Common Health issues women face today

Women Health Issues

Women today lead  more hectic lifestyles than ever before. 

Women should focus on a balanced diet, stress free life and regular exercise, in order to live a better quality of life. Maintaining a certain level of fitness can lead to overall better health and well-being.

Some Health issues that women face today include:

1. Osteoporosis

As a woman hits the age of 40 years and beyond, aches and pains become somewhat routine in a woman's life.

Studies indicate that the behaviors that women develop in their childhood, adolescence and early adult years play an important role in the development of this disease. 

After the age of 30 years, new bones stop forming and the body concentrate only on maintenance of old bones. Care must be taken to maintain strong bones to avoid fractures. There should be an adequate intake of  calcium to reduce this possibility.  Getting old, thin-boned frame, family history, irregular periods, sex hormones, loss of estrogen due to menopause, anorexia, deficiency of calcium and vitamin D, use of certain medication, a  lack of physical activity, smoking and excess intake of alcohol are some of the risk factors that are associated with the risk of developing osteoporosis. 

Women ,visit your doctor to know your possible risk of osteoporosis and try to prevent this disease.

2. Breast cancer

What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

Studies have shown that your risk for breast cancer is due to a combination of factors. The main factors that influence your risk include being a woman and getting older. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older.

Some of the Risk factors are:

• Getting older. The risk for breast cancer increases with age; most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.
• Genetic mutations. Inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes. Women who have inherited these genetic changes are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
• Early menstrual period. Women who start their periods before age 12 are exposed to hormones longer, raising the risk for breast cancer by a small amount.
• Late or no pregnancy. Having the first pregnancy after age 30 and never having a full-term pregnancy can raise breast cancer risk.
• Starting menopause after age 55.
• Not being physically active. Women who are not physically active have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
• Being overweight or obese after menopause. Older women who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than those at a normal weight.
• Having dense breasts. Dense breasts have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, which can sometimes make it hard to see tumors on a mammogram. Women with dense breasts are more likely to get breast cancer.
• Using hormone therapy
• Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
• Personal history of breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer are more likely to get breast cancer a second time.
• Personal history of certain non-cancerous breast diseases. 
• Family history of breast cancer. 
• Drinking alcohol. Studies show that a woman’s risk for breast cancer increases with the more alcohol she drinks.

Research suggests that other factors such as smoking, being exposed to chemicals that can cause cancer, and night shift working also may increase breast cancer risk.

 Cancer Information extracted from Center for Disease Prevention and control (CDC) website

Women from the age of 40 years, start your annual mammograms! 

3. Stroke
Several studies have indicated that diabetes and high blood pressure are the major common causes of stroke. Consuming  junk food, having a sedentary lifestyle and work over load are also leading causes of this disease. 

Seek immediate medical assistance. A stroke is a true emergency. The sooner treatment is given, the more likely it is that damage can be minimized. Every moment counts.

A stroke can be avoided by adopting a more healthy lifestyle, taking proper medication if needed , diet control and daily exercise. In addition, regular health check-ups may also help you avoid any unpleasant health issues.

       Think "FAST", you may help save a life!

4. Depression
Depression is more than just feeling “down.” It is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry. Research tells us that other factors contribute to the onset of depression, including genetics, changes in hormone levels, certain medical conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances.Hormonal imbalance is the major risk factor which is responsible for triggering this condition. 

Hormonal changes, particularly after pregnancy or around menopause are believed to be biggest cause of depression that contributes to psychotic outburst and suicides. Family history, previous depressive episodes, severe chronic illness, history of heart problem, substance abuse, a stressful life, death of loved one, childhood history of physical or sexual abuse, anxiety or eating disorder and recent severe illness or surgery are some of the leading reason that results in depression. 

    Ladies , exercise is a natural 'anti-depressant'.

It not only increases blood flow to the brain, it releases endorphins, the body's very own natural antidepressant. It also releases other neurotransmitters, like serotonin, which lifts your mood.

5. Polycistic ovarian disease

In this medical condition small cysts in the ovaries develop and affect women's  ability to conceive. Irregular, light or no period is the primary symptom of developing this condition. Apart from that, infertility, excess growth of hair on body, sudden weight gain, obesity, high insulin, acne and hair loss are also some of the possible symptoms that may develop this condition. 
Regular check-ups and getting the right medical treatment may help women to treat this condition effectively.

                 Make positive Lifestyle changes!

6. Obesity

"While hunger and malnutrition have fallen, overweight and obesity have greatly increased, especially among women and children."
January 19, 2017, Santiago, Chile - Obesity and overweight are on the rise throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, and are particularly prevalent among women and children, according to a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The report also noted obesity affects 140 million people - 23 percent of the region’s population - and that the highest rates are to be found in the Caribbean countries of Barbados (36 percent) Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda all at around 31 percent.

The increase in obesity has disproportionately impacted women: in more than 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the rate of female obesity is 10 percentage points higher than that of men.

The FAO/PAHO Panorama report points out that one of the main factors contributing to the rise of obesity and overweight has been the change in dietary patterns. Economic growth, increased urbanization, higher average incomes and the integration of the region into international markets have reduced the consumption of traditional preparations and increased consumption of ultra-processed products, a problem that has had greater impact on areas and countries that are net food importers.

To address this situation, FAO and PAHO call for the promotion of healthy and sustainable food systems that link agriculture, food, nutrition and health.

To this end, countries should promote the sustainable production of fresh, safe and nutritious foods, ensuring their supply, diversity and access, especially for the most vulnerable sectors. This should be complemented with nutrition education and consumer warnings about the nutritional composition of foods high in sugar, fat and salt.

 Note: Excerpt taken from PAHO/WHO website-www.paho.org

             For reduced risk of OBESITY 
avoid consumption of foods high in sugar, fat and salt!

7. Female sexual dysfunction

Persistent, recurrent problems with sexual response, desire, orgasm or pain — that distress you or strain your relationship with your partner — are known medically as female sexual dysfunction.(Mayo clinic).

Symptoms will depend on the type or types of female sexual dysfunction you have:

• Low sexual desire. This most common of female sexual dysfunctions involves a lack of sexual interest and willingness to be sexual.
• Sexual arousal disorder. Your desire for sex might be intact, but you have difficulty with arousal or are unable to become aroused or maintain arousal during sexual activity.
• Orgasmic disorder. You have persistent or recurrent difficulty in achieving orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and ongoing stimulation.
• Sexual pain disorder. 
• You have pain associated with sexual stimulation or vaginal contact.

Sexual problems often develop when your hormones are in flux, such as after having a baby or during menopause. Major illness, such as cancer, diabetes, or heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, can also contribute to sexual dysfunction.

If you have ongoing sexual difficulties that distress you, make an appointment with your doctor. You may feel embarrassed to talk about sex with your doctor, but this topic is perfectly appropriate. 

A satisfying sex life is important to a woman's well-being at every age.

You might have a treatable, underlying condition, or you might benefit from lifestyle changes, therapy or a combination of treatments. Your primary doctor will either diagnose and treat the problem or refer you to a specialist.