Fertility Facts Every Woman Needs to Know

For some women, pregnancy comes as a shock or surprise especially when it’s unplanned but for others, the journey to motherhood can be extremely agonizing mainly due to the complications that may arise in the course of time.

Did you know…?

1 out of 10 healthy couples of reproductive age experience problems with fertility.

Although fertility problems have become very common these days, there are many women who are either ill-informed or unaware of the facts concerning this subject.

With an aim to increase awareness, let’s throw some light on a few lesser known facts about Fertility

• Folic acid is a B-vitamin that plays an important role in building healthy cells and is also known to improve the egg quality. Women of reproductive age should take multivitamins with folic acid in order to prevent neural-tube defects like spina bifida.
• Being overweight or underweight has a significant impact on a woman’s ability to get pregnant. The human body needs at least 22 % body fat to be able to ovulate and reproduce normally. On the other hand, Obesity is known to trigger a hormonal imbalance, which could also delay/prevent pregnancy.
• Smoking increases the risk of blockages in the fallopian tubes and causes significant damage to the eggs. Women who smoke are at least 1.5 times more likely than non-smokers to have fertility problems. This habit when continued during pregnancy puts the baby at risk of developing serious health problems. What’s more…Smoking women are also known to reach menopause earlier than non-smokers. Poor diet, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and chronic stress are a few additional lifestyle factors that can affect your chances of getting pregnant
• Besides age, there can be multiple factors affecting your fertility. Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, autoimmune disease, celiac disease, PCOS and environmental toxins could play a role in preventing or postponing your pregnancy. If you haven’t conceived after 12 months of trying, make an appointment to see your OB-GYN or a specialist
• Fertility problems can emerge at any age, any time, even if you have conceived in the past. Moreover, it is also important to note that Fertility issues can affect men and women equally. This is a medical condition and a very sensitive matter which should be handled by the couple as two mature individuals without blaming each other
• If you are thinking of postponing your pregnancy, it is best to do a check on your egg reserve in order to gauge if you do or don’t have time to conceive. This can be done via a simple blood test conducted on the 3rd day of your menstrual cycle. While getting the blood test, you can speak to your doctor about your unique health factors, lifestyle choices, and family history indicators, as all these have a considerable impact on your chances of getting pregnant.

Not all fertility problems are severe. Having fertility issues doesn’t mean that you will never be able to conceive a child or experience motherhood. Continued progress in the world of medical science has created new possibilities for couples facing fertility issues to bear a child with proper treatment and therapy. Those with a severe fertility problem can always explore the option of adopting a child.

For more information on issues related to Women’s Reproductive Health and Fertility problems, attend a Fertility Awareness seminar at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, 7th floor, HRD Training Room1 on March 4th 2016 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Entry is free but strictly for COUPLES only. Registration is mandatory. Please call – +91-22-30972793 or SMS ‘KDAH SEM’ to 55454

It is extremely traumatizing for any parent to hear that their child has a disability . For many, this information comes as a sudden shock, so much so that they lose the ability to think clearly. In an attempt to cope with their own pain and frustrations, parents often end up ignoring the special needs of their child. With result-oriented, comprehensive care people with developmental disabilities can be more active, productive, and independent.

The early years of a child’s life are very important for his/her overall health and development. Developmental disorders are a group of childhood neurological conditions that develop over time and cause impairment in mental, emotional, behavioral, and physical features.

One such form of disability also known as the Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) impedes an individual’s ability to develop normal communication and socialization skills. Autism , Rett Syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder and Asperger syndrome are all categorized as a form of Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Although this illness doesn’t physically affect an individual, it does have a significant impact on his/her behavior.

Symptoms

In order to commence with the treatment, it is extremely important for family & relatives to spot the warning signs of this developmental disability. Common symptoms associated with a PDD include:

• Recurring behavior or body movements (For Ex – rocking back and forth)
• Difficulty in comprehending language and speech development
• Inability to deal changes in daily routine
• Difficulty in adjusting in a new surrounding
• Inability to relate to people, normal tasks, and objects
• Strange behavior with regard to objects and toys

Diagnosis

If monitored closely, a child’s behavior can give several clues about his/her physical & psychological condition. Although, the symptoms of a pervasive developmental disorder become visible right from infancy, they are often overlooked due to ignorance and lack of awareness about the same. This developmental disability can strike from birth or any time before the child turns 3. Accurate diagnoses could be a tricky task as the assessment is based on behavioral analysis rather than medical tests. A pervasive developmental disorder therefore has to be diagnosed only by a qualified specialist.

Treatment

There is no permanent cure for a Pervasive Developmental Disorder however medications can be extremely helpful in coping with some of the behavioral problems associated with it. In addition to medication, a specialized therapy will further benefit the individual in developing some social skills

Those diagnosed with this disability almost always have a normal mental function with few even demonstrating a high intelligence quotient (IQ). With comprehensive care and medical assistance, children with disorders can function reasonably well in a normal school setting while others may have to opt for specialized teaching, which caters to their needs

If your child is diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder , it is not the end of the world. With continued progression in the world of science & medicine, there is no reason why an individual with this disability cannot live a normal life in the near future. As a parent, you know your child better enough to gauge if he/she is or isn’t showing age-appropriate behavior. If you’re concerned that your child has developmental delay, don’t hesitate to share your doubts with an expert healthcare provider

The Department of Developmental Disorders at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital takes a multi-disciplinary approach that is aimed at early & accurate diagnosis, followed by personalized medical and therapeutic care.

To know more, visit:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/developmentdisorders.html

Republic Day honors the date (26th January 1950) on which the Constitution of India came into force and our country formally became a republic. Every year, this day brings with it the promise of a better tomorrow with endless new possibilities. Let’s derive inspiration from this positive Republic Day mood and take tiny steps to make big improvements

Follow these simple guidelines and pledge your commitment to a better and healthier life

• Ditch unhealthy fad diets
• Never skip breakfast
• Go to bed at the right time & wake-up early
• Spend less time with mobile phones and electronic gadgets
• Go for regular healthcheck-up
• Welcome positive thoughts
• Make exercise a part of your routine
• Sit less/Stand more
• Take a break occasionally/Make time for yourself
• Stay hydrated
• Cut down of tea & coffee consumption
• Sleep an hour extra
• Maintain a clean & hygienic surrounding
• Snack smart
• Switch to a healthy mode of cooking
• Eliminate bad habits like smoking cigarettes & drinking alcohol
• Load your plate with an extra serving of fruits & veggies
• Eliminate stress from life
• Make time for family

January being the first month of the year is also the same time when people make a bunch of health resolutions but rarely manage to keep up with it. Preventing sickness is not a difficult task. It comes down to adopting healthy habits that you can develop and follow for life. During the initial stages, it could be extremely challenging to make sudden/drastic changes in your lifestyle but once you establish new healthy behaviors, they will become your new norm.

When most people look at others with a fit and healthy body, they often find it impossible to imagine themselves in that form but the fact remains that achieving a high level of health and fitness is infact just about engaging in healthy behaviors on a daily basis. It is important to understand that getting unhealthy was not a one-day process therefore getting permanently healthier will take time and demand certain lifestyle changes.

The sooner you get on it, the sooner you can reap the sweet, sweet benefits of healthy living.

For those who are still finding it difficult can always turn to healthcare experts for guidance related to their mental/physical well-being.

Having said that, Are you ready to bring a positive change in your life?

Let’s face it; we can all pledge to be a little healthier

Deteriorating air quality in India, especially in cities like Delhi and Mumbai has been a hot topic for discussion since the past few weeks. As per recent reports, Air quality in Delhi improved considerably on Saturday, mainly due to strong winds and sunny conditions.

But what happens when the weather condition comes back to normal?

Will the pollution levels go up again?

The government needs to take permanent measures against increasing levels of air pollution in our country. It is estimated that on an average, a human being breathes 20,000 liters of air each day, which means that the more polluted the air is, the more toxins we inhale into our lungs.

Did you know…?

Air pollution affects kids more than adults because they have high respiration rates and inhale far more air in proportion to their body weight as compared to adults. Inhaling polluted air not only puts people at a dangerous risk of respiratory diseases but also cuts down their life span by 1 to 2 years.

What’s more disturbing is the fact that the air that school children in Delhi breathe is four times more toxic than the required safety limit.

The Impact of Toxic Air on your little ones could be life threatening

Damaged Lungs – While healthy adults at rest breathe in 12 to 16 times in a minute, babies less than a year old inhale 24 to 30 times a minute, toddler under 5 years breathe 20 to 30 times, while children aged between 6 to 12 years do it 12 to 20 times a minute. Since most kids lead an active life and spend far more time outdoors, they end up breathing more pollutants per kg of body weight compared to an adult. Experts believe that short-term ozone exposure not only reduces lung function but also causes breathing problems and lung inflammation in both children and adults. Kids are therefore more prone to suffering lung damage in addition to a host of other illnesses due to polluted air.

Cellular Damage – Together with ozone, sulfur dioxide, sulphate aerosols and suspended particles cause cellular damage to the airways and lungs and impair their function permanently. Sulphur dioxide is also known to constrict the airways, thus resulting in reduced lung cell permeability and development of scar tissue in the lungs. As per recent reports, the air pollution levels in Delhi have put its residents at the highest of risk of lung cancer.

Allergies and Asthma – Approximately 30 million people including children in India suffer from Asthma. Ozone, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter in the air has shown to trigger asthma attacks resulting in extreme use of medicines and increased hospitalization for children living next to busy streets. What’s more… it also puts kids at a dangerous risk of respiratory diseases.

Attention Deficit

Research shows that the impact of toxic air has a severe impact even on the womb, with pollutants leading to brain changes, developmental delays and behavioral problems after birth. Furthermore it is also believed that if a pregnant woman is exposed to high levels of polluted air, it could result in the baby being born with depression, withdrawal syndrome, aggressive and disruptive behavioral traits. What’s more…it also increases the risk of low birth weight. Pollution not only triggers minor allergies but also causes life-threatening diseases in kids which have tripled the cases of little ones being hospitalized with respiratory illnesses. In India, approximately 1 lakh premature deaths are caused yearly by air pollution. It’s about time strict measures are undertaken by the Indian government to curb this problem

It’s time to bid goodbye to the year 2015 and you’re probably thinking about what you’d like to do differently the next year.

‘New Year’s Resolution’ – this term in itself is enough to increase the anxiety levels of those wish to improve their health but aren’t sure where to start. It is believed that most resolutions are broken by the end of January

Ever wondered why that happens?

Setting up unrealistic goals that is further backed by incorrect strategies to accomplish these goals contributes to the failure of any resolution that you may have made for the upcoming year. Losing weight, getting fitter and making the right food choices are some of the most common health resolutions that are made every year but how many of you actually have the determination to stick to the plan?

If health improvement is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, here are a few simple tips to help you make gradual lifestyle adjustments. Reboot and Rebuild Healthy Habits for the year 2016

• Start by setting up simple and achievable goals. After completing the first goal, work your way up progressively to the difficult ones
• If you find it difficult to part with your favorite food items, start by limiting the portion size for the first few weeks and gradually substitute them with their healthy counterparts
• Include atleast one kind of physical activity in your daily routine. If work prohibits you from hitting the gym or going for a walk then indulge in household chores, take the stairs instead of the elevator or take your dog out for a walk. The goal is to ensure that you spend less time in a static position
• Find a workout buddy
• Keep an exercise or eating log to check your weekly performance
• Make more time for yourself. If you’ve spend a large part of the year 2015, stressing over work related issues, make leisure time a priority in the year 2016
• Do not let your health take a backseat. Make it a point to schedule and go for your periodic health check-ups as it can help you in getting a better understanding of your current health status. Getting tested regularly will also keep a tab on your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, vitamin deficiencies etc..
• Try not to be glued to your mobile phones and electronic gadgets for a change. It will not only benefit your health (by keeping you away from dangerous radiation) but also give you a chance to spend some quality time with the important people in your life
• Get atleast 7 to 8 hours of sleep in a day. Sleep is the body’s way of healing and refueling. Lack of sleep has shown to have a disastrous impact on the overall health, not to mention the trauma it causes to the brain, affecting mental health, productivity and mood.
• Getting healthier or eating better doesn’t have to be boring. Don’t forget to add an element of fun in whatever you do. Stress can take a toll on your body and destroy it inch by inch hence everyday make sure you do atleast one thing that makes you happy

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital wishes all a Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year