Anemia And Its Prevention In Women
Anemia is a health condition in which the body does not make enough RBCs (red blood cells) or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an essential protein found in the blood that is responsible for giving blood its colour and it also helps in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. When you have low hemoglobin, you have anemia, when you have anemia, you encounter symptoms, like fatigue and shortness of breath. Anemia can be mild to severe and short-term to even long-term.
Anemia is a serious health concern in our country, India. More than 50% of women in India under the age of 15-49 years are suffering from anemia. It is a matter of concern and we all must talk about it. The biggest question to ask is why women are more prone to suffer from anemia? As per health professionals working at some best hospitals in Kolkata, women are more vulnerable to suffer from iron deficiency anemia because of blood loss during menstruation, pregnancy, and post-childbirth. Mostly, in our country, more women are suffering and have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, obviously, due to malnutrition or poor nutrition. Anemia can be easily diagnosed by a blood test or hemoglobin test and is treated by medications, blood transfusion, and lifestyle changes, all depending upon the severity and the type of anemia.
Today, ILS Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Kolkata and Agartala will guide all women who are reading this blog on preventing this serious medical condition called anemia. So, to all women, carefully read and apply the following mentioned things in your life to never see the face of anemia.
Consume lots of iron-rich foods
Iron is crucial to avoid iron deficiency anemia. Consume iron-rich foods, like spinach, eggs, red meat, chicken liver, fish, peas, black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, tofu, oysters, apples, banana, and pomegranates.
Get sufficient vitamin B12
Most patients with anemia have low vitamin B12 levels. Eat eggs, fish, chicken, mutton, milk, cheese, butter, fortified breakfast cereals, and so on.
Receive enough vitamin B9 or folate
Vitamin B9 or folate is extremely important for pregnant women. Consume foods that are rich in vitamin B9, such as peanuts, whole grains, eggs, fish, liver, leafy greens, citrus fruits, etc.
Include more vitamin C in your diet
Vitamin C helps in better absorption of iron. Have more tomatoes, bell peppers, oranges, lemons, papayas, strawberries, and so on.
Avoid drinking hot beverages along with meals
Ensure to not drink hot beverages – tea and coffee along with your meals as it hampers the iron-absorbing power of the body.
Take vitamin supplements
Sometimes diet cannot provide all the vital nutrients needed for the body. In that case, vitamin supplements are prescribed by the medical practitioner. Consult the doctor and ask him or her to prescribe you vitamin supplements if needed.
Get a complete body checkup to rule out other types of anemia
There are other types of anemia as well – sickle cell anemia, hemolytic anemia, etc. Get a complete body checkup from a reputed healthcare centre or hospital in Kolkata to rule out other types of anemia.
Visit ILS Hospitals, the leading hospital in Kolkata and Agartala to get accurate diagnoses and timely treatment for anemia.
How To Take Care Of Your Health If You Are A Woman
Dear women, you are an important part of our society. As a woman, your health and mental well-being is supreme.
ILS Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Kolkata, would like to present some health tips every woman should follow for a healthy body and mind.
1. Eat a healthy diet:
We’ve heard this almost all the time because it’s a true fact. Women should include fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, poultry, seafood, dairy products, dry fruits, legumes, lentils and so on in their diet.
2. Stay hydrated:
Drinking water is unavoidable. Apart from drinking adequate water, you should also have healthy soups, juices, lassi, buttermilk, smoothies and so on. Milk is something all women must include in their daily routine. Have a glass of milk every night to get the dose of calcium and prevent insomnia.
3. Be physically active:
In a busy schedule, it’s difficult for some people to visit the gym and do other physical activities. However, being physically active is not difficult. Even a 10-minute-walk to your nearest park or maidan can help your body and mind. Try walking, running, yoga and even doing household chores for a fit body.
4. Abandon your bad habits:
Bad habits are hard to break but with determination and strong support system there’s a chance of quitting them forever. Some common bad habits are:
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Smoking
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Drug and alcohol abuse
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Being unhygienic
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Undereating or overeating
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Consuming unhealthy and outside food
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Constantly stressing over things
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Being negative
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Addiction to smartphones and other gadgets.
So, say goodbye to your bad habits!
5. Practice proper hygiene:
Maintaining hygiene has been taught to us from our school days. Here are some simple personal and feminine hygiene tips for all girls and women:
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Brush and floss twice a day
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Shower or bath once a day
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Clean your vagina with warm water
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Wash hands frequently
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Wash your face at least twice a day
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Shampoo and condition your hair once or twice a week
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Keep your nails trimmed and tidy
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Wear clean underwear and clothes
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Change your sanitary products frequently
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Live in a clean and hygienic environment.
6. Visit a medical professional regularly:
As a woman, gynaecologist is going to be your best friend. Visit a good gynaecologist and raise your concerns regarding your health. You should also ask the gynaecologist about multivitamin supplements and breast self-examination.
7. Be positive:
A positive mind is a healthy and happy mind. Do not take stress unnecessarily. Love and care for the ones around you and get the same in return. Stress and anxiety are called silent killers, avoid them completely. Seek professional therapy if you find yourself unable to deal with your current situation.
You can always visit ILS Hospitals in Kolkata and Agartala whenever needed. Our entire hospital team is there to help and support you.
Common Gynecological Problems Faced by Women of Different Age Groups
Aging is a natural progression for both men and women and it helps them acquire new experience and expertise. However, it also brings new challenges to health-wise. Today, we are going to discuss what gynecological problems women go through, at different phases of life.
Gynecological Problems During Adolescence
1. Delayed Puberty
There is no fixed to start having periods, but if it does not starts by the age of 11, it is best to seek a doctor. Though many young girls start having a period at the age of 14 or so, lack of periods can also happen due to the absence of uterus, by birth. An expert gynecologist can verify the same and advice accordingly.
2. Menstrual Disorder
There can be several types of issues with the menstrual cycle. Heavy periods, scanty periods and irregular periods are most common. Mostly it can be addressed well with a healthy diet, active lifestyle and taking adequate rest in between. However, it is still best to keep track of it and seek consultation from a gynecologist.
3. White Discharge
Though white discharge is very common among women of childbearing age, it can be a bit heavy and troublesome for young girls. Maintaining proper hygiene is required, along with doctor’s advice, if needed.
4. Abnormal Facial Hair
During a young age, many young girls develop facial hair due to hormonal disbalance, which can be devastating for her self-image. Often it gets better with age, but still, it is wise to seek an expert opinion, cause many a time, it does require treatment to fix it.
Gynecological Problems During Adult Age
1. Infertility
The inability to have a successful natural conception or to carry a pregnancy is termed as infertility. Often it is due to some lifestyle factor such as smoking, overweight which can be resolved. However, infertility often occurs due to some more severe hormonal or gynecological conditions, which requires extensive fertility treatment from expert doctors.
2. PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal issues among women of childbearing age. It becomes more prominent and problematic during this phase. It starts to interfere with everyday life and other gynecological aspects of the body. Thankfully, it can be treated effectively with medication, lifestyle change, and surgery, if required.
Read more: 5 Facts About PCOS Every Women Should Be Aware Of
Gynecological Problems During Later Age
1. Menopause
It is the natural decline and eventually cessation of reproductive life. Though it is inevitable for every woman, it brings a hard time for many women, either physically, or emotionally, or both. It can be easily treated and thus, women should consider it if they feel they need help.
2. Gynecological Cancer
Gynecological cancers are yet another problem among older age grouped women. Cancer of Breasts & Uterus is more commonly diagnosed in older women as compared to the younger groups. Often it is due to aging and sadly, many a time, it is because of ignoring symptoms of the same for years. Either way, it should be treated form an expert gynecologist or oncologist at the earliest.
All the women are advised to keep track of their health routine, especially after attaining puberty. Availing well-women health check-up package once every 2-3 years is an excellent way of ensuring the same. Seek medical help if any alarming symptoms appear. Stay healthy, and always remember-
“There is a pain in being a woman, yes, but there is pride in it, too”.
-Mary Pauline Lowry
Why Women Should Undergo Regular Health Checkup
“It is hard to be a woman. You must think like a man, act like a lady, look like a young girl and work like a horse.”
Being a woman is indeed quite challenging. Amidst the daily hard life, most women tend to ignore their own health. However, this is a poorly thought and executed habit that often ends up badly. Our expert gynecologists and obstetricians always remind people to prioritize their own health first, before prioritizing their family or their career.
Some Illnesses Affects Women Exclusively
Due to several anatomical and biological factors, some illness affects only women, such as gynecological cancers, postpartum depression and some complications due to hormonal imbalance etc. Moreover, many illnesses are more prevalent among women, such as heart diseases, breast cancer, osteoporosis etc. In either way, it calls out for women to take extra care of themselves.
Enduring Symptoms Does ‘No Good’
Many women, particularly living in rural and semi-urban places often encounter some medical discomfort (often related to gynecological health), but sadly they keep enduring it, until the time, it becomes unbearable. The reasons are mostly due to some taboo or financial constraint. Our expert gynecologists and obstetrician encounter such cases regularly and they strictly advise against it. Taboo should have no place to interfere with one’s health and life also treating most conditions in its early stages are often quite affordable (as compared to later stages, which requires extensive treatment and surgery).
Always Remember – Timely Treatment Makes Huge Difference
No matter how complex any condition is, it is often possible to resolve it better, if they are treated on time. During the early stages, most medical conditions can be addressed effectively with mild treatment approaches. Things start to complicate when the condition left undiagnosed (and thereby untreated) for a prolonged period of time. Needless to say, the best way to ensure timely treatment is periodic screening.
At ILS Hospitals we thrive to offer every woman, a complete health care solution. Keeping this in mind, we have designed the Well Women Check Up package that offers the following screenings:
- Complete Haemogram with ESR
- Fasting Blood Sugar
- PAP smear
- Thyroid Profile
- Urine R/E
- USG Breast Screening for female below 40 yrs
- Chest X-Ray PA View
- USG Whole Abdomen screening
- ECG
We understand that it is often difficult for many individuals to draw meaningful conclusions from the reports. Thus, we offer a Gynecologist Consultation with this package. Ensure a healthy life ahead by availing this health package.
Visit us today to book your package.