7 Biggest Health Threats to Women

Do you know what the 7 biggest health threats are to women?

Many diseases discriminate between different genders because of hormones, life decisions, genes and so many other factors. Below are seven of the biggest health problems that women are at a greater risk for.

Heart disease

Learning early on how to take of your health can significantly reduce your risk for heart disease, a disease often thought of as a man’s disease. Yet it affects the same number of women as men. Heart disease refers to a number of heart conditions, most common of which is coronary artery disease.

Prevention Tips

Limit your alcohol use
Stay physically active by doing regular, moderate exercise
Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Lower stress levels
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Don’t smoke

There are several lifestyle choices and medical conditions, which can increase your risk for heart disease:

Overweight
Diabetes
Extreme alcohol consumption
Physical inactivity
Poor diet choices

Even though almost 64% of women who suffer from heart disease don’t experience any symptoms, there are others who may experience one or several of the symptoms below:

Pain in the jaw, neck, throat, upper abdomen, or back
Discomfort, or dull, heavy/sharp pain in the chest (angina)
Indigestion/nausea
Shortness of breath
Extreme fatigue
A sudden, severe headache

Cancer

Knowing how to defend your body against cancer is key. In addition, early detection is also crucial. The three most common causes of cancer among women are breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer.

Here are some ways to protect yourself against cancer:

Don’t smoke
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Eat fruits and vegetables
Limit alcohol use
Always use sunscreen to protect your skin
Get regular check-ups and screening tests
Know your family history and risks

Here are some of the symptoms you should watch out for:

Changes in your breasts
Constant bloating that lasts over 2 weeks
Changes in your skin
Bleeding between your periods
Blood in your urine
Trouble swallowing

Stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death among women. The biggest indicator of a stroke is a sudden onset of symptoms that last for a few minutes. If any or all of these symptoms last for 5 minutes or more, you should call 911 immediately:

Numbness of face, arm or leg
Blurred vision
Trouble speaking or understanding
Disorientation
Dizziness
Sudden onset of a headache without a known cause

By following these guidelines, you can lower your risk of strokes:

Eating a balanced diet
Getting regular physical exercise
Don’t smoke
Find ways to reduce stress in your life

Osteoporosis

Often referred to as the “silent disease,” osteoporosis usually develops over a number of years, almost usually without showing any symptoms.

It can affect women of all ages, but it almost always hits women after menopause, since with menopause comes a decreased rate of estrogen release in women’s bodies. And estrogen – the hormone that helps regulate women’s reproductive cycle – plays a crucial role in the prevention of bone loss.

Healthy bones are strong with interconnecting pieces to reinforce it. Your bones are strongest when you’re in your 30s, when you reach your peak bone mass. After that, they slowly start losing their minerals and becoming weaker and less dense.

Bones affected by osteoporosis are porous and weak. It becomes fragile so fractures happen more frequently and as a result of minor trauma, as a slight blow to the wrist.

Here are some of the best ways for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis:

Getting enough vitamin D and calcium, through diet, direct sunlight, and supplements (Women aged 19-50 should get 1000 mg/calcium/daily, while those over 50 should get 1200. Both groups should get adequate vitamin D)
Don’t smoke
Limit alcohol use
Lift moderate weights because it helps strengthen bone mass and increases balance which helps prevent falls and slips
Hormone replacement may be an option for some menopausal women

Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is when blood sugar levels are high due to the body’s inability to produce or process insulin in the blood. Insulin is what helps control the amount of sugar in the blood.

Whether you have a family history of diabetes, other risk factors, or aren’t sure if you’re at risk, I would recommend you register for Dr. Anna Cabeca’s masterclass that I shared with you a few days ago. You’ll learn how to stabilize your blood sugar, minimize your risk, and empower yourself to change your destiny.

Seats are limited, so register for Diabetes, Prediabetes & Women now.

Symptoms Of Diabetes

Unintended weight loss/gain
Breath with a sweet/fruity odor
Reduction in feeling in hands or feet
Frequent urination
Increased thirst and hunger
Wounds that heal slowly

Symptoms Unique Only To Women

Oral and/or vaginal yeast infections
Vaginal thrush
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Eating disorders
Depression

In order to find long-lasting measures of prevention and treatment, work with your doctor to find a balance in diet and exercise that’s right for you. And one you can maintain as the years go by. Early diagnosis is key to decreasing the risk of developing complications from the disease.

Obesity

The rate of obesity in women far exceeds that of men’s all over the world, so much so that it’s turning into a worldwide crisis. And it’s increasing at an alarming rate, according to a recent research carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.

But how do you know whether you’re obese or simply overweight? Simply measure your body mass index (BMI). Even though reversing obesity requires hard work and dedication, it can be done. Making the right choices when it comes to exercise and diet is key, even though these choices may not be the easiest or the most accommodating.

Obesity increases risks for a number of serious and chronic diseases:

Heart disease
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Breathing problems
Certain types of cancer
Joint pain
High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels

Unfortunately, the responsibility of reversing this health trend that has spanned 3 generations falls not only on the individual, but also on the social, cultural, political, and financial standards that have slowly infiltrated their way into our lives.

Depression

The reason why depression is so much more common in women (they suffer at twice the rate of men) is mainly due to the hormonal fluctuations that occur each month, wreaking havoc on women’s emotions. This makes women more susceptible to irritability, fatigue, and anxiety.

Plus, women tend to think more than men, as well as be more emotionally invested in relationships than men. They also blame themselves more and feel more guilt than men feel.

Forms Of Depression Unique to Women

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Perinatal depression
Perimenopausal depression

Besides the hormonal changes that affect women and bring on depression, here are some other reasons behind depression:

Genetic factors
Medical conditions
Difficult life circumstances
Chemical imbalance
Stress

Some of the symptoms of being depressed are:

Lack of sleep
Trouble concentrating
Nervousness
Trouble making decisions
Fatigue
Lack of energy
A sense of helplessness
Lack of hope

Depression requires medical care, but there are also things you can do at home:

Exercise. Doing moderate exercise for 20 minutes has been scientifically proven to help release serotonin and dopamine, which are two chemicals, released by our brains that help us be more agreeable and motivated, thus feel less depressed.
Relax. Try meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises.
Eat right. When you drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods, you feel better about yourself in general; your self-esteem increases and you feel more confident about your body image and your decisions on a whole.
Connect with family and friends. When reaching out to loved ones, we boost our happiness because our brain releases oxytocin, a hormone released especially upon physical contact. So when you give your sister a hug, touch your friend on the shoulder, or even shake hands with a complete stranger, all these actions help with the release of the “happy” hormone.
Get good, quality sleep. About 8 hours ought to do it so you wake up with a fresh perspective on things, and a better ability to concentrate.

If you are ready to take a more active role in your hormone health, click here to check out my DIY programs to help you detox, heal your gut and balance your hormones. You may well lower your risk of many of the conditions I mentioned above.