Dr. Kadir Mhaisker

With an upsurge in the number of women suffering from dysfunctional reproductive systems and a myriad of gynecological problems, resulting in irregular periods, infertility and several other complications, it is of paramount importance to keep a record of the dates and duration of your monthly cycles. This is not only useful for future reference when you visit a gynecologist, but it also helps you to understand if there are delays in period or excess of bleeding in any particular month. 

Why is tracking your menstrual cycles important?

Keeping a track of the menstrual cycles is a mandatory exercise for women who are thinking about pregnancy or those trying to avoid it. It is advisable to abstain from intercourse for a few days before and after the period, which is the prime time for ovulation. Keeping track of your periods gives you a clear indicator of whether you have become pregnant because delay in the menstrual onset implies pregnancy. The reverse is also true; if you are trying to get pregnant, conception is usually fruitful on these days of maximum ovulation, which you can easily calculate based on your well maintained menstrual record.

How should you go about keeping track of your menstruation?

While it not possible to note down every possible aspect of the menstruation in a notebook, the easiest way of maintaining a planner is to mark the first day of each period on the calendar. The difference between two consecutive periods will give you your cycle lengths.

In addition you can choose to make a note of how heavy the bleeding is, or if there are changes in mood and appetite on those days. You will then be well prepared for your next visit to the gynecologist.

Everyone would like to age gracefully such that the age is simply a number and adds to one's charm. However in practice, this may sometimes cease to happen. In more cases than not, underlying reason for the same is the declining testosterone levels.

Testosterone is the powerful hormone which performs a host of functions in our bodies, including:

• Managing libido
• Regulating sperm production
• Promoting muscle mass
• Regularizing energy levels

A decrease in testosterone levels could be a significant matter in the life of most people. Reduction in testosterone levels with age is nevertheless a natural part of aging.

IN THE WOMB

While one is in the developing stages as a fetus in the womb, testosterone plays an important role in development. This drives the development of male reproductive system as well.

ADOLESCENCE TO EARLY ADULTHOOD

It is while one is an adolescent or in early adulthood that one's testosterone levels are the highest. During puberty, first signs of testosterone or androgens are apparent.

1. A boy's voice changes
2. His shoulders broaden
3. Facial structure becomes more masculine

However with passage of years, testosterone levels begin to decline. This declines at around 1% per year after 30 years of age.

Low testosterone could be linked with sexual dysfunctions, some of which include:-

1. A loss in libido
2. Inability to get spontaneous erections
3. Impotence
4. Erectile dysfunction
5. Infertility in women

Reducing levels of testosterone may also lead to changes such as:

1. Feeling tired all the time
2. Not getting the desired results with diet and exercise
3. Reduced performance at work
4. Change in sleeping patterns
5. Emotional changes
6. Increase in body fat
7. Reduction in muscle bulk or loss of strength
8. Reducing bone density

With advancement in medical science, doctors have come to discover that low testosterone levels could be the underlying cause of disorders such as

1. diabetes
2. hypertension
3. Coronary artery disease
4. depression

While the symptoms as mentioned above may be considered as normal part of aging, these may also result from some underlying factors.

These may include:-

1. A reaction to certain medications
2. Thyroid gland disorders
3. Depression
4. Excessive use of alcohol

It is very important to make sure that one maintains the right testosterone levels in one's body. While going for the right kind of a diet is of extreme importance, one may also choose to go for some herbal supplements.

These herbal supplements should not be seen as steroids, because they are not testosterone enhancers. Instead, these contain the right kind of herbs that would be very useful for one to maintain the right kind of hormone balance in the body, and also make sure that all systems in the body function well.

Keep your testosterone levels to the optimum, only with Stay-On Power Capsules. 100% herbal, Stay-On Power Capsules are free from all steroids, have no side effects on your being and work equally well for men and women alike.

What are the different symptoms of heart attack, cardiac arrest and stroke?

Many people put cardiac arrest, heart attack and a stroke in the same category. But all these conditions differ in symptoms, severity and background. Making a difference between these three health issues is really important, in order to know how to help a patient and how to prevent any of the conditions becoming more severe. To learn and educate yourselves more, read the full explanation of these conditions below:

1. Heart attack

This represents a circulation disorder. In case a person's blood flow is blocked or oxygen deprived, the blood does not get to the heart muscle and if left untreated immediately, could kill the organ. It is important to know that the heart is still working, when someone suffers a heart attack.

2. Cardiac arrest

This condition is known as an electrical disorder. When someone's electrical activity in the heart is disrupted, tachycardia happens and the blood flow immediately stops moving thought the body. When this happens, the heart stops working altogether.

3. Stroke

This is also known as a brain disorder. Strokes are divided into three types:

Ischemic stroke- when the artery carrying blood and oxygen to the brain is blockedtransient ischemic attack (tia)  also familiar as a mini stroke; it occurs when there is a short artery blood flow to the brainhemorrhagic stroke- this represents a ruptured artery inside the brain

Heart attack symptoms:

Here are the most common symptoms that can indicate heart attacks:

(angina) burden inside the chest, mistaken for indigestion. It repeats every few minutes. body pain- especially in the neck, back, abdomen, jaw, arms (particularly the left one) wheezing and shallow breathingcold sweatingdizziness and fatigue episodesanxietycoughingnausea

Treatment for these symptoms is usually via medication and incorporating a healthy diet.

Cardiac arrest symptoms:

These symptoms often occur minutes before cardiac arrest happens. Here they are:

Weakness black out fainting shallow breaths chest pain excessive palpitation

In some cases the person can also identify the following symptoms:

Sudden collapse shortage of breath weak or no pulse little or no responsiveness

Cardiac arrests are dangerous, because the symptoms occur rapidly and are usually lethal.

Stroke symptoms:

Nausea blurred speech face, arm or leg numbness or paralysis (especially on one side) headaches and vomiting mental disorientation, forgetfulness of names and places, distraction and loss of concentration impaired vision and double vision excessive sweating walking issues and dizziness transient ischaemic attack (tia)

How to keep your mouth clean and maintain good oral health?