Health is Wealth

This dates back to the year 2000, when I had just gotten settled into my first job. I had severe pain in my right leg to the effect that I used to limp and could never be at ease. There was little relief when I used to keep moving the leg in circular motions. The pain lasted for over a year and a half. My mom took me to an ayurvedic doctor, who was a close family friend too. This sweet lady, a gold-medalist, would never accept that I could ever be ill or have any kinds of pain. When I had been to her complaining of severe pain and swelling of my abdomen too, she would just give me some pain killer, saying, ‘You’re a young and active girl and all girls have a little bit of pain during periods. Learn to be strong.’ 8 years later, the same pain turned out to be a tumor weighing 2-2.5 kgs. Anyway, upon Mom’s repeated requests she prescribed some medicinal oils to be used for massaging the leg and some kashayam (decotion/syrup) for intake. Honestly, it did not help me at all. The pain was getting worse only. 

Later Mom took me to a homeopathic doctor and he mentioned that I was suffering from ‘Shaadi ka Pain’. Yes! That’s what Mom and I heard and we were wondering what this strange illness was. Over the years, I have noticed that for some strange reason, almost all doctors write in a very illegible manner. So we couldn’t even make it out differently from the prescription. My sister used to tease me saying it was time for me to get married and that is what ‘Shaadi ka pain‘ meant. The pain was so intense that I was always irritated and would loose my temper easily. So when my sweet Mom told him that I am always angry, this doctor who was a retired army major, gave me medicines to control my temper too. Huh! I seriously wonder if there is a ‘medicine’ to control temper. But when you are in pain, you’ll try anything and everything to just get some relief. I did too. Those medicines did provide me some relief.

It was only years later that we got to know that what he mentioned was ‘Sciatica Pain’. Thank God!

On a serious note, it was not Sciatica. It was only about 3 years back that we got to know that it was because of Vitamin D3 deficiency. This vitamin is essential for your body to absorb calcium and phosphate. A deficiency of this vitamin leads to less or no absorption of these essentials minerals in the body. The pain had not troubled me for a long time because I was continuously on  medication, especially Calcium and Iron, after my surgery for about two years and then for a year each during both my pregnancies and post-labour. Thus it didn’t trouble because the body did have adequate amount of calcium intake.

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for enhancing intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate. In humans, the most important compounds in this group are vitamin D₃ (also known as cholecalciferol) and vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol).^[1] Cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol can be ingested from the diet and from supplements.^[1][2][3] The body can also synthesize vitamin D (specifically cholecalciferol) in the skin, from cholesterol, when sun exposure is adequate (hence its nickname, the “sunshine vitamin”).

Information Source: WikiPedia

There are blood tests which reveal the measure of Vitamin D3 in your body and there are good doctors out there who can guide you properly and treat you well. I was given calcium absorption tablets (Calsorb and Calcirol) as well as Vitamin D3 supplements (Ultra D3 tablets) for about a year and I am fine now. I was also asked to take milk and milk products, egg white and green veggies rich in iron regularly. The milk part is indeed important. But the most important thing the doctor mentioned was at least half an hour in sun.

Our lifestyles these days keeps us all tucked in air-conditioned offices and houses. Our children too are either locked up inside the houses for fear of security or they are admitted in closed boarding schools. They do not get to play or roam around in sunlight which is an essential source of Vitamin D. Apart from this, our food habits too are unhealthy compared to those in our childhood. So do make a point to let your children and yourself to be exposed to sun light as and when possible. The love for fairness which I usually call the ‘complexion syndrome’ is another mind block that keeps youngsters away from sunlight.

A quote that is relevant literally as well as philosophically. 

This weekend, we went to a cousin’s place to visit his ailing daughter. She’s a sixteen year old who is going to appear for her 12^th standard boards this year. She’s also a great dancer and performs at various stage shows. What has happened to her? She has acute pain in her right leg running from her hips down to her knees. It was very difficult for me to see her in pain because I have been through it. Her case is much much more severe than mine and she is totally sleep-deprived. She’s going through the necessary treatment but her glowing face has turned into a dull pale. I could clearly see how much she was worrying about the pain and her forthcoming pre-boards for which she’s unable to concentrate on her studies. It is quite evident from her face how much she is suffering. I wish and pray that she recovers soon. 

This is my request to every parent, every youngster, every child, every single human being to expose yourself to sunlight at least for half an hour a day. It will only help you stay healthy. Also, if your health problems persist even after a consultation and subsequent treatment, do not delay in taking a second opinion with a well-known doctor and always avoid self-medication. Ayurveda and homeopathy are good treatments but need to be taken for a longer period, but sometimes there are issues which need immediate attention and will need to be taken care by allopathic medical practitioners only.

At the end of the day, Health is Wealth. Do invest your time and money in it without second thoughts.

Keep Smiling and stay Healthy! 🙂