D intake of 800 IU per day is a must. We encourage exposure to SunLight and supplementation as Vitamin D requirement cannot be fulfilled through nutrition alone.
  3. EXERCISE plays a major role. Weight bearing exercises like walking, playing golf, Dancing, Hiking, Racket sports like Tennis, Squash promote mineralization of bones and make them healthy. Muscle strengthening exercises like weight lifting benefit by increasing muscle strength and Non- Impact activities like YOGA help in balancing, posture, agility of joints and benefit people with osteoporosis by decreasing the risk of falls and fractures.

Studies have also reported an increase in BMD in the spine of those who do YOGA regularly. Exercise should be tailored to the individual person based on BMD report and medical condition in consultation with health care professional.

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osteo    

  1. Other Lifestyle Changes – Have a Positive Attitude towards Life, avoid the use of tobacco and Cigarette Smoking, moderate alcohol intake if any, and measures to avoid falls like having railings, avoid slippery floors, having a mat or carpet on the floor helps etc.

Medications—You may also require osteoporosis medications to either build or maintain bone density. People have been treated with medications like Bisphosphonates, Hormone Therapy in Women, Calcitonin, Parathyroid Hormone. Stem Cell Therapy is also being tried out in severe cases.

But, any of these modalities of treatment should be undertaken in consultation with your Doctor. The doctor is the only one who will be able to decide the right treatment for you weighing the benefits and risks of the therapy.

Cultivate healthy living and enjoy life!

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SHEDDING LIGHT ON DEPRESSION

depression

Last year, when the famous Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone opened the lid on her struggle with anxiety and depression and admitted to the world that she was on medication for the same, it became the talk of the town. Everyone started discussing mental health, there were articles in Newspapers, TV channels interviewing the actress and asking her to tell her story. Padukone became an example for many to come out and discuss their issue without fear. Why so? Because depression and mental illness isn’t usually talked about. There is shame and stigma attached to talking about depression. Today, on world health day, I would like to share some insights into depression and what needs to be done when in that situation.

My first experience in dealing with depression was when I was still in Medical school. My very close friend from medical school went through depression. It was then I realized that one needs a lot of empathy and patience to understand what someone is going through in depression. The extreme low mood during depression is such a bad feeling that no one chooses to be depressed by choice …it’s either circumstances or medical conditions that push an individual into depression.

My friend had slipped into depression due to a heart break. The impact was so huge that he withdrew himself from studies, friends and family. He slept longer than usual 8 hours, ate less and experienced terrible mood swings. He refused to talk to anyone and eventually turned suicidal. It is at this point that we had to rush him to the psychiatry department of our college hospital.

The psychiatrist talked to my friend privately for 15 minutes and then to his parents and me privately for another 10 minutes. Then, called us all in and sat us down and explained to us that my friend was suffering from an episode of major depression and medication was a must.

None of us were comfortable that he needed medication to recover from depression but, as counseled by the doctor, avoiding medicines wasn’t an option as he was feeling suicidal. Fifteen days later he started feeling better by 10% and the counselor started weekly sessions with him on the recommendation of the Psychiatrist to expedite recovery. Thankfully my friend recovered completely to his normal self in 6 months’ time and medicines and counseling were discontinued.

It is said that one in every four people suffer from anxiety and depression. According to WHO (World Health Organization) 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression in a year. By the year 2020, it will be the second most common disorder after heart disease. The chemical changes occurring in the brain during depression is a reduction in the level of Serotonin, dopamine and nor adrenaline – these are neurotransmitters (Chemicals which are produced by brain cells).

SOME COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION:

  1. Loss of interest / pleasure in activities which were previously enjoyable.
  2. Decreased energy.
  3. Feelings of guilt and low self – worth.
  4. Disturbed sleep and appetite.
  5. Poor concentration.
  7. Substantial impairment in the person’s ability to handle his/her daily responsibilities.
  8. At its worst it can make the person suicidal.

All symptoms are mild in the beginning and gradually increase in intensity over time.

RISK FACTORS:

  1. Genetics – If you have an immediate family member who has experienced major depression, there is a likelihood that you will also have an episode in your lifetime.
  2. Financial hardships and low education levels.
  3. Female Gender – depression is two to three times more likely in women as compared to men. Depression setting in after delivery of child occurs in some cases.
  4. Chronic illnesses like diabetes, tuberculosis, arthritis.
  5. Exposure to violence / Abuse especially in childhood.
  6. Being separated / divorced especially for men.

MANAGING DEPRESSION:

It is important to recognize depression and take it seriously. Going to a psychiatrist is a must

Mild cases can improve with counseling and psychological therapy (depending on the cause of depression, the person is taught coping mechanisms). Severe cases need anti-depressants along with psychological therapy. Self help is equally essential.

Some self help tips:

  1. Create a daily routine and try to stick to it.
  2. Exercise releases endorphins in the brain which give a feeling of happiness, hence daily exercise is a must to recover and prevent depression.
  3. Try to eat a healthy and balanced diet daily.
  4. Openly communicate with family members and loved ones about what you are experiencing to foster relationships and get support.
  5. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs as they worsen depression.
  6. Be patient with yourself. For someone with depression even the smallest tasks can seem impossible.

Depression is treatable and plenty of help is available to assist a person cope with it and get back to leading a normal and enjoyable life.

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Detoxification: Some do’s and don’ts for Detox Diet Day

Detox diet

Did you know….that As we breathe and live life, day- on today, we also accumulate toxins into our bodies?. That’s right…we are exposed to toxins on a fairly consistent basis. Some of these accumulate due to our diet and others are due to the environment around us. Of course, our lifestyle also adds to it—if you smoke or drink alcohol on a regular basis you tend to accumulate more toxins.

The good news is that your body has a means of processing and eliminating these toxins. Also, when you make healthy changes to your diet or lifestyle…you can help support or maybe even accelerate that process. When you make a healthy change in your diet or lifestyle, this is part of the reason that short-term detox diet plans have gained popularity.

If you should decide to embark on such a plan, it can be a powerful tool. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind. For example, toxins are released into the bloodstream and carried through the circulatory system before being eliminated from your body. This process may result in a headache, diarrhea, or constipation, or symptoms like lack of energy.

The benefits, though, are usually worth the discomfort. Detoxification is one way to cleanse and throw out the toxins out of our body. Interestingly, Linda Page (http://www.webmd.com/linda-page ) , ND, Ph.D., a Naturopathic doctor, lecturer and author of the book ‘Detoxification’ –defines detoxification of the body as “spring cleansing.”

“It’s a way to recharge, rejuvenate, and renew, says Page in her article in WebMD. “Anybody can benefit from a cleansing. The body is coming out of what might be called hibernation. It’s a way you can jump-start your body for a more active life, a healthier life.” “Our bodies naturally detoxify every day,” Page tells WebMD.

“Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver.”

There are some nutrition experts who are reluctant to recommend detox diets, so it’s important to be informed. Katerine Zeratsky, specialty editor for the nutrition and healthy eating guide, for example, argues that it may just be because detox diets get rid of a lot of processed foods – which has the effect of making us feel better. And either way, she advises getting the OK from your doctor – especially if you have chronic conditions.

If you decide to move forward, there are several ways to detoxify. There is a “water only” fast (which is pretty straightforward). Interestingly, there has been some evidence to suggest fasting in this way may even help trigger stem cell regeneration (Link: https://news.usc.edu/63669/fasting-triggers-stem-cell-regeneration-of-damaged-old- immune-system/), diet detoxification (adding in food) is another, gentler, strategy. But it’s a bit more involved.

 

One of the hardest things about detox or cleansing is really knowing what to do and what not to do. One can undergo a Detox day or ten-day detox. The duration and severity of symptoms depend on your lifestyle before making a change and how quickly you make it.

Here are few do’s and don’ts to go on a ‘Detox Diet Day’. The basic key is to think and feel positive and treat yourself with some foods every 2 hours. You would definitely feel lighter the next day. More specifically:

  1. You can go for a ‘detox day’ once in a week or once in a fortnight. Either way, you want to be sure you don’t go longer than 2 consecutive days.
  2. When you engage in a detox plan, you are limited to fruits, or homemade fruit/vegetable juices.
  3. You can have Sautéed/stir fried vegetables or green leafy vegetables in cooked form. You can have boiled vegetables as well.
  4. Minimize your cereals intake. If you want to have you can have one serving of fibrous cereals like broken wheat (Daliya in Hindi) or one millet flat bread (chapatti) in a day.
  5. No coffee. No caffeinated tea. You can have green tea if you wish, along with some herbal teas..
  6. No processed food, No sugar. You can have jaggery in small quantities
  7. Your meals should be vegetarian.
  8. You can make soup out of your favorite vegetables and season it with Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut oil. Better to use this oil in all your preparations like salads/soups/stir-frying
  9. You can have sprouts to feel full
  10. No milk allowed on a detox day

Make sure that before you go on a detox day, you check with you coach, nutritionist or a doctor about doing it. Once you get the go- ahead, then you can begin. Once you are successful in following all instructions and doing the right things, you will probably also notice that each time you do an effective detoxification, the next time is even easier as you have fewer toxins to process.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed…take heart. As a health coach, I am personally here to, personally help you get the best results from this valuable health tool.

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

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