Get well soon: You can continue exercising during pregnancy

Chennai

I am 3 months pregnant. Should I stop exercising? Are there any diet modifications I need to make during this time?

Being physically fit and active will  always result in a better outcome. If there is any reason you should not exercise, your doctor will advise you. Do not start on new ones. Walking is an excellent exercise to burn calories. Exercise under supervision of a physiotherapist trained in ante natal care is advisable. The aim is to strengthen the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. Breathing exercises help during labour and delivery. Continue to take a balanced diet with adequate fruits, green, leafy vegetables and protein. Eating for two will only add to the maternal weight, which can, in turn, lead to many complications during pregnancy and labour. Fruits like papaya and pineapple are especially shunned by most families. This is a myth. The ripe papaya is a complete fruit with all minerals and necessary vitamins without the extra calories. An ideal fruit in pregnancy and especially in diabetics. - Dr Jaishree Gajaraj, Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Motherhood Birthing Centre

I am 32 years old. I am suffering from vasculitis. I get ulcers in my lower legs. I am taking MMF 500mg 2-0-2 and Omnacortil 15mg. I am suffering from the ailment for the past six months. Can it be cured permanently? —Chandrasekhar, Chennai.

Vasculitis is the inflammation of blood vessels that could be large (in the heart), medium (for eg in the kidney) or small (in the skin). There are a number of factors that determine the condition. Vasculitis is one of the many auto-immune diseases, where the body comes  under attack by its own immunity. For the condition, the medicines that you have been prescribed are a steroid and animmunosuppressant. Vasculitis is not reversible, but is controllable through medication. It has to be  ensured that organs like kidney, lung and brain are not affected by it. -Dr S Sham, Consultant Rheumatologist, Global Hospitals


If you have any health queries, mail them to health.dtnext@dt.co.in, we will get them answered by specialists