Archive for December, 2006

Intake of proper food in right quantities coupled with sufficient vitamin supplements are the two major contributing factors that influence women’s heath and nutrition needs. Today, if you look at the major diseases or conditions that afflict women, especially older women, osteoporosis is one that afflicts almost 50 percent of women.

Osteoporosis is a condition where in the bones will lose its density and make the individual more prone to fractures. Osteoporosis is very common amongst women who are above 50 years of age.

The main cause or reason that triggers onset of osteoporosis in women is menopause. During the post menopausal stage, there will be a reduction in estrogen hormone that in turn robs the bones of their density thus making women more fragile and susceptible to fractures.

Hence, strengthening of the bone structure in elderly women has become a standard in women’s health and nutrition program and this could be achieved through intake of calcium supplements orally.

Contributing Factors of Calcium in Women’s Health

Calcium is one of the most important minerals in women’s health and nutrition, as it is directly involved in building the bone’s density. Your body system can absorb calcium into the body system from various calcium sources such as calcium carbonate and calcium citrate.

In order to maintain a good health, any efforts for better women’s health and nutrition should be started when women are young. A proper dosage of calcium with a balanced nutritional diet can help young women develop stronger bones that support them all through their life.

Calcium Dosage

A properly planned and sufficient calcium dosage can go a long way in improving the women’s health. The dosage of calcium is decided based on various factors and this will vary depending upon the individual and age.

For instance, women in the age group of 11 to 24 years will be requiring a daily dosage of 1200 to 1500 milligrams and those who are above the age of 25 but below 50 years should be given with a daily dosage of 1000 milligrams.

Women who have crossed the age of 50 years and not dependent on any hormonal treatments should be given with a dosage of 1500 milligrams a day. Further, the calcium dosage will have to be increased in case of pregnant or nursing women and the dosage will be in the range of 1200 to 1500 milligrams a day.

Calcium Rich Food Sources

When it comes to supply of calcium through food sources, then there are various options for receiving the required quantities of calcium from your regular diet. There is one school of thought that advocates intake of calcium only through food sources for efficiency.

Calcium is rich in all dairy products, but the attached negative rider is that many women may develop intolerance towards the lactose present in dairy products.

Therefore, women who are not willing to take dairy products can try other foods that are rich in calcium such as broccoli, shellfish, sardines, and almost all types of greens. Today, markets are even flooded with calcium-fortified orange juice that contains around 320 milligrams of calcium per glass.

Dietary Calcium Supplements

Calcium supplements have become an order of the day but at the same time it should be taken with certain precautions. An increased dose of calcium supplement may result in formation of kidney stones and may cause digestive tract malfunction. In few cases, the calcium supplement was known to cause adverse reactions if taken with other medications taken by women for their other health related issues.

Hence, while taking calcium supplements, it is better you consult your doctor and follow your doctor’s advice.

Pain of the Abdominal Wall (Shingles). As in the chest, shingles pain may suddenly appear in the abdominal wall. The typical burning pain is often thought to be appendicitis or other internal disease. The appearance of the rash along the painfully involved nerve route makes identity of the pain obvious.

Lower Abdominal Pain. Abdominal pain below the umbilicus, in later life, will generally be due to the colon, appendix, ovary, uterus, bladder and hernia. Pain and discomfort due to

Lower abdomen

Fig. 99. The lower abdomen is below the umbilicus down to the groin. Difficulties here include hernia, appendicitis, colon disease and troubles with the urinary tract.

the menstrual cycle, of course, are no longer present after the change of life.

Pain of the Colon and Intestinal Tract. Pain from the large and small intestine is identified by the cramp, a pain felt every few minutes-the typical pain of intestinal origin. Often called gas pains, it ranges from slight discomfort to severe anguish, with a measure of relief in between cramps. These pains are felt below the umbilicus and above the groin and will be readily identified as pain of the intestine when the characteristic cramping is remembered.

Appendicitis produces discomfort more than real pain when it begins. It is felt about the umbilicus and is nearly always accompanied by nausea and vomiting. After a short time (8-12 hours), the pain moves into the right side, fairly low in the abdomen and eventually, a soreness of the right lower abdomen predominates. If the abdomen is pushed inward, even lightly, considerable pain will be felt directly over the inflamed appendix. In younger years, appendicitis is not so difficult to identify, but in later years, when it is not so common, the pain of appendicitis is harder to identify.

Pain of the Female Organs. Pain in diseases of the main portion of the uterus is felt in the lower abdomen, down the inner surface of the legs and, at times, in the lower back. It is quite variable. The ovary, at fifty years of age, may be the site of severe pain but variability of the pain (in the female only), is very great and can be interpreted only by the physician.

Urinary Bladder Pain. Bladder pain is felt when the bladder is over-stretched with urine. This pain begins as a distressful fulness and proceeds to extreme pain when the bladder cannot be emptied. Tapping over the bladder region (low in the abdomen) is very painful, and welcome relief is obtained when the bladder finally is emptied. Another bladder pain is experienced when the inside wall is irritated and inflamed (cystitis). As the bladder in this condition empties itself, the irritated walls touch each other to cause a brief knife-like pain.

Keywords: Skin, Head, Eye, Ear, Cancer, Face, Lips, Teeth, Thyroid, Chest, Breast, Lungs, Heart, Nail, Asthma, Tongue, Neck, BP, Migraine, Scalp, Eczema, Shingles

Women’s overall general health is in fact greatly dependent on their reproductive health and hence it is important that every woman should give utmost importance and take maximum possible efforts to tend their reproductive health in a proper manner. First the women should understand their body and their reproductive systems in detail and in relation to its sensitiveness to external and internal threats.

Further, women should understand how the hormones act and react within their body and how it is responsible in producing the monthly menstrual cycles in women. In order to get and maintain a better women’s reproductive health, women should know the food they eat, as food can be a major cause both for better reproductive health as well as its deterioration.

Knowing the Knack of Preempting Your Hormonal and other Organ Functions

Many a times, the women’s physiology will get disorganized due to various reasons and in such case the women will develop various complications. For example, any hormonal imbalance may interfere with the regular menstrual cycle and this may even lead to infertility, a disease or a condition most of the women will dread to have. Further, an irregular menstrual cycle will also result in women not getting their desired pregnancy at the right time.

Women, in order to ensure that their reproductive health is maintained in a rosy state, should get pap smear test conducted regularly. If the pap smear test shows any abnormality then preventive measures can be immediately taken so as to avoid the women’s reproductive health from deteriorating any further.

Please bear in mind that any abnormal pap smear test need not necessarily indicate cancer and in fact such condition can be perceived as an early option for getting yourself treated well in advance.

Next to the major killer disease of breast cancer, cervical cancer occupies the second position that causes cancer related deaths in women. Any cancerous growth can easily be identified with the smear test and hence women should get the smear test done regularly for early detection of any cervical cancer so as to take curative treatments in the initial stages itself.

In fact, you must understand that any form of cancer is curable, provided it is identified in its early stages and proper treatment is taken.

The major cause for any destruction of women’s reproductive system is actually the cervical cancer and the other forms of cancer such as uterine cancer or ovarian cancer may also result in impaired reproductive system. Added to this, women are also prone to develop ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and chronic pelvic pain that may interfere with her ability to conceive and give birth to child.

However, for having read what has been stated above, do not jump to conclusions that women’s reproductive health is mainly dependent on their pelvic region only. For any better reproductive health in women, their breasts should also be taken into account, as they are the main source for feeding the newborn for an extended period of time.

Hence, the risk of women getting breast cancer should also be looked at as impairment in the women’s reproductive health. Breast cancer is also a serious disease that may lead to infertility and even death in women. Today, there are various treatments that can contain and control breast cancer and with the assistance of reconstructive surgery, women will also be able to get back their original breasts again.

Further, in the event of women contracting bacterial or yeast infections in their reproductive organs, especially in vagina, they are bound to get their reproductive system affected. However, such conditions are treatable and once the bacterial infection in contained, the reproductive system’s health will be back to normal.

However, any such bacterial infections or pelvic inflammatory disease if left untreated can lead to irreversible infertility and hence the women should make it a point to get regular check-ups done by qualified doctors.

Gall bladder Pain. Pain from the gall bladder is felt on the right side in the upper abdomen. It starts as a dull ache but increases steadily to its peak, in about an hour and is called a colic because of its “come and go” nature. It may also go through to the back and be felt just under the right shoulder blade. As inflammation of the gall bladder develops, the severity of pain also develops and the upper abdomen becomes very tense and painful when touched.

Liver Pain. Pain of liver origin is usually not severe. It is more often a dull aching soreness of the upper abdomen, mostly on the right side and sometimes is felt in the right shoulder as well. The area just below the ribs on the right side is painful when tapped and when a deep breath is taken.

Pancreas Pain. It is most difficult to pin down pancreas pain generally. Often, laboratory tests and x-rays are necessary to make certain of the origin of the pain. Pancreas pain usually is severe and boring in the middle of the upper abdomen and straight through into the back. The pain increases to an agonizing state and may remain for several days. It is made worse by eating. Sitting straight up or leaning forward affords a small measure of relief, but real relief demands a hypo from the physician.

Pain in the Side of the Abdomen. The side of the abdomen includes pain caused by the kidneys and the ureter leading down

Side of abdomen

Fig. 98. The side of the abdomen is a vague area. It is the site of kidney and muscle spasm difficulties.
into the bladder. Abdominal wall pain is also present in this location.

Kidney Pain comes in two distinct types; dull aching pain and colicky cramping pain. The dull ache of kidney infection is felt in back just under the ribs and pushing or punching of this area may be very painful. The colicky cramping type pain is felt not only in the back, but running to the front of the abdomen and down into the groin region. This is called kidney colic; it can be excruciating and means that kidney stone possibly is being milked along to the outside. Such severe pain is never forgotten.

Keywords: Skin, Head, Eye, Ear, Cancer, Face, Lips, Teeth, Thyroid, Chest, Breast, Lungs, Heart, Nail, Asthma, Tongue, Neck, BP, Migraine, Scalp, Eczema, Shingles

Pain in the abdomen nearly always means something is wrong inside. It is nature’s warning signal to us and though it is about as welcome as “the plague,” it is rarely present without a good reason. To be brave about abdominal pain may mean strong character but certainly not long life, and serious disease in the abdomen is often allowed to progress to death’s door and beyond, simply because the pain was thought to be nothing serious.

When an organ within the abdomen is the source of pain, there is always some difficulty deciding which is the involved organ. Pain itself, however, gives many clues and frequently identifies its source.

How can we recognize a serious pain? Of the many pains and discomforts which are common in the abdomen, some are serious and others are of little importance.

A serious possibility is present-
1. If the pain has begun very recently (not months ago), and is very severe.
2. If the pain is associated with distention (blowing-up) of the abdomen.
3. If nausea and vomiting are present.
4. If the abdomen is hard or rigid and if pressing upon it causes great pain.
5. If it is also accompanied by bloody or tarry bowel movements.

Any of these characteristics lends importance to abdominal pain, whereas absence of all of them would accompany the probability of pain of lesser importance. Some of these less important pains might be stomach-ache due to “too many green apples,” minor food poisoning or mild constipation. Unimportant abdominal disturbances with mild pain are very common but in the event of any doubt, the physician should be consulted to rule out any serious possibility.

To study abdominal pain, let us examine each area of the abdomen separately to see which organ can produce pain in each area. Then we can study these organs individually and learn to identify the pain of each organ.

Upper Abdominal Pain. Abdominal pain above the umbilicus is likely to be caused by the stomach, liver, gallbladder or pancreas.

Stomach Pain. Pain from the stomach is felt in the upper abdomen. It is usually felt in the mid-line, occasionally goes through to the back and is caused mainly by ulcer and cancer.

Upper abdomen

Fig. 97. The upper abdomen is above the umbilicus and below the chest. Difficulties in this region include stomach, gallbladder, pancreas and liver-spleen diseases.

Peptic Ulcer and (gastritis) produces a burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen close to the mid-line, and has a characteristic identifying mark. It is relieved by food or alkali and it returns when the stomach is empty. Cancer Pain is about the same as ulcer pain, though not quite as severe and some people may have additional pain just as food is put into the stomach. In large, far-advanced cancer of the stomach, pain may be felt in the back, neck and elsewhere, depending upon spread of the disease. Stomach cancer cannot be identified with any certainty by the pain it produces. This is a job strictly for the physician.

Keywords: Skin, Head, Eye, Ear, Cancer, Face, Lips, Teeth, Thyroid, Chest, Breast, Lungs, Heart, Nail, Asthma, Tongue, Neck, BP, Migraine, Scalp, Eczema, Shingles

Out of the various diseases that afflict women, breast cancer is gaining a serious proportion today and the occurrence is increasing at an increasing rate. Hence, it is important for every woman to know few fundamental and basic tests or methods with which one can get their breasts examined for any of the impending dangers. We will see few of them now.

Mammograms

This test is very widely used for detecting cancerous growth in women’s breasts. The test is nothing but examination of the soft tissues in breast area and in mammograms x-ray technology is used. The various x-rays taken through mammography are evaluated by experienced radiologists and any abnormalities will be identified and in the event of finding any abnormalities then the test will be referred as positive.

Women who are in the age group of 20 and 40 years should subject themselves to mammogram once in every three years and women who are above forty years, should get mammogram done on them every year without fail.

Getting the Breast Examination Done by Specialists

In addition to mammograms, it is also better to get your breasts examined by experienced physicians on a regular basis. There may be a chance to detect some abnormal growth in breasts within the glandular area in its initial stages itself if physicians do physical examination.
Hence it is better you combine both mammograms and physical examination by physicians simultaneously once in three years if you fall under the age group of between 20 and 40 and once in a year if you are above 40 years.

Self-test or Self-introspection

Self breast examination is one of the most favored and advocated methods for identifying any abnormalities in time. There are many techniques for self-examination of the breast and you can learn them from your doctor. In self-examination, the idea will be to identify any abnormal growth by feeling all over the breast area.

The best method is to have a physical evaluation of your breasts before a mirror. Hold both your hands clasped at the back of your neck or head and look at your breasts in the mirror. Look for any changes in shape or dimensions or any protrusions or swellings. Watch for any roughness over the breast area, or for change in nipple shape, or rashes over the area of nipples. All these are indications of some underlying problems and you can seek medical attention immediately.

In an another method, you can use your fingers to have a feel of your breast areas and in this method there are two techniques namely circular method and grid method. In circular method, you use your right hand for examining your left breast and your left hand for right breast.

Start with the top of the breast and using three fingers gently press over the breast area and move your fingers in a circular fashion all through your breast area. The process should start from top and move towards nipple area and repeat the process for the other breast with the other hand.

In grid method, the starting point will be from breastbone. Using your fingertips press from the top portion and move downwards feeling for any abnormalities all through the process.

Few Valuable Points for Consideration

There are certain precautions that are to be followed in breast examination. For instance, you should avoid examining your breasts two or three days after your monthly menstrual cycle. With regard to the areas of breasts, you should note to include breast areas under your armpit and look for any lumps or swelling in lymph nodes.

In addition to what have been told above, you can also look for any swelling in and around your collarbone or clavicle. In case of finding any abnormalities, do not delay contacting your physician for further evaluation.

Pain in the abdomen nearly always means something is wrong inside. It is nature’s warning signal to us and though it is about as welcome as “the plague,” it is rarely present without a good reason. To be brave about abdominal pain may mean strong character but certainly not long life, and serious disease in the abdomen is often allowed to progress to death’s door and beyond, simply because the pain was thought to be nothing serious.

When an organ within the abdomen is the source of pain, there is always some difficulty deciding which is the involved organ. Pain itself, however, gives many clues and frequently identifies its source.

How can we recognize a serious pain? Of the many pains and discomforts which are common in the abdomen, some are serious and others are of little importance.

A serious possibility is present-
1. If the pain has begun very recently (not months ago), and is very severe.
2. If the pain is associated with distention (blowing-up) of the abdomen.
3. If nausea and vomiting are present.
4. If the abdomen is hard or rigid and if pressing upon it causes great pain.
5. If it is also accompanied by bloody or tarry bowel movements.

Any of these characteristics lends importance to abdominal pain, whereas absence of all of them would accompany the probability of pain of lesser importance. Some of these less important pains might be stomach-ache due to “too many green apples,” minor food poisoning or mild constipation. Unimportant abdominal disturbances with mild pain are very common but in the event of any doubt, the physician should be consulted to rule out any serious possibility.

To study abdominal pain, let us examine each area of the abdomen separately to see which organ can produce pain in each area. Then we can study these organs individually and learn to identify the pain of each organ.

Upper Abdominal Pain. Abdominal pain above the umbilicus is likely to be caused by the stomach, liver, gallbladder or pancreas.

Stomach Pain. Pain from the stomach is felt in the upper abdomen. It is usually felt in the mid-line, occasionally goes through to the back and is caused mainly by ulcer and cancer.

Upper abdomen

Fig. 97. The upper abdomen is above the umbilicus and below the chest. Difficulties in this region include stomach, gallbladder, pancreas and liver-spleen diseases.

Peptic Ulcer and (gastritis) produces a burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen close to the mid-line, and has a characteristic identifying mark. It is relieved by food or alkali and it returns when the stomach is empty. Cancer Pain is about the same as ulcer pain, though not quite as severe and some people may have additional pain just as food is put into the stomach. In large, far-advanced cancer of the stomach, pain may be felt in the back, neck and elsewhere, depending upon spread of the disease. Stomach cancer cannot be identified with any certainty by the pain it produces. This is a job strictly for the physician.

Keywords: Skin, Head, Eye, Ear, Cancer, Face, Lips, Teeth, Thyroid, Chest, Breast, Lungs, Heart, Nail, Asthma, Tongue, Neck, BP, Migraine, Scalp, Eczema, Shingles