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7 – Top Women’s Health Issues Today

Women’s Health Issues

While modern medicine has made great advances with regard to many medical conditions, women continue to experience numerous health issues. Understanding what these issues are and how to address them can help you understand and potentially limit your risk. Here are 7 of the most important health issues women face today.

1. Pregnancy Issues

Pregnancy IssuesMany health conditions can become worse during pregnancy, in ways which can threaten the health and wellbeing of the mother and the child both. Everything from asthma to diabetes to depression can become a bigger health hazard than it was before.

As Community 1st ER, providers of urgent care in Deer Park, explain: “A lot of the expectant mothers we see ignored symptoms or tried to tough them out. Please don’t do that: talk to your doctor if you’re worried.”

Pregnancy causes many changes in a woman’s body, and some of these can pose significant risks. Obstetricians can often manage health issues as they occur within a pregnancy.

2. Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases include lupus, type 1 diabetes, and arthritis, among others, and are defined by immune cells of the body attacking healthy cells instead of viruses or bacteria.

While men can certainly get autoimmune diseases too, some 75% of those who get them are women.

These diseases typically are genetic, and families often have them in clusters: women in a family may suffer from different autoimmune diseases.

Common symptoms of many autoimmune diseases include exhaustion, mild fever, pain, skin irritation, and vertigo. While the causes of these diseases are often mysterious, early detection is the best defense. Many people who have them have gained benefits from reducing sugar and fat intake, from lowering stress, and from reducing intake of toxins.

3. Breast Cancer

BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer typically begins in the lining of the milk ducts, but it can spread to other organs. It is tragically the most aggressive of the cancers women can get, and the most common cancer among women of all ethnicities and any age.

Women should get a test to determine whether they carry a mutation that could cause breast cancer. Getting checked for lumps is also a good idea: most breast lumps are nonthreatening, but each one should be checked by a care provider. Women are also encouraged to start getting yearly mammograms at age 40, or earlier if they have a family history of breast cancer.

4. Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease accounts for 25% of all deaths among women. While this issue is more commonly recognized among men, it affects women and men at nearly equal rates.

Sadly only 54% of women understand that the single most important health issue for women, as measured in terms of numbers of deaths, is cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a tremendous problem for women all over the world, but it is an especially serious risk for women in developing countries, who die of it at higher rates when they do develop it.

Fortunately, you can make positive, heart-healthy diet and lifestyle decisions today.

5. Fertility Problems

Fertility issues Fertility problems are surprisingly common, affecting about 10% of all women from age 15 to age 44.

Two common causes for problems with fertility are endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), although many cases are simply not known or understood. Further research is unquestionably needed in this area.

In some cases, couples who have fertility issues can conceive by other means, i.e. in vitro fertilization. If you and your partner are trying for a child and having trouble, you may want to consult a fertility specialist.

6. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a health condition characterized by weak, brittle bones. Both men and women are at some risk of this as they get older and their bones lose density, but it is much more of a women’s issue: worldwide, about 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men are at risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Osteoporosis can be largely treated with medications and calcium and vitamin D supplements, as well as lifestyle changes. Fortunately, it is also quite possible to prevent it: healthy diet and active lifestyle habits when younger can keep you safe and protect you from developing this condition later in life.

7. Mental Health

Mental Health

Both women and men certainly suffer from mental health issues, but women are more vulnerable to depression and anxiety because of natural hormone fluctuations. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one noted cause of depression and anxiety among women, but perinatal depression or “baby blues” is another.

Fortunately, mental health issues can be addressed with prescriptions and various therapies.

Conclusion

Modern medicine has certainly made a lot of progress in treating many conditions, but some health conditions continue to be common and pose significant health burdens. Women face some particular health challenges, and knowing and understanding these can lead to better outcomes down the line.

Article Submitted By Community Writer

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