“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.”
- Prince Gautam Siddhartha, Founder of Buddhism
It is a well-known fact that if you are a working woman, you are always doing the tightrope walking deftly as you balance your job and family life. Suffering from insomnia, headaches and nerve problems are common issues faced by many working women. In India a woman tends to look after everyone’s health and well-being except her own. Whether you are a workingwoman or a housewife, it is absolutely important to be healthy. Remember only if you are healthy will you be able to do justice to the well-being of your family.
Considering that International Women’s Day has just passed us by, we thought we should delve into some health issues that plague the women of today.
Thyroid:
Hypothyroidism occurs when there is too little thyroid hormone in the blood (“hypo” means “not enough”). Hypothyroidism affects more than 5 million people, many of whom don’t know they have the disease. Women are more likely than men to have hypothyroidism.
The other type of thyroid related problem is hyperthyroidism. It occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone in the blood (“hyper” means “too much”). Hyperthyroidism is nearly 10 times more frequent in women than in men.
Urinary Tract Infection:
UTI is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract (starts from the kidney and ends with the urethra). Infection in the kidney is dangerous and is thankfully very rare, while infection in the urethra is very common and the form that usually affects most women.
Women are disproportionately affected by UTIs due to the short urinary passage (urethra) and bacteria from elsewhere getting lodged in it.
Some of the precautions that could be taken would be to stick to a low-sugar diet and exercise to avoid the risk of diabetes, drink lots of water and reduce your salt intake.
PCOD/PCOS:
Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is a common condition affecting women. The disorder appears to be increasing, especially in youngsters and teenagers.
In this condition, the ovary stops cyclic maturation of follicles leading to an ovulation or non-production of mature eggs. This leads to increased production of male hormones and unbalanced production of estrogen, which is the principal female hormone. There is also absence of progesterone, the hormone that comes only after ovulation and balances the side effects of increased estrogen production.
PCOD has a lot of psychological and social impact on a woman’s life. Together with the change in life style such as regularly exercising and changing one’s food habits, help in preventing some of the problems that arise.
Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer:
While worldwide cervical cancer is the second most common cancer, in India it is the most common woman-related cancer, followed by breast cancer. India accounts for approximately one fourth of the world’s cases of cervical cancer each year, and there is a growing incidence of breast cancer as well. Awareness of the two serious yet curable types of cancer is a must.
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens at the top of the vagina, while breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast.
There are some methods, which are projected as measures to prevent the development of cancer.
Though there are many risk factors that cannot be controlled, some experts in the field of diet and cancer agree that changes in diet and lifestyle may reduce the incidence of cancer generally.
Self examination of the breast is one step a woman can take of her own accord to detect for any lumps that might exist. After a woman turns 40 she must get a mammogram done annually to eliminate the chances of cancer going undetected. Try and avoid alcohol or drink in moderation and exercise daily for at least 30 minutes for a fitter, healthier you.
Exercise is a must to get through all the health issues that we women face. So, make exercise a part of your life. Whatever makes you comfortable whether it is morning walks, yoga, gymnasium or aerobics, just take it up and start a healthier living from today.
