Some health concerns are exclusive to women or are ones that are more commonly misdiagnosed in women. If you are a woman, you should be more vigilant about knowing the symptoms of certain conditions and feel comfortable advocating for yourself if you have symptoms but are not finding answers.
Gynecological Cancers
The best defense against reproductive cancers is to have routine gynecological visits and be familiar with your body. Recent changes in screening guidelines can mean you may not need a pelvic exam or Pap test as often, and you may not need a mammogram as early in order to detect breast cancer. Learning how to do your own breast self-exam is one way you can become familiar with your breasts and know the difference between normal fluctuations and areas of concern. For reproductive cancers that occur elsewhere in the body, it is best to know what symptoms are concerning, such as unexplained pain, bloating, changes in your menstrual cycle, or growths. If you have a family history of any reproductive cancers, address your concerns with your doctors.
Heart Disease
Although heart disease is the leading cause of mortality for both women and men in America, women often face unique challenges. Routine physicals can help you and your doctor detect problems that might raise your risk of heart disease, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Additionally, you should be aware of the signs of a heart attack and also recognize these symptoms are frequently different in women. The classic symptom of chest pain radiating to the left side of the body occurs less frequently in women. Any chest pain should be evaluated, especially if it radiates to other parts of the body, regardless of which side it is on. Other concerning symptoms can be sweating profusely and feeling nauseated. Some women overlook a strong family history of heart disease when it affected the men in their family, but this can be a fatal mistake.
Autoimmune Diseases
Many autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women. Unfortunately, these conditions may take many years to be diagnosed. Unusual fatigue, fevers, rashes, and joint pain are some of the many symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases. You should be especially concerned if you have many of these symptoms combined with a history of heart or kidney problems. Most instances of autoimmune diseases can be diagnosed with a simple blood test, but not everyone will have a positive test. You should be more vigilant if you have other people in your family with autoimmune diseases, since these diseases may run in families.
One of the best defenses against any serious medical condition is knowledge. Knowing your family history and what symptoms are concerning can help you become a better advocate for yourself. Contact a women's health service for more information or assistance.
Share7 January 2019
Over a year ago, I was formerly diagnosed with high blood pressure. However, due to frequent headaches and dizziness, I had already suspected that I suffered from this serious medical problem. Immediately, I was placed on medication. I also began to research natural ways that I can lower my blood pressure. I now carefully scan food labels for sodium content. I also try not to add extra salt to my recipes when I’m cooking at home. In addition, I strive to consume foods daily that are believed to have a positive effect on blood pressure numbers. On this blog, you will learn about various natural ways to lower your blood pressure.