Interactive Session on “Life Begins at 40! How??”

FICCI Ladies Organisation organised a very interesting Informational Interactive Session on Women’s Health – “Life Begins at 40! How??” to discuss various health issues faced by women post 40 years.

The esteemed panelists from Saket City Hospital were – Dr. Bela Makhija, Director, Institute of Obs & Gynecology; Dr. Monisha Kapoor- Consultant, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Dr. Akhilesh Srivastava- Head, Preventive Health Program & Wellness. The session was moderated by Mrs. Ishi Khosla, Clinical nutritionist.

The interactive session was organized with the aim to reinforce the awareness about living a healthy lifestyle and the essential changes and choices in our daily lives which can be critical in determining our health and lifespan, especially after the age of 40. Various misconceptions and myths related to health & lifestyle was simplified during the session.

The key takeaway from the session was to correct lifestyles and make the daily routines replete with proper diet, ample physical activity, good amount of sleep and above all, handle stress in a proactive manner.

Talking about various gynaecological disorders faced by women, Dr. Bela Makhija said that “Menopausal symptoms affect most women due to the changing hormone levels, particularly estrogen, but many factors such as diet and exercise, lifestyle and other medication can influence the symptoms.” She suggested that it is essential to take care of the life-style factors such as reducing/stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, reducing caffeine intake, reducing stress, eating healthily and taking regular exercise, which can considerably help easing the symptoms of menopause. For others, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be very beneficial, and indeed menopausal symptom control is the main indication for using HRT.

Dr. Akhilesh Srivastava spoke on cardiovascular problems faced by women especially post the age of 40 and the ways to handle such problems. “Lipid profile test should be yearly done post 40 and if there is a family history, preventive health checkup should be done from 30 years of age.” said Dr. Akhilesh.

He also said that BMI check is must for keeping weight under check, which is a prerequisite of good health. He also elaborated the symptoms of Coronary

Stenosis, indigestion, breathlessness, nausea and upper back pain being a few of them.

“Life begins at 40 and at 60, it is definitely a party”, quipped Dr. Monisha Kapoor. She highlighted about the importance of FDA approved skin care and hair care products. “What we are eating, what we are exposed to and what we breathe in is what our skin, hair and body becomes”, she said. After the age of 30, Basal Metabolic rate (BMR) decreases gradually, resulting in various skin and hair ailments. She added that it is important to add food which increases the BMR rate as also to lead an active lifestyle.

Ms Ishi Khoshla beautifully moderated the session, with crucial inputs on leading a healthy lifestyle, especially post the age of 40. “Diet is a way of life…it is not just a chart. Variety, Balance & Moderation should be the basic principle. Understanding food groups and portion control is very important.” she said.

While welcoming the gathering, FLO President Neeta Boochra said “The age post 40 years is very critical for women as this this is the time when the bodies start rebelling against the will. The interactive session is aimed at introspecting on the lives and lifestyle, which has become a vortex of hectic routines, sedentary ways, high level of stress besides other environmental factors.”

Anjali Aggarwal, Governing Body Member lent her support to the program.

Archana Garodia Gupta, Sr. Vice President FLO gave the vote of thanks.