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Uncover The Link Between Obesity And Cancer Risk!

Obesity is a magnet for health disasters. It has been known for a long time that being overweight leads to heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, etc. But a recent study that was published in the Journal of Epidemiology has added another deadly disease to the list. This study found a link between being overweight and cancer. Becoming obese before you turn 40 raises the risk of getting cancer by 15%.More specifically, excess weight in youth increases the likelihood of endometrial cancer (cancer that starts at the uterine wall) by 70%, renal cell cancer among men by 58% and colon cancer in men by 29%.

What was the study all about?

A professor from the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen who was involved in the study said that the link between obesity and the development of cancer has been known for a long time by researchers. That is why the focus of the study was on finding out how the degree, duration and the time when a person becomes obese effect the chances of getting cancer.For this study, data was collected from 220,000 people scattered over Norway, Austria and Sweden. In the follow-up examinations, 27,881 people from the group of 220,000 were diagnosed with cancer. It was also discovered that 9761 or 35% of the people diagnosed with cancer were obese. All of these individuals were monitored for 18 years and examined 2 or more times with intervals in between. During these health examinations, it was seen that people with a BMI of over 30 had a much greater risk of contracting cancer. Obese men were 64% more likely to get cancer than men with normal body weight. Among obese women, the risk of cancer went up by 48%. Additionally, overweight women were also found to be more prone to postmenopausal breast cancer. This is how the study proved that being overweight and cancer risk are connected. 

So what should you do?

Obesity is a dangerous health risk and it’s on the rise. But, fortunately, obesity can be dealt with. To reduce the risk of cancer caused by obesity, all you have to do is follow some simple tips-

1. Be careful about your portion size –

Very often we lose sight of how much food our body needs and end up eating so much that the excess carbohydrates are stored as fats in our bodies. That is why you need to watch how much you eat during your meals.If you are overweight and want to shed a few kilos, create a calorie deficit. That means, consume fewer calories than your body requires. That way your body will be forced to burn the excess fats to give itself the energy it needs.Even if you are not obese or are slightly overweight, measure out the portion you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition –

2. Exercise every day –

You will have to do a lot of cardiovascular exercises as they are the surest and quickest way of losing weight. For half an hour every day, you should do one of the following-  As you get accustomed to the half-hour workout, try to prolong your exercise session. The more you exercise, the more you lose weight.You could enrol in a gym where your trainer will supervise your weight loss procedure.

3. Avoid Alcohol and smoking –

It is common knowledge that both of these can increase the risk of cancer. So if you are indulging in any one of them or both, you need to take immediate steps to stop. Many young people are becoming obese and becoming more vulnerable to cancer. But, by living healthy, you may reduce overweight-induced cancer risk to some extent. Also Read: How to Lose Butt Fat: Comprehensive Guide to a Toned PhysiqueDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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Urinary Incontinence – What Is It And How Kegel Exercises & Yoga Can Fix It?

Incontinence is one of the most undiscussed topics around the world as most people consider it a social embarrassment and refrain from seeking professional help. To help people get over this social awkwardness the International Continence Society (ICS) runs a yearly one-week campaign to raise awareness about the health condition.

This year, this social awareness week will be observed between 21 and 27 June and The Urology Foundation will highlight the adverse effects urinary incontinence can pose.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

It is referred to as the involuntary leakage of urine, which means a patient has either lost or weakened control over his/her bladder. It is the reason behind adult bedwetting leading to sleep issues. Because of being unreported, the cases of urinary continence are increasing rapidly.

Who suffers from it more?

According to research, women suffer from urinary incontinence more than men. The research claims that about 30% of women suffer from this problem between 30 to 60 years of age, while 1.5% to 5% of men suffer from this problem during this age.

Symptoms and Types of Urinary Incontinence

People usually suffer from occasional or minor leaks of urine, but some may lose small to moderate amounts of it involuntarily. The frequency of it happening also differs from patient to patient.

Let’s read about the different symptoms based on the types of incontinence:

  1. Stress incontinence – In it, a patient releases some urine whenever there is some pressure on the bladder due to weight lifting, laughing, exercising, coughing or sneezing.
  2. Urge incontinence – In it, the patient experiences a sudden urge to urinate and loses some urine involuntarily. It makes the patient urinate more often, sometimes, throughout the night. It may be the result of some minor infection or a serious condition like diabetes or a neurological disorder.
  3. Overflow incontinence – The patient always feels the urge to urinate as the bladder never gets completely empty. It may be seen commonly in men with prostate problems.
  4. Functional incontinence – Sometimes, patients fail to make it to the toilet in time owing to a physical or mental impairment. For example, if a person is suffering from arthritis, he/she might not be able to unbutton their pants in time.
  5. Mixed incontinence – Some patients also suffer from more than one type of urinary incontinence. Generally, it is referred to as a combination of stress and urge incontinence.

Causes of Urinary Incontinence

It can be a result of multiple factors like daily habits, underlying health conditions or physical issues. The causes of urinary incontinence can be differentiated by dividing the problem into two different categories – Temporary incontinence and Persistent incontinence. Have a look:

Temporary urinary incontinence

There can be particular drinks, food or medicines which may result in stimulation of your bladder and increase the volume of urine. These include:

Urinary incontinence can also be a result of minor health conditions like:

Persistent urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence can also persist for a long time because of some underlying health condition or bodily changes. These include:

Risk factors

There are plenty of risk factors associated with urinary incontinence. Have a look:

  1. Obesity – Being overweight puts extra pressure on your bladder and nearby muscles. This weakens the muscles, which usually results in urine leakage while coughing or sneezing.
  2. Smoking – It causes chronic cough which may lead to episodes of urinary incontinence.
  3. Gender – Women are more prone to suffer from stress incontinence than men, especially if they have undergone childbirth.
  4. Old age – With ageing, the muscles in the bladder and urethra tend to weaken, leading to urinary incontinence.
  5. Some diseases and conditions – People who are suffering from kidney-related ailments, diabetes, spinal cord injury or a neurological disorder are at a bigger risk of experiencing this condition.
  6. Prostate disease – Urinary incontinence may appear right after undergoing prostate surgery or radiation therapy.

Complications

Chronic urinary incontinence can lead to many complications like:

  1. Skin problems – Constant wet skin may cause rashes, sores and skin infection.
  2. Urinary tract infections Urinary incontinence enhances your risk of suffering from this condition repeatedly.
  3. Affects personal life – This condition can also badly impact your self-confidence, social and work life as well as personal relationships. This condition may also impact your psychological health.

Prevention

This condition isn’t always preventable but by following some healthy lifestyle methods, you can reduce the chances of developing it. Have a look:

Treatment/Self Help for Urinary Incontinence

The ideal treatment is determined after analysing several factors like the type of incontinence, age, overall health and mental condition of the patient. Following are some options that your doctor may advise you to help in dealing with incontinence:

  1. Kegel exercises

It is also called pelvic floor exercises and is proven to be very helpful in dealing with this problem. It is important that you learn and perform these exercises correctly. These exercises help in strengthening the urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles, which improves bladder control. 

  1. Bladder training

Bladder training is a proven way of helping the patient in regaining control over his/her bladder.

  1. Yoga

Yoga has also proven to be a great self-help method to get over urinary incontinence. Experts have found out that Yoga helps in regaining control over the bladder and avoid involuntary leakage.

Mentioned below is the Viniyoga sequence proven to improve the strength of your pelvic muscles:

It is also important to understand that yoga is effective when performed correctly. You may first learn the steps of this yoga from a trainer and also seek approval regarding your health, as individual needs and restrictions vary depending on other associated health conditions.

  1. Medicines for Urinary Incontinence

Medications can be prescribed by your doctor depending on the cause of incontinence.

  1. Surgery

Sometimes an underlying cause may require surgical intervention to provide relief in the symptoms of incontinence.

  1. Other options

Various products ( eg. adult diapers) and devices (eg. catheters and collection devices) are available to help you ease your problems with this condition.

Takeaway

Urinary incontinence is a widely increasing health condition that can be treated easily without much medical intervention most of the time. People should get out of the closet and speak about the issue, just like they do if they have a heart condition or any other major health condition. There is no point in making your own life miserable because of a minor health issue that can majorly affect the quality of your life. It is recommended that you should consult a doctor at the earliest and follow his advice on lifestyle modifications, diet and medications to manage this condition. Taking the right treatment measures well on time can improve your social, physical and mental wellbeing to a great extent. 

Also Read: What Causes Queefing: Unraveling Myths and Understanding the Facts

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.