Improving Female Health

A recent study shows that women who are middle-aged or older need to worry about specific health issues that begin about that time of life. These include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiac microvascular disease.

The study found that even small changes to one’s lifestyle can change the risk of developing the disease. There are four lifestyle changes in particular that play a role in the development of diseases. These include becoming more active, stopping smoking, controlling diabetes and reducing the blood pressure. Following these healthy activities greatly reduces a woman’s chance of ending up in a nursing home.

Reducing menopausal symptoms can be done in a healthy way or an unhealthy way. There are things that can be done to make you feel better in a healthier way. You can dress in layers that you can remove when you get hot. You can sleep in a cool room in order to avoid hot flashes in your sleep. Lubricants can be used to avoid vaginal dryness or itching. Prescription antidepressants can be used to improve depressive symptoms. The use of regular exercise can improve your mood and outlook as well as decreasing osteoporosis risk. Sleep problems can be treated in women with regular exercise.

In order to fight off those illnesses that can shorten your life, consider these options for your wellness program:

· Stay away from cigarette smoke, including secondhand smoke.

· Get at least 2 and a half hours of exercise per week.

· Don’t shy away from a good night’s sleep. Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

· Eat plant-related foods and use olive oil for cooking.

· Keep a body mass index of less than 25 (23 for Asians). This keeps your health optimal.

· Drink one or fewer alcoholic drinks each day.

· Keep abreast of health issues in the news and follow current recommendations.

· Keep stress down as much as possible.

· Advocate for good health at the doctor’s office.

· Keep socially active as this improves your mental outlook.

You don’t have to take every supplement that is out there. Think about taking calcium and vitamin D as good ways to fight off Osteoporosis. A multivitamin is a good idea but some herbal supplements can actually be counterproductive. Talk to your doctor about what kinds of supplements you should be taking.