Women’s health

from Cyprus Lifestyle

by Lifestyle Events Ltd

Sarah Keenan - Grace Yoga Studio

GP reveals the five symptoms women should never ignore

Common symptoms that often go unreported

By Dr Elizabeth Rosen, obstetrics and gynaecology specialist for Livi.

Persistent fatigue

Tiredness is very common, and whilst it’s not concerning to feel tired once in a while, ongoing fatigue that you experience over a long period of time could be an indication of an underlying health issue. There are several possible reasons for fatigue, ranging from lack of proper sleep, vitamin D or iron deficiency, to medical problems such as depression, heart disease or an underactive thyroid. Fatigue is one of the main symptoms of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), an autoimmune disease that mainly affects women. The condition has symptoms of tiredness, feeling cold, lack of concentration, depression, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, constipation, weight gain, a low heart rate and muscle pain and weakness. You should speak to a GP if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

Abdominal discomfort

Whilst bloating can be common, increased abdominal size over a period of time can be a symptom of ovarian cancer. This is one of the most common forms of gynaecological cancers, but unfortunately it is often diagnosed late, due to lack of awareness of the symptoms. Bloating can also be a sign of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), constipation, or intolerance towards certain types of food, such as lactose or gluten, so it’s important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor to get a thorough diagnosis. Ovarian cancer is often a difficult cancer to identify, but there are some key symptoms to look out for. These include lower abdominal pain, increased urinary urgency, weight loss,

loss of appetite and feeling full whilst eating, as well as changes to your bowel habits.

Chest pain

Discomfort or chest pain may be an indicator of something serious. If it suddenly occurs and doesn’t go away, it may even be a sign of a heart attack. Despite coronary heart disease being the single biggest killer of women worldwide, women are less likely to report chest pain and more likely to dismiss symptoms. They’re also 50 percent more likely than men to be initially misdiagnosed when it comes to heart attacks. As well as a sign of heart disease, chest pain can also be an indicator of a heart attack or a lung embolism, which can both be life threatening. The most common heart attack symptoms for women include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, lethargy, and pain radiating in the arms, back, jaw and neck. You could also suffer from a sensation of heaviness and pressure on your chest. Get emergency help straight away if you feel any strange sensations in your chest.

Discomfort during sex

Pain during sex isn’t normal but is something that happens to nearly three out of four women during their lives. Despite how common this can be, many women will not ask for medical advice. Possible reasons for pain during intercourse include endometriosis, a debilitating condition that affects roughly 10% of women of a reproductive age. Other possible causes include ovarian cysts, fibroids, infections and vaginal dryness. Pain during sex is not something that should normally happen, but it can be very common. Unfortunately, many women will not seek medical advice due to embarrassment. If you experience any pain, discuss it with your doctor.

Breast changes

All women should regularly examine their breasts to monitor for serious health conditions, such as lumps, which can be a sign of breast cancer. Many breast lumps are not cancerous, but you should always get them checked out. Lumps are the most common signs of breast cancer, but you should be aware of other symptoms, including changes to the size or shape of your breasts, lumps or swelling in the armpit, rashes or an inverted nipple. It’s very important to check for changes in your breasts. Every woman should examine their breasts once a month at the same point in their menstrual cycle. It’s the most important life insurance a woman can give herself.

For more information about women’s health problems, visit: https:// www.livi.co.uk/ your-health/10womens-healthsymptoms-youshould-always-talkto-a-doctor-about/

MUSIC SPRING INTO APRIL WITH THE TROUBLE NOTES!!

This month I want to share The Trouble Notes with you, a ‘family’ of traveling artists who have made it their mission, to create their own cultural universe by mixing influences from around the world and incorporating them into their music. The personal experiences, travel stories, memories and different traditions of this inspiring Berlin based trio produces an eclectic fusion of music. The three musicians are from influential artistic cities around the world, New York, London, and Berlin. It was the dream of a musician from New York (Cerven) who left his Wall Street job to follow his passion of music. This path took him to London, busking the streets and making little networks in cities, where he met the second member and then onto Berlin where the trio was completed. Their music is filled with musical influences of Rock, Jazz, funk, roots and dance music and acoustic folk and all three individuals, bring unique perspectives fused together to create their magic. The enchanting, played violin is the voice of the trio, complimented by the deep rich tones of

Music expert Drew Andreou, who organises Cyprus Rocks, gives her insight into the music scene around Cyprus. If you want to be included email info@lifestylelivingcyprus.com

the percussion and the rhythmic guitar playing. Without the presence of lyrics, you become more engaged with the music and able to translate its universal meaning of instrumental world fusion. It is like listening to a piece of art coming to life and impossible not to get drawn into their world. The Trouble Notes released their first EP, Soundtracks from the Street in 2017 followed by their album, Lose Your Ties in 2018, which both catapulted into the charts and received success and worldwide acclaim. Their new album release, Liberty Awaits is scheduled to be released later this year. Their popularity has led them to perform at some of Europe’s largest festivals and their videos have been viewed more than one million times! The positive and infectious energy of the trio is shared as they express themselves through their instruments. The combination of dreamy, passionate, and fiery to the upbeat groovy and joyful elements of their sound, touches your soul and wakens your senses. The flowing sounds of the violin, the marching beat of the drum and the refined guitar playing takes you on a magical musical journey, which I embarked on a year ago. The concept that the universe brought these three wanderlust humble musicians together is enough to pique your curiosity and search them out. Even more admirable is the fact that the group invites their audience to be part of their journey as they believe that they play an important role in the creation of their music. ‘MUSIC FROM EVERYWHERE, FOR EVERYONE’ The Trouble Notes are, violinist Bennet Cerven, guitarist Florian Eisenschmidt and percussionist Oliver Maguire.