Sunny Health

Many women suffer from a certain degree of pain during their periods. If you have been relying on Panadol Menstrual to relieve your period pains, you may be devastated, like me, to find that it has been discontinued. And as I am allergic to NSAIDS, other popular painkillers for period pains, like nurofen and ibuprofen are out of question.

Nevertheless, generic paracetamol works just as well for relieving muscle soreness and cramps from period pains, according to Professor Paul Ho from the pharmacy department in the National University of Singapore's science faculty. There is also Panadol Extra, which has an extra 65mg of caffeine for better pain relief of really bad cramps. However, if your cramps are so excruciating that they affect your work and daily activities, then it is advisable for you to see a doctor.

For those who have mild cramps and can tolerate them without medication, it is in your best interests to do away with painkillers. According to thehealthsite.com, prolonged use of ibuprofen/paracetamol may cause serious side effects such as bleeding disorders and damage to the liver. Other common side-effects include:

• Gastric problem
• Stomach pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Tightening of the chest
• Dizziness
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea or vomiting

Incidentally, from the above list, a few are also common symptoms that accompany period cramps. So if you still experience some of these while the pain is alleviated, your painkiller could be responsible for it!

Here are some things that can give a little immediate relief for your period pains:

1) Heat has always proven to be good for soreness. In this case, a hot shower or soak in a warm bath, or a hot compress over your stomach are helpful.

2) Massage your lower abdominal area with light circular motions using your fingertips. Use medicated oil or tiger balm oil for better effect; the heat generated will come as a soothing relief.

3) Hot ginger tea is a popular home remedy and helps relief the bloated feeling that you may get. You can get instant ones at the supermarkets.

The reduce the intensity of menstrual cramps, you should incorporate more exercise in your daily regime. It does not have to be anything intensive. Even a daily walk or slow jog goes a long way in keeping your body healthy and relaxed.

If you are a smoker, then you should consider quitting smoking. Chemicals from cigarettes makes your blood composition thicker. It constricts your blood vessels, thus hindering blood flow and increasing the likelihood of pain during your periods.

• changes in the shape of the nipple
• breast pain doesn't go away after your next period
• a new lump that doesn’t go away after your next period
• nipple discharge from one breast that is clear, red, brown, or yellow
• unexplained redness, swelling, skin irritation, itchiness, or rash on the breast
• swelling or a lump around the collarbone or under the arm

Swollen calves are a challenge for the wardrobe; they look unflattering in mini skirts, shorts and leggings with funky prints, and that sucks if you're a fan of those. More importantly, they could be the cause or sign of underlying health problems. This is especially so if the rest of your body is average-sized or even slim.

Thick calves could be hereditary (check out your family members' pins). Usually this means that fat has a higher tendency to get stored in that area, which causes the area to become, well, fat. In fact, swollen calves tend to be more prominent in women because fat is more commonly stored in the lower body.

But swollen calves are also a sign of water retention or blood circulation problems. Sitting or standing too long is unhealthy, and a cause of swollen calves as well. Poor circulation problems can eventually lead to varicose veins, which is a much more unsightly and stubborn problem than swollen calves. Reducing swollen calves can consequently rectify some impending health issues, and of course, broaden your wardrobe choices.

Regardless the cause of your large calves, the following tips are designed to help you achieve better wellness overall and healthier legs:

Wear compression stockings

If you have a job that requires you to frequently stand or sit, these are a godsend. Used as a treatment device for varicose veins, they reduce the diameter of distended veins (veins that bulge out), causing an increase in blood flow in the veins and valve effectiveness. It is a safeguard measure against a variety of venous disorders like edema (severe water retention) with the benefit of relieving tired, aching legs. It should not be an excuse against being active.

Be active

Exercise is essential for overall well-being. Walking and long distance running are great ways to tone your legs while reducing body fat and improving circulation.Just look at the legs of marathon runners; they're muscly but slim. Certain types of exercises, especially high impact activities like sprinting, do build up calf muscles, which is probably not what you want if you're looking at this article. Low-impact activities that train your endurance are the way to go, and they're suitable for most age groups.

Walk correctly

We may have been walking since we were toddlers, but not everyone grows up walking in the correct manner. Poor posture when walking can lead to swollen ankles and calves along with a myriad of posture-related issues.

The right way to walk is to keep your back straight, head up. Looking down puts your head down, and your spin follows. This puts pressure on your back and neck, which can eventually cause pain in those areas. Yet another reason to put away your phones while walking!

When you walk, your knee should take the lead in putting your leg forward, not your foot. Leading with your foot causes the body to tilt backwards.

Here is a graphic on the correct way of walking:




Reduce amount of time in high heels

Sorry ladies, although high heels appear to elongate the legs when worn, constantly walking on the balls of your feet can build calf muscle, leading to thick calves. Furthermore, long-term wearing of high heels can cause many health problems, including permanent reshaping of leg muscles, causing pain when walking, and is therefore not much of a loss.


Use a foot pillow at night

Lie with your back on the bed (it's the best sleeping position!), and your feet on pillows 10 to 15 cm off the bed. If your knees feel uncomfortable, placing a bolster underneath helps. Elevating the feet above heart level helps to promote venous drainage and reduce swelling. If this sleeping position is impossible for you, just elevating your feet for 20 minutes is a great help.

However, this method is not suitable for people who have moderate to severe Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) who become short of breath when lying flat, or those with moderate to severe Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) who will experience pain in the feet when elevating their legs.


Daily Lymphatic massage

1. Starting from ankles working your way towards your knees, lightly massage legs. Avoid putting too much pressure into the massage, i.e. be gentle.
2. The back of your knees is where lymph ducts from legs (lymph node) accumulate, so apply pressure lightly in this area; it is sensitive.
3. Be sure to massage the area around your kneecap where swelling may be most prominent.

Repeat on both legs, 10 times for best results

If you have a bath tub, the best time to do this is during your bath time, when your blood circulation is best due to the warm water. If not, before bed time is good too when you're relaxed.

If your legs are visibly swollen, especially on one side, or if you experience pain and redness, you should seek a diagnosis from a doctor.

Surgery is not the only viable option to reduce your risk of getting cancer. If you are in the high risk group, understand the symptoms, and monitor your health condition. Attend regular health screenings and check ups. Cancer, if any, when detected early, can be treated more easily and at less cost. Some health insurance plans cover medical screenings. AIA’s Wisdom for Women for example, offers free medical check-ups once every 2 years from the 3rd year of the policy.

Above all, lead a healthy lifestyle and keep your spirits up. With today’s medical advances, cancer is no longer an end to life. For some, it may even be a beginning of a new journey!

The scientific name for such cramps is Dysmenorrhea. Most people assume that menstrual cramps only cause pain the abdomen. However, that is not the case. It can cause abdominal pain, lower back pain, pain in the hips and/or pain in the thighs. This would explain the various discomforts and lethargy we experience during this monthly period.








Bananas, avocados, dried apricots, prunes, spinach, cashews, almonds, nut butters, pinto beans, kidney beans, peanuts, tofu, brown rice and millet are rich in magnesium.

For a more comprehensive listing of the types of food for easing menstrual cramps, check out this article: http://www.livestrong.com/article/324135-foods-to-ease-menstrual-cramps/


When to see a doctor?

If you experience persistent unbearable pain each month that gets in the way of your daily work, or you experience cramps even after childbirth or menopause, do consult your doctor, as the following problems also produce symptoms of menstrual cramps:

• Endometriosis. In this painful condition, the tissue that lines your uterus becomes implanted outside your uterus, most commonly on your fallopian tubes, ovaries or the tissue lining your pelvis.
• Uterine fibroids. These noncancerous growths in the wall of the uterus rarely may be the cause of pain.
• Adenomyosis. In this condition, the tissue that lines your uterus begins to grow into the muscular walls of the uterus.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This infection of the female reproductive organs is usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria.
• Cervical stenosis. In some women, the opening of the cervix may be so small that it impedes menstrual flow, causing a painful increase of pressure within the uterus.

The men can help too  

Believe it or not, women hate PMS as much as you do. Hormonal changes and menstrual cramps can cause women to feel really tired, irritable and be in a bad mood. Do empathise with our discomfort and not take it personally if we're short-tempered with you.

Help your loved one ease the discomfort by bringing her painkillers, hot water bottles and comfort food that puts her in a good mood, and generally being nice to her. She'd be so touched that she'd love you more for it, and try to make up for the hard time she gave you!  

Sources:
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/crampsmenstrual/ht/menstrualcramps.htm

"If you learn from a loss you have not lost. "

With the London Olympics in full gear, this is the spirit many of the Olympians and their supporters are probably abiding by, or persuading themselves to abide by in the name of good sportsmanship.

This is a good principle to bear in mind for many kinds of losses, but when it comes to hair? Most likely not. Hair loss is a very hairy issue (no pun intended). Once a person starts losing hair, he/she's in danger of balding unless something effective is done about the problem before it gets out of hand.

Hair loss is often associated with men. Looking at the myriad of hair loss advertisements out there, majority of them have men endorsing the products. But ladies, don't let that lull you into a false sense of security. Women too, suffer from hair loss problems.

For men, hair loss is more obvious, as it usually begins from the crown of the head. Women suffer from receding hair lines at the temples of the head and thinning of hair at the crown area. As such, for those who are not very conscious about your appearance, it may take you awhile to notice that you're losing hair.


Causes of Female hair loss

There are 100,000 hair follicles on our head and if we lose more than 100 strands of hair a day, it is considered a hair loss problem.

It is probably too tedious to count the number of strands of hair you lose everyday. But there are some simple ways to tell whether you are suffering from hair loss.

Are you noticing a lot of hair on your pillow, or on the floor around the place you often sit? Are you getting a lot of loose hair on your hands or the bathroom floor even though you're just shampooing your hair gently? If the answer is 'yes' to any of these, it's time you start giving better care to your hair.


1. Hereditary – If your grandma has it; your mum has it; your aunt has it, most probably you will develop hair loss as well.  This may be a problem of female-pattern baldness.

2. Hormonal factors – When there is an imbalance of hormones in your body, this may lead to temporary hair loss. Pregnancy, discontinuation of birth control pills and the onset of menopause can lead to temporary hair loss.
3. Medication – Certain types of medicine for illnesses such as Cancer, Depression, High Blood Pressure and Heart Problems can lead to hair loss.

4. Medical Conditions – Scalp infections, thyroid problems and other skin diseases can result in hair loss.

5. Other Factors – Constantly tugging your hair, tying your hair into a tight ponytail or bun, and stress.


Prevention

Oily hair is a bane. Keep that conditioner away from your scalp!

Shampoos cleanse the scalp and remove any dirt or oil that clogs up the hair follicles. Your hair follicles work the same way as the pores on your skin; if they get clogged, bacteria grows. The difference is that on the scalp, a pimple may not appear, instead, your hair will fall out. If you have to use a conditioner, use it only on the ends of the hair. Conditioners contain oil to soften the hair, but will make your scalp oilier. Conditioners are meant to feed your hair with moisture, and should not be used on the scalp.

Wash your hair daily. Ignore the old wives' tales.

Stories telling you that washing hair once a week is healthy are myths. Washing your hair everyday after you get home from the day's activities ensures that all the dirt accumulated during the day on your scalp is removed. This allows your hair follicles to breathe and new hair to grow.

Keep your tools clean.

Always wash your comb or hair brush before and after each use. This will prevent you from putting more dirt or bacteria onto your scalp.

Treatment

Treating hair loss is not an overnight matter. In fact, hair loss can takes months to recover. Typically, doctors will prescribe oral medication, medicated shampoo and medicine to be applied on the scalp.

If you prefer more natural methods, try reputable hair restoration specialists like Beijing 101 and Yun Nam. Although they they use alternative remedies, they do conduct a scientific scalp analysis and prescribe treatments based off it.

Undoubtedly, some hair loss problems cannot be solved in the short term if you are on long term medication or cancer treatment. However, if your hair loss is not attributed to such issues, there is hope to regain hair growth early. Do consult your doctor or a hair specialist once you notice your hair loss problem. The longer you put it off, the longer it takes for you to regain your thick crown of hair.

References:
http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/SkinBeauty/Pages/Getting-to-the-Root-of-Female-Hair-Loss.aspx
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/06/female-hair-loss-causes-treatment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/hair_loss_women.shtml
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/ds00278/dsection=causes

In recent years, the HPB has been launching campaigns every year to persuade women in Singapore to get vaccinated against HPV, or the Human Papillomavirus, a virus that causes Cervical Cancer.
Heightened concerns about cervical cancer are not unfounded, considering the magnitude of its impact.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer found in women and it affects up to 500,000 women worldwide each year. In Singapore, one woman dies of cervical cancer every five days and 500 new cases are detected each year.

Every woman stands an 80% chance of being infected with HPV at least once in their lifetime. The body is able to fight off most HPV infections, but any residual virus that cannot be removed can remain behind in the cervix and cause cancer.
Cervical cancer affects the cervix of the women where the cells in the cervix grow abnormally.

Any woman is susceptible to cervical cancer and the risk starts from the time the woman first has intercourse. You can evaluate your risk of getting cervical cancer via this online assessment. Generally, women who are regular smokers, have multiple sex partners and have had sexually transmitted disease(s) are at significantly high risk of developing cervical cancer.

Frighteningly, cervical cancer is a silent killer, in the sense that symptoms do not appear until the later stages when the disease is difficult or impossible to treat.

Symptoms of cervical cancer in later stages:
1. Abnormal bleeding between periods
2. Abnormal bleeding after menopause
3. Abnormal bleeding after intercourse
4. Foul smelling watery or bloody vaginal discharge
5. Lower abdominal pain during intercourse

But inspite of how dangerous this cancer seems, the good news is that it is the only cancer specific to women that can actually be prevented. The risk of developing cervical cancer can be lowered by up to 70% through HPV vaccination. This vaccination is available in all hospitals and most clinics island wide. The vaccination consists of three jabs done over a period of six months.

The vaccination is able to prevent the two main strains of HPV virus that can cause cancer and recurrent infections. However, it is unable to fight off any infections that are already within the body. Hence, it is important to go for regular pap smear as a detection test as early as possible, and even after vaccination.

There are two different types of vaccinations approved for use in Singapore, namely Merck’s Gardasil and GlaxoSmithKline’s Cervarix. The prices vary between SGD$450 - SGD$600 and can be paid via medisave.

According to the HPB, Gardasil aids with the prevention of cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer and genital warts and is approved for use in girls and women aged 9 to 26 years old. Cervarix aids with general prevention of cervical cancer and is approved for use in girls and women aged 10 to 25 years old. If you are older than 26 years old, you will need to seek advice from your doctor to find out if the vaccination is still appropriate for you.

Studies indicate that protection for both vaccines will last at least five years. However, it is not known whether booster shots or additional shots will be required to reinforce the vaccination.
Do note that apart from age limit, there are also certain factors that determine whether you a vaccination is suitable for you, such as pregnancy, an infectious illness and allergy to yeast. So do find out from your doctor or polyclinic about your suitability for the vaccinations. Don't wait until it's too late!

Other sources: 
http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/News/Pages/Cervical-cancer-jabs-covered-by-Medisave.aspx
http://www.natap.org/2011/newsUpdates/092911_03.htm

The supposed link between cancer and cosmetics was once again thrown into the limelight following a study by the NTU which was published in the Straits Times. The study said that zinc oxide, a common chemical used in beauty products such as cosmetics or even sunblock, could be cancerous. The notion that cosmetics contain cancerous products is not new. Years ago, researchers have brought up the link, but have always been disputed. Sadly, nobody seems to be able to make up their mind or say for sure whether the link between cosmetics and cancer exists. A lot of research findings are in premature stage, and there has yet been any study that demonstrates a direct link between cancer and cosmetics.

Still, it is better to be safer than sorry. There are some products in cosmetics that have potential to be cancerous. When taken in significant amounts, they may eventually cause cancer.

Here are some chemicals in cosmetics that are known to be harmful to health.
· Fragrances: May cause allergies and cancers
· DMDM hydantoin and imidazolidinyl urea: Comes with toxic contaminants.
· Hydroquinone: May lead to allergies and cancer.
· Oxybenzone: May lead to allergies, developmental toxicity and hormone disruption.
· Triclosan or triclocarban: Contains thyroid.
· Triethanolamine (TEA): May lead to allergies and comes with toxic contaminants.
· Parabens or -paraben: May lead to cancer or hormone disruption.
· PEG or -eth: These ingredients can come with hidden toxic contaminants.

Products that may have adverse effects on health in the long-run:

· Anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA and BHA acids.
· Hair dyes, especially dark permanent dyes.
· Liquid hand soaps with triclosan/ triclocabron.
· Nail polish and removers with formaldehyde, DBP or toluene.
· Skin lighteners with hydroquinone.
· Heavily scented products.

Mercury is well-known to be toxic. In significantly high amounts, it can cause brain damage and death. Mostly found in household cleaning products, it has recently been introduced as an additive for the cosmeticsindustry. Mercury is found in eye products such as mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow. While exposure to mercury is not initially harmful in small quantities, mercury does accumulate in the body and could cause health risks in the future. Unfortunately, not enough people are taking this threat seriously, Minnesota, USA, is the only place that has banned mercury in cosmetics this year.

This lack of interest and caution is also attributed to the fact that many young people think that they have a good immune system, and therefore, not likely to contract cancer or diseases in their youth. But this is clearly not true, as people in their teens are known to contract cancer as well.

That said, this article does not mean to scare you off grooming and using make-up. Just remember to read the ingredients of the products you are buying and lay off those that are known to be potential health hazards. There are also organic and natural beauty and skin products that utilize more health friendly ingredients. Of course, they also tend to cost more, but health is more important than money after all! Bodyshop, Botani, Logona, Living Nature, Nature's Essence are some examples of more health-friendly beauty and body care products, just to name a few. Unfortunately, many organic brands hail from overseas and are more costly. It may be cheaper to purchase direct from the retail websites of these brands, and get some friends to join you and save on shipping fees.

So, is there such a thing as cancerous cosmetics? Well, there's a popular saying, "There's no smoke without fire." One can never be too careful!

Quick Facts about Breast Cancer


• One in 8 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
• More than 180,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
• Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, after skin cancer.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
• Breast cancer kills approximately 41,000 women in the United States each year.
• Breast cancer is not one of the leading causes of death in women in general, but it is the leading cause of death in American women ages 40-55.
• The incidence of breast cancer has more than doubled in the past 30 years. In 1964, the lifetime risk was 1 in 20; today it is 1 in 8.
• The most important risk factor for breast cancer is being female.
• The next most important risk factor for breast cancer is age. Breast cancer risk increases directly with age.

Survival Rates
• 97% of women diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer this year will be effectively cured.
• 80% of all women diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer will be alive five years after diagnosis; at least 60 percent will survive ten years after diagnosis.
• More than 2.6 million women in the United States are breast cancer survivors.

Risk Factors
• Other risk factors for breast cancer include:
• Being female
• Aging (breast cancer risk increases directly with age)
• Having had breast cancer previously
• Having a close family member (mother, sister, daughter) or 2 other relatives with breast cancer
• Having the "breast cancer genes", BRCA1 or BRCA2
• Having your first period before age 12
• Having your first pregnancy after age 30
• Having no children
• High dietary fat intake
• Being obese
• Having 2 or more alcoholic drinks per day
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• 7 out of 10 breast cancers occur in women with no other risk factors than being female.
• Fewer than 40 percent of all diagnosed cases of breast cancer are associated with heredity and reproductive history.


Extracted from Dr Donnica.com

http://www.drdonnica.com/fastfacts/00000508.htm