IN MANY cultures, the menopause is considered to be a natural and positive part of a woman’s life. Modern medicine, however, deals with the menopause as if it is a disease. In societies with the former approach, most women do not experience many of the symptoms usually associated with menopause. Older Jamaican women often refer to the menopause as the ‘change of life’, seeing it as a period of transition and adjustment. Even though major hormonal factors are involved, the menopause is more than a biological event, and social and cultural factors contribute significantly to how women react to it.

Interestingly, research of rural Mayan Indians in South America revealed that they do not experience any symptoms of the menopause. Mayan women viewed the menopause as an event that not only makes them accepted as respectable elders, but also relieves them of the responsibility of having children. The researchers concluded that the main reason why these women did not experience any menopausal symptoms probably has to do with their attitude to the event. [Read more...]

No one can claim to be unaware of the risks of obesity in this day and age. Almost every day there are discussions in the media about the risks of carrying excess fat. But research shows the link between obesity and ill-health is not as simple as it’s often made out to be.

Obesity is all over the media – newspaper and magazine articles talk about high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and more unusual illnesses linked to obesity, such as sleep apnoea; there are suggested diets and exercise plans to help reduce fat at every turn and; popular, humiliating television shows enforce strict weight-loss regimens on the morbidly obese while providing entertainment. [Read more...]

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness. Read on to know how the eye gets involved.

“Laughter is the best medicine, unless you’re diabetic; then insulin comes pretty high on the list.” Jasper Carott

Diabetes mellitus is a growing problem in India. With an estimated 50.8 million people living with diabetes, India has the largest diabetic population. In a diabetic, the high glucose levels in the blood can cause harm to most organs like the heart, arteries and veins, the eyes, kidneys, brain and nerves. [Read more...]

You don’t have to let the cold and flu season have its way with you. Boost your immune system now.

This year’s cold and flu season will feel like one of the latest Batman or Spider-Man flicks: You won’t just be battling one villain; you’ll have to fight off several. Experts predict two flu epidemics: the regular seasonal flu and the possibly pandemic-causing swine flu (along with the usual plethora of rhinoviruses, of course). Colds and flu bugs spread from person to person, so unless you’re a cave-dwelling hermit, you’re at risk.

What to do? Boost your immune system now to dodge these viral bullets. [Read more...]