Now more than ever, we need to find ways to stay connected with our community. No one should feel alone or without the information, support and help they need. It’s okay to feel unstable. It’s okay to need help. It’s okay not to be okay. Please take care of yourself. Make your mental health a priority!
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
National high blood pressure education month provides awareness regarding hypertension. Many people don’t even know they have high blood pressure. Symptoms of hypertension often go unnoticed and if left uncontrolled the risk of heart problems such as stroke or heart attack increase. High blood pressure education month encourages people to look at various lifestyles factors which may be contributing to high blood pressure. It is well documented that high levels of sodium (salt) is linked to high blood pressure.
It’s important to know your numbers. When blood pressure is measured, the upper number (systolic pressure) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The lower number (diastolic pressure) measures the pressure between heartbeats. For most people, a normal blood pressure is less than 120/80.
The incidence of high blood pressure is about the same in men and women. However, there are gender differences between age groups. In people under the age of 45, the incidence of high blood pressure is higher in men whilst in the over 65 year age category it is higher in women.
Lifestyle changes which can help reduce blood pressure, include maintaining a healthy body weight (check with our BM1 Calculator), regular exercise, quitting smoking and following a healthy low sodium diet rich in fruit and vegetables. There are many affordable blood pressure monitors available for the consumer making it convenient to monitor your blood pressure at home.
Health according to World Health Organisation (WHO) is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. Physical health is about your body while mental health is how you think and feel. This year’s World Health Day with theme “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” is dedicated to nurses and midwives. This is to appreciate their contributions in making our world a healthier one. Nurses are persons trained to take care of the sick or the infirm while midwives are health professionals who care for mothers and newborns around childbirth.
The roles of nurses and midwives especially at this time of COVID-19 have had tremendous positive effects on our lives. They risk their lives along the other health professionals to attend to their patients. On this day, the world says thank you for all you do 🙏❤
Meanwhile it is also good to emphasize the importance of taking good care of our health as “health is wealth.” Some of the ways we can achieve this are by taking balanced diet and by exercising.
Always Remember these: “Love is not as important as good health. You cannot be in love if you’re not healthy. You can’t appreciate it.” – Bryan Cranston
“I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.” – Joyce Meyer
“Your health is what you make of it. Everything you do and think either adds to the vitality, energy and spirit you possess or takes away from it.” – Ann Wigmore
Adenomyosis is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus (the myometrium). Adenomyosis can cause menstrual cramps, lower abdominal pressure, and bloating before menstrual periods and can result in heavy periods. The condition can be located throughout the entire uterus or localised in one spot.
Though adenomyosis is considered a benign (not life-threatening) condition, the frequent pain and heavy bleeding associated with it can have a negative impact on a woman’s quality of life. Adenomyosis is a common condition. It is most often diagnosed in middle-aged women and women who have had children. Some studies also suggest that women who have had prior uterine surgery may be at risk for adenomyosis.
About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their life time. There’s a good chance of recovery if it’s detected in its early stages. It is very important that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always get any changes examined by their Doctor.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue. Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have checked by your doctor. You should also see your doctor if you notice any of the following:
A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
A discharge from either of your nipples, which may be streaked with blood.
A lump or swelling in either of your armpits
A rash on or around your nipple
Dimpling on the skin of your breasts
A change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken in to your breast.
Breast pain isn’t usually a symptom of breast cancer. The exact causes of breast cancer aren’t fully understood. However, there are certain factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer. These include:
Age; the risk increases as you get older
A family history of breast cancer
A previous diagnosis of breast cancer
A previous benign breast lump
Being tall, overweight or obese
Excessive use of alcohol
After examining your breasts, your doctor may refer you to a specialist breast cancer clinic for further tests. This might include breast screening (mammography) or a biopsy. In rare cases, Men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.
