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Menopause is the time in a woman’s reproductive cycle which marks the end of her periods. It might seem like “a good thing” to many young women, especially those who have a painful menses, or find it to be a draining time period that just appears every month. However, menopause indicates that the woman’s body is going through various hormonal changes, and some of these changes may bring unpleasant experiences. It can really be a tough transition phase for many women.Women around us usually keep neglecting their health to take care of everyone else around them. Book a health checkup and be aware if they need any medical help. How to know if it is menopause or something else? Basically, it is the age combined with the change in menstrual cycle. It is diagnosed after consecutive 12 months have passed without a period. In general, the natural menopause occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. As per different studies, the range of mean age at menopause reported in Indian women appears to be rather young, between 41.9 and 49.4 years.* How do the menopause symptoms feel like? First and foremost, the changing levels of estrogen and progesterone, two important female hormones produced by the ovaries, causes symptoms to appear. Not all women experience all symptoms. They may include: Change in your period: Irregular periods Dryness in vagina Hot flashes Chills Night sweats Problems with falling asleep Mood changes or mood swings Weight gain and a slow metabolism Medical tests for menopauseAt large,menopause can be self-diagnosed. If you are not able to relate to the pattern, do consult a doctor. Also, there is no single lab test that can reliably predicts if a woman is going through menopause. However, a few blood tests may help your doctor understand your body. A simple blood test that checks your body’s levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen can be asked for. During menopause, FSH levels rise and estrogen levels decline. Book FSH test here. Many times, hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormone levels can also mimic symptoms that are similar to menopause. Hence, an additional blood test to check on the thyroid function can be required.Book thyroid panel here 5 tips to deal with menopause symptoms 1. Acknowledge your mood changes and seek help The mood changes that come with menopause can get you crying or cranky. Understand that it is not unnatural to happen during this time. Some women may get even bigger mood swings than you. Take control of your mind with relaxation techniques and yoga. Do fun things with friends or family. If you think these measures are not helping, seek help from a medical expert. They may prescribe medicines including  a low-dose birth control pill and antidepressants. 2. Learn and find ways to “tackle the hair problem” Around menopause, you can find your hair to thin or shed faster. At the same time, unwanted hair may grow on your chin and cheeks. Do not overdo hair care products. Avoid the sun, which is drying hair and can cause damage. For unwanted facial hair, take help of wax, bleach, pluck, or laser therapies. If you use hair color, choose coloring products that don't have harsh chemicals. 3. Revive sex driveIt is very common to have a reduced sex drive during menopause. This occurs due to decreased hormone levels that can cause vaginal dryness and tightness, resulting in pain during sex. Speak with your partner around the challenges you face. This is the time to downplay the focus on sex and set priority on making time to be together, along with foreplay, cuddles, massage, etc. Also, try keeping stress at bay as much as possible, as the mental pressure puts sex drive in park.4. Try helping yourselves down thereAround menopause, the vagina may get thinner and dryer. Consult a doctor and try water-based vaginal lubricants or vaginal moisturizer. Your expert can also give you prescription vaginal creams or rings, or pills to tackle these vaginal symptoms and painful sex. Also remember, sex can increase the blood flow down there, which keeps things healthy. 5. Keep a diary to track hot flashesIt iswise to know what sets off your hot flashes. It can be caffeine or alcohol, or just a hot room. If you feel a flash setting in, take slow, deep breaths, in your nose and out your mouth. For tough cases, speak with your doctor. What should you not do during menopause? Don’t assume your sex life is over: It is common for both women and men to have lower libido as they age. The sex hormones level may drop as we age, resulting in lower sex drive. You can try lubricants to tackle the pain that may ease the anxiety that comes with a previous painful experience. Also by this time, your relationship is above and beyond just sex. Don’t ignore mood changes: Menopause acts as a signal to your brains that your bodies are changing. Denying that fact can lead to some serious outcomes, including depression. Face the changes, do not feel helpless in the changing landscape, and let go of the irreversible ones. Don't blame menopause for your weight gain: Watch your diet and stay physically active. Preventing weight gain and obesity during your middle years is possible. Don't cut down on social support: You may feel disconnected at some times. However, some studies report that menopausal women who had better interactions with family and attended more monthly meetings, had better mental functioning. The takeaway is to accept your body. Stay strong and stay positive. Important links: Book your TSH test here Senior Citizen Health Checkup

In most parts of the country, winters are ready to say goodbye. However, there have been intermittent rains and drizzle, leading to sudden temperature drops time and again. Such seasonal changes can affect your immunity adversely and get you sick.        Why can you face problems due to seasonal changes? Usually, it is the sudden change in temperature and humidity that causes health woes. Significant reasons why you may face health problems due to seasonal changes include:  Drier air: Winter means colder, drier air which dries out the mucus membranes, can lead to cracking and allow viruses to gain entry into your body. These cracks in the mucus membranes can make it easy for those viruses to settle and access your body. Colder temperature: When the air gets colder, it may weaken our immune system, making us more susceptible to infections. Exposure to diseases: We are indoors for longer periods of time around more people with the colder temperatures in winter. That gives viruses sufficient feeding ground. In addition, ventilation isn’t as good as being outdoors. Hence, when you’re around more people, viruses spread more easily. Common diseases that may appear or flare up with seasonal changes   At large, common cold and flu are most common during the fluctuations in weather. Peak time generally occurs between late December and early March in most parts. Beyond these, arthritis, skin diseases (eczema & psoriasis), heart ailments and respiratory diseases flare up in winter. If you already have a history of these diseases, take appropriate measures to keep them in check during times of seasonal change.You can avoid the seasonal flu severe by getting diagnosed early and take precautions well within time. Book fever panel test here. Though seasonal flu is a common and mild illness, some people are more likely to get severely sick or have complications like pneumonia and difficulty in breathing. High-risk groups for flu include: Pregnant women Children younger than 2 or adults 50 and older, especially adults older than 65 People with any of these medical conditions -Asthma or any other chronic respiratory diseases-Heart, kidney or liver disease-Obesity (a Body Mass Index of 40 and over)-Blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia-Metabolic disorders-Compromised immune system, from illness or medication-Neuromuscular disorders that interfere with breathing or the discharge of mucus Flu symptoms can be similar to COVID-19 symptoms. If you are experiencing these symptoms, Take a Test of COVID-19 Tips for staying healthy during changing weathers Seasonal change allergiesThese allergy symptoms happen during certain times of the year, usually when trees, grasses, and weeds release tiny pollen particles into the air to fertilize other plants. An anti-allergic medicine may be taken. Let our Guruji and soldiers rest. . It's the release of these chemicals that causes allergy symptoms. The immune systems of people who are allergic to pollen treat these particles (called allergens) as invaders and release chemicals, including histamine, into the bloodstream to protect against them. Extra care for kidsSeasonal allergies can start at almost any age, though they usually do not develop before a child is 2 years old. Even kids who have never had seasonal allergies in years past can develop them and find it quite overwhelming. At large, most people with seasonal allergies develop them by age 20. Looking to book your health package? Get an all-inclusive test package here.   Wear masks One habit that could be a great benefit onward is masking ourselves well. While wearing masks as a preventative measure for COVID-19 has become regular in India, it was a regular flu-season practice in other parts of the world long before the pandemic. Stay warm We lose a lot of heat from our head, fingers, toes, ears, nose and mouth so those are the places you want to keep covered to maintain warmth and protect your body’s immune system.” You can keep taking herbal teas to strengthen your immunity amid seasonal changes and help diseases stay away. Nutrition’s role Fresh fruits, vegetables and the Mediterranean diet can go a long way to making you feel and stay healthy. As for the idea that an intake of vitamin C can help keep you healthy, Dr. Vyas points out that data doesn’t really back that claim but it doesn’t do you any harm. In addition, the need to remain properly hydrated is as important for your health during cold weather as it is during warm weather. Other good habits Here are four other things expert advice for making part of your routine to stay healthy amid changes in weather : Get your COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Always get your annual physical health -check up Get plenty of sleep. Stay home when you’re sick. Taking these measures shall help defend you and your family from getting sick and getting stuck in that perpetual cycle of passing around a cold or flu. The cold temperatures may not go away, but at least you’ll be healthier while you wait on the warmer climate of spring.