Women's Health Health Feed

Women Heart Health!

It’s a women’s world today. Her presence is registered everywhere, be it home, at workplace, markets, hospitals, in the transport sector as cab or auto drivers, a loco pilot running the trains, a pilot, etc. As a politician, bureaucrat, entrepreneur, CEO, doctor, engineer, astronaut, architect or an educationist; she has indeed come a long way.
While women have a longer life expectancy than men in most of the countries, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they get to enjoy healthier lives. In fact, according to 2009 WHO study, millions of women suffer from health issues each year throughout the world — health issues that would not have affected them had they been men. Women are more vulnerable to contracting HIV, less likely to be screened for heart disease, and according to the British medical journal (BMJ), women throughout the world are likely to have received inferior health care compared to their male counterparts from birth onwards.
It ultimately affects their lives, families, work, and finances.

10 Biggest Health Issues Faced by Women Today-

1.Malnutrition: Statistics show that half of the women in the whole world suffer from malnutrition. In many cultures, women also are the first ones to cut back on their food in case of a crisis. With undernutrition, vitamin deficiencies or anemia they are likely to have low immunity levels and catch infections at the drop of a hat.

2. Sexual Violence: A term that covers sexual assault, rape, coerced marriage and other types of sexual abuse, is one of the most troubling human rights issues of our world. Millions of women end up as their victim every year. Unfortunately, most of the cases go unreported due to societal taboo.

3. Pregnancy And Childbirth: A big number of women die every year in developing nations like ours because of complications in their pregnancy or during childbirth.

4. Contraception And Abortion: Another cause of untimely death in a large number of women on a yearly basis is improperly executed abortions out of desperation. The number is more in countries where abortion is illegal. These are the regions where women have poor access to the right contraceptive.

5. Domestic Violence: Approximately 35% of women around the world are victims of domestic violence. Sadly, more health issues like pregnancies that are unintended, alcohol abuse, physical injury, suicide and even death at the partner’s hands are its long term ramifications. To paint the picture more clearly, an estimated 30-35% of all women who are murdered have been killed by their partners or in-laws. Domestic violence also has the risk of taking a woman to a state of depression that can span a long time.

6. Breast Cancer: Is the most lethal cancer for women witnessed between the ages of 20-59 throughout the world. In majority of cases, it doesn’t present with any complaint until it has reached an advanced stage where not much can be done in a medical perspective.

7. HIV/AIDS: Most women neither have the chance to refuse sex from their partners nor do they have the right medical resources for treatment in case they think they have been infected. Shockingly, this does not apply to developing countries like ours alone. 20% of the new infections in the developed nations are contracted each year by women through heterosexual contact.

8. Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke: You might find it shocking that heart disease is at number one while stroke is the third most common cause of death among women around the world. Statistics are higher in low-income countries. In addition, Stroke also is one of the leading cause of long-term disability worldwide.

9. Osteoporosis: Is another significant issue faced by women post their 30s. Diet insufficient in calcium and less exposure to sun contribute to its cause resulting in brittle bones, prone to fracture. This is more prevalent in ethnicities where women are covered from head to toe due to religious beliefs.

10. Mental Health: In essence, women are more likely to develop anxiety disorder and depression than men. They are also more likely to go through circumstances that give them PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) like a disaster or domestic violence they have survived.
 

Nonetheless, whatever field today’s women are engaged in, multitasking comes naturally to them. Pulled in every direction between home, kids, family, extended family and work commitments, its the WOMAN in them that gets neglected the most. Amidst all the physical and hormonal changes that span through their lives, here are a few tips to help them stay fit both mentally and physically:

1. Develop and maintain healthy habits.

• Eat a balanced diet and maintain weight

• Exercise weekly – cardio exercises for heart health and weight-bearing exercises for bone and muscle health

• Stay hydrated

• Prioritize maintaining healthy sleep habits

2. Cultivate positive relationships with your support network (friends and family). Do take help if you are a victim of sexual or domestic violence.

3. Limit alcohol consumption.

4. Quit smoking.

5. Practice safe sex with birth control pills, condom use, and regular STI/STD screening.

6. Be in touch with your obstetrician/gynecologist/physician about the major reproductive milestone in your life – fertility and pregnancy if you intend to have children.

7. Schedule an HPV test and a Pap smear together, every 5 years, once you are in your 30’s for the screening of cervical cancer.

8. An annual women’s wellness checkup and a mammogram is advisable 35 onwards.

9. Talk to your gynecologist/physician about preparing for and managing menopause.

10. Post 50s, don’t forget to manage your mental health. If you have older children, empty nest syndrome may begin to affect your mood and mental health.

11. Talk to your doctor about neurological concerns such as Alzheimer’s. Keep your mind active! Distract yourself in things you like. Consult a Psychologists for mental care, if required.

12. Take appropriate care if your family has a history of diabetes or arthritis and stay physically active in low-impact ways.

While your health and wellness are extremely important for a healthy family, maintaining it in the hustle bustle of today’s fast-paced life is a lifelong commitment. Prioritize your own Health Needs too.
Note - Homeopathy can be of great help in keeping you fit through every new stage of your life!
 

The shrinking back of the uterus to its natural shape and size may lead to the occurence of afterpains. It usually happens while breastfeeding as oxytocin, the hormone which encourages the uterus to contract is released during feeding.

The health and beauty habits we had during our 20s and 30s were fairly simple. We just had to do the basics - wear sunscreen, exercise, and eat healthy foods. During that period of our lives, our bodies were resilient. We could stay up late, have the occasional unhealthy meal, and skip a couple of days at the gym without a problem.

However, by the time you hit your 40s, your body begins to change. Since turning 40, your body parts want to connect with the floor. Not only that, your stomach is sensitive, You can’t stay up past 10 p.m., and if you don’t exercise regularly, again, the whole operation starts inching closer to the floor.

Keeping ourselves healthy and beautiful post-40 takes work. So here are some tips to keep your post-40 body at its most lovely.

1. Dietary requirements for women: Until the age of 40, a woman can get away with being a bit naughty about her diet. However, after the age of 40, the important hormones in her body are more imbalanced than before. This imbalance is further accentuated if her lifestyle and nutrition is not managed wisely. According to Ayurveda, a woman over the age 40 has to control her diet aggressively. This can be done by reducing fats and carbohydrates while ensuring the body is nourished by fibers and sufficient amount of vitamins, calcium, minerals and protein.
2. Take Your Vitamins: Taking vitamins after 40 is the difference between having healthy looking skin and glossy hair, and having sallow skin and hair that is a dry mess. So take your vitamins - just like when you were a kid!
3. Exercise Daily: When you were younger, your body didn’t show the effects of a couple of days of missed exercise. However, when you are in our 40s, working out is critical. Your body quickly loses its agility if you don’t exercise it daily. You don’t have to spend 2 hours a day at an expensive gym. Have a regular exercise regime that you can do consistently is the best gift that you can give yourself.
4. Take Care of Your Feet and Back: Your feet and back do big jobs for you. They support your weight and make walking easier or harder, depending on your health condition. For those of us who don’t live in warm climates, we tend to neglect your feet during the winter months because they aren’t visible. However, caring for your feet all year round, including regular pedicures, at home or at the salon, is important to keeping your feet healthy. And our back health is critical. Back injuries do not heal quickly, especially as we age. Make sure to stretch your back daily, sleep on a firm bed, and take care when lifting either children or furniture. Your back will thank you.
5. Sleep!: Gone are the days when you can stay up until 2 a.m., and still look great the next day. These days, if you stay up until 2 a.m., the next morning, you look like you are 90. After 40, sleep makes a big difference in one’s appearance. Even after a quick 10-minute nap, you look refreshed and about 5 years younger. So make your sleep a priority.

Yes, taking care of our post-40 bodies is work. Taking care of your body is a full-time job! Well, it may not be that bad in your 40s, but caring for your bodies as you get older requires some effort. However, looking and feeling great will be the payback for a job well done. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a doctor.

Balancing the personal and professional life can be quite taxing. In the process, women often neglect their health. Work is important but not more than your health. Women of reproductive age should be extra careful. Many women particularly suffer from gynecological problems (PCOS, menstrual problems, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, to name a few). Thus, following a healthy lifestyle is the key to a healthy body (physical, mental as well as emotional). Health issues, no matter how minor, should not be left unattended.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle:
A healthy lifestyle can help ward off many unwanted health complications (especially gynecological problems).

1. Eat a Healthy Diet. Many women live by fast foods. While burgers, pizzas, and fried foods may satisfy your taste buds, your body and overall health will have to bear the brunt. Once a while, pampering yourself with fast foods is fine, but do not make it an everyday practice. Include more of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. A healthy and balanced diet takes care of many gynecological disorders, including menstrual problems. Keep your body well hydrated.
2. Obesity. Obesity can wreak havoc in a woman's life, irrespectively of their age. It is one the underlying factors responsible for PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and other hormonal disorders. Thus, maintaining a healthy body weight becomes very important.
3. Do not Compromise on your Sleep. On an average, a woman needs between 6-8 hours of sleep daily. A sound and healthy body can work better. Try and follow a healthy sleeping routine. Ideally, you should retire to bed by 10 pm and wake up by 6 am. Avoid stress and anxiety as much as you can. Too much stress can cause a hormonal imbalance with serious complications.
4. Physical Activities and Workouts: Exercise and meditation act as a tonic for the body. You may lead a hectic life but 30 minutes a day is all that you need to refresh and rejuvenate your body. You will be able to kick-start the day with a renewed vigor and zeal. Women who are on the healthier side of the scale and have been trying hard to lose weight are sure to benefit from this.
5. Annual Health Check-ups. Healthy or not, women (of all age groups) should go for annual health check-ups. Many health problems get complicated and almost untreatable due to late diagnosis. There is no point in taking chances with your health. Nobody can understand or know your body better than you. If you notice anything unusual (especially in your breast), immediately consult your physician. Self-awareness is essential.

Here are a few important personal care and hygiene that every woman should follow diligently

1. Practice healthy vaginal hygiene. Wash your vaginal area daily. You can use warm water to clean the area or can try Namyaa intimate hygiene wash to clean vagina and prevent growth of bacteria.
2. Avoid douching, use of perfumes and scented soaps in your vagina and adjacent areas. It can affect the pH of your vagina, resulting in infections.
3. Always go for safe and healthy sex. Unprotected sex may cause STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and infections (bacterial, viral or yeast).
4. Keep a record of your menstrual cycle every month. Make it a habit to change your sanitary napkins frequently during periods.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Infertility refers to being able to get pregnant after one year of trying. Women who can get pregnant but are unable to stay pregnant are also termed as infertile. Ovulatory disorders are one of the most common reasons why women are unable to conceive and is presen in 30% of women suffering from infertility.

1. Hormonal problems: Ovulation is linked with a complex balance of hormones and any disruption in the process can hinder ovulation. The disruption includes the fact that the ovaries are not producing normal follicles in which the eggs can mature. Ovulation is rare if the eggs are immature and there are no chances of fertilization. Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common disorder responsible for infertility. Malfunction of the hypothalamus leading to failure in triggering hormonal stimulus to ovaries for egg maturation leading to immature eggs and ovarian failure. Malfunction of the pituitary gland leading to imbalance in hormonal secretion thus causing disturbance in ovulation. This can occur due to physical injury, a tumour or a chemical imbalance in the pituitary.
2. Scarred ovaries: Ovulation failure can also be due to a physical damage to the ovaries. Invasive surgeries involving ovarian cysts leads to damaging or scarring of capsule of the ovary to become due to which follicles cannot mature leading to disruption of ovulation.
3. Premature menopause: Early menopause or premature menopause before the normal age means that the natural supply of eggs has been depleted. This is most common in extremely athletic women with a history of low body weight and extensive exercise.
4. Follicle problems: Infertility is also caused due to non-ruptured follicle syndrome in which women who produce a normal follicle, with an egg inside of it, every month but the follicle fails to rupture. This leads to disruption of ovulation as the egg remains inside the ovary.
5. Others: Treating female infertility by chemotherapy is next to premature ovarian failure by loss of primordial follicles. Sexually transmitted infections are a leading cause of infertility. Tobacco smoking is detrimental to the ovaries and the amount of damage is dependent upon the amount and length of time of exposure of smoke in the environment. Nicotine in cigarettes interfere with the body’s ability to create oestrogen, a hormone that regulates ovulation. In addition, blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy also causes infertility. Infertility can also be due to physical problems with the uterus or fibroids of uterus where non-cancerous clumps of tissue and muscle on the walls of the uterus.

Women with infertility should consider making an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist—a doctor who specializes in managing infertility. Reproductive endocrinologists may also be able to help women with recurrent pregnancy loss, defined as having two or more spontaneous miscarriages.

Pregnancy is the result of a process that has many steps.

To get pregnant

• A woman’s body must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).
• A man’s sperm must join with the egg along the way (fertilize).
• The fertilized egg must go through a fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb).
• The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).

Prevention-
If you're a woman thinking about getting pregnant soon or in the future, you may improve your chances of having normal fertility if you:

• Maintain a normal weight
• Quit smoking. 
• Avoid alcohol.
• Reduce stress.
• Limit caffeine.

Ayurveda is regarded as one of the most ancient systems of the herbal remedies found in India, and it offers some of the most significant and useful herbs to help boost women’s health. There are several natural herbs that aid the women in finding the natural rhythm of the body, which is closely associated with nature. As a result, women are able to respond much better to the Ayurvedic treatment that offers many herbs and medicinal plants that have been proven to improve the health of women.

It is very important to control and regulate the diet of the women who have crossed 40 years of age and they should not live their lives in her own whims as this is the age when hormonal imbalances occur in the body. Additionally, there are also some natural herbs that can help to boost the health condition of a woman and help her lead a happy and healthy life.

1. Guduchi Stem: This is a common ingredient in the herbal medicines which can be used for treating various types of health problems in women. Guduchi stem is a versatile herb which induces internal heat and is a great treatment for decreased libido. It has the ability to calm the nervous system and is regarded as a strong anti-inflammatory and diuretic agent.
2. Asparagus root: Asparagus roots have multiple benefits required to improve the health of women. It has been utilised as an aphrodisiac and natural treatment for alleviating fertility issues in women. It also helps in treating a wide range of female disorders starting from health disturbances during menopause to unnatural menstrual symptoms to lactation. It is considered a major ingredient in almost all herbal blends that aim at improving women’s health.
3. Licorice: Used in almost all Ayurvedic medicines, this herb has been used for a long time for the treatment of several ailments, including menopause and genital issues as well as urinary disorders. Though it is incorporated mainly in treating health problems of women, licorice is also known for its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

There are many health issues that are faced by women on a regular basis starting from vaginal discomforts to menstrual problems. However, most women feel it is very uncomfortable to speak about them with anyone. Thankfully, these problems can be completely eradicated with the help of the Ayurvedic herbs. But if you see no results even after consistent use, then it would be wise to seek an expert’s advice.

Healthy, glowing skin is what they call 'neighbour's envy, owner's pride'. Stop being jealous janet and get off your chair because you need to do a little homework to get that glowing skin. Some women look like they have inherited the glow without a day's work but in reality, good skin is a result of constant care and solutions that suit them right. Here are some fail proof techniques that women with great skin follow.

1. They cleanse it right: Cleansing the skin is almost done like a ritual. It has its set of rules which differ from skin to skin. As a base rule, women with good complexion do it at least twice a day - once in the morning and once before bed. It helps clear the oil, dirt, impurities and make up that clogs the pores and lets the skin breath. Use lukewarm water and a creamy cleanser. Let the cleanser sit on your skin for a minute while you gently rub it in before you wash off. This is one step women with good skin simply don't miss.

2. They remember their ctm: You know what the c stands for, now you need to follow it with a toning and moisturizing ritual to keep your skin soft and supple. Learn to differentiate between night and day moisturizers. You day moisturizer needs to contribute to your spf protection while your night moisturizer should be hydrating.

3. They use a good night cream: Night time is when your skin gets to relax and rejuvenate. Help this process by adding a good night cream to your daily ritual. A retinoid cream, for example, is a vitamin a derivative rich in collagen which helps in skin repair. They can also help reduce the occurrence of fine lines and pimples.

4. They work on their blemishes: Some have puffy eyes, others have dark circles or sun spots and may be even a couple of wrinkles here and there. But all these flaws can be steadily worked upon on a daily basis to reduce the skin problems and prevent appearance of new ones.

5. They follow the antioxidant mantra: Foods rich in omega 3 and antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, green leafy veggies, and green tea help reduce the effects of aging to add a youthful glow to the skin.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Ayurveda is regarded as one of the most ancient systems of the herbal remedies found in India, and it offers some of the most significant and useful herbs to help boost women’s health. There are several natural herbs that aid the women in finding the natural rhythm of the body, which is closely associated with nature. As a result, women are able to respond much better to the Ayurvedic treatment that offers many herbs and medicinal plants that have been proven to improve the health of women.

It is very important to control and regulate the diet of the women who have crossed 40 years of age and they should not live their lives in her own whims as this is the age when hormonal imbalances occur in the body. Additionally, there are also some natural herbs that can help to boost the health condition of a woman and help her lead a happy and healthy life.

1. Guduchi Stem: This is a common ingredient in the herbal medicines which can be used for treating various types of health problems in women. Guduchi stem is a versatile herb which induces internal heat and is a great treatment for decreased libido. It has the ability to calm the nervous system and is regarded as a strong anti-inflammatory and diuretic agent.
2. Asparagus root: Asparagus roots have multiple benefits required to improve the health of women. It has been utilised as an aphrodisiac and natural treatment for alleviating fertility issues in women. It also helps in treating a wide range of female disorders starting from health disturbances during menopause to unnatural menstrual symptoms to lactation. It is considered a major ingredient in almost all herbal blends that aim at improving women’s health.
3. Licorice: Used in almost all Ayurvedic medicines, this herb has been used for a long time for the treatment of several ailments, including menopause and genital issues as well as urinary disorders. Though it is incorporated mainly in treating health problems of women, licorice is also known for its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

There are many health issues that are faced by women on a regular basis starting from vaginal discomforts to menstrual problems. However, most women feel it is very uncomfortable to speak about them with anyone. Thankfully, these problems can be completely eradicated with the help of the Ayurvedic herbs. But if you see no results even after consistent use, then it would be wise to seek an Ayurveda Doctors.