Dr. Saroja. K

Probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir and pickles boost the good bacteria in your body and prevent stomach infections.

NCD's are emerging as a major global problem which can controlled by taking certain measures. It's a non infectious disease resulted from hereditary factors, lifestyle factors (diseases of affluence) e. g. Hypertension, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases, Cancer and mental health problems, Asthma, Atherosclerosis allergy. It is responsible for almost 60% of World deaths and constitute 43% of the Global burden of diseases.

If we see Rising Chronic Disease Burdens of following Diseases in India, the data are alarming and requires urgent intervention in policy matter.

Can I prevent CVD? Yes by evaluating overself

Regular blood tests are recommended for people who are at higher risk of developing high cholesterol. Routine cholesterol testing may be necessary if you:

1. Are a man over 40
2. Are a woman over 50
3. Are a postmenopausal woman
4. Have heart disease or have had a stroke
5. Have diabetes
6. Have a close relative (mother, father, sister, brother) with heart disease or high cholesterol
7. Are overweight, physically inactive, smoke and/or drink excessively
8. Have physical signs of high cholesterol such as fatty deposits on your skin or tendons
9. Have high blood pressure

With the recent number of breast cancer cases on the rise, it is important that we should get the examination done on a regular basis as a preventive measure. Even if someone is suffering from it, it is important that we should make an effort and learn about.

If you have breast cancer then a surgery will be part of your treatment. Based on the condition, surgery will be carried out due to any of the following reasons:
1. To remove the cancerous tissues from the breast
2. To reconstruct the breast once the cancer is removed
3. To check whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes below the arm
4. To treat symptoms of cancer that has progressed to an advanced stage

Breast cancer surgery may be classified into two types
1. Mastectomy: Mastectomy involves removing the entire breast; tissues in the adjoining region may also be removed. A double mastectomy is a procedure where both the breasts are removed.
2. Breast-conserving surgery: In this surgery, only parts of the breast affected by cancer are removed. The area of the breast that is to be removed will depend on the severity of the cancer. Some healthy tissues may also be removed in this surgery.

Usually, if a woman is in the initial stages of cancer then she may opt for the latter as it entails removing parts of the breast. They may also undergo radiation therapy along with these surgeries.
For checking if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes below the arm, the lymph nodes are removed from the body. Once they are removed, they are studied under a microscope to check if it has spread, if yes then the extent of their damage. This procedure is carried out along with the surgery to remove the cancer.

Once the mastectomy procedure is completed, you can opt for a breast reconstruction surgery to rebuild the area. You may opt for this procedure at the time of breast cancer removal or at a later stage. If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery then you should discuss with a surgeon.

Surgery is sometimes not used to treat cancer, but in slowing the progression of cancer or even reducing its symptoms.It is important you talk to your surgeon before the procedure to understand the goal of the surgery.