Working women victims of lifestyle diseases

You leaped out of bed this morning and realised that it is late again after you snoozed your alarm twice. Thought of the important deadline to meet at workplace and there you go out of the door after grabbing a cup of coffee. Is this a typical morning for you? You constantly skip meals and a regular health check-up is never on the card. If so, you need to pull in a well balanced lifestyle before your health alarm goes off.

In western countries, Women Health and Fitness Day is observed on September 29. According to a study conducted by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2009, 68 per cent of working women surveyed within the age group of 21 to 52 years across the country are suffering from lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, depression and hypertension.

“The major health issues being faced by working women are infertility, irregular menstruation cycle, depression and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD).

Marriage age is being pushed back mainly due to demanding jobs resulting in late pregnancy.

The number of women suffering from PCOD is on the rise. More than 50 per cent of my patients are victims of PCOD, which is an outcome of lack of exercise and high stress levels at workplace,” says Dr S Vijayalakshmi, gynaecologist.

To an extent, pressure does make you try harder, and let you improve. But too much pressure, especially when it is constant, is detrimental and can cause irreparable harm.

An ignorant life style can put you in trouble and can invite lifestyle diseases like arteriosclerosis, cancer, chronic liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, nephritis or chronic renal failure, osteoporosis, acne, stroke, depression and obesity.

According to experts, working women are more prone to blood pressure and coronary heart diseases, thanks to today’s work culture, which include late nights and long hours at office.

You can strike a balance between your job and much neglected health by following some simple steps like getting enough sleep, following a healthy diet and making exercise and health checkups regular.

“Lifestyle diseases are triggered due to bad dietary practices, lack of workout and excessive work pressure. Stress lowers immunity and leads to obesity, diabetes, depression and heart disorders. Stress also causes hormonal imbalance like growth of facial hair. Regular physical activity is important to keep these problems at a bay. A brisk walk for 30 minutes everyday is highly recommended for working women. A diet rich in fibre, protein and vitamin is also required along with a regular health check-up,” says Dr PS Venkatesh Rao, endocrinologist.

Regular check-up

Anupama Mannar, director, Phoenix Login Solution, faced the toughest assignment of her life when she was diagnosed with malignant thyroid. After a miraculous escape, she feels that regular check-up is a must for working women.

“I had a packed routine and after managing home and workplace, I was hardly left with any time to visit a doctor on regular basis. One day, I happened to walk into a health check-up camp and was diagnosed with a major thyroid growth. The diagnosis came as a shock as I was in an illusion of leading a healthy life. I had to undergo a surgery within five days of the diagnosis as my doctor feared that even a few millimetre growth of the thyroid could have choked me,” recalls Anupama.

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