H.O.P.E

Air pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people world-wide. Air Pollution is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air. Air pollution mainly affects respiratory system causing breathing difficulties and lung diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia and lung cancer. As air pollution levels rise, people with lung conditions are at higher risk of becoming ill and needing treatment. If you have a lung condition, high levels of pollution can also cause an exacerbation of your symptoms, such as an asthma attack or a COPD flare-up. Here are some simple, effective tips for protecting you and your family from the dangers of air pollution- Avoid morning walks, garden exercises and outdoor activities when pollution levels are high. Keep doing your exercise indoors in a well-ventilated room or gym. Limit the amount of time your child spends playing outdoors if the air quality is unhealthy. Use of anti-pollution masks

In India, almost all pregnancies are unintended or unplanned and most women are already two weeks pregnant before they are aware of their pregnancy. The first few weeks of pregnancy are the most vital to the development of the baby. Fortunately, most children are born healthy, but pre-conceptional care or proper planning for pregnancy helps to decrease the risk of health problems during pregnancy and in baby.  Preconception care means optimizing your and your husband’s physical and mental health before conceiving a baby.  Pre-conceptional care may help you to:   • conceive more easily • have a healthier pregnancy • avoid or minimize pregnancy complications • give birth to a healthier baby • recover more quickly and easily after giving birth • minimize your child's risk of future adult health problems. If you are planning a pregnancy, you should start changing habits, avoid any harmful activities and consult your doctor now rather than waiting un

Yes, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer.  Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix, that is the narrow opening into the uterus from the vagina. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in worldwide and second most common in India. The current estimates indicate approximately 1,00,000 new cases diagnosed and 60,000 deaths annually in India.   Cervical cancer is mainly caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a sexually transmitted infection. There are more than 100 types of HPV and of these about 15 high-risk types cause most of the cases of cervical cancer, two of these types (16 and 18) are responsible for more than 70% of cervical cancer in India.  Because of slow develops, cervical cancer is also one of the most preventable types of cancer.  Cervical cancer can often be prevented by having regular screenings (Pap smear or/ and HPV detection) to find any pre-cancers and treat them, as well as receiving the HPV vacci

Gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a condition characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels that is first recognized during pregnancy. It may also be called glucose intolerance or carbohydrate intolerance. Diabetes means that your blood glucose is too high. Your body uses glucose for energy. But too much glucose in your blood can be harmful.  Risk Factors: You are at greater risk for gestational diabetes if you: Were overweight prior to becoming pregnant Are older than 30 when you are pregnant Have a family history of diabetes Having gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy Having too much amniotic fluid (a condition called polyhydramnios) Gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 4 kg or had a birth defect Have had an unexplained miscarriage or stillbirth Have high blood pressure Symptoms: Usually there are no symptoms, or the symptoms are mild and not life threatening to the pregnant woman. The blood glucose level usually returns to normal

Every month, during the childbearing years, a woman's body prepares an egg for possible fertilization. A woman's entire supply of eggs actually develops when she is a fetus. A newborn girl has approximately 2 million immature eggs at birth. By the time puberty arrives, the number has been reduced to about 300,000 to 400,000 eggs.           Each month the hypothalamus of the brain tells the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which causes the ovaries to produce a mature egg. The egg matures within a small cavity in your ovary called a follicle. A few days later, when the egg is at the proper stage, the pituitary gland secretes the next hormone called lutenizing hormone (LH) which causes the follicle to swell and burst through the wall of your ovary, releasing the egg. This is called ovulation. You have two ovaries, but in any given cycle, ovulation occurs from just one of them.  In the mean time, the hormones estrogen and progesterone are caus

Mobile phones emit low levels of "non-ionizing" electromagnetic radiation as do televisions, computers,   microwave ovens   and other man-made and natural environmental sources that we are exposed to every day. "Non-ionizing" radiation is much milder than the "ionizing" radiation. Experts from around the world agree that non-ionizing radiation is unlikely to harm a developing baby, because it is at the low end of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, you can reduce your exposure from your mobile phone by following these suggestions:  Ø   Use your phone as little as possible, and only when you have no alternative, send a text or use a landline instead. Ø   Keep your calls short.  Ø   Try to avoid using your phone if the signal strength is low, find a better location to make a call if it improves the signal. Ø   Consider using a hands-free set, to increase the distance between your head and the phone, or try not to hold your hand-held ph