JEDDAH, 6 April 2005 — Medical professionals met recently in Jeddah to hear of the latest advancements in women’s health concerns and heard of an impressive array of developments in treatment, pharmacology and surgical techniques.
The recognition that women have unique health needs has translated into a rapid increase in research and clinical innovations in women’s health over the past decade.
Thirty-two medical topics regarding women’s common diseases, such as breast cancer, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, infertility, pregnancy and abortion were the focus of the Third Annual International Women’s Health Update Symposium organized by King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah last week at Crown Plaza Hotel.
The symposium focused on the recent studies concerning women’s health and offered the medical and scientific knowledge to physicians and health professionals.
More than 30 prominent national and international speakers presented the latest advances in health issues under the direction of Dr. Lina Bissar, symposium chairperson and a consultant internist at the hospital.
The impact of chemotherapy on fertility, future cancers and dysmorphisms was one of the important issues discussed by Dr. Mohammed Kelta, consultant of hematology and bone marrow transplant at the hospital.
According to him, chemotherapy is important for treating cancer.
“It is crucial in the first stages of treating breast, uterus and colon cancers with a high percentage of recovery,” Dr. Kelta said. “However, it has side-effects for women, including vomiting, sinus infections and, most importantly, dysmorphisms in case of pregnancy. A higher percentage of infertility is also noticed when going through chemotherapy.”
Dr. Ahmed Al-Badr, a gynecological urologist at Security Forces Hospital in Riyadh, discussed recent developments in incontinence management. Diagnosis of incontinence now is easier and more precise. Dr. Al-Badr also spoke of pharmacological and surgical advancements in the treatment of the disorder.
Another common health problem addressed at the symposium was Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is considered as one of the most common digestive system disorders.
Dr. Abbas Zagnoon, a liver and digestive system consultant at the hospital, said it affects 20 percent of the population and that it is a chronic condition causing a variety of woes from stomach aches to diarrhea and constipation. The symptoms usually appear at a young age when the patient begins to complain of the frequency of burping and gases in the body. Dr. Zagnoon discussed treatment of the syndrome.
“The symposium drew the attention of 400 people who attended,” Dr. Bissar said. “Most were doctors, medical and nursing students and nurses.”
But the true beneficiaries will be women in Saudi Arabia who will be able to take advantage of the latest advancements that modern medicine has to offer.
