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For a healthier life

Modern bane
Last Updated 19 April 2016, 18:39 IST

Like mythical goddesses with multiple manifestations, today’s women are juggling positions and responsibilities.

       From managing their careers to familial duties, they are supposed to essay each role with ease and invariably their health takes a beating in the process.

One of the consequences of this is the prevalence of the dreaded Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is a hormonal imbalance and one of the common problems faced by women these days. And almost as common are the myths surrounding it.

One, for example, is that women closer to the age of 30 are most likely to suffer from this problem. “Nothing can be farther from the truth,” says Dr Mala Prakash of MN Speciality Clinic. “PCOS is seen mostly in teenagers and girls in the reproductive age”. And this age group is lowering even further with girls as young as 11 years falling victim to it.

Dr Kavitha Kovi of Rainbow Children’s Hospital, says that almost 30 to 40% of girls in the present generation suffer from PCOS. “Our sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest causes.” Couple that with the junk food that all of us grab while running to our desk jobs and it is a double whammy for the ladies.

Another misconception is that polycystic ovaries are hereditary. The truth is that it is related to our lifestyle and stress levels. And while a family history of diabetes may increase the risk, in reality anyone, anywhere can have this problem. And while PCOS and the resulting insulin resistance can lead to excess weight and obesity, not all women who have PCOS are overweight. “Weight gain is seen in 70% of the cases. The others may not gain weight but they will show all the other symptoms.

I have seen extremely thin girls suffering from this problem,” says Dr Anupama Rohidekar of Aster CMI Hospital. However the reason that many women fear this disease so much is the increased risk of infertility that is associated with it. Which brings one to the biggest myth of all — that women with PCOS cannot have children. “That is the scenario in very extreme cases,” says Dr Kavitha.

“We need to focus on serious consequences of this like diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases,” says Dr Hema Divakar, Divakars Speciality Hospital. “People should stop being scared . All hormonal problems are not PCOS. If we ask you to get a scan, it does not mean you have the disease!”

Asked about ways to combat this problem and all doctors are unanimous in their opinion.
“Proper exercise and a low-carb, non-fat diet. This, along with medication, is the only way to tackle it,” says Dr Mala. “Correcting erratic schedules, eating properly and on time and exercising regularly,” says Dr Anupama.

Food is an important part of PCOS management and one should include fruits, leafy vegetables and whole wheat grains in the diet. Brightly coloured vegetables are a rich source of anti-oxidants so include as many colours on your plate as possible.

Vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, green beans, spinach, tomatoes, and zucchini are beneficial. Include fruits such as apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, plums, lime, strawberries, apricot, grapefruit, lemon, guava, pear, watermelon and kiwifruit and also eat a handful of nuts or seeds for the much needed protein boost. Avoid dairy and soy products, processed foods, alcohol and caffeine. Combine this with regular, aggressive workout and you have the answer to your problem. And people are vouching for this method.

 “A disciplined and balanced lifestyle has helped me deal with my PCOS,” says Piyali, a professional.

“I got detected with PCOS when I was too young and was scared of this terminology. To add to that, I was overweight. So I changed my erratic eating habits and made exercise a mandatory part of my life,” she says.

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(Published 19 April 2016, 17:54 IST)

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