Women have been synonymous with multitasking - motherhood, household chores, etc. This hectic lifestyle forces their health to take a back seat. Women's health issues are unique and cover a wide spectrum. Although many health conditions affect both men and women, a number of health issues affect only women and some are more prevalent in women.
To ensure a healthy lifestyle, it's imperative for women to acquire health education. Research has shown that 90% women are not concerned about their health. Either they lack healthcare literacy or they are tend to neglect their own health for the sake of taking care of their partner's and children's.
Apart from issues like menopause, breast and ovarian cancer, pregnancy, that are unique to women, other medical conditions also play an important role in women's health. Some conditions or diseases are more common in women, such as osteoarthritis, obesityand depression.Osteoarthritis is considered as women's serious health concern, though it occurs in men too. Women are found to have special concerns over aging, caregiving, and skin care.
Women are also not free from chronic medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid and lung diseases, to foot care, sleep disturbances, urinary tract problems, and sexuality. However, every health concern is important, but you need to especially concentrate on the following issues:
Obesity in women: According to American Obesity Association, nearly 60% of women are overweight and 30% are obese today. Obesity in women is responsible for triggering off a series of other health-related problems. Most women would feel more positive about themselves if they could maintain an ideal body weight.
Obesity however, can become a catalyst for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, back pain, some cancers, and infertility. Specific diet plans are popular but difficult to follow instead adopting healthy habits can go a long way in achieving physical and mental fitness.
You would definitely feel more positive about yourselves if you could maintain an ideal body weight. Specific diet plans are popular but difficult to follow, and may be too restrictive for long-term weight maintenance. Adopting healthy habits may be a more practical means of attaining a healthier weight for you. In order to lose a pound a week, 500 fewer calories must be accumulated per day.
Breast and ovarian cancer: Women have been susceptible to these two types of cancer, which can turn fatal, unless detected at an early stage. Routine mammography and any changes in the breast should be evaluated by a physician. Mammography is usually recommended for 40-plus women every year or alternative year. It's also recommended for younger women who have have a high risk of
breast cancer or who have symptoms of the disease.
Unfortunately,
ovarian cancer remains more difficult to detect at the early and most curable stages. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are fairly nonspecific and often go undiagnosed. Change in urine production, gas production, indigestion, or weight in addition to pelvic pain, painful intercourse, or feeling of fullness should be discussed with a physician and an examination should be scheduled. Regular checkups and screenings are must for you, as early detection is important for treating breast, cervical, uterine and ovarian cancer.
Menopause: Menopause is part of the normal life cycle of women. The average age for women to reach menopause is about 51 years. Many women welcome this new phase which brings liberty from pregnancy and child-raising responsibilities. However, it is important for women to seek medical advice in case menopause occurs on account of poor health or other reasons. Also post-menopausal women are at a greater risk of heart attacks, cholesterol levels, which increase more rapidly in 50-plus women from diet or other factors.
Pregnancy: 
If you are thinking to conceive a baby, it is not too early to prepare for a safe pregnancy and healthy baby. You should consult with your doctor about preconception care, which you receive before you get pregnant. It involves finding and taking care of any problems that might affect you and your baby later, such as diabetes or
high blood pressure. By taking action on health issues before pregnancy, you can prevent many future problems for yourself and your baby.
Once you're pregnant, you'll get prenatal care until your baby is born. Prenatal care is not just health care while you are pregnant, it also involves many issues, such as nutrition and physical activity, what to expect during the birth process and basic skills for looking after your newborn.
Information and awareness can empower women to enjoy better health and lifestyle. Research and advances are continually being made in women's disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Women's health and fitness requires constant attention.
