Mother’s Day is right around the corner and the one thing mom’s often neglect is themselves. Above is a picture of my mom on the left and her friends. Below is a guest post about things us mom’s should know to help keep us happy and healthy.
Partnered Guest Post
Often, the biggest threats to a woman’s health are preventable. However, the trick to preventing serious health issues is to know what those issues are in the first place. From heart disease and breast cancer to osteoporosis and stroke, there are things women can do to live longer, healthier lives.
Consider this a list of the top three health concerns that women face. Below is information on who is at risk and measures women can take to prevent these issues. So, keep these in mind and then get serious about reducing the risk!
- Heart Disease. Heart disease is actually responsible for killing about 30% of women prematurely in the United States alone. Though statistically more men die of heart disease than women, women are often under-diagnosed or get diagnosed too late. Though chest pain is a symptom, it isn’t the only one – shoulder pain, jaw pain, vomiting, nausea, and shortness of breath are also signs of the disease. Women are at a higher risk of developing heart disease as they get older, but also if they smoke, have high blood cholesterol, have high blood pressure, are overweight, have diabetes, or it runs in their family. Those at risk of the disease can take action and possibly prevent it by not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, exercising, and eating a healthy diet. Also, stress management plays a big role in the prevention of heart disease.
- Breast Cancer. As the most common type of cancer in women, breast cancer can kill if it isn’t caught early. Many experts say that the fear of breast cancer alone prevents plenty of women from seeing their doctor, but it is important to keep emotions in check and get screened. The risk factors of developing breast cancer include increasing age, genetics, family history of the disease, personal history, early onset of menstruation, not having children, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and even race (white women have a higher risk than any other race.) Doctors recommend that women control their weight, quit smoking, take regular exercise, and get the appropriate screening for breast cancer in order to prevent it, or at the very least catch it early.
- Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects more than 44 million Americans, with almost 70% of them women. The disease is largely preventable, especially if women develop certain behaviors early in life, since early adult years play a significant role in the onset and development of osteoporosis. Risk factors of developing osteoporosis include simply being a woman, but also increasing age, having a small-boned frame, family history, infrequent menstrual cycles, estrogen loss, anorexia, diets low in calcium and vitamin D, smoking, and excessive alcohol. It is never too late to keep bones strong so women should get plenty of exercise, focusing on resistance training and eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Some women even choose to buy Evista to help prevent and treat osteoporosis.
The bottom line is that it really is important to understand the biggest health risks facing women. Remember, knowledge is power, and that is the first step towards living a longer, healthier life. Often, something as simple as eating a healthier diet or seeking regular check-ups can go a long way to reducing many health risks.
so hard to believe heart disease is so high./
It worries me to think about things like this. My mom is much older and I worry about how much time we have left with her.
Breast Cancer and Heart disease run in my family.
I think women under estimate the harmful power of stress and poor nutrition.
I’m terrified of heart disease..
So am I!
These are things I try not to dwell on too much, especially heart disease and breast cancer. I lost an aunt to breast cancer, and heart disease runs high in my family. 🙁
Breast Cancer I must admit is often on my mind at times.
I never used to think about heart disease very much, but since I turned 40 I am suddenly very aware.
I am so afraid of heart disease.
Thanks for sharing!
You are right, knowledge is power.
I worry about my mom.
Since I’m lactose intolerant, I always work about breaking bones as I age.
It is surprising that so few women realize how likely heart disease is for them… they seem to think it is a man’s disease.
my grandma had 2 out of 3 of those . Very scary diseases
My MIL has osteoporosis and I am doing everything I can to not get this.
Breast cancer is in my family so that worries me a lot.
My main concern is cancer. Both of my parents died from lung, liver, and colon cancers, and my father’s sister both died of different forms of cancer. I am not a smoker like my parents, but I have young children, and I fear that I will follow in my parents’ footsteps. I just want to grow old with my husband and spoil all those grandchildren I hope to have one day.
All of the above run in my family..
Heart disease in big in my family unfortunately.
We unfortunately have heart disease in our family. It’s a scary thing.
Those are all terrible conditions and, if we can, we should try our best to prevent it starting ASAP.
I just lost a young friend to breast cancer.