Debunking Common Healthcare Myths
Myths are present in every step of your life. So, how can healthcare be an exception? There are endless myths about healthcare. Some are pass down from generation to generation, and some are accepted by science previously. These are tried and tested through time. Some are even a fact. But all others are just mere fantasy. Today, we are here to debunk some of these myths, which gives you a lot of unnecessary stress.
Cracking joints leads to arthritis
It is one of the most common myths which people hear and believe. First, let us understand how we hear the cracking sound from the joints. We have the synovial fluid around the joints. When someone is cracking their joints, space creates between two joints. It causes the formation of the air bubble of synovial fluid. This bubble pops, creating a cracking sound. As for arthritis, it develops when the cartilage within the joint breaks down. It allows the bones to rub together, causing pain. Therefore, there is no relation between joint cracking and arthritis. But it can lead to the wearing down of the synovial membrane, and your joints will be easier to crack. Also, your can swell, and your grip will be loose. So, if you like the sound of joints cracking, do it less frequently.
All fat is bad
From the moment you hear the word “fat,” an assumption is made on the spot about it being not good for health. So, many people follow a fat-free diet. But the truth is your body needs fat. If you remove fat from your diet, you will face problems like the risk of heart disease and cancer. Fat is the cushion of the body. It keeps the body warm and provides energy to it. Some dietary fats absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Monounsaturated fats cut the risk of heart disease and lower blood cholesterol. Nuts and vegetable oils contain monounsaturated fats. Another type that is good for the heart is polyunsaturated fat. It contains omega-3 fatty acids found in fishes like salmon and trout. Therefore, including fat in your diet is essential. Avoid the fats like trans and saturated fats which causes different health problems.
Symptoms of thyroid are obvious
Another common myth is, symptoms of thyroid disease are evident. But the truth is, like any other disease, thyroid disease symptoms can be subtle and easily overlooked. The common symptoms are weight gain or loss, fatigue or irritability, and cold or hot sensitivity. These symptoms can be of other diseases. According to the doctors, the thyroid can be tricky to detect due to subtle symptoms. Therefore, you should get yourself regularly tested. Especially, if you have a family history with the diseases. You can have subtle symptoms, and with early diagnosis, they can be cured.
Hormonal problems after 40- Menopause
If you are a woman above 40 and you are having some hormonal problem. The most convenient answer you will get is menopause. But menopause is not always the case. Many women experience problems, like the fluctuation of hormones during this time. These changes can affect thyroid function also. Therefore, consult your doctor about any physical and mental changes you are experiencing. Also, get your tests done to know the problems.
Having HIV is a death sentence
The most common perception about HIV is that people who do have it cannot have an average human lifespan. Well, it is not true. According to Dr. Michael Horberg, national director of HIV/AIDS for Kaiser Permanente, “with proper treatment, we now expect people with HIV to live a normal life span.” Therefore, even if you are diagnosed with HIV, you do not have to worry about anything. If you are a person with good access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), you can expect to live a normal life span. But you also have to take your medicines on time.
Conclusion
Myths are one of the main reasons why people get the wrong diagnosis. It is always better to talk to a professional and get yourself rightly the right diagnosis. Sometimes it is just a small thing just because of a certain myth we tend to exaggerate it. Now that you know what kinds of health myths exist, you can easily avoid them. You do not have to worry about the stories passed down from generation to generation. Just follow a proper, balanced diet, you will be healthy and happy. Also, if you are facing some problems, consult the doctor, not the myths or the internet.
- Published in Basic Wellness, STD Testing
Did Not Get Your Periods This Month? It Might Be Menopause
Did you not get your periods this month? Do you think it is menopause? How to verify? Well, these questions require proper, and research-based answers. Menstruation is a biological process in a female’s body that discharges blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. In humans, the process begins at the age of 12 and 15. This is the period when a woman can be pregnant. During the age between 45 and 55, menstruation stops and is known as menopause.
What is Menopause?
Generally, after reaching the age of 40s or sometimes 50s, there is a natural decline in reproductive hormones in a woman. Thus, this eventually leads to the stopping of periods in women. This is known as menopause. Menopause is signaled by twelve months since the last menstruation. A woman can no longer be pregnant naturally, after menopause.
When does menopause begin?
In several women, symptoms of menopause begin about four years before their last period. They often continue for the whole four years until menopause. While some women experience symptoms even 10 or 12 years following their last period. The median age for menopause is 51.
Also, certain factors determine when you will begin menopause. These include ovary health and genetics. Before menopause, perimenopause occurs. Perimenopause means a tied time when the hormones in women’s bodies begin to change to prepare for menopause. There is no certainty for perimenopause. Thus, it may occur during the 40s, or not occur at all.
Women whose bodies begin menopause before the age of 40s are known as premature menopause. Women, who undergo menopause between the age of 40 and 45, refer to early menopause. Here are some key terms that relate to menopause:
- Perimenopause states that the menstrual cycle becomes irregular. Periods may be late, or completely over, or more periods. The blood flow may become lighter or heavier.
- Menopause might lead to no menstruation for 12 months.
- Lastly, post-menopause refers to the years after the occurrence of menopause.
Symptoms of Menopause
Every woman has a different experience during her menopause. When menopause occurs suddenly or over a short period, symptoms are usually severe. The common symptoms of menopause are the following:
Irregular Periods
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A very common symptom that takes place in every woman is the irregular occurrence of periods. They may be lighter or heavier less often or more often, or last longer or shorter. There is no regularity, thus it is very hard to predict when the next period may come or how long they might continue.
Trouble Sleeping
Most of the cases state that menopause causes problems in having a good sleep. It makes women wake up, or trouble while going to sleep. Several times these happen due to things like night sweats. If you face such a problem, you may consult a doctor.
Moody Feeling
The periods and menopause may affect your mood due to changes in hormones. More anxiety or depression may worsen the situation. The irregularity and symptoms might create a problem with your mood as well. Therefore, taking a doctor’s advice is helpful.
Physical Changes
During the course of menopause, you can face physical changes like dry and thin hairs and skin, or gaining weight, or stiff joints. Therefore, there is a need to keep your strength and health in proper check. Other than the above changes or symptoms, you may also feel the following:
- Dry skin, mouth, and eyes
- Memory problems, anxiety, or depression
- Headaches
- Increased sweat problem
- Lack of concentration, more irritation than normal, and many more.
How to get tested for Menopause?
Menopause is a biological process, thus it can be identified by scientific tests. This also includes some tests so as to protect the body from further problems. Since there is a hormonal change in the body that grows into certain harsh symptoms. However, it can be treated and maintained by visiting a doctor and getting some tests done.
Diagnosis of the body may clear out the problem to set up. So, as to have your this time safe and painless. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are the hormones that need to function properly. Doctors perform blood tests to recognize the level of these hormones. Moreover, the PicoAMH Elisa test is the test that measures the amount of anti-Mullerian hormone in the blood. These will help you take care of yourself the right way during this time.
Conclusion
During menopause, it may become difficult for a woman to concentrate on her body due to the many symptoms. Therefore, one may follow certain steps that can change your lifestyle. You need to stay cool and comfortable, exercising and managing weight for physical fitness. Take care of your skin, share your problems or sufferings, supplement your diet, and many more.
- Published in Pregnancy Testing
