Promoting women’s health
A month ago I developed an awfully nasty cold. It was so bad that eventually I started wheezing and spat a little blood every time I coughed up mucous. After about a week of wheezing and sneezing I told my husband that I felt dizzy when I coughed and the fever wasn’t going away either. Before this, I didn’t complain to my family about it at all. I dropped and picked kids; cooked dinners; made school snacks; did the laundry and the dishes; ironed clothes; polished shoes; and then collapsed every night. Eventually when I went to see the doctor she told me I had developed acute bronchitis which could lead to pneumonia if I wasn’t careful. My family was very upset – the children didn’t want to see mummy ill and in bed. This is what I didn’t want.
As mothers and wives, many women sacrifice their health so that the smooth machinery of household chores is not disturbed. It becomes all the more difficult to maintain good health if the mother happens to work like me. I have virtually no time for myself. But lately I have realised that if I don’t look after my health, my children may be at a greater loss than seeing me in bed for a few days. And while thinking hard what to write for NISAA I thought let me celebrate women’s health with you and remind you how important you are; women always forget that.
I will list below a few medical facts every woman should keep in mind:
• A woman must include calcium in her diet everyday. This may include drinking 4 to 5 cups of milk daily (yes, that much) or regularly eating salmon, sardine and shrimps. Pregnant and lactating mothers need calcium too but just the right amount because more calcium is harmful for the fetus. Research shows that can almost 50% of all symptoms of PMS can be reduced by consuming 1200 mg of calcium daily. Calcium is important for women of all ages for the prevention of osteoporosis in later life.
• Stopping Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is now actually reducing heart disease and fewer cases of estrogen-fueled breast cancer are being reported. If you are on HRT, you may want to read this first.
• The top 10 Cancer symptoms women need to know are:
1. Persistent pelvic pain
2. Abdominal swelling/bloating
3. Persistent lower back pain
4. Abnormal vaginal bleeding
5. Persistent fever
6. Persistent stomach upset or bowel changes
7. Sudden weight loss
8. Vulva or vaginal abnormalities
9. Changes in the breast
10. Fatigue
• If you are experiencing heavy periods, pelvic pressure and pain then do get checked for uterine fibroids. You can receive more information by downloading a free publication.
• This is the flu season which can severely handicap a mother. You may want to be precautious and get a flu shot. You may also want to join a flu blog!
• Usually when a woman gets married she does everything double – she starts sleeping on a double bed; works double hard; and eats double too. Remember that our men’s diet is supposed to be more than us. They are bigger and need more calories. Food in your plates must not be in equal proportion. Yours should ideally be half and if it isn’t, you can actually weigh more than your husband if your metabolic rate is not fast.
• If you experience premenstrual breast tenderness, it can be reduced or eliminated by taking 600 IU of Vitamin E or 300 to 500 mg of magnesium daily.
• Do you experience these symptoms:
o Feeling restless or irritable
o Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed
o Crying a lot
o Having no energy or motivation
o Eating too little or too much
o Sleeping too little or too much
o Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions
o Feeling worthless and guilty
o Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
o Withdrawal from friends and family
o Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (the heart beating fast and feeling like it is skipping beats), or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing)
Chances are that you are suffering from postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can happen anytime within the first year after childbirth. It needs to be treated by a doctor. There is nothing abnormal about it and if you think you have ‘changed negatively since the baby came’ then it is wise to accept that you need to see a doctor.
• Hormonal fluctuations in a woman can affect gum tissue. Oral health is extremely important for women as research shows that at least 23 % of women (ages 30 to 54) have periodontitis. Read about women and oral health here.
While it is said that men are physically stronger than women, we all know where truth lies! Even a petite, 90 pound woman is given the strength to endure pregnancy and childbirth by the Almighty. It is scientifically proven that male fetuses are miscarried more often than female fetuses because they are weaker. But that does not mean that women’s health is not vulnerable and the fast modern life is already rapidly taking its toll on women’s health. For example, a recent study has shockingly revealed that women in India are reaching menopause as early as at the age of 30. This means that it can cause early heart disease, osteoporosis, and breast cancer. Let’s not forget ourselves in the myriad of responsibilities we have and let’s celebrate our health which is linked to the happiness of our families.
May Allah keep every woman and her family in His merciful care, ameen.
Responses
Excellent post. I’m not sure about the article you’ve linked to about male foetuses miscarried more often than females. I can’t access the full article (I’m too cheap! 
) but the summary says the ratio is for women who have a familial history of eclampsia/preeclampsia. There are other medical reasons for spontaneous abortion. Another point - does the full article deduce this observation to be due to an inherent weakness in the male fetus or cause unknown?
Thanks Tasmiya!
I had Athens account until two months ago but now I don’t and I don’t have the article on my machine to quote from directly but, the article is inconclusive about why male fetuses are weaker. Read this one - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4639502.stm
This (free 
) article concludes that miscarriages casued by stress often are of male fetuses because they are weaker but the cause of weakness is unknown. However, they male fetuses are weaker.
I couldn’t agree with you more on this subject. Although I am guilty of not taking care of my own health. My husband reminded me the other day I was supposed to schedule a follow up appt for my low iron level. I still haven’t done it.
I remember when my mother was sick once. She ended up in the hospital with pneumonia for nearly a week. I will never forget how bad she looked. Her skin was gray and she looked like she was dead.
When my oldest was in the NICU one of the nurses told me that boy preemies didn’t do as well as girl preemies.
So true! Many women and mothers *suffer* whenever they get sick. I now always schedule a yearly check-up for myself and alhamdullilah haven’t missed one for the last few yrs. I do all my tests that have to be done yearly.I remember how one day was telling a woman how important for her to have her check-ups and do pap smears every year. She simply told me, “I don’t need those” (she was older than me). I tried to talk some sense to her but she refused and I felt really bad coz it’s for her own health. Inshallah many women will take it upon themselves to have their health issues be one of the most important things. BTW, prenatal/postnatal vitamins are really good for women who are thinking of having a baby, pregnant or nursing.
Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 01/26 at 12:54 PM
Oh, health is so important and we must pull up our socks.
sf, bravo!
Surviving, I want to receive an email from you early next week Inshallah telling me that you have been to the dr’s and got your iron levels checked! Promise?
I felt fine till I read this. Now I am sure I am coming down with something. Ach!
I will call first thing Monday morning to schedule an appointment.
I actually had an appointment today… which I totally forgot about and missed… :(
thanks for the reminder.
Irving, you take care 
Surviving, I’m proud of you but I will pursue you until you actually see your dr.
And Shaz, I can’t forgive you!
Thanks Suroor, this is important. Another thing that’s very important for hijabis is to get our vitamin D levels checked. Vitamin D is essential for the absorbtion of Calcium. We are putting ourselves at risk of Osteoperosis when we are older if we have a definciency. We get VIT D from sunlight. It’s extremely important during pregnancy. My levels are low and I have to take a supplement and so does my baby.
Oh good post…
After ending up in the ER with mysterious ailments..I understand too well.
My chiropractor thinks it is my body rebelling against all the stress!
So new diet and she wants me to see a homeopathic doctor.
About the Hormone Replacement..there was an article in the Vancouver Sun about Medroxyprogesterone..it is an artificial hormone and they have found that it has NO effects or dangers of increases in cancer, etc.
I take it for reeeeeelly bad PMS.
Thanks Jamila and Crunchy Carpets!
Jamila, I never thought about hijabis and vit. D. How useful! Thanks.
Medroxyprogesterone? That’s helpful. Thanks CC.
But Viagra on a women’s site??? On an article about women’s health??? What’s wrong with you, you dimwit spammer?!
those viagra spammers knowns no bounds! or maybe the think women are fair game
sorry, comments for this article is now closed, due to ‘dimwit’ spammers
please contact suroor directly with comments. thanks.
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