Warning sounded over tobacco use
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 12 2012:
Excessive consumption or use of tobacco products has been cited as one of the reasons for over 1000 womenfolk of the State going under the surgeon's knife for removal of their womb.
It is said that substantial number of both young and elderly women used to be operated upon to remove their womb for preventing infectious disease of the womb developing into cervical cancer.
According to Dr Naorem Nabakishore, who is the Head of Department of Gynaecology (RIMS), infection (inflammation) of the womb is the most common complaint brought to the notice of the medical practitioners in the State.
Irrespective of whether a woman is married or not disease of the womb prevails when one crosses the age of 40 .
For women over 60 years of age, one in two cases necessitates surgical removal of the womb, informed Dr Nabakishore adding that at an average about 1248 operations of the womb are conducted every year at RIMS Hospital alone.
Stating that excessive bleeding during and after the menstrual period is a symptom that the woman's womb is not healthy, he confided that as majority of such complaint is likely to develop into serious impairment of the womb most doctors recommend operation to prevent further deterioration.
He, however, suggested that early detection of the problem and relevant treatment might not necessitate operation.
With exception of Sundays, RIMS Hospital conducts about 3/4 operation of the womb every day, said the Department Head and opined that similar operations might be carried out on a regular basis at other medical centres.
Infection of the ovary system also leads to surgical removal of the womb to avoid further complications even though treatment of such ailment through medication is also possible, he informed.
Regarding preventive measures, the doctor strongly cautioned against use of tobacco items and drug abuse.
Noting that a large number of the female population of Manipur consume various tobacco products, he mentioned that avoiding such harmful items could minimise the rate of womb ailments.
Another factor causing infection of the womb is absence of nutritious diet on a regular basis with the problem very common in housewives belonging to poor families, said Dr Nabakishore who also advocated regular awareness programmes for the womenfolk as a part of pre-emptive measure.