WORLD DIABETES DAY: Diabetic..? You cannot become a father

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

November 14 observed as World Diabetes day. Diabetes as we all know is a root problem of many other diseases. Diabetes in a lay men’s language is a chronic medical problem in which a person is suffering from abnormally high levels of sugar or glucose in the blood. A person suffering from diabetes has refrain from sugar or glucose for the rest of his life.

Today, millions of people are suffering due to diabetes. In the last 4 years percentage of diabetes sufferers has gone up by 30 percent. According to a recent report by IDF- International Diabetes Federation, India continues to be the “diabetes capital” of the world, and by 2030, nearly 9 per cent of the country’s population is likely to be affected from this disease. India accounts for the largest number of people i.e. 50.8 million suffering from diabetes in the world.

This disease is actually dangerous as it gives rise to many other diseases as well in your body. One of them would be infertility; Diabetes can directly affect the

Quit Smoking

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

Cigarette smoking is harmful to the ovaries, and the degree of damage is dependent upon the amount and length of the time a woman smokes or is exposed to a smoked environment. Nicotine and other harmful chemicals in cigarettes interfere with the body’s ability to create estrogen, a hormone that regulates folliculogenesis and ovulation. Cigarettes are not the only source of PAHs - they're also produced when coal, gas and oil are burned, and they're present in car exhaust, tar and char-grilled meat - but inhaling cigarette smoke is the most common - and direct - form of exposure.

Female smokers also have decreased rates of fertility and decreased fallopian tube function. It not only can lead to all kinds of serious problems with the baby but also reduces the chances of IVF producing a live birth by 34% and increases the risk of an IVF pregnancy miscarrying by 30%. A pregnant woman who smokes also adds a risk to pregnancy.

Not only women but have studies show that men who smoke are less fertile than men who don't smoke. It makes sperm cells more sensitive to oxidative stress, smoking itself increases the concentration of free radicals in the seminal fluid. Free radicals can cause sperm DNA fragmentation as well as issues with sperm motility and fertilization

We also tell couples seeking treatment for fertility to stop smoking at least three months before we attempt IVF because sperm needs at least that much time to be produced from germ cell to full sperm

Life Management strategies recommended:

• Start by quitting
• Eat a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Avoid excessive alcohol taking
• Exercise Regularly
• Be Nature friendly
• Be Your Own Bodyguard

QUIT SMOKING TODAY..!!