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Positive Health for all
Dr. Ms. Asha Dalal
For most times, life moves in a blur. Todays merge into tomorrows and yesterdays in a whirl. Frantic activity and frenetic pace lead us to wonder whether we can even dream of a time ' to stand & stare' as a bard put it. However vigorously we may try to relax and take stock of what we do and where we are headed, it seems that we are driven on and on by an invisible carrot and stick. The fears of aging, ill health, disease, financial worries etc. are part of the huge stress modern living has brought with it / Mind and body health interventions can go some way to establish a healthy relationship between aims and achievements and wants and needs. Meditation, Yoga, Reiki, whatever suits you, has been seen to positively influence the outlook to life / Scientifically a sense of well being leads to hormonal secretions which enhance a feeling of relaxation.
Increased longevity means many more women will become menopausal. This is associated with inconvenient menopausal symptoms and fear of a change in life style. An unresolved controversy is there about taking Hormone replacement Therapy. Whether it should be taken, the various types available, the fear of developing cancer. Counseling goes a long way in helping women understand that treatment regimes are always individualized and are changed according to changing needs, and also to accept the much needed lifestyle changes which include a healthy low cholesterol, low fat diet & daily exercise. Physical exercise brings about a sense of well being and improves the body image and self esteem.
Should one age gracefully? Or can one desire to fight age and maintain a youthful spirit and body as long as possible? It totally depends on one's philosophy and outlook. Today women (and men) can resort to injections of botox, fillers or restylene and "face lifts" in an attempt to look and feel young and keep the dreaded wrinkles away. Grandparents looking like parents? Why not indeed?
Cloning research has ensured that it is possible for (theoretically at least) each of us to leave behind a carbon copy. Is it a good idea?
Research and advance in reproductive technology has given hope to many couples who only a decade ago would never have experienced the joys of parenthood. Today we have seen the miracle of a woman of sixty becoming pregnant and technology has also shown us a grandmother give birth to her own grandson. On the other hand, wombs have gone for sale on hire to bear babies. Is this progress or are we tempering with nature?
It may be possible in the future to replace many organs of the body with custom designed "spares". A road to eternity? Is this century moving mankind to a new high or is it that kind of a flight that may crash because the climb was too steep?
That brings us to the big C. This decade has really seen the positive effect of cancer screening programs. Be it the breast, cervix or ovary, early detection makes treatment possible. Advances in radiology and sonography, what with 3D and 4D ultrasonography and MRI or Mrangiography, diagnosis has also been simplified.
Today the real killers are Obesity and Depression & they need to be tackled seriously. As of now, exercise, diet, some form of mental relaxation techniques and living life without unrealistic aims can be some mechanisms of achieving positive health.
In the last century medicine has progressed beyond imagination. We have come a long way indeed and it gives us hope that understanding and treatment of several conditions like mental disorders and genetic diseases may be just round the corner.
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