This Women's Day by Celebrating Yourself and Your Health
- 2022-03-08
As a woman, you always keep the needs of others ahead of yours. Be it material, emotional, mental or physical, you put yourself last.
This International Women's Day, let's change yourself for good! Join
your fellow ladies and take a vow to take care of your health & wellness
first.
As you age, your body goes through innumerable changes. Be it
hormonal, mental, or physical. Despite around 38% of women suffering from one
or more chronic diseases, chances are most women don't even realize they have
any disease.
Today, let's uncover the common yet less talked about
problems women face and some tips to manage them in place of tips to treat them
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
It is defined as a combination of symptoms women get around 1
or 2 weeks before their periods. These symptoms can be emotional (depression,
crying spells), physical (stomach cramps, bloated tummy) or behavioral
(anxiety, mood swing) and usually go away when the period starts. At least
three in four women reported having experienced one or more symptoms of PMS in
their lifetime.
Postpartum depression
This refers to an episode of major depression that begins
within the first 4 weeks after delivery. The mother develops feelings of extreme
sadness, indifference and/or anxiety. She may also experience changes in
energy, sleep, and appetite. The good thing is that it is a treatable medical
condition.
Menopause
Menopause is a natural process that marks the end of your
menstrual cycles. It often occurs in your 40s or 50s when you haven't had your
menstrual period for over 12 months. Menopause causes a plethora of symptoms, including
night sweats, hot flashes, chills, sleep problems, mood changes, slowed
metabolism, thinning hair, dry skin, and loss of breast fullness.
Osteoporosis
It is a silent disease in which your bone gradually loses
their strength, becoming weaker and more likely to break. Over 200 million
people have osteoporosis. Globally, 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 years will
experience osteoporotic fractures in their lifetime.
STEP UP YOUR
HEALTH GAME
Keep yourself active and eat healthy
Do you think healthy eating and physical activity aid only in
weight loss? Well, there is much more to them! Use them as tools to improve
your overall physical and mental health. You don't necessarily need to go to
the gym, start with a simple exercise like brisk walking.
Avoid negative body talk
While both men and women can experience the consequences of a
negative body image, women tend to be affected more severely. Focus on what
your body does to you rather than how it appears. Learn to celebrate the skills
and positive qualities that define you as a person.
Schedule health screening
Health tests are an important way to help recognize health
problems and seek treatment early on. Do not wait for your body to show any
signs or symptoms. Keep an eye on your health markers, including cholesterol,
essential minerals, blood sugar levels, thyroid hormones, and electrolytes.
Do not ignore health condition
If you have any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes,
osteoporosis, or high blood pressure, stick to your medicine doses and learn
more about the lifestyle measures used to improve your symptoms.
Celebrate this women's day by celebrating yourself and your
health. Remember, you will only be able to care for your loved ones if you care
for yourself first.
Sources:
Improving women’s health challenges, Access and Prevention
Conference of State Legislatures. https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/improving-womens-health-2013.aspx
Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: guidelines for management M Steiner J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2000 Nov; 25(5): 459–468.
Medically Reviewed by
Ramendra Kumar Raman, PhD, Clinical Research
Leave Comment