Ten Tips to Stay Healthy as Women

The old adage is, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". When it comes to women's health, this is especially true. Here ten tips that may help prevent disease in you or in someone you love. The following are recommendations by the US Preventative Services Task Force and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

*Exams & Screenings:

Osteoporosis: Women are at greater risk for osteoporosis than men. This is because women tend to take in less calcium, live longer (a stressor to bones), and have less bone mass. Therefore, current recommendations are that all women at age 65 should have a bone density test.

Mammography: Women over the age of 40 should have a mammography every 1-2 years. This is a screening tool to help catch breast cancer at the early stages. New tests are being developed that are more effective than mammography; however, they have yet to be adopted as the standard of care. Until this occurs, insurance companies will not usually cover the cost.

Pap Smears: Pap smears are highly recommended to be utilized as screening tools for cervical cancer every 1-2 years in women who have been sexually active.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus):All teens and adults who have had unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners, are pregnant, have participated in prostitution, if current or former partners have used or are using IV drugs or are bisexual, have participated in prostitution, have had sex with an HIV infected partner, have had or are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases (STD's), or have had blood transfusions between 1978 - 1985, or have suffered a needle stick should be tested.

Chlamydia & Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's): Annual testing for these illnesses need to occur for women under the age of 25 and are sexually active. If you are older, discuss it with your physician to determine if testing is necessary.

Depression: Depression is a common emotional disorder. Having worked as a psychiatric nurse, I'm well aware that depression is the number one cause of disability in women. Depression is thought to be more common in women due to the hormonal fluctuations women experience throughout their lives. "Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you have felt "down," sad, or hopeless over the last 2 weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed. Talk to your doctor about being screened for depression".

*Immunizations:

Keep current on your immunizations:Tetanus and diphtheria immunizations need updated every 10 years. Other immunizations you may wish to discuss with you physician are Varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, Shingles (herpes zoster), Pertussis, Meningococcal, Lyme Disease and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Your physician can evaluate your lifestyle and type of travel you do to see if you need these injections.

Flu Shot: Obtain a flu shot annually starting at age 50. Those younger than 50, should check with their physician to see if they need an injection if they have a chronic health condition.

Pneumonia Shot: Those over the age of 65 require a pneumonia shot. Check with your physician as to when a booster is needed. Physicians state that one is needed usually in 5-7 years. Those younger than 65 should check with their physician to see if they need a shot if they have a chronic health condition.

*Lifestyle:

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: If you don't smoke don't start, drink alcohol only in moderation, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight.

If you aren't certain if you are at a healthy weight, calculate your body mass index (BMI). BMI is a ratio of body fat to body mass. A BMI calculator is available at National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/.

If you need to lose weight (heaven forbid the word "diet" is mentioned), check out SparkPeople. It offers more than just nutritional advise. It has an excellent healthy lifestyle program; it provides tips on cardiovascular exercise and weight training. This program can be found at www.sparkpeople.com.

Sources:
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/.
http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthywom.htm
http://www.ahrq.gov/CLINIC/USPSTF/uspstopics.htm