Movember- Taking Care Of Men's Health

You might have seen recently many of your friends, favourite actors or relatives sporting a moustache or beard! While sporting beard has become cool and fashionable, doing it in November is called Movember also known as #NoShaveNovmeber

Now why do this?

Well, it is to raise awareness about cancer and in particular about Prostate and Testicular cancer.  One of the other larger goals is to prevent men from dying young!

While as prostate cancer does not usually kill young people, it is a common cancer among men and one needs to be aware of it,  especially post 50 years.

Testicular cancer happens in young men and it is completely curable cancer. To know more write to us and we will be happy to answer your specific questions.

Other causes which make young men to die are

1. Cardiac- heart related problmes.

2. Diabetes

3. Accidents

All three are preventable and it is necessary that both men and women work together to reduce young deaths!

Now coming back to Movember!

If you have saved money by not shaving, you can use it to help someone's health. Also participate as volunteer to help raise awareness about health issues or spend time with elderly. Contact us to know more.

Take care.

#Stayhealthy

Breast Cancer & Resistance Training

Breast cancer which commonly happens in women (and if you thought it does not happen to men, you need to correct your assumption!) can make a women change in many ways.

                            Image Courtesy: Mort-Death-DeviantArt
The disease and the treatment can have certain affects which make the body and bone composition to change.

The decreased bone mineral density can cause osteopenia and osteoporosis. 

What is Osteopenia?

Osteopenia refers to bone density that is lower than normal peak density but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. Bone density is a measurement of how dense and strong the bones are. If your bone density is low compared to normal peak density, you are said to have osteopenia.

What is Osteoporosis?

The body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue. With osteoporosis, new bone creation doesn't keep up with old bone removal.

Many people have no symptoms until they have a bone fracture.

Treatment includes medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise to help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones.

What Does Cancer Treatment Do For Bone Mineral Density (BMD)?

Chemotherapy can impact the size of the osteoids, which reduces bone formation and bone size.

Cancer treatment in breast cancer can cause 80% of women to lose bone.  Also cancer and osteoporosis can increase risk of falls and fractures!

How Do Prevent & Treat?

Bisphosphonates , a class of drugs, which are either given through injection or oral tablets can reduce osteopenia and osteoporosis. 

More Importantly.

Exercise, walking are popular and helpful but you also need resistance training. 

What is Resistance Training?

Resistance exercise is any form of exercise that forces your skeletal muscles (not the involuntary muscles of your heart, lungs, etc.) to contract. An external resistance (such as heavy weights) is used to cause the contractions, and those contractions lead to increases in muscular mass, strength, endurance and tone. What can you use for that external resistance? Why, anything you want! You can use dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, your body weight, bottles of water, bricks -- the list goes on and on! As long as the weight causes muscular contractions, it counts as resistance exercise. 

Types of Resistance Exercise 
There are three basic types of resistance exercises:

1. Bodyweight -- This uses only your body weight to force your muscles to contract. It includes exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, and squats.
2. Free Weights -- Using dumbbells, barbells and kettlebells helps to increase the strain placed on your muscles, forcing those contractions and building muscle. Free weight training is considered the most effective form of resistance exercise, as it engages secondary muscles (stabilizers) and leads to more effective muscle growth.
3. Weight Machines -- Every gym has dozens of weight machines--Pec Deck, Cable Machine, Leg Extension machine, etc. Weight machines are not as effective as free weights, but they are a safer alternative for those who are new to resistance training.

To know more you can read here 

We provide RightPhysio@home or RightDietician@home or RightLab@home, just call +91 8892505557.

Or visit www.pranahealthcare.co.in

Joint Pains & Osteoarthritis-How To Help Oneself

Osteoarthritis has become a very common problem. Osteoarthritis is joint damage because of wear and tear. It normally sets in old age but symptoms can start as early as 40 or 45 years old.

The major distressing thing is that they have pain. This pain can range from being moderate to very severe.

Doing physiotherapy and regular self exercises is extremely beneficial. Others ways to help oneself are given below.

1. Reduce Weight, Reduce Pressure On Your Joints:Your weight can make a staggering difference to pain levels, and every kilogram really does count. Researchers have found that a 10% reduction in body weight could mean a 50% reduction in pain. The same study found that 38% of participants recorded little to no pain after losing weight. Some small diet and exercise adjustments today could drastically improve your quality of life tomorrow. Get in touch with us to consult a Dietician.
2. Having Omega 3 Fatty Acid Rich Diet: They prevent tissue damage and reduce inflammation.
3. Exercise: Regular activity is an essential part of life with osteoarthritis – but when pain is there doing anything becomes difficult.  So doing easy, comfortable  exercise is something to aim for, whether it’s a social exercise class or a regular walk. To keep bones strong one needs to do weight bearing exercises. Exercise in water is a great way to reduce pressure on joints and minimise injuries due to exercise. So get into swimming pool and get some movements there.  Drink water to stay hydrated, it helps keep your joints moving.
4. Sleep, sleep and sleep: Simple truth is if we sleep less we feel more pain in the morning. So use all tricks and trade to sleep better. 

We wish you health always.

If in case you need a Physiotherapist at home or Dietician Consultation @ home or Blood Investigations @ home, just call +91 8892505557.

Or visist pranahealthcare.co.in