Women's Health and Pregnancy

Types of UTI  There are a number of different types of urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections usually develop first in the lower urinary tract (urethra, bladder). If these infections are not treated, they may progress to the upper urinary tract (ureters, kidneys). Bladder infection (cystitis) is by far the most common UTI.  Infection of the urethra is called urethritis. Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a serious condition that requires urgent treatment. Pyelonephritis…

6 signs that you may be iron-deficient – exhaustion, thumping heart… and what to do about it. Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju tells you what to eat to manage iron-deficiency anaemia. According to a World Health Organisation study, 40% of non-pregnant women in South-East Asia and and 50% in India suffer from anaemia.  What is anaemia  Anaemia is a condition in which the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin. Iron is a vital mineral used to…

By Dr Raghuvirsinh Solanki, Consultant plastic and Oncoreconstructive Microsurgeon. Are all breast cancer patients, who have had their breast removed, eligible for reconstruction? All patients wishing to undergo breast reconstructive surgery are eligible for reconstruction provided medical fitness and stage of cancer allows it. We do not offer reconstruction in advanced stages usually as it delays adjuvant treatment. What are the different types of reconstruction…

Ovarian cancer survivor, Meghna, 30, tells you why. Here, she shares her experience – symptoms and treatment – and her learnings. Please tell us a bit about your condition.  I have a rare form of ovarian cancer called Granulosa Cell Tumour (GCT). These are classified as stromal tumours originating from the sex cord. GCT accounts for about 2-3% of all ovarian cancer cases. I was staged 1a (12x7cm tumour removed intact). When were you diagnosed?  I was diagnosed in…

Says Dr Subhojit Dey, cancer researcher at the Indian Institute of Public Health. He tells us why, and how to protect yourself. 70% of Indian women with breast cancer seek medical help at the late stage. 5-year survival rate is around only 60%. In Developed Countries, for example in the USA 60-80% women reach the doctor at an early stage and 5 year survival is almost 90%. Awareness is key and saves lives. Breast cancer incidence is increasing. What are the factors…

Mark Zuckerberg spoke recently about the three miscarriages his wife suffered before their successful pregnancy. Most people prefer not to talk about it, but, as Dr Chandan Dubey, obstetrician and gynaecologist, says, it’s fairly common with one in five pregnancies ending in miscarriage. Loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks is called a miscarriage. It is a common occurrence. One in every five confirmed pregnancies ends in a miscarriage. For these women the result is emotional and mental stress,…

Are your heels sky-high and your bags oversized? You need to read this now. Don’t let your inner fashionista sabotage your health, says Dr Shital Raval. Skinny Jeans: Skinny jeans can compress the nerves and muscle of the groin area, aggravate acidity/reflux, abdominal discomfort and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). The Compartment syndrome, which is caused when the muscles become swollen and bruised, was recently seen in a case where a woman collapsed after squatting in…

Varicose veins affects more than 1 in 5 persons. Dr Shital Raval explains what varicose veins are, the causes and risk factors, the tests for diagnosis, the treatment and self management for varicose veins.  What are varicose veins? The venous system of the leg consists of 3 types of veins: 1. Superficial: long and short saphenous veins. These are principal veins near the surface of the legs. 2. Deep: veins that supply the muscles of the leg 3. Perforators: veins that connect the deep…

Which is the greater evil? How much fat is necessary in your diet? How to read food labels? Registered dietitian and diabetes educator Ujjwala Baxi has all the information.  The human diet is always evolving. And with each evolution comes strong and focused criticism of certain foods. Some decades ago, it was the fat in our diet that was demonised and 0% fat diets and recipes flourished on bookshelves and the dinner table. But very soon, it was realised that going nil…

The number of couples facing infertility is rising. Some risk factors are modifiable and preventable. Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Chandan Dubey shares 5 tips on conceiving naturally. This focusses on what women need to be aware of.  A couple who cannot conceive after one year of regular unprotected sex may have infertility. About 1 in 7 couples have this problem and need treatment. Many trends in the rapidly changing lifestyles of women and men may increase this problem in…