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For a better tomorrow

A panel of experts recently focussed on various issues concerning women's health

PHOTO: R. SHIVAJI RAO

SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN The panelists and the organisers interact

Today's woman has to juggle many roles — of a mother, wife and career woman — all at the same time. To be able to fulfil these roles, she has to be in the pink of health. And how? That was what a panel of experts, which included international guest faculty, discussed at a meet on women's health organised by the Duchess Club, Apollo Centre of Excellence for Women (ACE), and WISH (Women of India Summit on Health Conference).

Important issues

A wide range of topics such as pregnancy, obesity, heart disease and diabetes was discussed, as also issues such as menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy. Dr. Prithika Chary, Consultant Neurologist and Neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals, and Medical Co-ordinator in-charge, Apollo Centre of Excellence for Women, said, "Women tend to neglect their health. But they do not realise that a healthy woman means a healthy family."

Nina Reddy of Duchess Club said most of the club's members were in their thirties and the programme hoped to turn the spotlight on the health concerns they faced.

Dr. Usha Sriram, Consultant Endocrinologist, Diabetes and Metabolism, Apollo Hospitals and Apollo Centre of Excellence for Women and part of WISH, set the ball rolling by asking questions on high-risk pregnancy.

Dr. Harold E. Fox, MD, Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, said, "It is important for women contemplating pregnancy or those who are already pregnant to discuss with their doctor the medicines they are on in order to understand their impact on health."

Asked about Hormone Replacement Therapy, he said, "It is still an open issue. But it would benefit a young woman whose ovaries have been removed to go in for HRT till menopause. Follow-up for uterine and breast cancer is important."

Dr. Usha Sriram said, "Hormone Replacement Therapy is recommended in smaller doses for women who suffer from hot flushes or profuse sweating at night for a short period. It cannot be used as a pill by youngsters for heart or bone protection because we have safer alternatives for these problems."

Prof. Michael de Swiet, Emeritus Professor of Obstetric Medicine, London, felt obesity and diabetes during pregnancy were the most common problems throughout the world. Dr. Usha said, "Watching TV for an hour daily can lead to a two per cent increase in an individual's weight every year." Her prescription for avoiding weight gain was simple:

"Eat smaller, healthier portions, become active, don't watch too much TV, and do some form of exercise everyday."

Dr. Jaishree Gajaraj, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Apollo Hopsitals and Apollo Centre of Excellence for Women, said though most of the time pregnancy did not involve too many risks, it could sometimes be fraught with complications.

Conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) were not as uncommon as one thought. "We need to identify the high-risk group and channel their health care accordingly," she added.

At the end of the day, the message was loud and clear. Women across the world had to adopt a more serious attitude to their health problems.

SUDHA UMASHANKER

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