Dr. Archana R Verma

PCOD or polycystic Ovary Disorder is one of the most common disorders of hormones among women in the age of reproduction. It is yet not discovered why some women become susceptible to this disease and it is believed to be a genetic disorder. The word “polycystic” refers to multiple cysts and a woman suffering from PCOD has multiple cysts in her ovary. This is due to the imbalance of hormones, which don’t allow the ovary to release eggs every month and these numerous unreleased eggs present in the ovary cause it to become polycystic.

What are the symptoms of PCOD?
The regular release of eggs from the ovaries directs a woman’s fertility and allows her to have a normal menstrual cycle. Therefore, women with PCOD face difficulty in conceiving along with irregular, low and absent periods. Some of the most common symptoms of PCOD include infertility and even miscarriage, elevated insulin levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, acne, unhealthy weight gain and obesity. It also leads to loss of hair from the scalp and excessive growth of hair on the body. This is due to over production of male hormones that lead to male pattern of growth of hair, such as on chest, cheek, chin and inner thighs. The hormonal imbalance leads to weight gain and obesity makes the hormonal imbalance even worse, turning it into a vicious cycle.

How is PCOD diagnosed and treated?
Your gynaecologist would be able to determine whether you have PCOD by checking your symptoms. Then she would recommend you to do a few blood tests along with a pelvic ultrasound scan to confirm whether you have PCOD. Though this disease is not reversible, its symptoms may be reduced or minimised. Most women can lead a trouble-free and healthy life if they take proper precautions at the right time.

It has been pointed in several studies that reduction in weight can help in the improvement of most PCOD symptoms because fat contributes to the production of certain hormones. Your doctor will prepare a treatment plan depending on the aspect from which you are suffering. For instance, if you are suffering from irregular periods, your doctor may prescribe you some contraceptives which can help in restoring normal menstrual cycle. But this treatment is definitely unsuitable for those who are trying to conceive. The infrequent and irregular ovulation can make it difficult to conceive and it can be artificially induced with the aid of medications. So, you must consult a gynaecologist to help your situation.

Painful menstrual cramps is a condition during periods in which a woman or girl has crampy lower abdominal pain, sharp or aching pain that comes and goes, or the pains which radiates to lower back and thighs. In some women or girl the cramps are associated with nausea, loose stools, headache and dizziness. Many women or girls have painful menstrual cycles.

During menstrual cycles, the uterus tries to expel out its lining and a hormone called progesterone is responsible for the uterine muscle contraction. The more the prostaglandin level, more painful the cramps.

Sometimes the pains are moderate to severe making it hard to do normal household work, job, or school-related activities during each menstrual cycle. Painful periods or menstruation is the leading cause of absence from school and work among women in their teens and 20s.

In medical terms it is called as 'Dysmenorrhea.'

There are two categories of Dysmenorrhea.

1. Primary Dysmenorrhea

2. Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Primary Dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that occurs around the time that menstrual periods first begin in healthy young women. In most cases, it is not related to a specific problem with the uterus or other pelvic organs.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that develops later in women who have had normal periods. It is often related to problems in the uterus or other pelvic organs, like

• Endometriosis

• Fibroids

• Intrauterine device (IUD)

• Pelvic inflammatory disease

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

• Sexually transmitted infection

• Stress and anxiety

Home remedies to manage the Menstrual Cramps-

• Take a hot water bag and give hot fermentation to lower abdomen, lower back or thighs

• Do light circular massage with your fingertips around your lower belly area.

• Eat light but frequent meals.

• Healthy nutritional diet is a great help

• Side lying position with knee folded helps to relieve the pain

• Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga

• Take warm showers or baths.

• Walk or exercise regularly, including pelvic rocking exercises

• Loose weight if overweight

When to consult a doctor?

• Severe pain associated with nausea/ vomiting

• Increased or foul-smelling vaginal discharge

• Fever and pelvic pain

• Sudden or severe pain, especially if your period is more than one week late and if sexually active

• No relief with routine medications

• If intrauterine device (IUD) is inserted

• Heavy bleeding with clots

• Pain occurs at times other than menstruation, begins more than 5 days before period, or continues after period is over.

Diuretics are substances that allow the body to get rid of excess water and sodium. They help in draining out the water by stimulating the kidneys and eliminate sodium from the urine thus, facilitating drainage of excess water. Diuretics are prescribed by the doctor when the body starts to retain excessive fluids.

The conditions that lead to problems such as:

1. High blood pressure: This is a disorder wherein the blood exerts more than the normal force (pressure) against the arterial walls while flowing through them.

2. Diabetes: It is a metabolic disorder wherein the blood sugar level rises significantly.

3. Kidney stones: Kidney stones refer to the formation of stones in the kidneys that can hamper the normal functioning of the kidney, leading to fluid retention in the body.

4. Edema: A disorder wherein parts of the body tend to swell due to inflammation is called ‘edema’.

5. Impaired functioning of the kidney: Impaired functioning of the kidneys makes it very difficult to flush out the excess sodium from the body thus, leading to fluid retention.

There are certain natural diuretics, which can come to your aid in times such as these. Read on to know more:

1. Parsley: Parsley, a very effective diuretic, is an herb that is commonly used for garnishing. It can also help in relieving bladder problems.

2. Black and green tea: Both green and black variants of the humble tea are very effective diuretics; you can enjoy them after a heavy meal to get rid of the bloating.

3. Hawthorn: A type of natural diuretic that is effective in reducing fluid accumulation and increasing urinary excretion. It also helps in treating problems of the kidney.

4. Juniper: A diuretic that has been used since ancient times. Juniper is very effective in removing excess salt and fluids from the body. The advantage of this plant is that it does not lower downs the level of potassium in the body, a side effect of other diuretics. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a dietitian-nutritionist.

चिकन पॉक्स एक बहुत ही संक्रामक बीमारी है, जो कि वैरिकाला-ज़ोस्टर वायरस के कारण होती है। यह पूरे शरीर में खुजली वाली चकत्ते और लाल धब्बे या छाले (पॉक्स) पैदा करता है। यह बच्चों में सबसे आम है। चिकन पॉक्स उन लोगों के लिए बेहद संक्रामक है, जो इस बीमारी से पहले कभी पीड़ित नहीं हुए हैं या जिन्होने इसके खिलाफ टीका नहीं लगवाया है। 

चिकन पॉक्स संक्रमण, वायरस के संपर्क के 10 से 21 दिन बाद होता है और आम तौर पर लगभग 5 से 10 दिनों तक रहता है। लाल चकत्ते चिकन पॉक्स के सबसे आम लक्षण हैं। व्यक्ति के संक्रमित होने के 2 दिन बाद दाने शरीर पर प्रकट होते हैं। दाना एक छाले मे बदल जाता है और फिर फट कर पपड़ी बन जाता है। अन्य लक्षणों में बुखार, थकान, भूख की हानि और मांसपेशियों का दर्द शामिल है। 

चिकन पॉक्स आम तौर पर एक मृदु बीमारी है। लेकिन यह गंभीर हो सकती है और जटिलताओं या मृत्यु को जन्म दे सकती है, खासकर उच्च जोखिम वाले लोगों में। चिकन पॉक्स त्वचा, कोमल ऊतकों, हड्डियों, जोड़ों या रक्तप्रवाह (सेप्सिस) के बैक्टीरिया संक्रमण सहित निर्जलीकरण, निमोनिया, मस्तिष्क की सूजन (एन्सेफलाइटिस), टॉक्सिक शॉक सिंड्रोम आदि जैसी जटिलताओं को जन्म दे सकता है। 

चिकन पॉक्स के लिए घरेलू उपचार
आम तौर पर, चिकन पॉक्स के ज्यादातर लक्षण लगभग दो हफ्तों में कम हो जाते हैं। अधिकांश स्वस्थ बच्चों और वयस्कों को चिकन पॉक्स के लिए चिकित्सा उपचार की आवश्यकता नहीं होती है। हालांकि, आप इन प्राकृतिक घरेलू उपचारों में से कुछ का उपयोग कुछ लक्षणों को कम करने और जल्दी ही खुजली से राहत प्राप्त करने के लिए कर सकते हैं:

1. बेकिंग सोडा:
चिकन पॉक्स की वजह से होने वाली खुजली और जलन को नियंत्रित करने के लिए बेकिंग सोडा बहुत प्रभावी है। बेकिंग सोडा त्वचा को अपने पी एच स्तर को बनाए रखने में मदद करता है। बस एक गिलास पानी में बेकिंग सोडा का आधा चम्मच जोड़ें। शरीर के प्रभावित हिस्सों पर इस समाधान को लागू करने के लिए एक नरम स्पंज या खीसा का प्रयोग करें। इसके अलावा, स्नान करने के लिए पानी में थोड़ा बेकिंग सोडा जोड़ना भी सहायक हो सकता है।

2. नीम:
नीम, जिसे भारतीय बकाइन के रूप में भी जाना जाता है, में मजबूत एंटीवायरल गुण हैं। इसलिए, यह वैरिकाला ज़ोस्टर वायरस का मुकाबला कर सकता है, और छाले को सुखाने में और खुजली को दूर करने में मदद करता है। एक मुट्ठी नीम के पत्ते लें, उन्हें कुचल दें और प्रभावित क्षेत्रों पर पेस्ट को लागू करें। स्नान के पानी में नीम के पत्तों को जोड़ना भी फायदेमंद है। 

3. गाजर और धनिया:
गाजर और धनिया आवश्यक विटामिन और खनिजों से भरपूर हैं जो प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली को बढ़ावा देते हैं। इसके अलावा, वे शरीर से हानिकारक विषाक्त पदार्थों को निकालने में मदद करते हैं और उससे शुद्ध करने में मदद करते हैं। लगभग 2 कप पानी में कटा हुआ गाजर का एक कप और ताजा धनिया का आधा कप उबालें। इसे लगभग 15 मिनट तक धीमी आंच पर रखें और फिर गैस से हटा, इसे छान लें। इसे नियमित रूप से दिन में एक बार पीना। 

4. जई:
जई के एंटीवायरल और विरोधी भड़काऊ गुणों के कारण दर्द और खुजली को दूर करने में मदद करता है। सदियों से, जई का इस्तेमाल त्वचा की समस्याओं को दूर करने के लिए किया गया है। यह न केवल दर्द और खुजली को कम करता है, बल्कि यह चिकन पॉक्स फैलाने वाले वायरस से भी लड़ता है। एक महीन पाउडर बनाने के लिए दो कप जई को कुचल लें। इस जई के पाउडर को 2 लीटर पानी में मिलाकर लगभग 15 मिनट तक छोड़ दें। जई को कपड़े के एक बैग में डालें और इसे कसकर बांधें। अब अपने आप को इस नहाने के पानी में लगभग 15 मिनट के लिए भिगोएँ।

5. शहद:
चिकन पॉक्स की वजह से खुजली और चकत्ते का इलाज करने के लिए शहद का भी इस्तेमाल किया जा सकता है। एक दिन में 2-3 बार प्रभावित क्षेत्र पर थोड़ा शहद रगड़ें।

One of the unique forms of depression is the Seasonal affective disorder which is characterized by the onset of depression with the start of the winter months and a full remission during spring time. Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that affects about 1 in 20 people around the world on average. One of the common therapies used to treat this disorder is light therapy.

What is light therapy?

Light therapy is the controlled exposure to specific amounts of bright light on a daily basis as a medicinal tool to correct depression and other mental disorders. It has been noticed that the lack of exposure to lights may trigger certain mental disorders within patients and controlled exposure to bright light over a stipulated period of time every day may be able to correct this effectively.

How it works?

Brightness within the daily world is usually measured with the unit of lux. For all types of artificial lights, the measure of luminosity is estimated via this unit. Human beings have an automatic trigger where low light levels for continued periods may cause depression. A clear sunny day outdoors will have a measurement of 10,000 lux and this is the recommended dosage for exposure for people suffering from depression.

It has been seen in studies that people with severe forms of Seasonal Affective disorder responded well to this therapy. They were treated 30 minutes daily with light exposure and over time the study showed that it significantly improved the moods of the people.

Some of the reasons why light therapy proves to be an effective treatment option for SAD include:

• It resets the circadian rhythm - Controlled exposure to light will trigger the hormones that control the circadian rhythms or the daily rhythms of sleeping and walking cycles and thus will help reduce depression.
• It triggers neurotransmitter function - Light exposure triggers certain neurotransmitter functions which work like an antidepressant and thus relieves stress or other internal functions that may cause depression.
• Results in an increase in serotonin levels - This hormone is very important for mood elevation and is known to rise with increased light levels and decrease with low light levels. Controlled exposure can definitely help improve serotonin levels for lessening depression symptoms.

'Consult'.

Related Tip: Do People Really Suffer from Mood Disorders?