Jani to speak on women’s wellness Oct. 19

The community is invited to join Uday Jani, MD as he shares the latest thinking on integrative medicine’s unique approach to wellness at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, during Beebe Healthcare’s Think Beyond Pink event at South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach.

Think Beyond Pink is an annual event aimed at empowering women to think about their health and well-being. Jani will explore how the guideposts of a holistic approach can help women on their journey to wellness, which can differ greatly from men’s.

“A strategy that combines both traditional and alternative medicine can be of tremendous benefit in addressing the specific issues affecting women’s health over the course of a lifetime, from a high incidence of heart disease to greater challenges with work-life balance,” said Jani.

An increased awareness of the impact of heart disease in females, responsible for one out of every three deaths in American women (compared with one in 31 for breast cancer), is being seen, said Jani. Important to note is that two-thirds of women who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptoms.

“Whether the focus is decreasing the risk of ever having a heart attack or preventing a second one, developing a plan that emphasizes the many aspects of a healthier lifestyle is enormously beneficial,” he said. “An integrative approach considers proactive lifestyle changes as the first line of defense, and is central to changing the paradigm of treating with more medication or additional procedures. The emphasis is on healthy eating, regular exercise, stress management, ample sleep and attention to spirituality – all of which are proven paths to a more vital, joyful existence.”

The importance of nourishing and sustaining a healthy microbiome will also be examined.

“This area is a focus of intense research now as we continue to see how promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria confers a host of health benefits. Among them are full absorption of nutrients, boosted immune function, positive influence on memory, mood and cognition, and more are being studied,” he says.

Jani will address mind-body techniques for stress management, including tai chi, qi gong, yoga, meditation, hypnosis, guided imagery and biofeedback.

“For women who often bear the primary caregiving responsibility for both children and aging parents, feelings of anxiety and stress can become part of their daily experience,” he said. “These techniques not only offer proven ways to cope, but necessitate carving out the ‘me time’ key to achieving a genuine work-life-home balance.”

It’s a continuous process, and not a short-term fix, he cautions, but it’s never too late to start.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. For more information, go to www.eventbrite.com and search Think Beyond Pink.