Hyderabad: Menopause, a natural biological process marking the cessation of a woman’s menstrual cycles, can be linked to an elevated risk of cardiac diseases among women who are going through it, said Dr. Kushal Banerjee, Senior Homeopath, Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic. Menopause is a transformative phase, occurring typically in women between their late 40s or early 50s, which signals the end of ovulation and a decline in hormone production, particularly estrogen and progesterone.
Despite some growing awareness, heart disease is still predominantly viewed as a male concern. It’s crucial to recognize that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in numerous countries. Gender disparity in access to healthcare services is a global phenomenon and not limited to India. Recent research papers shows that two-thirds of the hospital visits for cardiac issues were made by male patients. Almost twice as many boys are brought into hospitals compared to girls within the same age group. Studies also show that the further the care centres are from the place of the patient’s residence, the lesser percentage of women patients were likely to pay a visit.
Dr. Kushal Banerjee said, “Menopause is a natural phenomenon and achieving it does not mean that diseases will automatically manifest themselves. However, along with menopause some changes occur in the body which can contribute to an increased risk for some diseases including heart disease. Depending on the issues in a patient, homeopathy can help increase metabolism, lower weight, lower blood sugar levels, increase or improve circulation and various other things – all of which play a crucial role in controlling severe heart challenges like cardiac arrest. It is important to remember that these changes only come about with changes in diet, exercise and improving other aspects of lifestyle.”
Women facing heart disease often share lifestyle factors with men, such as irregular mealtimes, lack of exercise, disrupted sleep, and mental stress. Addressing these shared risk factors and raising awareness about heart health in women are essential steps toward combating this pervasive and often underestimated health threat.
“Homeopathy plays a crucial role in preventing and managing heart disease. Judicious and timely investigations can indicate early signs or risk factors of heart disease and specific medications and life changes can prevent any significant cardiac event from occurring. Aconite and Arnica are two extremely important homeopathic medicines for hypertension management and have prevented cardiac events in thousands of patients all over the world. The coronary artery disease protocols in homeopathic practices have managed cases of this condition and prevented stents or cardiac bypass surgeries in some cases when they have been followed along with lifestyle changes. Additionally, specific medicines like Calc Carb, Sepia, Lilium Tiglinum, and others were discovered to have specific benefits for middle aged women for heart conditions,” added Dr. Banerjee.
Dr. Banerjee also pointed out that patients who are already on antihypertensives and long-term medications for conditions like diabetes, should not be asked to abruptly stop them. Homeopathy can be gradually introduced for women suffering from heart conditions and if readings are beginning to show an improvement, conventional medicines can be gradually reduced. In some cases, blood pressure can continue to be high despite high doses of allopathic medicines. The introduction of homeopathic medicines may add to the effect and help reduce readings. Side effects of some blood thinners, the presence of several co-morbidities like kidney and liver disease may not allow the patient to take several classes of allopathic medicines. In these cases, homeopathy can really help the patient manage her condition when no other options are left.
In the realm of homeopathy, an intrinsic understanding of diseases affecting women differently from men has long been present. Ongoing research and publications in women’s health, specifically focusing on cardiac well-being, underscore the commitment to unraveling the unique aspects of female physiology. This dedicated exploration not only enriches homeopathic literature but also serves as a testament to the continuous efforts to refine the understanding of women’s health and tailor effective remedies for their specific needs across all age groups.