The top causes of death among adult
women as stated by scientific research include heart disease, stroke, cancer,
depression, osteoporosis, autoimmune disease, melanoma and type-2 diabetes.
women as stated by scientific research include heart disease, stroke, cancer,
depression, osteoporosis, autoimmune disease, melanoma and type-2 diabetes.
Nevertheless, many of these health
problems can be prevented if we take appropriate preventive measures.
problems can be prevented if we take appropriate preventive measures.
Heart disease
Heart disease is the leading killer
for both men and women. Women tend to be under-diagnosed to the point it’s too
late to help them once the condition is discovered. Many studies also suggest
that in women the symptoms may just not be chest pain.
for both men and women. Women tend to be under-diagnosed to the point it’s too
late to help them once the condition is discovered. Many studies also suggest
that in women the symptoms may just not be chest pain.
Symptoms:
Chest pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain, nausea, shortness of breath.
Chest pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain, nausea, shortness of breath.
Prevention:
Women can reduce their risk of heart disease by modifying lifestyle to include
a well-balanced diet and exercise.
Women can reduce their risk of heart disease by modifying lifestyle to include
a well-balanced diet and exercise.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common
cancer in women. In breast cancer, the cancer begins in the tissues of the
breasts. The cancer cells may form a tumor. (Note: Not all tumors are
cancerous.)
cancer in women. In breast cancer, the cancer begins in the tissues of the
breasts. The cancer cells may form a tumor. (Note: Not all tumors are
cancerous.)
Symptoms:
A lump in or near a breast or in your arm, thick or firm tissue in or near your
breast or under your arm, a change in size or shape of your breast.
A lump in or near a breast or in your arm, thick or firm tissue in or near your
breast or under your arm, a change in size or shape of your breast.
Prevention:
Weight management. Eat lean protein, whole grains and choose vegetable oil over
animal fat. Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, drink little or no alcohol,
don’t smoke. If you have recently given birth then breast-feed your baby for as
long as possible. Get regular breast cancer screenings.
Weight management. Eat lean protein, whole grains and choose vegetable oil over
animal fat. Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, drink little or no alcohol,
don’t smoke. If you have recently given birth then breast-feed your baby for as
long as possible. Get regular breast cancer screenings.
Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases are a group of
disorders in which the immune system attacks the body and destroys or alters
tissues. There are more than 80 serious chronic illnesses in this category,
including lupus, multiple sclerosis, and type-1 diabetes. These diseases are
not very common, except for diabetes, thyroid disease, and lupus, but as a
group, the disorders make up the fourth-largest cause of disability among
American women.
disorders in which the immune system attacks the body and destroys or alters
tissues. There are more than 80 serious chronic illnesses in this category,
including lupus, multiple sclerosis, and type-1 diabetes. These diseases are
not very common, except for diabetes, thyroid disease, and lupus, but as a
group, the disorders make up the fourth-largest cause of disability among
American women.
Symptoms:
Some of the common autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis – inflammation
of joints and surrounding tissues. Systemic lupus erythematosus – affects skin,
joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs. Multiple sclerosis – affects the
brain and spinal cord, damage to the lining of the small intestine.
Some of the common autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis – inflammation
of joints and surrounding tissues. Systemic lupus erythematosus – affects skin,
joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs. Multiple sclerosis – affects the
brain and spinal cord, damage to the lining of the small intestine.
Prevention:
Take immune-balancing nutrients and supplements, including vitamin D, essential
fats (like EPA/DHA and GLA), and probiotics. Practice deep relaxation daily
through yoga, meditation, or anything that reverses the stress response. Keep a
strict check on your weight.
Take immune-balancing nutrients and supplements, including vitamin D, essential
fats (like EPA/DHA and GLA), and probiotics. Practice deep relaxation daily
through yoga, meditation, or anything that reverses the stress response. Keep a
strict check on your weight.
Osteoporosis
It is a condition in which bone
density decreases. It occurs in both men and women. Overall, however, it is
more of a major health concern for women. Studies pose that 50% of women suffer
a fracture related to osteoporosis in their lifetime.
density decreases. It occurs in both men and women. Overall, however, it is
more of a major health concern for women. Studies pose that 50% of women suffer
a fracture related to osteoporosis in their lifetime.
Symptoms:
Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebrae, loss of height over
time, a stooped posture, a bone fracture that occurs much more easily than
expected.
Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebrae, loss of height over
time, a stooped posture, a bone fracture that occurs much more easily than
expected.
Prevention:
Three factors essential for keeping your bones stronger are adequate calcium,
adequate vitamin D, and regular exercise.
Three factors essential for keeping your bones stronger are adequate calcium,
adequate vitamin D, and regular exercise.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a cancer that develops in
melanocytes, the pigment cells present in the skin. It can be more serious than
the other forms of skin cancer because it may spread to other parts of the body
(metastasize) and cause serious illness and death. Melanoma can develop in an
existing mole or any other mark on the skin, but it often develops in unmarked
skin. Although melanoma can grow anywhere on the body, it often occurs on the
upper back of men and women and on the legs in women.
melanocytes, the pigment cells present in the skin. It can be more serious than
the other forms of skin cancer because it may spread to other parts of the body
(metastasize) and cause serious illness and death. Melanoma can develop in an
existing mole or any other mark on the skin, but it often develops in unmarked
skin. Although melanoma can grow anywhere on the body, it often occurs on the
upper back of men and women and on the legs in women.
Symptoms:
Elevation, such as thickening or rising of a previously flat mole, oozing, bleeding,
or crusting, sensation such as itching, tingling, or burning.
Elevation, such as thickening or rising of a previously flat mole, oozing, bleeding,
or crusting, sensation such as itching, tingling, or burning.
Prevention:
Stay out of the sun during the midday hours. Use a sunscreen every day with an
SPF of at least 15. Look for a sunscreen that protects against both types of
ultraviolet radiation in the sun’s rays-UVA and UVB. Avoid sunbathing and
tanning salons. Studies suggest that your risk of melanoma increases by 75 per
cent if you start using artificial tanning before you are 30 years old.
Stay out of the sun during the midday hours. Use a sunscreen every day with an
SPF of at least 15. Look for a sunscreen that protects against both types of
ultraviolet radiation in the sun’s rays-UVA and UVB. Avoid sunbathing and
tanning salons. Studies suggest that your risk of melanoma increases by 75 per
cent if you start using artificial tanning before you are 30 years old.
Type-2 diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that involves
problems with the hormone insulin. While not everyone with type-2 diabetes is
overweight, obesity and lack of physical activity are two of the most common
causes of this form of diabetes.
problems with the hormone insulin. While not everyone with type-2 diabetes is
overweight, obesity and lack of physical activity are two of the most common
causes of this form of diabetes.
Symptoms:
Increased urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, hunger, skin problems,
Fatigue and irritability.
Increased urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, hunger, skin problems,
Fatigue and irritability.
Prevention:
Maintain your weight, exercise daily, consume a healthy diet, and avoid smoking
and drinking alcohol.
Maintain your weight, exercise daily, consume a healthy diet, and avoid smoking
and drinking alcohol.
Blood pressure
The only way to know if your blood
pressure is high is through regular checkups. This is especially important if
you have a close relative who has high blood pressure.
pressure is high is through regular checkups. This is especially important if
you have a close relative who has high blood pressure.
Symptoms:
Severe headache, fatigue, vision problems, chest pain, difficulty breathing, blood
in the urine and pounding in the chest, neck or ears.
Severe headache, fatigue, vision problems, chest pain, difficulty breathing, blood
in the urine and pounding in the chest, neck or ears.
Prevention:
Maintaining healthy weight, getting regular exercise, reducing salt intake,
drinking alcohol in moderation, if at all, reduce stress.
Maintaining healthy weight, getting regular exercise, reducing salt intake,
drinking alcohol in moderation, if at all, reduce stress.
Depression
Feeling depressed is a normal reaction
to loss, life’s struggles, or an injured self-esteem.
to loss, life’s struggles, or an injured self-esteem.
Symptoms:
Difficulty concentrating or remembering details, and making decisions, fatigue
and decreased energy, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness, insomnia,
early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping, irritability, restlessness, loss
of interest in activities or hobbies, appetite loss.
Difficulty concentrating or remembering details, and making decisions, fatigue
and decreased energy, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness, insomnia,
early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping, irritability, restlessness, loss
of interest in activities or hobbies, appetite loss.
Prevention:
Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking time out for fun
and relaxation may work together to prevent a depressed mood.
Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking time out for fun
and relaxation may work together to prevent a depressed mood.
Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive mental deterioration
that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the
brain. It is the commonest cause of premature senility.
that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the
brain. It is the commonest cause of premature senility.
Symptom:
Increasing forgetfulness or mild confusion.
Increasing forgetfulness or mild confusion.
Prevention:
Regular exercise, healthy diet, mental stimulation, quality sleep, stress
management and active social life.
Regular exercise, healthy diet, mental stimulation, quality sleep, stress
management and active social life.
Menopause
Menopause is defined as the point in
time when menstrual cycles permanently cease due to the natural depletion of
ovarian acolytes from aging. Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life
cycle and cannot be prevented.
time when menstrual cycles permanently cease due to the natural depletion of
ovarian acolytes from aging. Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life
cycle and cannot be prevented.
Symptoms:
Irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep difficulties, and
irritability.
Irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep difficulties, and
irritability.
Prevent
complications: Get your blood pressure checked every
two years, maintain a normal blood pressure. Eat right and exercise regularly.
complications: Get your blood pressure checked every
two years, maintain a normal blood pressure. Eat right and exercise regularly.
