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Aside from 2015 resolutions to lose weight and eat better, here are six crucial things women must do to ensure they remain in good health this year
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: March 7, 2015: It's not just the start of spring that we're celebrating in March – the 8th of the month marks International Women's day. While health-related New Year's resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, and exercise more begin to fade as March rolls around, it is important to remember why adopting and committing to healthy habits are important for more than just looking good.
To welcome in International Women's Day and encourage a renewed commitment to living healthy, Brightpoint Royal Women's Hospital has created six wellness resolutions to help women stay on track, stay energized, fit, and beautiful inside and out.
“Being healthy and happy is about so much more than fitting into a certain size pair of jeans. A lack of proper health checkups can lead to much more serious health issues down the line, which thankfully can be combatted through vigilance and early detection,” explains Dr. Anselma Ferrao, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, at Brightpoint Royal Women's Hospital. “Rather than making resolutions that focus on the scale, we have created a calendar of six wellness resolutions. By spreading out visits to the doctor to just once every two months, women can ensure that they will remain healthier in 2015,” she added.
1. Get checked for cervical cancer
Cancer of the cervix is second only to breast cancer as the most common type of cancer found in women worldwide. It affects an estimated 500,000 women each year, says Dr. Georgeta Stoica Liscan, Specialist – Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Brightpoint Royal Women's Hospital in Abu Dhabi.
Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells develop in the tissues of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus which protrudes into the vagina, connecting the body of the uterus to the vagina.
The reason screening is so important in preventing cervical cancer is the disease usually causes no symptoms in its earliest stages. Irregular bleeding, bleeding or pain during intercourse or vaginal discharge may be symptoms of more advanced stages of the disease, Dr. Liscan adds.
Healthcare professionals use a Pap test to find abnormal cell change in cervical tissue that are cancerous or may become cancerous. Cervical cancer can be prevented from an early age with vaccinations. At the age of 18 vaccinations are available for women in the UAE. Women can complete the entire vaccination process in 6 months. The earlier cervical cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance for a cure. Because persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV can be a predictor of the presence of future development of pre-invasive and cervical cancer, many medical professionals now also test for the virus as an adjunct to the Pap test.
2. Maintain healthy kidneys
Chronic kidney disease, which affects one in ten people globally, is a serious health concern for women and is most commonly caused by high blood pressure and diabetes, which is prevalent in the UAE. The hot climate along with the intake of high protein food also predispose to the formation of kidney stones.
According to Dr. Deepak Pillai, Specialist Nephrology, NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi, early chronic kidney disease may not have any signs or symptoms and a person can lose even up to 60-70% of their kidney function before experiencing any signs.
Early kidney disease may manifest in the form of swelling of the ankles, puffy eyelids especially in the mornings, appearance of blood in urine, uncontrolled blood pressure, and foamy urine. Advanced signs and symptoms may include loss of weight, fatigue and decreased appetite.
Luckily, a simple urine test to check for the presence of blood and protein, or a blood test to detect creatinine levels may provide vital clues.
Getting your kidneys checked, drinking enough water and remaining properly hydrated are crucial to maintaining good health and avoiding issues related to poor kidney function.
3. Care for your bones
Osteoporosis, the medical condition which sees bones become brittle and fragile, is often considered to be a disease which affects older people, especially women. Unfortunately, women of all ages in the UAE are at a significantly higher risk of developing the painful disease due to unhealthy lifestyles, poor eating habits and a lack of vitamin D caused by avoiding exposure to sunlight, says Dr. Sharmila Sachin Tulpule, Specialist Ortho Surgeon at NMC Specialty Hospital in Dubai.
According to the Dubai Health Authority, an incredible 78% of women of all ages in the UAE suffer from a lack of vitamin D which is essential for the body to build strong, dense bones, despite there being an abundance of sunlight in the country.
Dr. Tulpule adds that since women reach their peak bones mass by the age of 30, young people are at risk of developing osteoporosis at a later age due to low bone density caused not only by inadequate vitamin D, but also by a lack of calcium in their diets.
In order to avoid developing this disease, it is important to get 15-20 minutes exposure to sunlight every day, in addition to eating a calcium-rich diet that includes milk, yoghurt and low-fat cheese. For women who reach menopause, ask your doctor to perform a bone density test to check if your bones are at risk of fracturing easily.
4. Remain heart healthy
The UAE has one of the highest rates of cardiovascular diseases in the world, and is the number one cause of death for women in the UAE, despite heart ailments being thought of as primarily affecting men, says Dr. Amal Mohammed Elsayed, Specialist Non-Interventional Cardiology, NMC Heartcare.
Cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease (heart attacks), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), raised blood pressure (hypertension), peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and heart failure, and are the cause of over 30 percent of all deaths worldwide.
Luckily heart health can be determined by using a few simple tests to measure BMI, glucose and cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. By exercising, eating healthy, and not smoking, your heart health can be vastly improved.
5. Keep an eye on breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world amongst women and the second biggest cause of death for women in the UAE after cardiovascular disease.
According to Dr. Balaji Subramaniam, raising awareness is the key to fighting against this dreadful disease so that women understand the symptoms of breast cancer as well as available detection and treatment options.
According to the Dubai Health Authority, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The good news, however, is a majority of cases which are detected early experience a full recovery. This, of course, makes screening very important.
Dr. Subramaniam says that women should perform a monthly self-examination to check for lumps and can get a mammogram or professional clinical examination done on an annual basis.
Should you notice any of the following symptoms, visit your doctor immediately:
• Lumps or thickening of breast tissue
• Change in size or shape of breasts
• Nipples developing a rash or producing discharge
• Swelling under the armpits or around the collarbone
6. Keep diabetes at bay
According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates, the prevalence of the disease within the UAE is 19 per cent, meaning almost one in five people are affected. A further 16.6 per cent of the UAE population is estimated to be pre-diabetic, which makes diabetes is a real issue nationally.
According to Dr. Ravi Arora, Specialist Internal Medicine & Diabetologist at NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi, women of all ages can fall victim to the disease due to physical inactivity, obesity, family history, a diet rich in meat and carbohydrates, and smoking.
In order to reduce your risk of becoming diabetic, see your doctor and assess your risk of diabetes by getting either a population-based diabetes risk score done or by getting a simple blood checkup. In addition women are at high risk for Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy & a healthy life style can ameliorate the risk to a large extent.
According to Dr. Arora, lifestyle modifications such as consuming a high fiber diet, eating less processed foods and more fruits and vegetables, following a low-carbohydrate diet, getting 30-40 minutes of physical activity every day and quitting smoking can reduce your chances of getting the disease.
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