Why women should prioritise health, well-being – Physicians

Women should pay attention to changes in their bodies, seek medical advice when necessary, and adopt healthy lifestyles to reduce health risks, medical experts have said.

The doctors noted that women face various health challenges at different stages of life, and with this, women need to prioritise their health and wellbeing.

They said regular medical check-ups, proper nutrition, physical activity and adequate rest were essential to maintaining good health and detecting potential problems early.

The experts made the call at the seventh edition of the Muslionmah Women Health Forum in Lagos, themed “The Wellness Code: Know Your Body, Own Your Health.”

The forum is an annual event organised by the Bountiis Charity Initiative and brought together a range of medical experts, including a public health researcher, Dr Noimot Balogun; a consultant gynaecologist, Dr Fatimah Habeebu-Adeyemi; a physiotherapist at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Mrs Kameelah Adebisi; and a fertility and Reproductive Medicine Specialist, Dr Folasade Olalere.

Others are a consultant psychiatrist at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr Kabirat Kilanse-Oni;  a Clinical Pharmacist, Hafsah Ameen-Ikoyi; a Consultant Haematologist, Khadijat Adabale; a Public Health Physician, Dr Aisha Abdulkareem; and a Consultant Family Physician, Dr Sakeenah Odunaye-Badmus.

Speaking at the event, Kilanse-Oni said that to ensure optimal wellness, women should break away from the stereotypes and prioritise their mental health.

“Women should prioritise themselves and their mental well-being. If you are already burnt out, you won’t be able to fulfil your potential career-wise and motherly-wise.

“This burnout and mental exhaustion affects the physical aspect of ourselves, with symptoms such as constant headaches and tiredness, irritability, fatigue, and all that,” she said.

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The consultant psychiatrist urged women to avoid stress and prevent burnout.

“When we are under stress, there are some hormones, like cortisol, which is usually elevated. So, when this cortisol increases in the system, it depresses other hormones, like serotonin and dopamine, which can lead to some mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and depression, and burnout,” she said.

Also speaking, a public health researcher, Dr Naimot Balogun, cautioned participants against relying on health remedies promoted online.

She said unsuspecting women may fall for fake products due to misinformation on social media, particularly with the rising adoption of artificial intelligence.

She urged women to exercise caution when considering cosmetic procedures, weight-loss products, and herbal preparations advertised online.

“One of the downsides of technology is the fact that it gives access to everyone. That means anybody, especially somebody who is good with rhetoric, can come out and say anything without verification or an understanding of the evidence. That is the problem we are having online now,” she said.

Also speaking, the Lead, Public Relations for Bountiis Charity Initiative, Lasbat Kabiawu-Mutiu, urged women to prioritise regular medical checkups.

“Your health matters, and it is as important as every other thing. Your health is not something you leave to AI or social media influencers.

“It is something you must take seriously and ensure you go for regular medical checkups and consult medical professionals and specialists who know about your conditions,” she said.