When it comes to health risks, it’s quite evident that men and women are not the same. As a woman, it is very important to know some of the biggest threats to your wellbeing. Being familiar with your potential adversaries is just one the many different moves that you should make in order to live a long and happy life. Knowing the conditions that can cause future obstacles helps you carry out the necessary steps to keep them from bugging you in the first place.
Read on to know some of the medical conditions a woman like you should be aware of. By the end of this short article, you will be armed with the right pieces of information necessary to have your health safeguarded.
Heart Disease
If you think that breast cancer is the number one health threat in women because you tend to hear about it all the time, think again. Experts say that heart disease takes the life of more women than all cancer forms combined. Some of the first few steps that you may take in order to ward off heart disease include having your regular exercise, opting for heart-friendly foods such as those that are high in fiber and healthy fats, and ditching smoking and alcoholism.
Cancer
Statistics show that cancer is the second most prevalent condition that threatens the lives of women. In the US alone, nearly 270,000 succumb to cancer every year. There are many different forms of cancer, and lung cancer is said to be the number one killer of its kind. Breast cancer comes in at second place. There are numerous ways to dodge cancer such as having a diet that’s loaded with fruit and vegetables, and going for a healthier lifestyle.
Stroke
Did you know that more women suffer from stroke than men? It is said that up to 60% of all stroke-related deaths consist of women. This condition is also known as the foremost cause of lifelong disability in the US. Exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, quitting smoking and having regular checkups all help in lowering your risk of stroke.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD for short, it’s actually made up of a handful of diseases affecting the respiratory system. COPD’s most common forms are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, both of which are primarily caused by cigarette smoking. Back in 2000, medical authorities said that more women died of COPD than men. Needless to say, one of the most effective ways to prevent COPD from striking is by quitting cigarette smoking.
Diabetes
According to the experts, about 12.6 million of the nearly 26 million people in the US with diabetes are women 20 years old and above. What’s even more upsetting is almost a quarter of all female sufferers are yet to be diagnosed. The good news is this condition is highly preventable, in particular type 2 diabetes, by having a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Kidney Disease
Your life can be in grave danger when your kidneys stop functioning optimally, allowing poisonous substances to pool in the blood. The sad truth is kidney disease causes no noticeable symptoms during its early stages, although simple blood and urine testing can have the condition detected. To lower your risk of kidney disease, it’s important to ward off problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Osteoporosis
This condition is characterized by the weakening of the bones due to loss of bone tissue that may lead to fractures. Lack of vitamin D, sedentary lifestyle and menopause are some of the culprits behind osteoporosis. You might not know you have this condition until you suffer from a fracture, and a bone density measurement and an x-ray reveal the problem. Getting enough sunshine, eating foods rich in vitamin D and calcium, having weight-bearing exercises and maintaining an ideal weight are some of the best ways to prevent osteoporosis from bugging you.
