Women are the ones who carry children for nine months. Women are the ones who have to deal with gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and preeclampsia. Women are the ones who experience postpartum depression or even postpartum psychosis. And women are the ones that cannot escape death during childbirth because of their gender status.
This is why everyone must know what they can do to help women take care of themselves during this time in life: we may all live healthier lives. In many countries women’s health services are available from trusted clinics that attend to various women’s problems and issues.
This is key because of how serious these illnesses and causes of death among women are and what you can do about them before they happen. Below is a list of health issues that women should know about.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death for women in the United States. Heart disease and stroke account for more than 400,000 female deaths each year—that’s one in every three female deaths.
Heart disease is a condition that affects the flow of blood to your heart muscle. It can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Stroke is a condition that happens when the blood supply to your brain is cut off, and brain cells begin to die.
What you should know:
Women need to learn how to take care of themselves while they are healthy—knowing about these health conditions will help them plan if one should happen to them.
Also, they should know when it is appropriate for them to see a doctor or go to the emergency room if something is wrong with their heart health/circulation.
Women can take care of themselves by knowing their family history and making sure they eat healthily, exercise, not smoke (or quit), and maintain a healthy weight.
Diabetes
About 21 million people in the United States have diabetes. Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot control blood sugar levels, leading to nerve damage, kidney disease or failure, blindness, heart disease, and stroke.
What you should know:
Diabetes has no cure, but it is manageable. Women need to know what they can do to prevent and manage diabetes. They need to know the symptoms and what to do if they should arise. If you feel like something is wrong—your blood sugar levels are either very high or very low—you should tell a doctor immediately.
People can prevent or manage diabetes by changing their diet and exercising more.
Arthritis
Arthritis is the most common chronic condition among women. It causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints, making it hard to do daily activities like walking or cooking.
What you should know:
Arthritis cannot be cured but is manageable with treatment such as medication and physical therapy. Women need to know that having arthritis does not mean that they should be sitting around all day. They can still get out and move to manage this pain.
People with arthritis need to know what activities are good for them, how much activity is too much, and how to protect their joints when doing anything.
Cancer
Cancer diagnosis and treatment can vary depending on the individual. Women need to learn how to take care of themselves if/when they are diagnosed with any cancer, such as getting tested (if there is a family history), what an early detection screening would be like, how to manage any symptoms, and how to handle treatment best.
What you should know:
Cancer cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Depending on the type of cancer, there are different kinds of treatment such as surgery (mastectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and clinical trials. There may also be different ways to manage symptoms and side effects.
People diagnosed with cancer need to learn all they can about the disease, treatment, and better manage their symptoms. They should ask a lot of questions at any appointments that they have. Also, they should know that there are support groups available to talk with other people who have been through similar experiences.
Depression
According to the Women’s Health Issues, an estimated 40 million American adults have a depressive illness. Those with mental illness are more likely to suffer from other chronic diseases due to smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity.
What you should know:
Depression is a serious medical condition that can sometimes lead to suicide if it is not treated. Women need to know that this is not something they should take lightly because it can be deadly.
Knowing the leading causes of death and illness among women can help them take care of themselves. Women should always be aware of any changes in their health and pay attention to warning signs such as trouble sleeping, unusual changes in appetite, trouble focusing/p, concentrating, mood swings, or anything else that seems different from how they normally behave.
Knowing the warning signs and risk factors can help women be better prepared to take care of themselves if one of these health concerns arises. It may also encourage them to make lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, quitting smoking (if they smoke), or exercising more often.
