Perfecting The Health And Wellbeing Of Women
Why is women’s health important? Many bodily changes occur in women’s life stages, such as pregnancy and menopause. And some health conditions affect women differently. Special care is essential for the health and well-being of women. Let’s stay aware of some important women's health concerns and steps to take.
5 Things To Know About The Importance Of Women's Health
1. Have A Healthy Pregnancy
A healthy pregnancy is every woman’s right. Even before you become pregnant, you can take many steps to have a healthy pregnancy. Some of the existing medical conditions and the medicines you are taking may interfere with the baby’s growth and increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
If you have any health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid, or other disorders, and if you take any medicines, be sure to discuss with your health care professional if you are considering pregnancy. In such cases, your healthcare provider may recommend alternative medicines and suggest lifestyle changes to follow. Globally, the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women (15-49 years) decreased from 40% to 36%. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fatty fish. Smoking, alcohol drinking, or excessive drinking of caffeine (coffee, tea, & cola drinks) may cause harm to the unborn baby. Stay at a healthy weight and keep your stress under control.
2. Stay Aware Of Menopausal Symptoms
Menopause is one of the inevitable stages of a woman’s life. Staying aware of the symptoms and complications can help reduce them. Some of the frequent symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, urinary urgency, emotional changes, vaginal dryness, sleeping troubles, irregular periods, and dry skin and hair. Women after menopause can be at higher risk of developing certain health conditions, particularly heart problems, and osteoporosis. Hormonal therapy, non-hormonal treatments, and lifestyle changes can help lessen these risks. Regular exercise and weight control will help you lead a healthy life.
3. Lower Your Risk Of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disorder in which loss of bone mass occurs, which can lead to life-altering fractures. This disease can be symptomless for long periods, and signs such as loss of height usually show up when the bone loss is worse. Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Women aged above 50 and postmenopausal women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis.
The good news about osteoporosis is that it is preventable. Calcium is a bone-building mineral, and an adult requires 1000mg of calcium every day, and women above 50 may require 1200mg of calcium every day. Vitamin D is essential for absorption. Be sure to include calcium and vitamin D-rich foods in your daily diet. Weight-bearing exercises such as running and resistance exercises such as press-ups can help reduce the osteoporosis risk. Tai-chi can be useful in older adults as it does not involve rapid movements.
4. Breast Cancer And Women
Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. The female gender is the strong risk factor for developing breast cancer, and many cases are observed in women above the age of 50.
The modifiable risk factors contributing to cancer development in women are being obese and inactive, taking hormonal pills, drinking alcohol, and having a reproductive history (never having a full-term pregnancy, not breastfeeding, and having the 1st pregnancy after thirty). Check with your physician immediately if you have any of these risk factors or if you see any visible changes in the breast, such as breast lumps. Women aged above 40 should consider getting a mammogram test once a year. It is an x-ray examination that checks for early signs of breast cancer. When cancer is found early, treatment can be very effective.
5. Focus On Your Heart Health
Cardiovascular disorders are the leading causes of death worldwide. Heart disorders are usually talked about as a men’s health concern, but women also get affected by heart problems. The important thing every woman should know is that heart attacks can show subtle symptoms in women.
If you experience any early signs of a heart attack, such as indigestion, anxiety, weak arms, tiredness, shortness of breath, or tightness in the chest frequently, visit a physician. Depression, high blood sugar, and smoking can increase the risk of heart disorders more in women than men. If you are obese, have high cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, depression, or experiencing menopausal symptoms, work with your healthcare team and formulate a plan to lower your heart disease risk.
Self-Care Is Not Self-Indulgence; It’s Self Preservation
A healthy lifestyle will help you face the life stages such as pregnancy and menopause more easily and prevent disease conditions. If you experience any symptoms that interfere with your quality of life or even mild symptoms consistently, check with your health care professional.
