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Menopausal zone: beware of obesity
Eat carrots, live long Eyesight
Ayurveda & you
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Menopausal zone: beware of obesity
Most women start expanding their waistline as they enter the menopausal zone by crossing the magic figure of 40 years of age. However, blaming the hormones for obesity at this age, paucity or excess, would be going too far from the truth. It is the faulty attitudes and lifestyles that are mainly responsible for the loss of figure due to protruding tummies and heavy hips. It is the intake of energy-dense foods and sedentary lifestyle that are responsible for the increase in the deadly cargo; your own weight. However, at the time of menopause women are additionally affected by the withdrawal of estrogens, which are protective to the heart and also affect body metabolism. It leads to increased levels of all causes of mortality--- hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. Overweight people are more likely to have high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, which are major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. As people gain weight, their glucose tolerance declines, putting overweight people at twice the risk for developing non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM/Type 2 diabetes). Dabetes is a major cause of early death, heart disease, kidney disease, and blindness. Several types of cancers are also associated with being overweight, including the cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, breast and colon. Other conditions linked with obesity include sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, gout, gallbladder disease and infertility. Excess abdominal fat is associated with an increase in blood cholesterol and insulin resistance, which may result in diabetes. An "apple-shaped or pear- shaped" figure may also raise your risks for other life-threatening illnesses, such as heart disease and stroke. The three parts of a successful weight-loss programme are a proper diet, behavioural changes and physical activity. The prevention of obesity, the mother of several top killer-diseases, should start during childhood. It is well known that a fat daughter will grow into a fat mother. Thus, obesity is unwelcome; mother or daughter. It is amusing to see a large number of fat-looking middle-aged women regularly queuing up in front of pizza-huts along with plump children, instead of planning to take any exercise whatsoever. A majority of women from the so-called well-off section are overweight in India. They are following the bad habits of poor and middle class populations of the US, whereas the well-off segments in the US are careful about their diet and exercise. An overweight individual is defined as one whose body mass index (BMI: the weight in kilogrammes divided by the square of height in metres) is above 25. The definition of obesity requires a BMI of over 30 kg/m. It appears that more than one-third of well-off people in India have a BMI over 27.8 kg/m. Among women aged 50-59, according to a study done abroad, 52 per cent are overweight. The causes of this obesity can be divided into two major factors: The genetics accounts for a part of the risk of becoming obese. The environmental basis for the growing number of obese individuals is of great importance. Since we no longer need to chase wildlife or climb trees for procuring food, and just open the refrigerator door and start hogging, the results are obvious. It is suggested that vegetables and grains should cover two-thirds of the plate. It is often recommended to eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and grains while limiting the intake of red meat, alcohol, fat and salt. However, the number one enemy is the television set to which most women are glued throughout the day, which largely contributes to physical inactivity. Instead of watching TV, riding a bicycle or jogging along with your children can be more health-giving as well as joyful. Menopause has been generally associated with lower energy expenditure and lower levels of physical activity, leading to greater abdominal fat deposit. Estrogen is believed to protect a fertile female from cardiovascular diseases, including a better lipid profile, decreased coagulation and direct vascular effects. The use of HRT is believed to improve the plasma lipid profile, and is, therefore, expected to offer protection from the atherosclerotic process and coronary artery disease. Your doctor is more likely to conduct one or more of the following tests: Measuring skin-fold thickness, which depends on the skill of the examiner and may vary widely when measured by different examiners. Bioelectrical impedance: Sophisticated software analyses your body composition in seconds. Waist circumference: It is strongly associated with abdominal fat, which is an independent predictor of disease risk. Be active and fit, shed fat. —
The writer, a senior gynaecologist, has authored several medical books.
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Eat carrots, live long
New Delhi: Adam lived for 930 years. The Indian saints, too, are said to have lived for more than hundred years by practising yoga and meditation. But for Adams and eves of today, new research prescribes simple things like carrots, bright coloured fruits, vegetables and a clamp down on calories in the diet to increase longevity. A nutrient found in those foods stood out in a European study of senior citizens. Elders with higher blood levels of the nutrient — called carotene — had fewer deaths, especially from cancer. There were also fewer heart disease deaths among seniors with higher blood carotene levels who weren’t overweight. Another study conducted on mice shows that cutting calories may promote longevity by increasing the production of chemicals involved in many critical processes within the body. “There is sufficient research to prove that plant source anti-oxidants protect the body against various diseases. There have also been some attempts to isolate these carotenes and bring these out as
supplements. So these plant-sourced anti-oxidants should be taken in the natural form to reap their benefits,” says Prof K. Srinath Reddy, Head, Department of Cardiology, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
— PTI
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Eyesight Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is the eye condition noted by reduced vision not correctable by glasses or contact lenses, which is not due to any eye disease. Amblyopia occurs when the vision in one eye does not develop properly during early childhood. If not treated on time, it can lead to a permanent visual problem. Although it mostly affects one eye, both eyes can also have decreased vision due to amblyopia. Babies are able to see when they are born, but they gradually learn how to use their eyes. Our visual development occurs up to the age of nine years, which is most critical from birth to six years of age. Anything that interferes with a normal image formation on retina in either eye during this period, leads to amblyopia. Both eyes must receive clear images during this critical period. If the image is not clear, the brain shuts off the image which is out of focus and the child depends only on the better eye to see. The good eye and brain will inhibit (block, suppress, ignore) the eye with the blur. Thus, amblyopia is a neurologically active process. The inhibition process (suppression) can result in a permanent decrease in the vision in that eye that can not be corrected with glasses, lenses, or lasik surgery The most common causes of amblyopia are strabismus (an imbalance in the positioning of the eyes) and anisometropia (when one eye has a high plus or minus number). Strabismus can cause the eye to turn in (esotropia) or turnout (exotropia). An eye disease like cataract that stops a clear image from being focused inside the eye can also cause amblyopia. How to know if your child has Amblyopia? You may not be able to tell that your child has a lazy eye. While a deviating eye may be easily spotted by the layman, amblyopia is usually difficult to diagnose, as many children with this condition look absolutely normal and carry out their activities with the normal eye. Only an eye doctor can confirm the diagnosis. That is why early infant and preschool eye examinations are so necessary. Still there are some signs which can help you in detecting if your child has amblypia or not : *If your child’s
eye is turned in, out, or up. These are warning signs enough to raise a suspicion of amblyopia. Far too many parents fail to take their infants and toddlers in for an early comprehensive vision examination, and many children go undiagnosed until they have their eyes examined at the eye doctor’s office at a later age. Amblyopia is best treated by an ophthalmologist. The most important diagnostic tools are the special visual acuity tests on other than the standard 20/20 letter charts currently used by schools, paediatricians and eye doctors. Treatment may involve use of spectacles to correct blurred vision or help straighten the eyes. Surgery may be required to mechanically realign the eyes Treatment: Amblyopia can be treated up to the age of 17 (in selected cases), but it is most effective when done early in child’s life usually before the age of seven years. Every amblyopic patient deserves an attempt at treatment. The aim of the treatment is to force the child to use the eye with less vision by obstructing vision in the better eye. The most commonly used treatment modalities are patching and atropinisation. Parent’s role: Parents play a vital role in making sure that their child does not have this disability. First, it is important to recognise any signs of a problem. Second, you should never wait for a problem to be corrected on its own. Once suspicion is raised, contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. You need to work in conjunction with doctors and ensure that the child wears the glasses or patch as advised by the doctor. If it is not treated on time, it can lead to poor vision for life-time in one eye. You play an important role in making sure that your child has a life-time of good eyesight. Improvements are possible at any age, but early detection and treatment offer the best outcome. If not detected and treated early in life, amblyopia can cause a permanent loss of vision with associated loss of stereopsis (depth perception). Better vision screenings are needed for young children. Amblyopia is one of the most common causes of visual impairment which can be completely reversed if diagnosed early and treatment initiated on time. Unless it is successfully treated during early childhood, it usually persists into adulthood. — The writer
is Chairman and Medical Director, Centre for Sight, New Delhi. E-mail:
msachdev@bol.net.in
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Ayurveda & you Junk food, though
hygienically packed with loud claims, has limited nutritional value. Most of these food items are high in salt, sugar, fats and calories, but offer little in terms of proteins, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. Despite this, junk food is heavily promoted and, with the coming up of more and more of their outlets, these have become extremely popular among all age-groups. The fast food culture has made a deep dent on our traditional eating pattern, may it be an evening time snack, casual get-togethers and other celebrations. Youngsters seem to be more swayed by this trend and burgers, noodles, pizzas, colas and ice-creams have become their all-time favourites. The practice of carrying healthy home- made lunch packs is gradually being replaced by eating in school canteens where children mindlessly eat all types of junk food. It is agreed that if taken only as occasional treats, most of the junk foods do not cause any harm. The problem arises only when junk food regularly replaces our home-made food which, if made with prudence, is far more healthier from various angles. Not only that it is rich in fibre, vitamins and proteins, the traditional food made of cereals, grains, vegetables and common kitchen spices is free from any type of artificial colours and preservatives. It is common knowledge that many of these chemical additives have serious effect on our health. Experts attribute a number of reasons which include genetic, behavioural and cultural factors to be responsible for obesity in children. Nowadays it is the junk food coupled with the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle which is more often cited as an important reason for obesity in that age group. The type of food offered by popular fast food chains is usually high in saturated fats. Several studies have indicated that these can cause greater weight gain and give rise to many other health problems. In most of cases overweight children become overweight adults also. Most of the junk foods like packed potato chips typically contain a high amount of salt. No doubt, sodium is a necessary body nutrient, but too much of its consumption has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Children are nowadays more accustomed to eating such junk food while watching TV or sitting for studying. Similarly, eating more of ice-creams, cakes and pastries, which have high sugar contents, is responsible for dental caries and obesity and its other related problems. Additives, though used to prolong the shelf life of junk foods or enhance their colour, flavour and texture, are also found to produce skin rashes and certain gastrointestinal disturbances. Excessive consumption of caffeine in the shape of colas can give rise to problems like mood swings, irritability, lack of concentration and sleeplessness. In fact, most fast foods are slow in digestion and the increasing incidence of constipation and gas trouble in children should be seen in this light. Ayurveda believes that moderation in diet should always be our guiding principle, and seeing the bad effects of junk food on one’s health, its consumption should be minimised. It is only parental persuasion and an awareness campaign by schools which can convince the children to eat fresh and healthy food most of the times. Junk food should be “enjoyed” only occasionally. —
The writer is a Ludhiana-based senior ayurvedic physician. |
