Top 5 Women’s Health Concerns

Women battle their own health issues

Women empowerment has made women lead a very active lifestyle. From juggling career, family and personal responsibilities, a woman can become prone to chronic diseases and illnesses. In a stressful environment it is easy for women to suffer from exposure to free radicals and pollution that can make them susceptible from contracting different diseases and these five health concerns are the most common among women.

1.       Breast Cancer

Breast cancer in women ranks second to cancer in the lungs that provides for the leading mortality rate for cancer in women. The prevalence of breast cancer in women is attributed to hereditary causes. The physicians from the American Cancer Society recommend among women to observe an active lifestyle, get regular exercise, decrease weight and stop smoking in order to reduce their risk to breast cancer. Getting a regular check up with your doctor will also help you maintain a good healthy condition and it will help detect the condition at its early stage. Regular screening among women for breast cancer is a good preventive measure against leaving the disease undetected that makes treatment more difficult. Early intervention can give women a better chance to survive a breast cancer.

2.       Heart Disease

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that the heart disease provides the highest mortality rate among all diseases in both men and women. Heart disease in women is often left undiagnosed which makes it more difficult to treat the condition. By the time the condition is detected, it is already at a more serious stage that intervention becomes more difficult. According to Saralyn Mark of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the heart disease in women can become asymptomatic and may only manifest as a mild chest pain and considered negligible. Women often mistakes this tell-tale sign of a heart disease as a symptom of stress and usually takes it lightly. Women often experience the symptoms of shoulder pain, pain in the jaw and shortness of breath. The earlier the heart disease is diagnosed, the better the treatment outcome becomes. However, owing to an active and stressful lifestyles that a woman can have, the symptoms of heart disease is often taken lightly as a mere natural sign of every day stress.

3.       Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases occur in about 75% of women. This is reported by the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association. Diseases of the immune system consist of a group of disorders where the body's own immune system attacks the body especially the normal cellular tissues. The most common forms of autoimmune disease seen in women are diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease. Once an autoimmune disease is present, women can dramatically experience a decline in their ability to become active. Diseases involving the autoimmune system can become disabling and can take a toll on a woman's lifestyle and every day activities.

4.       Osteoporisis

About 68% of women will have an osteoporosis throughout their lifetime according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. The condition involves a weakened bone and typically occurs in women in their 40's. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help prevent osteoporosis from occurring. Older women are more susceptible from osteoporosis because of their frailty and age. In the presence of osteoporosis women are likewise susceptible to bone fractures.

5.       Depression

The National Institute of Mental Health cited that women are more susceptible to depression than men. About 12 million of women have been suffering from major depression and hormonal changes are viewed to be the triggers for depression in women. This is most significant especially during the approaching years for menopausal or pre-menopausal stages. Because women have more inclination to connect with others, they tend to feel frustrated easily with rejection and as a result depression sets in. Depression can also be triggered by existing medical conditions like heart disease, substance abuse, marital problems and other chronic illnesses.

Keep in mind that every day stress is a major risk factor to various illnesses that are common to women. Live a healthy lifestyle and keep stress away by eating healthy diet and regular  exercise now.