Middle Eastern women over 40 encouraged to seek periodic health assessments to prevent chronic illness

Women's healthcare to be highlighted at upcoming Abu Dhabi Medical Congress & Exhibition

Abu Dhabi, UAE: With the growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases, cancers, and lifestyle diseases among women in the Middle East, periodic health assessments and screenings are important tools to identify and minimise potential health risks. Experts highlight that these assessments are especially important for women above the age of 40 because, at this age, chronic diseases and cancers are most prevalent.

Dr Fayza Naser, specialist physician, family medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE, will be presenting on ‘Healthcare for women above 40' as one of the important topics featured at the Family Medicine Conference at this year's Abu Dhabi Medical Congress & Exhibition, which will be held from 27-29 October 2013 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Dr Naser highlights that, as adults, biological factors related to gender can influence health, well-being outcomes and treatment choices. Women's health is about all health issues that affect women, encompassing all functions related to their mental and physical wellness from puberty through old age.

“Health issues in Middle Eastern women such as diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension (high blood pressure), and cervical cancer must be given consideration from an early age, however, that concern should particularly continue when women are in their forties. They should proactively seek immunisations against infectious diseases, such as influenza vaccine, and get regular pap smears. The encouragement of healthy lifestyles including proper nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, mental health and well-being should be community wide endeavours,” highlights Dr Naser.

Furthermore, other health issues that are important to consider after the age of 40 involve screening for breast cancer (unless there is a family history of breast cancer, in which case the physician will decide on what's the best time to start screening), screening for colon cancer and menopause.

“An example of a disease that could be screened for and prevented if monitored early would be osteoporosis. Vitamin D deficiency is very common amongst young women in the UAE. Earlier detection of vitamin D deficiency, screening for risk factors for osteoporosis and emphasis on lifestyle modification (sun exposure, adequate calcium intake and vitamin D supplementation if needed, and exercise) will help in maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis at a later age,” says Dr Naser.
A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and to examine its correlation in adolescents aged 15 to 18 years in the UAE. 41 participants (19.7%) were vitamin D deficient, and overall 65.1% of study participants were either vitamin D deficient or insufficient. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency varied between boys (10%) and girls (28%). 

Organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress & Exhibition is the region's key healthcare event, bringing together leading international healthcare companies showcasing their latest products and services within the emergency, primary healthcare, patient safety, nursing and rehabilitation sectors, as well as being a platform for scientific exchange via the accompanying multi-track conference programme dedicated to these healthcare sectors. The event has expanded to 10,000sqm, with more than 150 exhibitors from 25 countries, 11CME-accredited conferences, and an estimated 6,000 attendees.

For more information about the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress & Exhibition, please visit www.abudhabimed.com