www.womanthismonth.com October 2018 67 LIFESTYLE | well-being Hair loss Avoid excessive brushing of the hair, use of any hair spray or any heat such as from a hair dryer. It’s beneficial to protect the hair by wearing a head covering. Extremes in temperature and mood swings Eating healthy food and engaging in suitable exercise is a must. It’s important to find ways to manage stress and ask for support from family, friends and healthcare providers. Mouth ulcers Care for oral health and rinse the mouth regularly to keep it clean. Using a soft toothbrush with fluoride paste helps. Nausea Eat small meals, eat slowly and chew food completely. Food should be cold or at room temperature. Unpleasant mouth taste Clean the mouth before starting a meal. Food with strong flavours can help with this issue. Loss of appetite Have six to eight small meals and choose more of protein and fat-rich foods. Drink beverages after food. Insomnia Avoid napping during the day, take medications as prescribed and use relaxation techniques. Avoid caffeine for at least six to eight hours before bedtime. We also asked the expert about the best way to deal with scars and breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. “There are two types of surgery: lumpectomy (removal of the tumour only) or mastectomy (removal of the breast). If the physician plans a mastectomy the patient has the option to do a reconstructive surgery,” she says. Reconstructive surgery can be done at the same time as the mastectomy, or at a later stage. In this procedure, a plastic surgeon reconstructs the breast either with tissue from another location on the body or with an implant or sometimes both. Prosthetics are an alternative to reconstruction, and involve a prosthesis (also called a breast form) to give the body the look of a natural female form. Staying positive and strong during breast cancer treatment: - Read up to know the disease and your treatment plan better. - Stay focused on the goal of the treatment. - Get support from family, friends and other survivors. - Plan you day, prioritise and organise what is necessary. - Take good rest. - Exercise daily. Our expert reminds women that early detection is key to surviving breast cancer. She says: “All women are advised to have an annual check-up to facilitate early detection of the problem. Think Pink believes in being breast aware through iCheck, the free mobile application that you can download in Arabic and English.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==