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Pregnancy is notoriously associated with dramatic physiological changes! As your hormones steadily shift during this phase, you may realize that your weight, mood, eating habits, and even sleeping patterns seem to be going haywire. Understandably, many of these changes can be somewhat uncomfortable. Some of these changes are, however, both normal and essential for the development and health of your unborn child.
Given that every woman’s pregnancy experience is unique, the changes you experience during pregnancy can range from mild to severe and even life-threatening illnesses. Therefore, getting early and regular prenatal care becomes essential to determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are normal or not.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all pregnant women should get at least four antenatal care (ANC) assessments done by a qualified doctor or skilled attendant. But the proportion of women receiving the minimum of four antenatal assessments in India has only modestly increased from 37% to 51.2% between 2006-2016.
John Hopkins Medicine underlines that most pregnancies may progress without any complications. However, approximately 8 per cent of all pregnancies can involve some complications which, if left untreated, can harm the mother or the baby. You must, therefore, prioritise your routine antenatal scans.
Prenatal care may involve blood tests, imaging tests, and ultrasound exams, among others. These methods can help monitor your baby’s development in the womb as well as identify any ongoing health problems or existing health risks that you may have.
This article discusses some of the routine antenatal scans done during pregnancy.
You can schedule your first antenatal visit with your doctor as soon as your pregnancy has been confirmed. Your first appointment is likely to take place between eight and twelve weeks of your pregnancy. Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor may suggest several tests to check if both you and your baby are in good health.
Some of these tests will be a part of your routine prenatal checkups. Other tests may be voluntary and only done if your doctor thinks it may be appropriate for you to get tested. The following are the routine antenatal scans that you may experience during pregnancy:
During your first booking appointment, your doctor will note down your height and weight measurements to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). Obesity can put you at risk for complications such as preeclampsia, blood pressure, and blood clotting. Thus, if you are overweight, your doctor may advise you to lose some weight.
Additionally, your doctor will check your blood pressure on every visit. Your blood pressure can be comparatively lower in the middle of your pregnancy. But, if your blood pressure is high later in pregnancy, it could be a sign of pregnancy-induced hypertension.
On your first prenatal visit, you may have to give a blood sample. This blood sample helps determine your blood group, your rhesus status, and your HCG levels. Blood tests also check your immunity to certain diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, and syphilis (unless you have specifically requested not to be tested for these diseases).
Apart from this, your blood sample may also be evaluated for conditions such as:
A urinalysis helps your doctor check for potentially dangerous complications associated with pregnancy. These include urinary tract infection, preeclampsia or high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. If your doctor suspects a serious problem, he or she may send your urine sample to a lab for more in-depth testing.
A pap smear is a routine part of your first-trimester antenatal screening and will check for abnormal cervical cells. If any abnormality is suspected, your doctor may perform a second test called colposcopy.
Your doctor may perform ultrasound exams at any point during your pregnancy. If you have a healthy pregnancy, however, you may only need to get two antenatal ultrasound scans done.
Your first ultrasound exam is likely to be scheduled when you around 11 to 14 weeks into your pregnancy. During this first antenatal scan, your doctor will give you the estimated date of delivery and will also identify and rule out any significant abnormalities.
A detailed ultrasound will be done again in the second trimester to look at the anatomy of the whole fetus. This antenatal growth scan is usually done around 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The Nuchal Translucency (NT) Ultrasound is an optional antenatal scan in pregnancy. This specialised ultrasound serves the purpose of screening for chromosomal abnormalities such as open neural tube defect, Down Syndrome and Trisomy 18.
The scan may be done sometime between 11 and 14 weeks of your pregnancy and is often combined with two other tests:
If any of these antenatal anomaly scans indicate that your baby is at a higher risk for certain congenital conditions, your doctor may recommend more invasive diagnostic tests such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis.
A glucose screening is done at approximately 26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. This test determines your risk of gestational diabetes. Based on the results, your doctor may also recommend a glucose tolerance test.
This test, done around 36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy, checks for bacteria that can cause pneumonia or other serious infections in your newborn. A swab will be used to take cells from your vagina and rectum for testing purposes.
Routine antenatal scanning can ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy as well as a healthy baby. All mothers-to-be are encouraged to have these scans done as recommended by your doctor from time to time.
You can make an appointment with your doctors for your care during pregnancy. Ensure that you are fully informed about all the necessary tests and treatments. Discuss all your concerns with your medical professional openly to receive the best care possible.
Do you feel pain in your lower abdomen or groin area when you bend, cough, or lift something heavy? Or, do you feel a noticeable bump around the pubic or groin area, especially when you stand up or cough?
If you answered in an affirmative to either of the above, you might have developed an inguinal hernia, and you must visit a doctor to prevent any further complications.
To help you out, we have compiled all the information you need to recognize the symptoms of inguinal hernia and when to seek help.
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A hernia is a common condition, which occurs when a part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a muscle. An inguinal hernia involves a part of the small intestine or fat bulging through the lower abdominal wall into the inguinal canal or the groin area.
Both men and women have inguinal canals – which is a passage in the lower abdominal wall that contains nerves and blood vessels. In males, it also holds the spermatic cord and the testes descend through the canal before birth. For women, the inguinal canal is the passage for the ligament that supports the uterus.
As mentioned before, a hernia in this passage can lead to a noticeable bump and may be painful during movement.
Two types of inguinal hernia are identified, that is:
Direct inguinal hernias are most common in older adults. According to an article published by Cleveland Clinic, male adults over the age of 40 are more likely to develop an inguinal hernia. Another study conducted in India reveals that groin hernias are 20 times more common in men than women.
Health experts also agree that smoking, abdominal surgery and a family history of inguinal hernias may put individuals at a higher risk.
If you feel a noticeable bump in the groin area or experience pain during movement, it is best to get checked for an inguinal hernia. On the whole, an inguinal hernia is not a serious or fatal condition. Still, medical intervention is necessary to prevent complications such as incarcerated hernia or strangulation.
Incarceration occurs when a part of the fat or small intestine from the abdomen gets stuck in the groin area, and cannot go back into the stomach. If this condition remains untreated, the blood supply to the small intestine can be cut off (strangulation), which can have serious consequences.
Symptoms of an inguinal hernia include:
There isn’t any single cause for hernia, but weak abdominal and groin muscles can be major contributors. Other risk factors for a hernia include family history, premature birth, chronic cough, constipation, obesity, etc.
As you can see, you cannot control many factors on this list. However, it is in your hands to eat a healthy, high-fibre diet and maintain a healthy weight. It is also advisable to not lift heavy weights and quit smoking to reduce your chances of developing an inguinal hernia.
If you or your child experience swelling, bumps or pain or pressure in the groin, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention.
Your doctor will ask you a few questions about your family history and lifestyle, before conducting a physical examination to feel the bulge. The doctor may ask you to sit erect, cough or strain to see if the bulge comes out.
In some instances, an X-Ray may be recommended to determine the state of the hernia, according to which your healthcare provider will prescribe the treatment.
All hernias in the inguinal canal do not require surgery. Sometimes, a healthcare provider may ‘push’ a small inguinal hernia back into the abdomen – which can resolve the issue for good.
However, if this approach does not work, surgery may be required for inguinal hernia repair.
Inguinal hernia repair, also known as herniorrhaphy, is of the following types:
Do not feel shy or afraid to discuss bumps in your groin area or pelvic region with your doctor. An inguinal hernia is a common problem, and more prevalent in male adults. Fortunately, it isn’t a serious problem and, in most cases, can be quickly taken care of by a medical professional.
However, it is strongly recommended to contact a healthcare practitioner if you:
Call up your doctor to discuss your symptoms openly or book an appointment at CK Birla Hospital for instant expert care.
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause common cold as well as more severe respiratory diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, reported in China for the first time in December 2019.
The new coronavirus spreads in the same way as common cold or influenza. Experts believe that most individuals who contract the novel coronavirus will experience only mild to moderate symptoms, such as fever, tiredness, body ache, sore throat, and diarrhoea, and can be cured at home. However, according to the WHO and other health experts, people with weakened immune systems, such as diabetics, cancer patients, or those undergoing chemotherapy, are at a higher risk of experiencing a more severe form of the illness.
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Unfortunately, the answer to this question is probably yes. Several reasons put cancer patients at a higher risk for COVID-19. First and foremost, some forms of cancer treatment suppress the immune system, which makes them more susceptible to catching infections, including the novel coronavirus. Advanced types of cancer are also known to impact critical organs, such as the lungs and kidneys, making it harder for cancer patients to withstand a severe illness.
According to a study in China, COVID-19 patients with cancer and survivors of cancer showed a higher incidence of severe complications, including intensive care, mechanical ventilation, and death, as compared with other patients who did not have cancer.
While this study was conducted using a small group of patients, it is best for cancer patients to should follow the utmost precautions and limit social interactions to prevent any exposure to the virus.
At present, there is no vaccination to prevent COVID-19 or any specific treatment or cure. Therefore, the best way to prevent any complications is by avoiding exposure to the virus.
If you are a cancer patient or at a higher risk for COVID-19 due to other medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, chronic liver or kidney diseases, etc., it is important to be extra cautious to minimise your chances of contracting the disease or worsening your existing conditions. Especially for cancer patients, it is vital to:
Coronavirus infection is usually severe in patients who are suffering from pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes, hypertension. So, please take all precautions to prevent infections and follow these tips to stay healthy during the coronavirus pandemic:
In addition to these precautions, try to clock in at least eight hours of sleep, eat nutritious food, and do some form of exercise (if possible) to boost your immunity.
Hospital visits are linked to a higher risk of infection, which is why patients have been asked to minimise hospital visits. However, if you are already undergoing treatment for your cancer, you need to discuss the situation with your healthcare provider in detail. Talk about planning your next visit and the risk of missing a medical appointment vis-à-vis the possibility of increased exposure to the virus.
Medically speaking, while some cancer treatments can be safely delayed, others cannot. However, due to the excessive burden on healthcare infrastructure, many hospitals are not providing chemotherapy to cancer patients presently.
At the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon, patients can seek a consultation via telemedicine and video conferencing to minimise their hospital visits while continuing their regular treatment to the best extent possible.
In addition, cancer patients who need chemotherapy urgently can visit the hospital, even during the pandemic. Our dedicated healthcare staff maintains the highest standards of hygiene and other precautions to limit patients’ exposure to coronavirus.
If you are a cancer patient, have a frank discussion with your oncologist about continuing or delaying your treatment during the coronavirus outbreak.
Many patients around the globe have recovered from the novel coronavirus, thanks to early detection and proper treatment.
If you are experiencing a high fever, sore throat or shortness of breath, or think you may have come in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, call up the government helpline number shared below and inform them of your concern and medical history.
The Gurgaon Nodal Centre, SGT Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Budhera, Gurgaon – 122505, Near Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary or call the COVID-19 Helpline for Gurugram (M: – +91 9911519296; L: +91 124 2322412)
The Delhi Nodal Centre, RML Hospital, Baba Kharak Singh Road, Near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Type III, Connaught Place, Delhi, 110001: 011 22307145 / 011 22300036 CATS Ambulance (9717655774)
We also suggest that you stay indoors and avoid unnecessary physical contact until you are tested negative for COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the virus.
Parenthood is one of the most blessed gifts for a couple to experience in their lifetime. But before you step ahead, you need to prepare your body for pregnancy. This would ensure health and fitness for you and your baby throughout the pregnancy period and even after delivery.
Check out the following 30-day guide to prepare your body for pregnancy:
Once you start thinking on the lines of getting pregnant, you need to go back to basics with these tips to prepare your body for pregnancy.
Get complete learning and knowledge about how to conceive. By knowing the rules and guidelines about the most fertile days, you would be at a better chance to get pregnant.
The first step towards preparing for pregnancy is to quit any kind of birth control that you have been using. Stopping to take birth control pills may get your periods within two weeks of quitting the medicine. This opens up your cycle of trying to conceive.
Start tracking your menstrual cycle and try to understand the dates on which you are most fertile. Various apps can help you keep track of your periodical cycle month after month.
As far as preparing your body for a baby is concerned, you need to bring about many lifestyle changes in your everyday schedule.
Having frequent unprotected sex throughout your menstrual cycle will get you pregnant. Sex should be timed according to your ovulation dates to increase the chances of fertilisation.
Using addictive like tobacco, alcohol, and drugs can impose high risks of miscarriage, abnormality, and stillbirth of a newborn. Hence, if you wish to prepare your body for pregnancy shortly, you need to quit all these today.
Getting your body ready for pregnancy calls for prenatal multivitamins. These would help you gear up against any nutritional deficiencies during the early stages of your pregnancy.
An extra folate supplement is compulsory, right from the planning stages of your pregnancy. This would keep any neural tube defects, during pregnancy, at bay. For a pre-pregnancy dose, take a least of 400-800 micrograms of folic acid per day.
Eating a healthy balanced diet can suffice for your daily intake of vitamins and minerals to a great extent. Go for whole foods over processed ones and incorporate dietary folates, iron, and calcium in your daily menu.
Foods like asparagus, almonds, yam, eggs, and leafy green vegetables add to the fertility rate in a woman. Including these in your diet can help you in your endeavour to get pregnant.
Target to achieve an exercise plan of 150 to 300 minutes per week, depending upon how active you are. Start off with something as simple as walking or take up a little more challenging action like jogging or cycling.
Your BMI (Body Mass Index) should fall into the required category. You should not be over-weight or under-weight when preparing your body for pregnancy. Both these conditions are undesirable and risky.
The recommended intake of coffee for a pregnant woman is 12 ounces per day. If you have more than this, curb your caffeinated drinks intake as you prepare your body for a healthy and trouble-free pregnancy.
Taking high amounts of toxins can be dangerous for a developing baby. Hence, it is important to restrict the use of these to the bare least. Go for chemical-free home and personal products and avoid pre-packaged foods.
The next phase focuses on medically preparing your body for conception. Follow these steps soon after you have rescheduled your diet and health plan.
A yearly physical health check-up lets you detect health problems before they become severe. Considering all the conditions that can affect your pregnancy, a physical check-up can let you know any health concerns before conceiving.
Check for any overdue vaccinations like measles, tetanus, rubella, chicken-pox, etc. The right vaccines at the right time can protect you and your baby at all times.
Plan a preconception visit with your obstetrician. You may discuss any concerns relating to planning your pregnancy. Prepare a list of salient questions before your appointment.
Hormonal changes in the body can affect your gums and teeth. As you set ahead to prepare your body for pregnancy, you need to ensure your teeth are free of any gingivitis or cavities.
Genetic factors in your family tree will affect your baby’s health. It is important to rule out any genetic conditions that run in your bloodline. You can seek help from a genetic counsellor who gets you sailing in this comfortably.
Before planning a pregnancy, discuss your previous prescriptions or supplements that you might be on, with your doctor. Some of your regular OTC medicines may not be safe for pregnancy.
Remember, many hormonal changes would occur in your body while preparing for pregnancy. To handle the physical, mental and emotional pressures that would follow, try sticking to these simple rules.
Find out ways to release stress. This could be through a relaxing walk or some breathing exercises or anything else that brings pleasure to you.
A regular yoga session would help you strengthen your body for pregnancy. It would even help you to handle your anxieties and emotions relating to pregnancy.
Sleep plays a pivotal role in your well-being when preparing for a pregnancy. So catch up on it as and when you can.
Pregnancy requires more immunity as your body becomes more susceptible to common illnesses like colds and the flu. Switch to healthy foods like the ones rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, etc. to boost your immunity levels.
It is important to keep yourself hydrated for optimal health at all times. Pregnant women should have about nine glasses of water every day for a smooth pregnancy.
Your work may be strenuous physically. Yet, when preparing your body for pregnancy, you need to avoid lifting heavy things, bending or stooping over too often.
A very good way to get your body ready for pregnancy is with acupuncture. It helps improve ovarian function and even increases blood flow to the uterus. Research proves that acupuncture has improved the rate of pregnancy and live birth in women.
Once your body is ready to handle the anxieties and physical changes in it during pregnancy, you can now plan the logistics for a safe and comfortable pregnancy. For this, you need to follow the following steps.
At this point, expect a lot of advice from everyone about what you should and should not be doing during pregnancy. You may be overwhelmed or even misguided by the constant flow of information. Do the homework yourself and make a list of things that need to be avoided.
Your routine should include everything from a proper exercise regime to a healthy diet and even positive thinking. Incorporate all the Do’s and Don’t for achieving a high fertility rate to get pregnant. This would let you achieve success faster than you had thought.
Not all women achieve their target of getting pregnant very easily. It may take months, and even years, sometimes. You need to remain strong and determined with your goal in mind at all times and not give up or lose hope if you do not get the desired results soon.
Regular prenatal visits are very important during the entire course of your pregnancy. Plan in advance and make sure you have an insurance cover to deal with all your maternity expenses, including hospital charges and other post-natal expenses.
You Can Also Read: A Guide to Increasing Baby Weight When 9 Months Pregnant
Preparing your body for pregnancy naturally should be done under your obstetrician’s guidance to achieve the best results.
Consult your doctor immediately if you:
Breast cancer is, by far, one of the most common cancers in Indian women. Breast cancer ranks number one in cities and comes at the second position in rural areas. According to one study, breast cancer accounts for 25% of all female cancer cases that occur in rural India and 32% of total cancer cases in cities.
In India, one woman in every 4 minutes is diagnosed with breast cancer. On the other hand, every 13 minutes that passes, a woman dies due to breast cancer in India. We can consider the notoriously high mortality rate as a consequence of a lack of awareness in our medical system and delays in screening.
To this day, there are no known preventive measures that women can take for breast cancer. However, while you cannot prevent it from happening, with proper medical attention, breast cancer can surely be treated.
Our primary focus for this article is to tell women that it’s okay if they are diagnosed with breast cancer. It may look like it’s the end of the world for you. But ultimately, proper treatment and medication will set you on the road to recovery.
An important aspect of your treatment journey is a good support system, so hold on tight to your loved ones. You need someone close to you to send you positive vibes during your breast cancer treatment.
The triple test assessment is the best way to find out about any issues and diseases related to the breast in women. The evaluation includes consultation with the doctor for a patient’s examination, along with imaging testing and biopsy.
After conducting the triple assessment of breast cancer, your doctor will understand more about your condition. If you find you are diagnosed with breast cancer, don’t panic. Feel free to ask as many questions about your diagnosis as you want. They, too, want to answer all your questions. In this way, you will be able to make better-informed decisions for your treatment.
Not every question mentioned here may apply to you. But they will help you get started on your knowledge of the procedure. For one thing, you know your symptoms and body much better than anyone else does. Try to write down some questions all by yourself.
It’s a good thing to have two sets of ears when the doctor is explaining the overall medical management of breast cancer. Be sure to bring someone with you when you are visiting your doctor for your breast cancer prognosis.
Coming to terms with breast cancer is no small feat and may lead to emotional trauma. If you face any mental health issues during this difficult time, do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor for professional support.
Also Read: Treatment of fibroadenoma without surgery | Is it possible?
It’s hard when someone in your family gets diagnosed with breast cancer. But with the right steps, you can be the pillar of support to your loved one. You need to stick close to her during and after her treatment. Let’s talk about some tips on how you can help someone who’s diagnosed with breast cancer and make them feel comfortable.
Once you and your doctor decide on the best breast cancer treatment plan, make sure that you follow every word of advice from your healthcare provider.
Breast cancer tends to go undetected, and a delayed diagnosis can take a turn for the worse. You need to seek immediate breast tumour treatment if you develop these symptoms in your body:
The keto diet has gained massive popularity in recent times. While there is little research on the ideal duration, studies suggest that the keto diet can work in weight loss. Hence, the keto diet can essentially point towards your first steps to eating clean.
Before we learn how to do the keto diet, let us understand the mechanism behind it.
Carbohydrates burn down in the body to produce glucose, the primary source of energy. The general idea behind the keto diet is to reduce glucose levels in the body and substitute them with fat.
The fat would be converted to ketones, a clean source of energy for your body. This, in turn, would stabilise your blood sugar levels and effectively bring down your overall weight.
When your body is fuelled by ketones, instead of glucose, you tend to feel more energised, have fewer hunger pangs, and also reduced mood swings. However, keto is not just about lowering your carbohydrate intake and substituting it with fat.
Here are some things you must know before you start this regime.
An ideal keto diet plan for beginners must include a healthy dose of fat. You must look for heart-healthy variants of unsaturated fats like olives, cottage cheese, nuts, avocado, eggs, and seafood like salmon. Substitute your rice, bread, and pasta with healthier substitutes like non-starchy greens and lean meat.
Keto diet should not become an excuse to eat loads of processed fat. Processed food comes loaded with complex sugar and a high level of carbs. Focusing on cleaner fats that are whole and unprocessed is pivotal to get the desired results.
The best way to begin your keto diet is to know everything about it. Read reliable sources online on how to start a keto diet and learn about all the associated benefits and risks. Talk to friends and family members who practice the diet to understand how it will impact your current lifestyle.
Analyse and read if you would be able to manage the regime without any glitch.
Understand from your medical practitioner if this diet plan would be ideal for you. Sometimes a specific medical condition, dietary restriction, or medication can render you unsuitable for this diet plan.
Some conditions are:
You can design a simple keto diet menu for beginners with the staples you have in your home. Make a diet chart with the required calorie count and stick to it to ensure desired results.
Ensure that you don’t have many cheat days as even one cheat day can pull you very far from your goal.
The biggest challenge in this diet regime is to keep replenishing the electrolytes in your body. When you start a keto diet, you tend to urinate more often and can easily fall prey to dehydration.
Ensure that you have lots of fluids at regular intervals and also consume enough electrolytes like sea salt to maintain a healthy level.
The key to a successful keto diet for beginners is to eat right. Often the main reason to start a keto diet is weight loss. To avoid any health risks, ensure that weight loss is a slow and steady process.
Sudden and drastic weight loss can be detrimental to your overall health and can even prove fatal. You need the right amount of macronutrients along with the regular intake of fats.
Protein is an essential part of your meal. However, too much of it can hinder your ketone production. Generally, a keto diet menu for beginners should have around 20-25% Proteins, 70-75% of fats, and less than 5% of carbs.
You can try a protein supplement like Gradual protein powder that has a Gradual Release Energy System (GRES).
When your body starts keto, it will take time to adapt to it and initially may resist the diet. In this case, you might show flu-like symptoms.
There would be episodes of fatigue, nausea, joint pain, and mental fogginess during the initial few days.
Be patient and persistent as these would go away after a while. You can manage these symptoms effectively by doing the following:
From the day you start the keto diet, your meal chart would look utterly different from that of your other family members. You must keep them updated about your diet plan and ensure that they understand everything about it.
While you might get back to your regular diet eventually, they must be on the same page as you and know your restrictions.
Keto is a successful way to lose weight, but it might not work for everyone. You must track your progress and look out for any red flags. See if you feel better physically and mentally after following this regimen for a week.
Measure your weight daily and get your blood work analysed by your medical practitioner. You might want to download a reliable ketone tracking app for yourself to get started.
Keto is not a forever plan, and you must get back to your usual routine after a while. However, some people make changes to their lifestyle and adopt a healthier diet plan after trying keto. Your change must be a gradual and steady process.
Avoid suddenly switching to your regular dietary pattern. This will only promote unhealthy weight gain and negate any positive effect the keto diet had on you.
It is incredible to see how a keto lifestyle can do wonders for your overall health. However, if done recklessly, a keto diet plan can also pose significant health risks. Get your diet plan approved by a practising dietician before you start the keto diet.
Seek medical assistance if you experience:
Social conditioning has led to the term “breast cancer” being associated with women. According to a survey, the number of women undergoing breast cancer tests is almost triple the number of men.
But the fact of the matter is that breast cancer affects men, too. Either way, getting diagnosed with cancer is heartbreaking. Thus, the support of loved ones holds immeasurable value to a cancer patient.
As a family member, you may wonder how to cope when a loved one has cancer. You may be caught in a dilemma as to how you ought to behave and what you should do to help them.
Remember that every person is different. It is not for you to decide how they should get on with this life-altering condition. Instead, you need to be their pillar of strength.
Trying times like these call for being open with your loved one. Ask them how involved they want you to be.
Some people would rather deal with this diagnosis by themselves or with select family members. It doesn’t help anyone if you are butting in where you are not needed.
It is much better to openly talk about their state of mind and avoid misunderstandings from the very beginning.
Anything involving medical tests and frequent visits to the hospital can be nerve-wracking. Depending on the stage of cancer, the treatments may vary. Maybe your family member just needs someone with whom to discuss the options available.
So be their sounding board. Help them choose the path they feel most certain about, without imposing your thoughts on them.
People have a habit of taking to the internet every time they have a health-related query. Dissuade your loved one from doing the same. The internet is not the most credible space for medical advice.
Reading incorrect information can cause more harm than you’d realise. Help them understand that making an appointment with an oncologist is a far better decision.
Sometimes, to console a breast cancer patient, you just need to be by their side. Offer to accompany them to the hospital for the consultation and the subsequent treatment days.
The environment in hospitals is already grim. Your family member shouldn’t have to feel like they are alone in this.
As a person who is caring for them, you can also speak to the oncologist yourself. This shows that you are attentive to your family member’s needs and willing to support them in your limited capacity.
Chances are, your family member is already being subjected to a lot of breast cancer advice. What you can do differently is help them with their dietary routine.
Cancer treatments can lead to side effects that might disrupt their eating habits.
Moreover, it may also require the patient to eat foods with certain revitalising nutrients. Ask them what they feel like eating and if they’d want you to step in with grocery shopping or cooking.
A protein-rich spread on the table can go a long way in energising your family member.
Lending help is one thing. But becoming overprotective can be detrimental to the mental health of a cancer patient. Coping when a loved one has cancer is challenging, and may make you go overboard with suggestions and care.
This may cause your family member to feel like they are incapable of doing anything by themselves.
Don’t suffocate them with your constant breast cancer advice and assurances. Draw a line between being reliable and hovering around them all the time.
Knowing how to console a patient is not an exact science. Some things work, and others don’t. But almost always, patients crave a sense of normalcy.
They might prefer some aspects of their life to be untouched or unchanged by their medical condition.
Students might want to work on their assignments, and fathers might want to pitch in with household chores. Don’t admonish them for doing so.
Carry on with your life as you would and also encourage them to go about with theirs as much as possible. Do not let your conversations with them be weighed down by the diagnosis.
Even if you’ve wrapped your mind around how to help someone diagnosed with cancer, it doesn’t mean that all your other family members have gotten the memo.
They may not know how to cope when a loved one has cancer and might make the patient feel like an invalid with their behaviour.
Of course, they mean well. But it can come across as overbearing to the person battling cancer and may even result in needless animosity among family members. So intervene if you can and shed some light on the situation.
Help everyone understand cancer from the perspective of your loved one going through this difficulty.
No matter what’s said and done, there’s only so much you can do as a family member to console the patient. Your loved one may better be able to relate to someone who is suffering from cancer just like they are.
Joining a support group can be a positive move for their mental health. It may even make the journey of recovery more bearable.
Family members still learning to cope when a loved one has cancer also benefit from support groups.
Your role in the life of a person going through cancer depends greatly on their outlook towards life. Along with breast cancer advice, have a heartfelt talk with your oncologists and counseling team.
They may guide you in alleviating some of the stress and pain that your family member is going through.
To help someone diagnosed with cancer, you need to be supportive, open-minded and understanding. That is what matters the most.
For new mothers-to-be, the last trimester of their pregnancy can be a period wrought with mixed feelings. On the one hand, there is the increased exhaustion, and then there’s also the eager anticipation of getting to hold their baby.
It is only natural that they would have plenty of questions about the upcoming childbirth. While it is up to the mother to choose between a natural delivery and cesarean delivery, correct information regarding the risks and benefits associated with the procedures will help her make the right decision.
Here’s some information about the natural way of giving birth:
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A normal delivery occurs when the mother goes into labor either spontaneously or with the help of drugs and/or other techniques. Most types of normal delivery do not involve a surgical procedure as the infant is passed through the birth canal.
Also known as a vaginal delivery, this process may include the use of instruments and has far fewer complications than a c-section.
It is the safer option for an infant and also increases the chances of your subsequent pregnancies being free of risks.
Weight control is a crucial factor that can increase the probability of you having a normal delivery. Women who are overweight or obese are likely to have infants who weigh more than the average. In such a case, the obstetrician might recommend a c-section.
Going through labor and enduring natural childbirth requires substantially more resilience on the part of the mother. Increased stamina and endurance can aid normal delivery.
Doctors giving advice for normal delivery often state that the position of the baby is what determines whether a normal delivery is suitable or not. When the infant has an anterior position, i.e., his/her head is facing downward, and towards the spine, it is highly preferred.
There are a few ways to encourage such positioning. Read the next section for some normal delivery tips.
One of the things to do for normal delivery is to ensure that you adopt some new lifestyle practices. This includes dietary changes, regular exercise, changes in sleeping and resting positions, etc.
These are some of the signs of normal delivery:
One of the normal delivery symptoms is a feeling of increased pressure in the uterus. This marks the beginning of the labor period, and once your contractions become more regular, you are well into the first stage of natural delivery.
As the fetus is about to be pushed out of the birth canal, you may feel the urge to urinate since the pressure has shifted onto your bladder. The same holds true for your bowels. Hence, women are asked to have an empty stomach before the process begins.
You may experience sudden changes in energy levels. This is due to the release of adrenaline into the blood. It is your body’s way of aiding the childbirth by giving you the boost you need to push through.
As you may well know, the amniotic sac is what holds the fetus. When you are ready for the delivery, this sac breaks and the liquid spills out. This is more commonly known as water breaking.
The possibilities of normal delivery vary from person to person. But so far as there are no pre-existing medical conditions that necessitate a cesarean, it is better to opt for a natural delivery.
There are several reasons for this.
The process of normal delivery has three stages:
In the labor phase, the cervix should soften and stretch. Once the cervix is completely dilated, the uterine contractions enable the infant to pass through the birth canal.
On the whole, it lasts around 36-48 hours if there is no surgical incision involved. In contrast, a c-section can go on for 72-108 hours as both the child and mother get hospitalized for a longer duration.
In the year 2018-19, as many as 33.80% of childbirths at private facilities were a result of caesareans, according to a report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India. That is an alarmingly higher rate in comparison to the normal standard of 10-15% set by the World Health Organization.
No expecting mother should go through such a beautiful phase of life without expert guidance. Visit CK Birla Hospital and consult our obstetrician to decide a path that is best for you and your child.
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among Indian women. As per a 2019 report published in NCBI, breast cancer constitutes more than 30 per cent of all cancers in females.
The survival rate largely depends on early diagnoses and the right treatment.
Breast tumour size is an important factor in determining breast cancer stage but not the only one. Other factors like the location of the tumour, how much it has spread, hormone receptor status also play a significant role in deciding the stage of breast cancer.
Doctors use various tests and examinations to evaluate the specific characteristics of a person’s breast cancer while determining breast cancer stages.
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The diagnostics tests and scans of the person help the doctors in tumour staging. The TNM staging system is a commonly used tool to describe the stage.
Combined results are used to determine the stage of cancer for each person.
Tumour size is generally measured in millimetres (mm) or centimetres (cm). A number suffixed with T tells you the main tumour’s size. Higher the number, larger is the tumour and its spread.
The American Cancer Society uses this particular system for tumour staging:
TX – The primary tumour cannot be evaluated
T0 – No evidence of cancer in the breast
T1 – The tumour detected is less than 20 mm in size. It further has four sub-stages categorized as per the size of tumour:
T2 – When the tumour is larger than 20 mm but smaller than 50 mm
T3 – When the tumour is larger than 50 mm
T4 – The tumour has grown into the chest wall and/or skin. It also includes inflammatory breast cancer.
The N value of the TNM staging system assesses whether cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes. The doctor generally takes the sample from the armpit area called the axillary lymph nodes and graded through the following:
When cancer cells have spread to distant organs or tissues of the body, it is metastatic breast cancer. The most common metastatic areas are the liver, bones, and lungs. The assessment is as follows:
MX – Unable to evaluate the distant spread
M0 – No evidence found for cancer spreading to distant parts
M1 – Cancer has spread to distant parts
Breast tumour size is one crucial determinant of the cancer stage along with lymph node and metastatic status.
However, some other deciding factors that doctors use to evaluate breast cancer staging are:
Knowing the hormone receptor status is essential in tumour staging and also deciding an effective breast cancer treatment plan. For this, the doctors evaluate the breast cancer cells for specific proteins that are estrogen and progesterone receptors.
The cancer cells often attach themselves to these hormones and feed on them to grow.
Hormone therapy is generally the most effective treatment in such cases. It prevents estrogen and progesterone from attaching themselves to the receptors, thereby keeping cancer from growing and spreading.
One of the newest determinants to be incorporated into breast cancer staging is HER2 status. HER2, i.e., human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, is a gene that can play a role in the development of breast cancer.
HER2 receptors are proteins that control how a healthy breast cell grows, divides, and repairs itself. Doctors test HER2 status to see if there are higher than normal levels of this receptor and then term it as HER2 positive cancer.
Targeted therapies generally work best in such cases.
This is known as breast cancer grading. In this, the breast cancer cells are carefully observed under a microscope for their appearance.
The ones that look quite similar to normal cells are considered to be slower growing. Contrarily, the ones that look very different will probably grow and spread faster.
Depending on the stage of breast cancer, age and general health of the patient, your doctor will prepare a treatment plan.
Options include:
Every person’s breast cancer is different. The tumour staging helps in evaluating the extent of cancer present and deciding the best suitable treatment option for it.
Breast tumour size is undoubtedly the most important deciding factor for breast cancer staging. Early diagnosis holds the key to the efficient and effective treatment of breast cancer. It is important to consult your doctor right away whenever you feel you show any signs or symptoms of breast cancer.
