9 Health Questions Every Woman Should Know
Manage your Risk
Scientists are gaining more insight into the differences
in the health needs of women and men. Your biological makeup can have an impact on
your susceptibility to certain health issues.
These are the top health issues affecting women and how
you can manage them.
1. Heart disease.
The number one killer of women is heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in
women. A heart attack can cause chest pain, weakness in
the arms and shortness of breath. Shortness of breath, nausea and
vomiting are common in women. Women may dismiss these symptoms as
heart attacks and instead blame their hard work or heartburn. Although
menopause is not a cause of heart disease, there are certain risk factors that
increase after menopause. These include higher blood pressure, cholesterol, and
lower estrogen.
2. Stroke.
55,000
more women are affected by stroke each year than the 55,000 men. There are two types: hemorrhagic stroke, which
is bleeding from the brain; and ischemic stroke, which is the blocking of blood
vessels that results in impaired blood flow. The most
common symptoms of stroke are difficulty speaking and numbness in the
extremities.
There is also a connection between stroke and pregnancy. High blood pressure in pregnancy can lead to
preeclampsia. This is a condition that increases your chance of suffering from
stroke. Hyper coagulation (or excessive blood clotting)
is a common cause of blood clot disorders in the brain. This can also happen
during pregnancy. Blood clots can also restrict blood flow to the
brain.
3. Diabetes.
Diabetes
is not a condition that affects only women. However, it can increase your risk
of developing heart disease four times more in women. Diabetes-related complications such as
depression, blindness, kidney disease, and kidney disease are more common in
women. Gestational diabetes can be a condition where
your glucose levels rise and other complications occur. It affects
at least 3 out 100 women. Treatment may include careful diet, exercise and
insulin injections.
Miscarriage and birth defects can be caused by diabetes. Diabetes-dependent pregnant women may require
special monitoring and testing. You can lower your chance of
developing type 2 diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking.
4. Maternal health concerns
High
blood pressure and iron-deficiency Anemia are just a few of the many changes
that a pregnant woman can experience during pregnancy.
High-risk conditions such as major cardiac problems or
neurological issues should be discussed with their doctor. Women should not have children immediately after
undergoing weight loss surgery.
Dr. Khan recommends that pregnant women eat well and get
the necessary immunizations. While you
can continue exercising as usual, your doctor may have questions. Dr. Khan
says that there is a misconception that pregnant women shouldn't take
medication. "Many conditions require proper medical treatment." This is a
conversation that you need to have with your doctor.
5. Urinary tract infections.
Urinary
tract infections (UTIs), are germs that get into the urethra to multiply. These infections are more common in women than
in men because they have a shorter urinary tract. This reduces
the distance bacteria must travel to reach the bladder.
UTI symptoms include frequent urination and cloudy urine. A UTI may resolve on its own but a doctor can
prescribe antibiotics if needed. UTIs can become a frequent problem if
they are not treated promptly.
6. Sexual health.
There
are over 30 sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) The HPV vaccine can prevent one of the most
prevalent, the human papillomavirus.
Around 80 percent of men and women who are sexually
active will contract HPV at one time or another. HPV is extremely common. Dr. Khan
says that there are over 100 types and at least 14 of them can cause cancer. Types 16 and
18 are the most dangerous in the United States. They are both associated with
precancer of cervix.
One of the leading causes of death for women was cervical
cancer. The Pap smear has allowed providers to detect
precancerous cells, and provide treatment to eradicate them. This dramatically
reduces the incidence of cervical cancer. Dr. Kiley
says, "The whole point of the Pap smear is to detect abnormalities before
they become cancerous." A loop electrosurgical excision procedure can be
used to remove precancerous cells.
7. Breast cancer.
Breast
cancer is second only to skin cancer in the United States. American women are at 12 percent risk of
developing breast cancer during their lifetime.
You can identify any changes in breasts by doing a
monthly self-examination. This will help you share your findings with your
primary care provider. This should
be done in addition to your annual scheduled mammogram which should begin at
age 40. Your doctor might recommend 3D mammography for
those with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. This produces detailed images and
increases your risk of breast cancer. Healthy
lifestyle choices such as exercise and quitting smoking can help to reduce the
risk.
8. Osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis
causes bones to become weaker, making them more susceptible to fractures. Osteoporosis is more common in women who are
postmenopausal. Some medications, early menopause and a low body
weight (BMI), as well as genetics and treatment for cancer, are all risk
factors. These risks can be offset by increasing calcium
intake and staying active through appropriate weight-bearing activities.
9. Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's
disease, a type of brain degeneration, is caused by abnormal brain particles
called neurofibrillary plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles can cause
brain damage and lead to the death of healthy brain cells. More than two thirds of the five million
Americans with Alzheimer's disease are women. Although
this was traditionally believed to be due to women living longer, scientists
are now studying whether genetic variations could be involved. A healthy
lifestyle, such as staying active and eating a healthy meal, can promote brain
health.
If you’re looking for more ways to stay on top
of your health, check out our UrgentWay Clinic who provide best doctor for women health for every age.
UrgentWay providers
offer care for every phase of a woman’s life, from teens to childbearing years
to menopause and beyond. We address women’s healthcare needs including heart
health, mental health, and bone health for greater longevity and quality of
life.
We strive to always provide
quality medical care with the utmost respect and understanding for the needs of
our patients.
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