While both men and women contract many of the same conditions, some health issues affect women differently and more commonly than they do men. Knowing the most prevalent health issues affecting women can help them take preventive measures to ensure their overall well-being.
Women’s Health Issues
Here are the most common health concerns among women:
Heart disease
This is the number one cause of death among women. In fact, following menopause, certain factors – such as higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels – raise a woman’s risk of suffering a heart attack, symptoms of which include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder, lightheadedness, and/or nausea.
Stroke
55,000 more women than men are affected by stroke each year. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain, while an ischemic stroke is triggered by the blockage of a blood vessel that causes impaired blood flow. A possible risk of stroke in younger adult females is preeclampsia, a condition caused by high blood pressure during pregnancy. Typical symptoms of a stroke include numbness of the extremities and difficulty speaking.
Diabetes
Although not exclusive to women, diabetes does increase their risk for heart disease by four times. Not only are women more susceptible to complications stemming from diabetes, such as blindness, kidney disease, and depression, but it can also cause problems during pregnancy, including miscarriage and birth defects. Gestational diabetes – in which a pregnant woman’s glucose levels go up – occurs in at least 3 in 100 women. Treatment for gestational diabetes can include a healthy diet, exercise, blood glucose monitoring, insulin injections, and oral medication. As for lowering your risk for type 2 diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight, frequent exercise, and refraining from smoking are recommended.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
These occur when germs find their way into the urethra and begin to multiply. Because they have a shorter urethra than a man, women are more likely to develop UTIs. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include frequent urination, pain or burning when urinating, and cloudy urine. Some UTIs go away on their own, while others require antibiotics prescribed by your primary care provider. Recurring UTIs may require testing to see if the urinary tract is normal.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
There are over 30 types of STIs. One of the most common is human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to cervical cancer. Fortunately, HPV can be prevented with a vaccine, and precancerous cells can be detected with a regular Pap smear and subsequently eliminated to reduce the rate of cervical cancer.
Breast cancer
American women have a 12 percent chance of developing breast cancer within their lifetime. This is why it is important to undergo monthly self-examinations to identify any changes in your breasts that you can share with your primary care provider. In addition, women age 40 and older should schedule yearly mammograms. If you carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, you are at an increased risk of breast cancer and should make healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding tobacco and exercising regularly.
Osteoporosis
This disease causes your bones to become brittle and weaken, making them more susceptible to fractures. Postmenopausal women are the most at risk for fractures associated with osteoporosis, but other factors can include taking certain medications, early menopause, a low body mass index (BMI), cancer treatment, and genetics. You can reduce these risks by increasing your calcium intake, staying active, exercising, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use.
Alzheimer’s disease
More than 5 million Americans are living with this form of gradual brain degeneration, and two-thirds of them are women. Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, medication is available to temporarily reduce its symptoms, which include memory loss and confusion, shortened attention span, mood, and personality swings, and difficulty thinking logically. Also, healthy lifestyle choices can help promote optimal brain health.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in Kent, Washington
FamilyCare of Kent provides appropriate medical care for all women’s healthcare needs. That includes teens, adult women, and seniors looking to improve their overall health and wellness, new mothers with infants, women transitioning to motherhood, and older female patients who want to maintain their optimal health well into their senior years.
Our board-certified and experienced nurse practitioners provide quality primary care for your entire family in a comforting environment that is close to home. To learn more and take advantage of our outstanding and compassionate services, call FamilyCare of Kent today at (253) 859-2273 (CARE) to schedule an appointment or use our convenient online request form.