What
are the most important things a woman can do on her own to protect her health? Keeping
a keen eye out for early signs of health problems is important, but there are
also things you can do to protect yourself now and in the future.
These
include:
Eating a sensible diet:
That
includes all the major food groups -- and watching portion size. Try for 30
minutes of exercise or more daily. Protect your bones by eating three servings
of low-fat dairy every day and performing weight-bearing exercises -- like
walking, running, aerobics, or dancing -- at least three times a week. Get
regular health screenings. Take time out for yourself. Experts say 30 minutes a
day is ideal if you can swing it. Make it a time when you do something just for
you -- reading, taking a bath, working in the garden, chatting online with
friends -- whatever relieves your stress will add years to your life and life
to your years!
What
are the most important medical screening tests for women and at what age should
they have them? While not all medical organizations agree on what you need and
when, here’s what the National Women’s Health Information Center suggests:
Blood pressure test -- Every two years
beginning at age 18Cholesterol test -- Start at age 20 and let your doctor
suggest frequency. Bone mineral density test -- Have baseline test around age
65 and let your doctor decide on frequency. You may need early screening if you
have certain risk factors. Blood sugar test (diabetes.
Get
tested if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you have medication
for high blood pressure.
Mammogram -- Talk to your doctor
about what schedule is right for you. Pap test/Pelvic exam -- Every three years
if you are sexually active from age 21. After age 65, talk to your doctor about
frequency. Colorectal health testing -- Get screened starting at age 50 with
either fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. Your own
screening recommendations may vary depending on your personal risk factors.
Talk to your doctor about a screening plan that is best for you.
What
are the most important medical symptoms women should not ignore? While any
symptom that causes you distress should be reported to your doctor, there are
some specific signs no woman should ever ignore. They include:
Heart attack: Pain or discomfort in the
center of the chest sometimes accompanied by pain in the upper body including
arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach; shortness of breath; a cold sweat; nausea;
or lightheadedness. Remember, women are more likely than men to have a heart
attack without having chest pain. Stroke: Sudden severe headache.
Sudden
or developing problems with speech, sight, balance, walking, confusion, or
coordination, as well as numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs.
Reproductive health
problems:
Bleeding or spotting between periods; itching, burning, bumps, blisters, or
sores on the vagina or genital area; pain during sex; severe menstrual pain;
severe pelvic pain; unusual vaginal discharge, lower back pain with bloating
and/or feelings of fullness; difficult or painful urination.
Breast problems: Nipple discharge, breast
tenderness or pain, changes in the skin covering the breast or nipples (ridges,
dimpling, pitting, swelling, redness, or scaling), a lump or thickening in the
tissue of the breast or underarm area, or tenderness in these areas. Digestive
or stomach problems: Bleeding from the rectum; blood or mucus in the stool or
black stools; change in bowel habits; constipation, diarrhea, or both; constant
heartburn; pain or feeling of fullness in stomach; bloating; vomiting blood.
Skin problems: A new mole or changes in
the color, shape, or size of an existing mole; small lump on skin that is
smooth, shiny, and waxy and sometimes reddish brown in color; painful, crusty,
scaling, or oozing skin lesions that don’t heal within 14 days.
Author Bio:
PHC SOlutions is a top Healthcare recruitment agency in Birmingham, UK. PHC specialise in placing and managing highly trained healthcare staffing requirements.
