Health & Wellness: Recent Episodes

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In this Episode we consider some of the submissions of SDM with a view to correct some misconceptions.

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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE POLYCYSTIC OVARIES?

1. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a common health problem caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones.

2. The hormonal imbalance creates problems in the ovaries.

3. The ovaries make the egg that is released each month as part of a healthy menstrual cycle.

4. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disorder involving infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods, and often excess male hormone (androgen) levels.

5. The ovaries develop numerous small collections of fluid — called follicles — and may fail to release eggs regularly.

6. Your doctor may diagnose PCOS if you have at least two of these symptoms:

👉 Irregular periods.

👉 Higher levels of androgen (male hormones) shown in blood tests or through symptoms like acne, male-pattern balding, or extra hair growth on your face, chin, or body.

👉 Cysts in your ovaries as shown in an ultrasound exam.

1. About half of all women with PCOS are overweight or obese.

2. Because a high body mass index (BMI) is associated with many health issues, women with PCOS are at an increased risk for fatty liver, hypertension, high cholesterol, and elevated levels of insulin.

3. Women with PCOS often have problems with their ability to get pregnant (fertility).

4. With treatment, most women with PCOS are able to get pregnant.

5. The majority of women can be successfully treated with a short course of tablets taken at the beginning of each cycle for several cycles.

6. If these are not successful, you may be offered injections or IVF treatment.

7. When left untreated, PCOS can increase a woman's risk for endometrial (lining of the uterus) cancer. With PCOS, the ovary does not pop out an egg regularly. If no egg pops out aka ovulation, then no progesterone is produced. Thus, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows uncontrollably.

8. No single test exists to diagnose PCOS. Instead, doctors rely on symptoms, blood tests, a physical exam, and sometimes a pelvic ultrasound to determine whether you have polycystic ovary syndrome – rather than another condition that can trigger similar signs and symptoms.

9. There are four types of PCOS: Insulin-resistant PCOS, Inflammatory PCOS, Hidden-cause PCOS, and Pill-induced PCOS.

10. There is currently no cure for PCOS, and it does not go away on its own.

11. Even after menopause, women with PCOS often continue to have high levels of androgens as well as insulin resistance.

12. This means that the health risks associated with PCOS are lifelong.

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1. This condition affects about 2 percent of people.

2. People with hypersomnia might require as many as 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night to feel their best.

3. Hypersomnia by definition is a condition in which people have excessive daytime sleepiness.

4. This means they feel tired during the day.

5. Hypersomnia can also include situations in which a person needs to sleep a lot.

6. Too much sleep — as well as not enough sleep — raises the risk of chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and obesity in adults age 45 and older.

7. Sleeping too much puts you at greater risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes than sleeping too little.

8. This may be due to other medical conditions, but can also be due to a problem in the brain.