SHEHJAR - Web Magazine for Kashmir

RECENT UPDATE Promoting Kashmiri Hindu issues of this decade and bring the diverse needs of the community in a format that is easy to read and navigate.

CURRENT ISSUE

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE: TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH

"Health Watch"

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE:

TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH

*Dr. Anu Munshi-Khandhar

Today we start a new chapter of Shehjar - “Health Watch”. It is our hope that we can help answer health-related questions you may have been itching to ask, but just haven’t had the courage to. In addition to the Q+A section, I will be discussing some important health topics in each edition of Shehjar ranging from allergies and cancer to diabetes and heart disease. Our very first topic is Preventive Medicine.

Before I discuss in detail all the major health issues that affect us in our future editions, I feel the need to talk about preventive medicine. We as South Asians face a different set of problems compared to the general American population. Though most Indian people appear to be small-framed, we may have a gene that causes us to store more fat around our waist. This is called central obesity and can lead to diabetes and heart disease. You may be amazed to hear that we should be using a different scale for calculating our BMI (body mass index, which is a ratio of our height and weight) – it is not the same scale that is used for the general American population! Why are we more at risk for these diseases? It is a combination of genetics and most definitely our lifestyle.

Many of us grew up in India and were not accustomed to getting regular exercise. Most of us are probably in jobs that have a sedentary environment. We as Kashmiris add to the risks with a rich carbohydrate diet consisting mainly of white rice and frying every vegetable and meat in sight. In addition, the stresses of being an immigrant, whether it is financial, social or family related, can create a maelstrom of unhealthiness. If we throw cigarettes and alcohol into the mix, we have a recipe for disaster.

While we are at risk for many of these diseases, there is something that can be done about it. Whether we live in America, India or elsewhere - with a little bit of knowledge and motivation, we can work together to help decrease our chances of becoming really sick. We all know someone who may have died of heart disease, breast cancer or another ailment that might have had a cure had it been caught in its earlier stage.

Below I have created a simple guideline to follow for preventive care. It does not replace seeing your internist or family doctor, but it is a good start. It also may not pertain to people with chronic diseases. I would highly encourage everyone to see their family physicians on a regular basis and discuss the risks and benefits of getting these tests done. I will certainly go into detail about these tests when I discuss them in the future.

Health Maintenance Guidelines
You should always have your blood pressure checked at each visit.
Height and weight should be taken to calculate you BMI.
Please use http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ to calculate your BMI

Men
Lipid testing - every 5 years starting at age 35
Fecal Occult Blood Test – screens for colon cancer, annually starting at age 50
Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy – colon caner, every 5-10 years starting at age 50
Prostate (PSA) – prostate cancer, optional annual check starting at age 50, discuss with physician the risks/benefits of checking this
Pneumococcal Vaccine - at age 65

Women
Pap Smear - First pap should be done at age 21 or within 3 years of first sexual contact, whichever comes first, then every 3 years
HPV vaccine – age 9-26, series of 3 vaccines
Lipid testing – starting at age 45 (earlier if you have risk factors)
Mammogram – screening for breast cancer, every 1-2 years – discuss risk/benefit with physician
Fecal Occult Blood Test - annually starting at age 50
Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy - every 5-10 years starting at age 50
Pneumococcal Vaccine - at age 65
Bone Density - at age 65
Pneumococcal Vaccine - at age 65

*Anu Munshi-Khandhar was born and partly raised in Kashmir. She moved with her family to the USA during the mass exodus of Kashmiris in 1990. She currently lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and works at the Critical Care Department at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

She is very passionate about social service, global health and preventive medicine. Her other interests are hindi music, writing and pencil sketching.

Please email us at doctor.shehjar@gmail.com for any health related questions. We can publish them anonymously at your request.

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