This story is from May 19, 2008

Some myths about health

ROMA ARORA / May 19, 2008, 04:00 IST

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Are you falling for health myths that keep you away from good health?

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Fracture of bone due to osteoporosis is common because as we age the cells that build bone become less activeI��m slim, I don��t need to exercise
Being slim doesn't necessarily mean you're fit. Fitness expert Deanne Pandey says, ��Exercise is a powerful weapon against ageing and disease. There��s no guarantee that if you��re slim then, you won��t suffer from any problem.Swimming, yoga, walking and pilates are for everyone, age no barrier.��
I can��t sleep, I don't need it
The truth is we sleep differently with age; napping more and sleeping less at night but the total hours we sleep are the same. Also, over-40 women face a number of sleep obstacles - insomnia, frequent night-time awakening.

It��s probably just menopause, it��ll go away
You think all problems are due to fluctuating hormones. Interesting fact is that hormonal fluctuations start up to eight years before a woman hits menopause. Dr Geeta Chadha, gynecologist, Apollo says, ��Problems like night sweats, fatigue and chest pain are not necessarily hormone related, they could also signal other medical conditions.��
I won't get a heart problem

Women come up with their own theories; it is absolutely untrue that women don��t have heart related problems. The truth is around 13 percent of women aged 45 to 67 suffer from heart attack as compared to 16 percent of men. The gap is too narrow. And women don��t seek medical help early enough, as they think it��s only common in men.
I��m not worried about cancer, it doesn��t run in my family
Good genes are a plus point, but they are not an insurance policy. Dr Ashok Vaid, medical oncologist, Artemis Institute says, ��Only five percent of cancers have to do with the family history. 30-40 percent are due to your bad lifestyle like having tobacco. The cancers such as mouth, lung and skin have no obvious genetic link and you can��t be complacent.��
It��s too late to change my bone strength
Fracture of bone due to osteoporosis is common because as we age the cells that build bone become less active. But you have to be attentive, weight-bearing exercise is vital. Also, increase the intake of healthy calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Things like soy foods, flaxseed, beans and pulses are very important. So, ladies, better late than never!
I��ve smoked for years, why quit now
Most women don��t want to give up smoking ever. Wellness consultant, Shikha Sharma says, ��They feel the harm has already been done, so why ever give up. It��s always good to shed away your unhealthy habits.��
Weight gain is inevitable
As we age, women��s metabolic rate drops by about one percent a year. When your muscle mass decreases, your caloric needs decrease, so you gain weight. ��Also, the weight increases because women become less active. Actually the system of self-service is all gone; women hardly do anything on their own,�� adds Deanne.

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