Androgens, such as testosterone, are a major component of female and male sexual health and good libido. Female sexual health can be temporarily improved using androgens such as testosterone or DHEA. You write that Viagra legitimized male sexuality not only as conversation material but as a valid health-care issue. There is, therefore, a significant issue regarding the sexual health of female partners of men who have sex with men (MSMs). This bulletin message board forum is intended to allow male sexuality discussions, men's sexual health personal experiences, and male health issue problems. political trends on research on female sexuality with a particular focus on political attacks on sexual health research at the National Institutes of Health.

There are five major areas involved in male and female sexual health: 1. Understanding these constructions enable more effective designs for intervention strategies that enable the promotion of sexual health amongst males who have sex with males. For effective sexual health promotion amongst males who have sex with males, both these connected issues must be appropriately and adequately addressed. There are specialists who deal with urology and oncology, as well as other areas of male sexual healthcare. Consequently, health care practitioners comment that they only learn about their male patient's sexual health problems when the condition is severe. Exercise and weight loss may improve male sexual health in obese men, researchers in Italy report. Our project approach to male involvement in reproductive health in India is based in culturally defined male sexual health problems.

Female sexual health problems have to studied using a natural approach from many different areas. Impotence or erectile dysfunction is a quite common male sexual health disorder afflicting around 10 to 30 percent of the total male population. The authors bring together the two critical areas of expertise medical and psychological explain healthy male sexual function and the problem of sexual dysfunction. PenisPillsInfo.com Male enhancement advice and information, sexual health and performance and top pill brand information. Sex-Boost is a 'by-prescription-only' pill designed to enhance male sexual health by enabling men to achieve an erection. The female sexual health function is a complex interaction of hormonal events and psychosocial relationships. Work on male fertility and potency have also made the UW a national leader in advancing men's sexual health.

McCullough is a specialist in male sexual health and fertility. A report examining and summarizing the symposium held in Oaxaca, Mexico, on male partcipation in sexual and reproductive health. Since Sex-Boost's invention the subject of male sexual health has become common in newspapers, on the television and also over the Internet. It also combats male pattern boldness and contributes to a man's overall sexual health regimen. The program was set up as the women's movement raised awareness about reproductive health and female sexuality. A manmade ingredient of many plastics, cosmetics and other consumer products may be interfering with male sexual health and prenatal male sexual development.

Talk with your physician or other female sexual health professional to find a good sex therapist in your area that could help you. Although trials are underway with drugs to help eliminate female sexual health problems, the current feedback is not promising. There are a lot of male nurses working in sexual health. body - sexual health Female Infertility Finding out she's pregnant can be one of the most joyous moments in a woman's life. I did an online search for a male sexual health supplement, and there are hundreds of them. A urologist specializes in male sexual health problems. During a recent interview, Spark discussed his version of the Clinton legacy, shifting attitudes about male sexual health and alternatives to Viagra. Synopsis: A groundbreaking comprehensive guide to male health and sexuality.

If you are male and have a sexual health concern, you can address it with your regular doctor. Blood tests are often employed in female sexual health conditions to check various hormone levels. Use regularly to promote general health and overall female sexual functioning. Ovantra is the best product for womens sexual health and it has been referred to as the Female Viagra! General women's health issues play an important part in a woman's overall sexual wellness. Healthy female sex organs are less susceptible to infection. Victim to abuser: Mental health and behavioral sequels of child sexual abuse in a community survey of young adult males. Thanda is a powerful tonic for female sexual health, containing a range of specially selected remedies from Africa and the Orient.

Etic and emic categories in male sexual health: a case study from Orissa. As a result, sexual health services often ignores the possibility of STD/HIV transmission resulting from such a sexual practice both for males and females. Oriental (Panax) ginseng - supports physical stamina and has long been used to support male sexual health. Training of police staff and the judiciary on issues regarding males who have sex with males and sexual health concerns. http://www.man-sexual-health.com/

Quoting and Saving on your insurance coverage has never been easier. You're a few seconds away from obtaining detailed quotes for Aetna health insurance programs.

Aetna Health Insurance Signs Contract With Orlando Health Physicians

ORLANDO, Fla., October 30, 2008 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today that it has reached agreement with the Orlando Health physicians group on a three-year contract renewal.  Under the new contract, Aetna for the first time will have a direct contract with South Seminole Behavioral Specialists, a behavioral health physicians group that serves Central Florida.

South Seminole Behavioral Specialists added to central Florida network

"Aetna Health Insurance is very pleased to offer its Central Florida members in-network access to behavioral health services," said Jim McCunney, Aetna's vice president of network development for Central Florida.  ""n an environment of rising health care costs, this new agreement is good news for our members."

Aetna Health Insurance also recently renewed its hospital agreement with Orlando Health, a 1,780-bed system that includes:



  • Orlando Regional Medical Center;


  • Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children;


  • Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies;


  • Lucerne Hospital;


  • Dr. P. Phillips Hospital;


  • South Lake Hospital;


  • South Seminole Hospital; and


  • M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando.

Earlier this year, Aetna also signed a five-year agreement with the Orlando Health Visiting Nurse Association.  That contract took effect in August.

Orlando Health is a $1.5 billion not-for-profit health care organization and a community-based network of nine hospitals and care centers in the Orlando region.  The organization, which includes the area's only Level One Trauma Centers for adults and pediatrics, is a statutory teaching hospital system that offers both specialty and community hospitals.  They are: Orlando Regional Medical Center; Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children; Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies; Lucerne Hospital; Dr. P. Phillips Hospital; South Seminole Hospital; South Lake Hospital (50 percent partnership); St. Cloud Regional Medical Center (20 percent partnership) and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando - the first affiliate of one of the nation's premier cancer centers, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.  Orlando Health's areas of clinical excellence are heart and vascular, cancer care, neurosciences, surgery, pediatric orthopedics and sports medicine, neonatology, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Orlando Health is Central Florida's fifth-largest employer with nearly 14,000 employees and more than 2,000 affiliated physicians.

Aetna provides and administers health benefits to more than 225,000 members in Central Florida.  Those members have access to a contracted network of 35 hospitals, 1,626 primary care physicians and 4,434 specialists.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates.

A majority of men and women from the ages of 55-74 report they are satisfied with their lives and are currently in good health. While periods of depression may occur among seniors, it is important to remember that it is not a normal part of aging.

Depression is the most common mental health concern for older adults, affecting between 15 to 20 percent of older adults living in the community. It is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms such as decreased energy, poor sleep and preoccupation with health problems should be viewed as possible symptoms of a treatable illness and are NOT a result of the aging process.

Treatment for depression works, yet too many people remain undiagnosed and untreated because they don't recognize the signs and symptoms of depression.

Mental health specialists generally agree on the following definition of major depression:

  1. Symptoms persist for two weeks or longer
  2. People either have depressed moods or seem unable to enjoy life.
  3. Major depression should be considered if four of the following seven criteria are present:
  • A change in sleeping habits (more or less than usual)
  • A change in eating habits or weigh
  • Low energy or fatigue
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Feeling worthless or excessively guilty
  • Marked restlessness or slowed-down movements
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression can be defined as an imbalance of brain chemicals triggered by stress and life events, including biological, psychological and social factors.

Depression is NOT a character or personality flaw.

Many of the signs of depression may also indicate other problems or medical conditions - It is important to consult with a doctor to determine if your symptoms indicate depression or another medical condition.

Depression is often difficult to recognize among the senior population and it tends to be under diagnosed. Living with depression not only prevents older adult from fully enjoying their lives but it puts a strain upon their health, which can lead to other medical concerns. It is also very difficult for their caregivers and places a strain on their health as well.

What we do know is that there is no one cause for depression- every individual is unique in what may cause their depression, and what may trigger a depressive episode. Some possible causes and risk factors include genetics and family history, brain chemistry, personality, major illness, medications & alcohol, and life events. Risk factors for serious depression, particularly in older adults, may include loss and bereavement, lack of social support, isolation, living in poverty, being a caregiver, and abuse.

Having depression could also increase the risk of suicide among older adults, particularly in older males. According to the CDC, seniors account for more than 16% of all suicide deaths. Older adults who are over the age of 60 are far more likely to have a higher risk rate of suicide than younger people. If you feel that a friend or a loved one is suicidal, encourage them to seek out help either from a doctor, friend, crisis centre or, mental health agency.

Some things to keep in mind:

  • Keep a positive attitude. Remember that slowing down does not mean you have to come to a complete stop. Chances are you will still be able to do almost all the things you used to; you may just need to take a little more time and learn to pace yourself.
  • See your family doctor regularly. He/she can, then, deal with any changes or symptoms that require medical attention.
  • Be careful about your medications. As you get older, they may begin to interact differently with other drugs and to affect you differently than before. Make sure your doctor knows about all your medications, even those prescribed by another doctor.
  • Take responsibility for your own health. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor questions; some do not offer explanations unless asked.

Depression is a serious disorder that is treatable. In addition, dealing with an individual who is suffering from depression or at risk of suicide can be absolutely overwhelming for a caregiver. Although the caregiver is providing care and assistance to their loved ones they must also look after their own emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

While all of us may feel sad from time to time, sadness is not depression and it is important to remember that depression is not a normal part of aging.

About eldercaring.ca

Elder Caring Inc. http://www.eldercaring.ca is a group of experts with backgrounds in Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Gerontology. As working professionals in the field, all of our team members have many years of experience in working with the disabled, the elderly, and their families. The company has team members and representatives across Canada.

Each year tens of thousands of young women should be thinking about whether they should start having their Pap smear done. So what is this smear test, how is it done and is it really necessary now that girls are having HPV vaccinations at school?

But first a few essential facts:





  • A Pap smear is performed when a nurse or doctor samples cells from the cervix. This is the lowest part of the uterus and is accessible to sampling through the vagina.



  • Cancer of the cervix has fallen from being the 8th to the 18th most common cancer in women since the introduction of the Pap smear registry program. These cancers often take several years to develop and so are very amenable to early diagnosis and management.



  • The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is thought to be one of the main triggers of this form of cancer. There are over 100 different types of HPV infections, but only a few are thought to be the major instigators of this form of cancer. The Gardisil vaccine, recently introduced into the vaccination program for young women, targets these particular viruses.



  • HPV is very prevalent in the community, but as infections with the virus are not a notifiable disease, we don't have accurate statistics, however, according to information from the Mayo Clinic in the USA, over 25 million US citizens are infected with the virus.




Who should have a Pap smear?

Local, national and international experts differ on when and how often Pap smears should be performed. So here's my guide to when and how often:





  • Start within 12 months after the onset of sexual activity and have them annually until you have had two negative Paps - then you can have them every 2 years.



  • If you change your sexual partner, go back to annual testing until you've had 2 negative annual tests again. The more partners the greater the risk of infection.



  • If there has been no sexual activity, then start at age 21.



  • In a monogamous relationship, Pap smears can be done safely every two years.



  • There are no specific guidelines on when to stop, some suggest after the age of 70, some 65. My suggestion is to discuss this with your GP.




You can safely stop if you have had a total hysterectomy for a non cancerous condition, as the cervix will have been removed with the uterus.

What do the results mean?

A normal test means that there have been no abnormal cells detected and it is 95% certain that there is no cancer. A positive test doesn't mean that you have got cancer, it means that you have some abnormal cells and it's wise to have a closer look at your cervix and more tests.

In other words, here in WA, you should see a specialist in that area who will review your findings and suggest a colposcopy and biopsy. A colposcope is an instrument that allows the specialist to get close to the cervix and magnify it greatly for more detailed inspection. Any suspicious areas can then be biopsied for examination in the laboratory.

How can we reduce the risk of developing problems with the cervix?





  • Being in a monogamous relationship.



  • Reducing the number of sexual partners.



  • Using a latex condom may reduce transmission of most, but not all, HPV infections.






Discussing being immunised against HPV infections before the infection finds you!

I love the women of the Baby Boomer generation. They demanded world attention for their rights to equality in the sixties, changed the gender rules in the seventies, made their way into executive boardrooms in the eighties, and paved the way for the coming generations of their daughters and their daughter's daughters. Generations X and Y, and hopefully "Z", have a lot to thank them.

Today, younger adult women don't have to go through what they did for recognition and understanding. When I enrolled at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1981, I was the only female in my first accounting class. Today, there are equally the same if not more women in graduate university and advanced education courses than men. This is how dramatically things have changed. But have they?

Since my mid-forties, I have had reason to visit a lot of doctor's offices. I have been diagnosed as peri-menopausal, menopausal (differing opinions from different doctors), suffering from hypothyroidism, not suffering from hypothyroidism, Chronic Fatigue, no Chronic Fatigue, stress-related panic attacks, hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia - and the best of all - a recommendation that I should see a psychologist! All of these complaints and symptoms became more relevant when I later discovered I had severe adrenal problems - completely undiagnosed by all the doctors I saw. But for now, I just want to say, "God help the Baby Boomers!"

During the last few years, I have been in and out of so many doctor's offices, surgeries, and hospitals that I have lost track. I have visited Hormone Specialists, Gynaecologists, General Practitioners and been rushed into hospital Emergency Rooms on countless occasions. I have had more blood tests than any rational person is meant to endure; subjected to ECGs (electrocardiograms), X-rays, brain scans, chest scans, hearing tests, and spent hours upon hours in those wonderful little ER cubicles waiting for tests or wheeled around from testing lab to testing lab. Not once, not a couple of times, but countless times. I have had the top of my palm injected with horrible large needles while I've waited for hours for a scan, drip, or blood transfusion.

I have also been insulted, ignored, laughed at, and been given operative procedures, drugs and antibiotics against my expressed concerns. A hospital gynaecologist even asked me on one occasion whether my breasts were real. (I am naturally well endowed.) I believe he was being playful and it was meant to be a joke - but at the time, I was lying in a hospital Emergency Room bed, waiting for a 4-pack blood transfusion. Needless to say, I didn't find it very amusing at the time.

I am not a feminist. I know what strengths and weaknesses women have and acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses that men have. However, I am utterly astonished and dumbfounded at the way women are still being treated in the medical arena.

I am in total dismay at how the women of that gregarious, rebellious, open-minded, ground-breaking generation, the Baby Boomers, who led the revolution in changing the advertising, marketing, financial, and consumer-driven demands of the world, are still being treated as the 1950s stereotype female by the traditional medical community. And this includes some female doctors I have visited as well.

Every time I have visited a new doctor, the first typical response is, "its probably menopausal changes". Firstly, if all I have suffered were menopause symptoms, I'd be swinging from the rafters with glee. I don't wish to invalidate the women who have difficulties caused by hormonal changes, but with the new bio-identical hormone therapy available, menopause is an easier transition now than ever before.

Secondly, it worries me that the abruptness and immediacy of this instant diagnosis for women who happen to be in the 40 plus age group can potentially and dangerously prevent a real disease from accurate diagnosis and treatment or lead to misdiagnoses and serious consequences where there were none in the first place.

Men, younger women and now even teenagers and children are affected by similar circumstances. However, the typical and by far the larger demographic profile of wrongly diagnosed patients who fall victim to anti-depressants and tranquillisers are adult women.

Norma Finkelstein, Ph.D., of the Boston-based Coalition on Addiction, Pregnancy, and Parenting says, "Women tend to get addicted to prescription drugs like sedatives and tranquillisers more often than men do because doctors prescribe them to women more freely". She estimates that 70 percent of prescribed tranquillisers and sedatives in the US are given to women. In Australia, 2:1 or 66.7 percent is the estimated ratio for women. Finkelstein also adds, "Women have long been seen by the medical profession as hysterical and anxious - so rather than listening to the woman's problem, some doctors will just write a prescription for medication."

I recall the wisdom of a friend who once said, "Educate the mother and you educate the family". He was speaking of higher values at the time, but those words ring ominously in my mind now. Was the Rolling Stones' 1960s hit "Mother's Little Helper" a warning we didn't heed?

Women are usually the stronger of the two sexes. However, they are prone to a lot of ups and downs once they hit their late forties due the menopause. Menopausal women experience a great deal of health problems especially due to the hormonal changes that this period brings along. This is the time when other diseases creep up too, such as heart disease, infertility, osteoporosis, uterine fibroids, fibromyaglia, cervical cancer, breast cancer and so on.

Why Women’s Health Care Specialist is Recommended

In ordinary circumstances, women are okay with the regular medical practitioner and medical care. However, when age advances a women’s health care specialist would be a better choice (and recommended) as such a professional will be able to provide the right guidance to what tests a woman should do when and what special care a woman needs to maintain good health.

Besides the medical attention, the women’s health care specialist would be able to focus on the mental make-up and upheavals that menopause inflicts on women. This is a difficult time for women not only because their bodies seem to have a mind of their own, but also because they are prone to heavy depression bouts, excitability, mood swings and feeling of hopelessness which does not help in any way the overall situation.

Many times the hormonal changes are so drastic that these cause acute and even suicidal depression. When and if such times are coupled with any of the diseases mentioned a bit earlier, it kind of overwhelms the women. The role of the women’s health care specialist is here to keep women healthy physically as well as take care that they receive sufficient and adequate counseling to equip them to handle the difficulties that the menopausal period brings along.

The women’s health care specialist hence plays a dual role – one of a healer and the other of an adviser. Both the roles are important because women tend to neglect their own health till it is too late. It is as important for women to know why they are suffering as what would cure them. During the middle age, there are a lot of ‘whys’ that disturb women’s peace of mind.

Questions such as, ‘why do I feel like crying all day long?’, ‘why am I so angry all the time?’, ‘why do I feel that I have do be on my toes the whole day long?’, ‘why do I feel so lost and hopeless?’ plague the minds of women in their late forties. These questions affect women much more than any disease and this is where and when the women’s health care specialist is needed most.

Did you know that each hour in each civilised country, at least five men die from conditions that are potentially preventable? Or that men live on average six years less than women?

According to the Australian Medical Association, many men treat their health as a low priority while they juggle the competing demands of work and family life. Apparently, men often adopt a "functional view" of their bodies. Only when their work, play or exercise is below par, they understand there may be a problem. Another fact is that most men stop visiting doctors regularly between the age of 20 and 45. By the time the begin visiting GP's again, their ailments are more chronic in nature!

Prevention and early detection are key! To prevent and mitigate risks of obesity, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc., there is a thing you can do: an annual men's health check! This is the best advice I can give you, as it will most certainly help you to maintain and protect your own health.

According to my own Sydney based men's health specialist Dr. Rob King, the main objectives of a men's health check/assessment are:

  • To improve and maintain your wellbeing in the short and long term.
  • To ensure you maintain your physical independence in the long term.
  • To prevent the onset of disease, including cancer.
  • To detect disease early, including cancer.

According to Dr. Rob King a complete men's health check should cover the detection and prevention of:

  • Nutritional imbalances.
  • Excess body weight.
  • Disease of your heart and arteries (cardiovascular disease - build-up of plaque in your arteries).
  • High blood pressure (hypertension).
  • Abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia).
  • Abnormal blood sugar (insulin resistance/pre-diabetes/diabetes).
  • Prostate problems.
  • Weak bones (osteoporosis), calcium and vitamin D deficiencies.
  • Screening for cancer, in particular skin, testicles, prostate, bowel.
  • Sexual difficulties, in particular erection and ejaculation problems (optional).
  • Sexually transmitted infections (optional).
  • Immunisations.

Most large medical centres offer health checks and there are specialized men's health check centres in most large cities around the world. They'll do a full health check and provide you with advise on how to improve your health. It will all be on a strictly confidential basis! A men's health check will take you at least 1 to 2 hours and will cost approx. $300-$600 of which you can claim a large part from your health insurance. A lot of employers do have agreements in place with external health and wellbeing providers, so just ask internally if your employer can arrange and fund your annual health check.

To find a men's health check specialist near you, just Google "men's health check" with your location to find a specialised centre near you.
Please do yourself a big favour and schedule a health check appointment on the short term. It is one of the best health investments you can make!

Make this a Positive & Fruitful Day….unless you have other plans!

Thanks, warm regards & success,


Patrick Driessen

© Patrick W. Driessen. All rights reserved.

The positive effects of the use of discount vitamins are more prevalent today than in the past. It is estimated that there are approximately 44.3 million people in the United States with a diagnosable mental disorder. These can range from depression, bipolar disorder, and premenstrual syndrome, to schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. In light of those tough statistics, mental health and medical professionals know that keeping the body and physical wellbeing healthy, can actually decrease the symptoms related to most mental illnesses.

The most important step of all is to first see a doctor or mental health specialist, either to be tested and diagnosed or to discuss with them the alternative discount vitamins that are best for your situation. While many of the disorders are rather different from one another, the types of vitamins used to treat them are fairly common.

* Depression - Depression can be a side effect to some other drugs, including oral contraceptives. Your doctor or specialist may want to perform a test on what are called the homocysteine levels in order to check for folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies. If diagnosed with depression, there are several choices in discount vitamins and supplements including folate, vitamin B12, amino acid supplements - specifically the amino acid L-tryptophan, and vitamin B6. Another popular treatment with those who prefer natural medicines is the use of ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo is also used to treat asthma, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease and more.

* Bipolar Disorder - Bipolar Disorder, closely associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder, is naturally treated with some of the same vitamins as depression and anxiety. Most commonly used are a mixture of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin B2 and vitamin B complex. Studies have also shown that these same vitamins in addition to biotin, boron, and manganese and fish oil can be used to treat Bipolar Disorder II.

* Anxiety - As one of the most common forms of mental illness, anxiety at certain levels can also cause fatigue, psychological and physical stress, excessive alcohol consumption and even anorexia and insomnia. Anxiety studies have also shown a links to folic acid deficiency. Many treatments include vitamin B12 and folic acid. In recent years, St. John's Wort has become a popular alternative due the ingredients hypericin and pseudohypericin, which has also shown to be helpful in ceasing anxiety.

* Premenstrual Syndrome (also know as PMS) - For women, this is one of the most common types of disorders. In recent studies, it has been shown that most women do not take the Recommended Daily Allowance for magnesium, which is now believed to be one of the causes for premenstrual syndrome. Magnesium is known for relating to mood changes, so it is one of the most common supplements used in treating PMS. Calcium and vitamin D are also good for premenstrual syndrome. Four servings of skim of low fat milk is a great way to get that extra calcium needed.

* Schizophrenia - Schizophrenia is a disabling and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately one percent of people in the world. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, the active form of vitamin B6, is very important to the brain functioning normally. This supplement, along with folic acid, methylfolate, niacin, and vitamin C are some of the vitamin supplements used to treat schizophrenics.

Once there has been a determination of the vitamins that can be used in your specific case, purchasing quality vitamins at a discount price is the next step. These can be found anywhere from vitamin outlet stores, the Internet, magazine and on television through home shopping channels. The Internet, being the most convenient way to shop, offers consumers a world of opportunity in finding the best quality discount vitamins at the most reasonable price. The most desirable sites offer considerable information all the vitamins and herbs they sell, showing that they are committed to the overall health and well being of the customers. These sites break down each vitamin and provide an explanation of how it should be used, the dosage amount and size. In addition, some offer their customers health and wellness articles that can provide the most up-to-date information of discount vitamins, health issues, and alternative medicines, in turn giving each customer the ability to make the right decisions in the purchases they make.

Water is another extremely important part of keeping ourselves healthy. To many, water is just water and nothing else, but recently this has changed. Now called "Functional Water" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bottled water is now classified by its origin.

* Spring water - spring water derives from the point where ground water flows, sometimes flowing as a result of snow and ice melting or rain.

* Purified water - This water can come from any source (ocean, spring, well, etc.), but is then purified using a process called reverse osmosis.

* Mineral water - Mineral water contains minerals which can alter or change the taste of the water. This water is one of the most popular types purchased, and commercially offered in over 3000 brands.

* Distilled water - Distilled water is used in many ways, most commonly known for being used to clean car batteries. The water becomes distilled by boiling it and re-condensing the steam into a container, thus removing any contaminants.

* Vitamin added water - As one of the most popular types of water available today, this water is available with or without additional flavors, such as strawberry, lemon or grape. The vitamin water contains distilled water, electrolytes, and vitamins such as C, B6, B12 and E.

No matter the choice of discount vitamins chosen or the type of water that best fits your tastes, these simple and inexpensive additions to everyday life can truly change the way you think and feel. Dealing with a mental illness can be one of the hardest things in life, but there is help available. Making an appointment and speaking to your doctor or a health professional today can give anyone the ability to start living a life that is more fulfilling and happy.

Health sector Reforms in Andhra Pradesh

    A review on Health sector reforms in India   The health sector reforms in India were started way back in 1970s .The Govt. of India identifies the need HSR and stated in the eighth five year plan. The Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-1997) was the first plan document to state the need for re-structuring of economic management systems, following the macro developments of the 1990s. During this period in the health sector, the concept of free medical care was revoked and people were required to pay, even if partially, for the health services (1). The Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) emphasized the need to review the response of the public, voluntary and private sector health care providers as well as the population themselves to the changing health scenario, to reorganize health services to bring about greater efficiency and effectiveness and to introduce health system reforms to enable the population to obtain optimum care at affordable cost The Ninth Plan sought to increase the involvement of voluntary, private organizations and self-help groups in the provision of health care and ensure inter-sectoral coordination in implementation of health programmes and health-related activities as well as enable the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) in planning and monitoring of health programmes at the local level so as to bring about greater responsiveness to health needs of the people and greater accountability; to promote inter-sectoral coordination and utilise local and community resources for health care(2) .The Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) touches upon reforms at primary, secondary and tertiary level(3).                         Politics influence health systems in significant manner. The goals, priorities, and the strategies, variations in the commitment are largely decided through the political contingencies. There are competing demands on the health systems. The evolution of the health systems is largely shaped by the culture, history, and norms. Client satisfaction is very high. As per NFHS-2 data, an overwhelming majority of clients are satisfied by the services delivered by the public systems. May be the expectations are low or may be our people are so courteous. But on the hand, we have the report from Transparent International, ranked the health system in India is the most corrupt system (4)   The Government has taken several steps for improving the public health care institutions and Strengthening the primary health care infrastructure. However, the situation is compounded by severe resource constraints - financial, technical and human power related, which has resulted in policy makers as well as programme managers at differing levels being faced with difficult choices. In such a situation, attempts are being made through various reform initiatives to ensure that the health needs of the people are met One of the major reform initiatives underway is the Secondary Health System Strengthening Project funded by the World Bank in seven states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh). The projects include strengthening FRUs/CHCs and district hospitals so as to improve the availability of emergency care services to patients, to reduce overcrowding at district and tertiary care hospitals, construction works, procurement of equipment, increased availability of ambulances, drugs; improvement in quality of services following skill up gradation training in clinical management, changes in attitudes and behavior of health care providers; reduction in mismatches in health personnel / infrastructure; improvement in hospital waste management, disease surveillance and response system. It is essential to assess both progress and problems in implementation of the reforms in each state and to appropriately modify the content and pace of implementation. Such an overview and analysis of all related issues is necessary to provide evidence to policy makers and other stakeholders in terms of the various dimensions and impact of health sector reform.(5) In the Indian Constitution, health is a state responsibility. During Adjustment, many state governments in India had recourse to Health Systems Development Project loans from the World Bank for carrying out health sector reforms (HSR), of which one of the key policies has been to raise public spending on health care from the abysmally low levels seen up to then. The Health Systems Development Project seeks to develop strategic management capacity; strengthen performance, accountability, and efficiency; and build implementation capacity. Further, it seeks to improve clinical service quality by renovating and expanding district, sub district, and community hospitals and improving access to services. In all seven reforming states, around 15% of the total project cost is borne by the state governments. All the project documents note the low levels of funding for secondary hospitals in the reforming states. This is attributed to the small share of overall public spending allotted to health, the limited portion of total health spending going to hospitals, and, within this, a skewed distribution of funds in favour of the tertiary hospitals. After analysis of the problems of the health sector, the governments of the reforming states have agreed-using terminology ranging from "assurances" to "commitments"-to several undertakings. These are: (i) to enhance the overall size of the health budget; (ii) to redress imbalances in public expenditure between secondary and tertiary care levels; (iii) to safeguard the operations and maintenance components of current expenditure allocations for the secondary health-care sector; (iv) to charge user fees for selected services; and (v) to address workforce issues. The Health Systems Development Project initiated in the seven states recognizes the need for enhanced public spending on health and identifies it as the foremost policy reform to be pursued. Nevertheless, such assurances and conditions have not succeeded in enhancing health sector budgets in states implementing HSR. Worse, HSR has not been able to arrest the decline in the share of health spending within total government spending. The Indian system is especially complicated, as the larger tax resources are controlled by the central government but the major responsibility for health-care spending is bestowed on the states (6).Andhra Pradesh is the first state to go with the HSR.               Health sector reforms in Andhra Pradesh   The state of Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1st November, 1956 under the States' reorganization scheme. It is the fifth largest State with an area of 2, 76, 754 sq. km, accounting for 8.4 % of India's territory and also the fifth most populous state with a Population of 75 crores. The state has varied physiographic features ranging from high hills, undulating plains to a coastal deltaic environment. Administratively, Andhra Pradesh is divided into 23 districts, 79 revenue divisions, 1123 mandals, about 27000 villages and 264 towns. AP's economy grew at 7.2% during 2006-07 -- the fourth consecutive year of 6% plus growth. The latest poverty headcount ratio stands at 16%, compared to 23% for India . the third-highest credit rating among the major Indian states; the third best investment climate in the country; and the fourth-lowest corruption level among Indian states Andhra Pradesh was the first Indian state to receive a multi-sector Bank operation - the Andhra Pradesh Economic Restructuring Program for US$ 550 million in 1997 - aimed at helping the state accelerate policy and institutional reforms across a wide range of sectors under a common fiscal framework. It is also the only Indian state where the Bank has disbursed three budget support operations - the First Andhra Pradesh Economic Reform Loan (APERL-1) in March 2002, the Second APERL in February 2004, and the Third APERL in January 2007 - that sought to support the state's development program.(12) Within AP there are regional, social and gender disparities. Health outcomes are worst among Scheduled Castes (16% of population) and Scheduled Tribes (7% of population), especially those living in underserved areas in North tribal and South drought prone districts, and for women. Effective delivery of quality basic health services is hampered by demand and supply side issues, including poor health infrastructure and staffing.(15)     The reform history in health sector in the State can be traced to Andhra Pradesh First Referral Health System Project, one of the first World Bank aided health system projects in the country. This project, launched in 1995 had been implemented by AP Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (APVVP). Agencies like World Bank and DFID are supporting the reform process in the State. The Bank supported the AP Economic Restructuring Project which included improvement of primary health care as one of the component.(7) The priority reforms focus on improved access to quality and responsive health services, strengthened governance and management in health sector, improved institutional mechanisms for community participation and systems for accountability; and strengthened financial management systems.(15)  The government of Andhra Pradesh [GoAP 1999] Vision 2020 document identifies a seven-point set of priorities for health sector reform: providing universal access to primary healthcare; encouraging private investment in tertiary healthcare; focusing on specific programmes to promote family planning; focusing on improving health levels in disadvantaged groups and backward regions; ensuring a strong prevention focus; enhancing the performance of the public health system; and formulating a state information education and communication (IEC) programme to broadcast information on preventive healthcare.(13) The Government of Andhra Pradesh is embarking on a major health sector reforms to improve health care delivery in the State. D.F.I.D. has expressed its willingness to support these initiatives with a grant of 100 Million pounds over the next five years (2006-2011). The reform initiative will include measures to improve the effectiveness and accountability of public health services, measures to focus on community centric preventive healthcare system and enhance access to quality healthcare for the poorer sections of the population(14) DFID will provide up to £40 million health sector budget support to the DoHMFW, GoAP, over 3 years 2007 - 2010. The sector support will build synergy with National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) which is a health sector reform program of the central government for decentralisation, pro-poor focus, strengthening service delivery(15)     The health sector support will be provided over three years (2007-08 - 2009- 10). It aims at increased use of quality health services, especially by the poorest people and in underserved areas.(16) The main outputs will be: a) Improved access to quality and responsive services, especially in remote and interior areas; b) Governance and management of health sector strengthened; c) Institutional mechanisms for community participation and systems for accountability in functioning; and Financial management systems strengthened and improved public expenditure on health.   The performance of health services would be measured against(17)

* greater effectiveness and improved outcomes of existing programs;
* improved efficiency in the allocation of resources;
* greater access and equity; and
* consumer satisfacfion

Reforms underway in health sector   The major reforms underway are classified under these categories and the activities are noted below and we will look each of them in detail    (I) Reorganization and restructuring of existing government health care system

  • Establishment of Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad
  • Strengthening of referral institutions and fixing of service norms
  • Improvement in drug supplies
  • Formation of Andhra Pradesh Health, Medical & Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (APHM&HIDC)
  • Strengthening of PHCs as 24-hour MCH centers
  • Establishment of Comprehensive Obstetric & Neonatal Care (CEmONC) centres

(II) Changes in health system organisation, delivery and Management

  • Formation of Hospital Advisory Committee/ Hospital Development Societies for all PHCs and FRUs/ teaching hospitals
  • Provision of free travel bus passes to pregnant women for antenatal check ups
  • Public Private Partnership

(III) Changes in financing methods

  • Sukhibhava Scheme (Improvement of Institutional Delivery Services Scheme)
  • User fees

(IV) Reforms related to human resources

  • Integration and responsibilities of functionaries for planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes of HM & FW department

(V) Involving community in health service delivery and Provision

  • Women Health Volunteers Scheme

(VI) Reforms to quality of care

  • Performance indicators for grading the PHCs
  • Performance rating of secondary hospitals

    1.Reorganization and restructuring of existing government health care system   A)Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad   AP, has created the Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (APVVP) by enacting an Act in the Legislative Assembly in 1986(8) This was done with the objective to lay greater emphasis on development of both preventive as well as curative health care  and to strengthen necessary linkages at appropriate levels to ensure comprehensive medical and health care services. APVVP has undertaken World Bank assisted Andhra Pradesh First Referral Health Systems Project (APFRHSP) in 1994 for a period of seven years. This has been one of the major projects undertaken by APVVP. The objectives of the project included improvement of efficiency in the allocation and use of health resources through policy and institutional developments and enhanced performance of health system by improving the quality, effectiveness and coverage of health services at the first referral level.   B)Strengthening of referral institutions and fixing of service norms   basic service norms for various categories of hospitals under the administrative control of APVVP have been fixed thereby creating a hierarchy of hospitals according to services and facilities. This system of service norms and referral linkages had been developed with a view to optimise utilisation of resources, avoid duplication and wastage of resources, regulate patient flow and reduce cost of treatment by reduction of patient burden at tertiary hospitals. the district hospital has been prescribed to provide services in eleven specialties for which 9 civil surgeon specialists, 18-20 civil assistant surgeons, 54-84 paramedical staff and other supporting staff have been Posted. C)Improvement in drug supplies To ensure regular supply of drugs at all times and in all situations, a system of three sources of drug supply has been put in place for the hospitals under APVVP: (a) centralised drug procurement system under which the institution has been allotted drugs worth a particular amount based on bed strength (Rs 2000 per bed per quarter); (b) an emergency provision for drugs (Rs 100 per bed per month) has been made to every institution from where emergency procurement of drugs is made; (c) drugs which are in short supply and for which regular rate contract suppliers are not available have been stocked at the office of District Coordinators of Health Service. Under the APFRHSP, const-ruction and repair of 160 hospitals including 81 CHCs, 58 area hospitals and 21 district hospitals had been undertaken.(10)         D)Formation of Andhra Pradesh Health, Medical & Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (APHM&HIDC)   a separate corporation has been set up in 1987 exclusively for developing housing and other infrastructure for medical and paramedical staff and constructing sub centers, PHCs, hospitals, dispensaries, clinics and other health care centers One of the major projects undertaken by APHM&HIDC has been the World Bank assisted India Population Project-VIII launched for improving the medical care facilities in urban slums in 74 municipalities.   E)Strengthening of PHCs as 24-hour MCH centers   In a move to make available maternal and child health care at all times, 470 PHCs in backward districts have been designated as round the clock Mother and Child Health Centre (earlier called women health centres). One staff nurse, one ANM and three support staff have been appointed in each centre on contractual basis. Staff nurses have been trained to conduct normal deliveries and refer emergency cases. Additional facilities like telephone and vehicle have been provided to the PHCs in order to assist communication and transport for referral of emergency cases. Provision has been made to conduct fortnightly specialist clinics of gynaecology and paediatrics in these centres to detect high risk pregnancies and neonates for referral to FRUs.   F)Establishment of Comprehensive Obstetric & Neonatal Care (CEmONC) centres   The State Government has decided to establish 108, CEmONC centres spread across every district so that pregnant mothers requiring emergency care do not have to travel more than 40-50 kms to receive specialist care. Training of MBBS doctors in anaesthesia, neonatal care and blood transfusion is also planned to support this scheme.   2)Changes in health system organisation, delivery and Management A)Formation of Hospital Advisory Committee/ Hospital Development Societies for all PHCs and FRUs/ teaching hospitals   Hospital Development Societies have been constituted in all tertiary hospitals under the control of Directorate of Medical Education.(18) and after implementing NRHM rogi kalyam samithi at every PHC were formed to ensure the adequate participation of local institution,with an aim to improve effective and efficient services with allowed flexible financial powers. These societies are examples for decentralization . Activities of the society include maintenance of the hospital (including sanitation & water supply, electricity, building & civil works and equipment), purchase of drugs & medicine supplies and equipment. The government has set norms and limits for undertaking these works which are to be adhered to by the Society. The 'system works', observed an Unicef team which assessed the impact of RKS towards the end of 2000. The system, however, is not without any lacunae. For, it was pointed out that "overall control of the local RKS bodies remain in the hands of the collector and if he is not interested in health care then the whole thing might just drift(13)   B)Provision of free travel bus passes to pregnant women for antenatal check ups(19)   The Government of Andhra Pradesh has started an innovative scheme in order to enable pregnant women in rural areas to avail antenatal check ups at the nearest PHC/area hospital or FRU. It has tied up with the State Road and Transport Corporation to issue free transportation bus tickets pass to be utilised for three visits. The ANM issues the bus passes to the pregnant women on her house visits.       C)Public Private Partnership(20)   ·         Management of Urban Health Centers by NGOs   Under the World Bank assisted Andhra Pradesh Urban Slum Health Care Project (APUSHCP), 192 urban health centers (UHCs) have been established in 74 municipal towns in 21 districts covering 1848 slums. After withdrawal of support by the World Bank, the project has been funded by the state government since 2002. The outcomes of the project show marked improvement in ANC coverage, institutional deliveries, post natal care and immunisation in the slum population.   ·         108 emergency services                           Govt. has tied up with satyam computers to provide emergency transportation which proved to a most successful programme and many states are following the same like Gujarath. The objective of 108 Ambulances is to save people in life emergency . One ambulance is given for three mandals. Each ambulance fitted with equipment worth Rs.17 lakhs renders its services in life emergencies, road and fire accidents (22)   ·         Rajiv arogya sree    The innovative Govt. insurance scheme to serve people of  poor from the serious ailments now attracting the nation as this programme succeeded. this scheme provides financial support to families of BPL upto 2 lakhs per anum for treating serious ailments. it is proposed to cover the entire state by 2nd October 2008 with the govt. paying the insurance premium for all the beneficiaries .an amount of rs.450 crores are provided to implement the scheme during 2008-09. (21)       3)Changes in financing methods   A)Sukhibhava Scheme(23)   Under the Scheme, a cash assistance of Rs.300 (Rs 200 towards transportation charges and Rs 100 for food and incidental expenses) is paid to pregnant women belonging to below poverty line families who come to government hospitals/APVVP hospitals/ teaching hospitals/PHCs/CHCs for delivery serv-ices. This assistance is payable only to those women with no living children or with one living child.   B)User fees:-   If user fees are charged their main use may lie in optimization of expenditure patterns and better allocation between facilities and within facilities(24). Reddy and Vandemoortele (1996), based on a comprehensive review of user financing of basic social services carried out for UNICEF, point to three other discouraging features of user fees: (1) user financing can result in a sharp reduction in the utilization of services, particularly among the poor; (2) gender biases, seasonal variations and regional economic disparities can aggravate the effects of user financing on equity; (3) user financing  quires adequate capacities, effective decentralisation and continued government support; and (4) user financing can undermine political support for the goal of universal coverage of basic social services. In 2001, the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health (2001) also reached a similar conclusion that user fees end up excluding the poor from essential healthservices, in 2005, the Millennium Project's recent Report to the UN Secretary General (2005) titled "Investing in Development - A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals" also forcefully argues for abandoning user fees. The health sector in India has acquired a notorious reputation for inefficiency and corruption at all levels. There is little accountability in both the public and private sectors. Quality standards are practically non-existent as are performance measures and honest reporting. A recent report on human resources for health brought out by Harvard University's Global Equity Initiative (2004) argues that it is people - health workers alone - who can produce an effective health system and deliver good ealth.(25) 4)Reforms related to human resources Integration and responsibilities of functionaries for planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes of HM & FW department At district level, District Health Coordination Committee (DHCC) has been constituted to ensure proper planning, implementation and monitoring of all programmes/activities of HM&FW Department in the district.  The Committee has been entrusted with the primary responsibility of planning, finalizing, implementing and monitoring the District Health Action Plans and institutionwise health plans in a participatory manner including all concerned officials, other concerned departments and NGOs.   5)Involving community in health service delivery and Provision  

  • Women Health Volunteers Scheme

  One of the key components of the National Rural Health Mission is to provide every village in the country with a trained female community health activist - 'ASHA' or Accredited Social Health Activist. Selected from the village itself and accountable to it, the ASHA will be trained to work as an interface between the community and the public health system. Following are the key components of ASHA(26) A woman, usually a daughter-in-law of a house who has studied upto 7th class and preferably from SC/ST community has been selected as WHV by the Gram Panchayat Health Committee. The selected WHV has been given one month training in health care aspects of pregnancy, antenatal, delivery, post natal and new born care, immunisation, diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, first-aid and treatment of minor ailments. The training has been provided at Telugu Mahila Pranganams for three weeks and one week field level training at PHCs. Academy of Nursing Studies has been designated as the nodal agency for providing training to WHVs.   6)Reforms to quality of care   A)Performance indicators for grading the PHCs   One of the components of World Bank assisted AP Economic Restructuring Project is improvement of primary health care. In order to improve the quality of primary health care services, a system of performance rating has been developed to rate PHCs and CHCs. The grading has been accorded A to C in descending order   B)Performance rating of secondary hospitals   A performance rating system for secondary hospitals under APVVP has been  introduced. The indicators related to general services (outpatients, inpatients, bed occupancy), emergency services (emergency-OP, emergency-IP, emergency major operations, emergency minor operations), clinical services (major/minor operations, tubectomy, deliveries) and diagnostic services (X-ray, ECG, lab tests and USG) have been developed for the purpose. Normative targets for each type of hospital (district hospital, area hospital, community health center) have been fixed against which the performance is measured and rating assigned. Highest grading is A while lowest grading is C.(27)   Conclusion:-   Introduction of user charges and subcontracting of services to the private sector are the main elements of health sector reforms. The health sector reforms are only a part of drastic reforms in other major sectors undertaken as a part of Andhra Pradesh Economic Restructuring Project (APERP) and the overall impact on the health conditions of people and their access to medical care depend more on the changes proposed outside the health sector. For instance, while exempting the white ration card holders i.e. the poor from the user charges in the government hospitals, it proposes to drastically reduce the number of white card holders to half in the state. The net affect would be to reduce the percent of population eligible for free treatment.(29)   On the other hand the success of 108 EMRI services and overwhelming response from Rajiv Arogya sree scheme are the examples for HSR success. Just like every thing has gots its own pros and cons HSR should be done in such a way where the need exist and according to necessities .   Referances:-   (Note:-most part of the article was taken from ref.no 28 otherwise reference specified)

 

  1. (Government of India, Eighth Five Year Plan, (1992-1997) Planning Commission, New Delhi.)
  2. (Government of India, Ninth Five Year Plan, (1997- 2002) Planning Commission, New Delhi )
  3. ( Government of India, Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) Planning Commission, New Delhi)
  4. ( D. Agarwal Health Sector Reforms: Relevance in India, Indian Journal of Community Medicine Vol. 31, No. 4, October-December, 2006)
  5. Health Sector Reforms in India, Initiatives from Nine States
  6. ( http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-118491-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html.The international development research centre)
  7. http://www.worldbank.org.in
  8.  (The Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad Act 1986 (Act No. 29 of 1986 with Amendaments upto 31.03.1989
  9.  Dr. MCR Human Resource Development Institute of Andhra Pradesh (Undated). "Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad Departmental Manual"
  10.  6http://www.aponline.gov.in/apportal/departments/ departments.asp?dep=16&org=98
  11. GoAP (2006), Response to Questionnaire on Health Sector Reforms from MOHFW, GoI.
  12. http://www.worldbank.org.in/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/INDIAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20970681~pagePK:141137~piPK:141127~theSitePK:295584,00.html#Ongoing_projects
  13. Grish kumar,promoting PPP in health services,EPW commentary,july19,2002
  14.  (G.O.Ms.No.130, HEALTH MEDICAL AND FAMILY WELFARE (K2) DEPARTMENT. Dated the 24th April, 2006)
  15.  ANDHRA PRADESH HEALTH SECTOR REFORM PROGRAMME (APHSRP) Terms of reference for Technical Cooperation (TC) to DoHMFW, GoAP
  16.  PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, HEALTHCARE PROJECT IN AP FUNDED BY DFID, New Delhi, March 5, 2008)
  17. http://lnweb90.worldbank.org/oed/oeddoclib.nsf/DocUNIDViewForJavaSearch/0CFD6217A8A5BDA2852567F5005D32BD
  18.  G.O.Ms.No.403, dated Sept 7th 1998
  19.  GoAP (2006), Response to Questionnaire on Health Sector Reforms from MOHFW, GoI.
  20. Power Point Presentation of Govt of AP at the 2nd Regional Workshop on Health Sector Reforms: Experiences of Select States at Hyderabad, 14-15th February 2005 and ECTA Working paper 2002/61 Public-Private Partnership: Operational Framework used in Andhra Pradesh and Assam
  21. http://www.scribd.com/doc/2208678/AP-Budget-Speech
  22.  http://pibhyd.ap.nic.in/er27070702.pdf
  23.  Dept. of Health Medical Family Welfare, GoAP (undated), "Sukhibhava (Improvement of Institutional Delivery Services Scheme): Implementation Guidelines to PHC/Hospital
  24.  http://mohfw.nic.in/NRHM/Documents/CRM_report_full_report_version.pdf
  25.   (A.K.Shiv Kumar,,Budgeting for health ,some considerations) Economic and Political Weekly April 2, 2005
  26.  http://mohfw.nic.in/NRHM/asha.htm#abt
  27. http://health.ap.nic.in/apvvp/apvvp_stat.html
  28.  (http://www.whoindia.org/linkfiles/health_sector_reform_hsr_vol_ii_-_andhra_pradesh.pdf)
  29.  (Impact Of Health Sector Reforms On Hospital Services In Andhra Pradesh - A Study Of Trends In The Structures Of Provision And Utilisation Pattern)(centre for economic and social studies) (http://www.cess.ac.in/cesshome/research6b.html)

       

 

Women, in most situations, take their health for granted because they think they are just overwhelmed with tasked and responsibilities to be rendered for their husband and children for them to focus on their health. That is why many end up with regrets of the results of making not their health as one of their top priorities.

Women should give equal care for their loved ones and for themselves.

It is very essential to promote and to become advocate on women's health.

For instance, on the issue of menopause, it is essential for women to speak up, to voice out and to share their health problems so to ease the burden its effects-- whether physical or psychological

Menopause, whether it is surgically induced occurs naturally, is a major mind and body event-- every woman should be aware of this fact. Perhaps, it make sounds appealing at first, the changes that you and your body will experience can be hard to cope with. Before you go under the knife, be aware of the changes you will have to go through.

Do not trust your hormone treatment to anybody else, not even your doctor. Look for a specialist who is well versed in hormonal medication. Relying on your doctor to recommend somebody may not be good enough. But, take all of the suggestions from the sources you may have. Be willing to check out a number of alternatives or options before deciding on the doctor who will treat you.

The effects of surgical menopause are not well known in regards to other type of ailments. Researchers are still working to find out how surgical menopause affects women when it comes to heart disease and other women health issues.

After surgical menopause you should expect to experience a number of the symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes usually experience by women who have surgical menopause. A decrease in sexual desire and vaginal dryness may be present. Difficulty sleeping and nigh sweats are common also. Mood swings and depression are no uncommon and in severe cases some women experience suicidal thoughts-- be aware of this.

Having personal support is essential. Close friends and family members will be a significant source of support. But, do not solely rely on friends and family. Seek out support groups and or individual counseling in coping with this problem. Chances are, very few or none of your personal support system members have experienced surgical menopause. They may not be able to comprehend many of the things you are going through. Support groups with others who know what you are experiencing can be extremely helpful.

Read up on surgical menopause before going through it. Tap into the resources that your doctor and medical center may have. Try all forms of support during surgical menopause even if you thinking they will not be helpful. Your entire life is going to change after surgical menopause.

Being a woman is not always easy. You are faced with different types of issues almost at any stage in your life. As soon as you get to be a teenager you also get your monthly menstruation, then as you get married you get to be pregnant, and when you thought all the major issues were over you get your menopause.

All these changes in a woman's life come with their own side effects. These side effects include things such as hormonal imbalances, and these are things that a woman simply must learn how to handle in order to lead a happy and enjoyable life.

Good News and Bad News

The good news is all the changes that occur naturally in your life can be made pleasant and enjoyable. The bad news is you have to take interest in changing them from bad to good; they are not going to change by themselves. Start by joining a women's health club where you will be able to tackle every problem as it occurs.

What does a Women's Health Club Offer?

A women's health club usually has the essentials a women need: information, education and how to put them in action. In a women's health club you can find specialized staff such as doctors and nurses to assist you with your questions of any woman related problem you may encounter and how to handle the same.

At the same time, in a women's health club you will learn how to deal with everyday issues such as stress, marital problems, financial issues and weight loss. You can find qualified counseling in women's problems as well as women's health specialists to help you understand your body and at the same time help you deal with on hand situations.

Many women head for depressive break downs due to hormonal imbalances or other natural happening in their lives such as pregnancy and menopause. Having someone qualified to help you walk through these difficult situations is the right approach to the problem.

Helpful Tip

Women's health clubs will also allow you meet other women who are or have been in your situation and you can learn from their experiences as well as you will meet women who are going through the same issues you are and that too may provide you a source of strength. Take control of your life and bring back happiness into it by joining a women's health club today.

A woman is beautiful as she is! Welcome to the power of women, the power that makes them just as capable, as smart, as funny, and as compassionate as men. More than that, it empowers them to take up her distinctive position in society, at the same time being a daughter, a wife, a mother, homemaker, and all the other roles her considerable responsibilities call upon her seemingly infinite energy. Along with this emotional fluency, skill required to make a family survive and the language of power, the quintessential woman needs to be physically fit as well.


Very few physical disorders are unique to women, or are more prevalent or serious in women. Medical wellness consultants will inform you that the earliest to appear are precocious puberty, anorexia and bulimia. Reproductive health concerns are a major focus of women's health. Cancer is the leading cause of death in middle-aged women. Smoking contributes to numerous causes of death and disability among women.


Lung Cancer: Cancer accounts for maximum deaths among women aged between 35 to 54 years. For years, breast cancer was the leading cancer killer among women, but now lung cancer takes the lead with more and more women taking to cigarette smoking. What makes this change frightening and dramatic is that lung cancer is a preventable disease, yet today it kills more women than breast cancer.


Breast Cancer: There is, however, good news from women health specialists regarding breast cancer treatment. Modification in surgical procedures, research indicating that estrogen receptors respond well to a drug called tamoxifen and experimenting with a new drug called RU-486, along with women taking a more active part in their health care are considerable contributions to the treatment of breast cancer.


Gallstones occur four times more frequently in women than men. Attributed to multiple pregnancies, obesity, and rapid weight loss, the real cause of this disorder is still unknown. Stones are formed in the gall bladder due to a saturation of cholesterol and bile salts that crystallize and collect over time. A number of experimental drugs are being used as an alternative to a surgical approach called cholecystectomy.


Menopause and Osteoporosis: Post-menopausal women often suffer a disorder called Osteoporosis. Lack of estrogen after menopause causes loss of bone mass, resulting in weak bones that are susceptible to easy injury in case of a fall or mishap. There are no symptoms, and that is why Osteoporosis is known as the "silent disease". Certain steps can be taken to prevent osteoporosis from ever occurring. Women over the age of 50 have the greatest risk of developing osteoporosis and Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop this condition. Heredity and less body weight are an important risk factors. Exercise, calcium, vitamin D, and post-menopausal estrogen replacement play an important role in preventing this disorder.


Thyroid abnormalities are four to five times more common among women than among men. While, there is effective treatment, the cause again is unknown. Arthritis and diabetes are other disorders that are more common in women. Lupus erythematosus is a disease in which 90 percent of the victims are women.


Hence, there are quite a few disorders that are more frequent in women than in men or that differentially affect women. While considerable progress has been made to combat most of these, there remains much to be learned about others.

 

It is every woman's prerogative to form clear questions about her physical health, find clear answers, gain a sense of empowerment through knowledge, and inevitably achieve peace of mind through total wellness. Here is information shared, openly and candidly, associated with women health and wellness. We women need to arm ourselves. We need this knowledge to manage our own care.

Funny thing pain, if you’ve never had a severe pain then the suggestion of taking simple analgesia and resting the affected area all seems quite reasonable. I was reminded of this when I read recently of a doctor’s advice to someone who was suffering from sciatica. Having personally experienced sciatica, it’s a condition I would not recommend to anyone who wishes to walk, sit, laugh, sleep, or to just simply pull up your trousers. It’s a bit like a dentist drilling your teeth without an anaesthetic, but it affects your whole leg. In other words the pain is consuming, exhausting and without respite. Clinical studies do show that in the majority of cases the pain will eventually subside and surgery may not be necessary, but in the meantime the patient has to deal with the pain or deal with the medication required to dull the pain. Remember, pain-killers are not selective to the area affected. They affect the whole of the nervous system and elsewhere so there may be significant side-effects from these medications.

Dealing with severe pain can be a complex issue, but I suggest that you have to treat this sort of pain fairly aggressively as acute severe pain is relatively easier to treat than chronic severe pain. In the early stages of an injury or insult to an area of the body, most of the pathological processes are happening at the site of the injury or insult. Throughout time the brain begins to modulate this pain and so no only do you have the injured area to deal with, but you also have complex neural pathways within the brain to deal with as well. This often means a far more complex management plan and a far more protracted recovery time. Specialists are very skilled at dealing with these issues but they do rely heavily on the stories their patients give them. That means being honest in answering their questions and not being heroic with a grin and bear it grimace! Often the use of a pain scale is helpful with zero being no pain at all and a 10 being the worse pain you have ever experienced.

Another health issue we commonly down play is influenza. Over the years I have frequently heard people say that they would not have the flu vaccine because either they never get the flu or that they had it last week for a couple of days and then it was all over! Influenza is a serious debilitating disease that will usually last from 10 days to two weeks and often leave you flat on your back exhausted. It’s not a happy 10 days either as patients do not have the energy to read a magazine or even watch a DVD. You will literally feel ancient with every movement being a real challenge and that doesn’t include the aching all over or the fevers and sleepless nights. The influenza virus is also extremely contagious and most people are unaware that if you spread it to someone who is more frail than yourself that you may actually be putting their life at risk.

With the ‘flu the big challenge is to vaccinate as many people in the community as possible, including children, those employed and unemployed, the elderly and the infirm, to reduce the chance of an epidemic occurring. Recent research has also showed that vaccinating pregnant women in the last trimester of their pregnancy will help protect their new born infants born during the ‘flu season.

Medicine has evolved over the last 40 years, but the change has been fairly slow with doctors by nature being very cautious and conservative people. But we can’t leave the doctors to take all the initiatives. As patients we need to be good listeners in our approach to health by heeding all the great health messages that keep being given to us about vaccinations, smoking, alcohol, exercise and healthy eating. We also need to be good communicators and tell our doctors how we are feeling with conditions such as pain. If the team treating you doesn’t have the best information then it may be that you will not end up getting the best treatment!

 

Silky, glowing and shinning hair with just one week usage of a hair product? well that only happens in advertisements shown on television. In real life, Most of the times, niether shampoo nor any other hair product can make that happen. Several women, rather majority, are worried about hair losses and other hair problems which do not get resolve even after using the best hair product in the market. Why does this happen?

This happens because of the wrong approach towards treating hair. Hair is one of the most fastest growing tissues in the body and hence requires regular feed of proper protiens, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for it to stay healthy. Healthy diet for hair is often neglected which results in bad hair and at times even loss of hair.

As already discussed, protiens are essential because they have the amino acids that helps build the cells. Meat, eggs, diary products like cheese, butter, soya, nuts, seeds and whole grains can provide the required protiens. Include these in your diet to improve the condition of your hair.

Body also requires proper amounts of "good fat" in order to tackle the dandruff and coarse hair. Cabohydrates in your diet are also essential because they help in building the body tissues which also include hair. A proper combination of all vitamins like Vit A and Beta carotene, Vit C, Vit E, Biotin, The B Complex group, Zinc are needed in your diet.

Apart from proper diet, ensure that your body is properly hydrated. Drink lot of water which generally flushes out harmful toxins and waste from the body. Club your diet with proper exercise plan that replinshes your skin and muscle. Drink atleast 2 liters of water daily in order to avoid dryness in hair.

Restrict Tea or coffee to only once a day. Replace the need with good and healthy fruit juices. Take proper care of your hair by oiling it regularly, using a good conditioner and maintaining it. Sometimes too long hair may also result in hair loss because of the neglected maintianence. Ensure that your hair cut is perfect with the time you can spend in looking after your hair. Those women who do not have much time to spare for their hair, should shorten their hair so that maintainence is less.

Finally we can only say that a combination of proper diet, water and exercise would automatically turn your hair into a beauty. The hair shown in advertisements can actually be achieved in the real life, but there is hardwork and dedication behind it.

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