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Healthy Living for Women
by Tracee Cornforth*
Source: www.womenshealth.about.com
Staying healthy at any age begins with eating a balanced diet, maintaining
proper weight and a regular schedule of physical fitness. In 1996, a report from the Harvard
Center for Cancer Prevention concluded that 50% of
all cancer risks< could be reduced by
following a modified diet that contains low- fat, high fiber, and little or no
red meat, as well as, through increased exercise,
limiting alcohol use, and quitting smoking.
Regular exercise and a heart-healthy diet can also significantly reduce a
woman's risk of heart disease.
One of the most important things that women can do to maintain optimum health
is to visit their gynecologist for annual physical
examinations that include a Pap smear for
all women beginning at the age of 18 or younger if sexually active. The
Pap smear is the only screening tool for cancer
that has resulted in a significant decrease in the cervical cancer rate.
There is debate about the age women should begin annual
mammograms, however it is generally sometime between the ages of forty and fifty.
Breast self-exam should begin as soon girls reach puberty
so that it becomes a habit by the time girls reach maturity.
Women from 25 to 64 should have basic screens annually that include height,
weight, blood pressure, and after the age of 50 all women should be tested for
colorectal cancer.
Tips for Healthy Living
Practice safe sex by always
using a condom, unless you are in a long-term monogamous relationship to prevent
HPV (the most common cause of cervical cancer) and other
sexually transmitted diseases. Calcium is important for women
of all ages--recent studies suggest that calcium supplementation may
prevent up to 50 percent of all PMS symptoms including cramps,
and daily calcium supplementation is a critical factor in the prevention
of osteoporosis after menopause. Folic acid supplementation
significantly reduces the risk of birth defects and should be used by
all women considering pregnancy. Vitamin E 400-800 mg per day
is recommended to help menopausal women reduce hot flashes and night
sweats, and helps protect the cardiovascular
and immune systems. If you smoke--quit! Stress plays a key role in
many illnesses and finding ways to reduce
stress may add years to your life. The importance of hormonal balance
increases for women after the age of thirty and may require the use of
over-the-counter or prescription hormone
replacement therapy. Visit your dentist
regularly to maintain a beautiful smile and a healthy mouth. Find ways to incorporate exercise
into your daily schedule. If you don't have time for a gym--take a walk
or take stairs instead of elevators, garden or do yard work, park your
car far from the door, ect. Drink at least eight, eight
ounce glasses of water everyday to help flush impurities from your body
and maintain proper hydration. Always use sunscreen and/ or
wear a hat when you are in the sun to protect your skin from possible
future skin cancer. Follow your doctor's
recommendations for diet, exercise,
and nutrition, as well as his recommendations for routine
preventative health care.
*Tracee Comforth is a full time freelance writer on health and other issues.
She lives in the Dallas, TX area. As a mom, woman, and daughter, she has
experienced a variety of medical conditions from which she's gained extensive
medical insight.
Source: www.womenshealth.about.com
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