Menopause, breast lumps, osteoporosis and UTI symptoms – Dr Raj Arora shares her practical guide to six on a regular basis women’s health concerns
Increasingly doctors and scientists are starting to acknowledge the differences between the health needs and concerns of men and ladies.
Biologically our genetic makeup can dictate risk and predisposition to certain health conditions.
Dr Raj Arora is a GP, the founding father of @thefacebible and one in every of the UK’s leading medical educators. Her passion lies in mental health awareness, women’s health and skincare.
As a female GP, Dr Raj Arora has at all times been obsessed with educating other women with regarding to women’s health and using her Instagram platform @dr_rajarora to teach, inform, empower and encourage her followers. Here’s a practical guide to assist navigate some common women’s health concerns.
Here’s a practical guide to assist navigate some common women’s health concerns…
Health concern #1 Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease kills greater than twice as many ladies as breast cancer within the UK in yearly. In 2019 it was the only biggest reason for death in women worldwide.
Heart attacks can present with chest pain and other more common symptoms in women equivalent to, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, a lightweight upper back pressure.
As women become old it’s important to acknowledge the danger aspects of heart disease
Symptoms are normally more subtle in women, subsequently women are sometimes more more likely to dismiss symptoms of a heart attack as heartburn or ignore all of them together – resulting in poorer outcomes.
As women become old it’s important to acknowledge the danger aspects of heart disease and to try to reduce risk:
- Hypertension
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obese
- Reduced Physical activity
Concentrate on a balanced food regimen, regular exercise, and quit smoking. Also if you will have a family hx of heart disease – get yourself checked recurrently.
Women over 40 can visit their GP/nurse for a well woman check and this can include cardiovascular risk. It will be important to examine blood pressure and cholesterol/blood glucose levels.
Health Concern #2 Breast Lumps
Breast cancer is probably the most common style of cancer in women within the UK, but when detected early, there’s a great likelihood of recovery. It will be important to acknowledge that breast lumps are quite common and all breast lumps don’t equal cancer.
Every women’s breasts are different when it comes to size, shape and consistency. One breast might also be larger than the opposite.
It’s vital to concentrate on the danger aspects:
- Being chubby
- Alcohol
- Contraceptive pill
- HRT
- Being inactive
It’s also vital to recurrently examine your breasts. Take a look at each breast and armpit, using the flat of your hand, feel each breast and armpit as much as the collarbone, search for any skin changes, nipple inversion and nipple discharge/bleeding.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme has produced a 5-point plan for being breast aware:
- Know what’s normal for you
- Take a look at your breasts and feel them
- Know what changes to search for
- Report any changes to a GP immediately
- Attend routine screening should you’re aged 50 to 70
In the event you are concerned a couple of lump or if you will have breast pain/ache – see your GP urgently.
Health Concern #3 Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones and makes them more fragile and liable to breaking. It affects one in two women over 50.
Women lose bone rapidly in the primary few years after the menopause and symptoms can include: a stooped posture, back pain, lack of height over time and bone fractures occurring far more easily than expected.
Women lose bone rapidly in the primary few years after the menopause
It will be important to acknowledge risk aspects:
- Family history
- Low weight BMI<19
- Long run use of steroids
- Alcohol excess
- Smoking
- Inactivity
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Dietary changes – low calcium
- Hormone changes – menopause/early menopause
- Hysterectomy
- Thyroid disorders
You may help prevent osteoporosis by carrying out regular weight bearing exercises/resistance exercises in addition to muscle strengthening exercises.
It will be important to have a balanced healthy food regimen and to give attention to calcium wealthy foods to make sure really useful every day intake of 700mg calcium.
Treatment can include HRT, bone strengthening medications and supplements
Vitamin D can also be key within the food regimen to assist absorb calcium. It may well be difficult to get enough Vitamin D from food sources alone so consider a every day complement of 10mcg.
Calcium wealthy foods include:
- Dairy products
- Leafy greens
- Dried Fruit
- Tofu
Other practical suggestions suggest that you just give up smoking, reduce alcohol and likewise get some sun (to spice up your vitamin D).
In the event you think you could have osteoporosis attributable to menopause or hormone changes, see your doctor to contemplate Hormone Alternative Therapy (HRT).
If you will have symptoms or have risk aspects of osteoporosis, it’s important to see your GP and to get an early diagnosis via a DEXA scan. Treatment can include HRT, bone strengthening medications and supplements.
Health Concern #4 HPV & Cervical Cancer
There are greater than 30 kinds of sexually transmitted infections. One of the crucial common is the Human Pappiloma Virus and may increase risk of cervical cancer.
HPV will be prevented with the HPV vaccine. Cervical cancer is a cancer that’s found anywhere within the cervix – the opening between the vagina and the womb.
There are around 850 deaths from cervical cancer within the UK yearly. That’s greater than two people day by day.
Risk aspects:
- HPV
- Aged under 45
- First pregnancy at young age
- Having many sexual partners
- Weakened immune system – HIV/AIDS
- Smoking
- Long run use of Contraceptive pill
It will be important to acknowledge that the national cervical screening programme – the ‘Smear test’, may help to detect cancerous cell changes early.
It will be important to attend the smear test, many ladies feel embarrassed or uncomfortable to attend the smear. Additionally it is vital to talk to your GP or nurse, we’re highly experienced in carrying out smear tests and may answer any questions on the method that you could have.
Health Concern #5 Menopause
Menopause is when your periods stop as a consequence of low hormone (oestrogen) levels. This often happens between ages of 45 to 55 and symptoms can last for a median of 4 to eight years. Perimenopause is when symptoms start before your periods stop.
Symptoms can include: low mood, brain fog, anxiety, palpitations, poor sleep, mood swings, lack of libido and hot flushes.
In the event you are experiencing any symptoms of perimenopause/menopause it’s important to see your GP and to contemplate treatment (HRT) to assist replace the declining oestrogen hormone. This will be prescribed by your doctor.
HRT can are available in the shape of gel, patches, spray, tablets and implants
HRT is probably not suitable for everybody but doctors will run through risks and advantages with you. HRT can are available in the shape of gel, patches, spray, tablets and implants. In the event you aren’t suitable for HRT there are other treatments that will be offered.
Menopause and perimenopause can have a huge effect on a lady’s life each at home and at work. This shouldn’t be underestimated.
- Lifestyle changes will be made to assist alleviate symptoms, equivalent to:
- Healthy balanced food regimen
- Exercise recurrently
- Calcium wealthy food regimen to cut back risk of osteoporosis
- Sleep routines are key
- Start mindfulness techniques – meditation, yoga
- Check with friends/family for support
For further information on each of those lifestyle changes and other in depth information on all things menopause, download Healthista’s Menopause Pack.
The Healthista Menopause Pack is a totally comprehensive online video workshop, led by Dr Dawn Harper from Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies.
With expert advice and data from seven credible menopause industry experts, we hope that this online resource will help women navigate common health and wellness changes and challenges they might experience before, after and through the menopause.
Health Concern #6 Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s)
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) are infections that affect the bladder, kidneys and tubes connecting them. They’re more common in women because the urethra (tube through which urine leaves the body) is shorter than men.
Because of this bacteria can travel into the bladder easily. Some women suffer from recurrent UTI symptoms or ‘cystitis’ (inflammation of the bladder).
- Symptoms often include:
- Pain when passing urine
- Have to pass urine more continuously
- Sudden urge to pass urine
- Pain in lower tummy
- Foul smelling cloudy urine
Learn how to prevent UTI symptoms?
- Empty your bladder fully
- Stay hydrated
- Wipe from front to back (to forestall bacteria from rectum entering urethra)
- Pass urine immediately after sex
- Avoid tight trousers/underwear
- Go for cotton underwear over synthetic materials
- Avoid perfumed soaps/female hygiene products across the genital area.
If you will have UTI symptoms, speak to you doctor, it’s possible you’ll need a course of antibiotics to treat the infection.
