Your health from A to Z
Maureen Patzer
For GLWoman
A is for Aspirin:
Are you taking an aspirin a day to keep the heart doctor away? Don?t bother, says the American Heart Association. Women younger than 65 should not take aspirin routinely because it does not decrease the risk of a first heart attack. In younger women, the increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding outweighs the benefits of long-term aspirin therapy.
B is for Blood Pressure:
One of three American adults has high blood pressure and among African Americans, more than 40 percent of adults are affected, according to the American Heart Association. Consistent blood pressure readings above 115/76 put you at significant increased risk for diabetes, stroke and heart disease. However, lifestyle changes may be all that?s needed to lower blood pressure without medication. You know the drill: Lose weight, exercise and quit smoking.
C is for Cancer:
In 2007, the American Cancer Society expects 178,480 women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. But early detection and better treatment options mean breast cancer isn?t the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. More women ? as many as 71,000 ? will die of lung cancer each year, compared with around 40,000 from breast cancer. Rounding out the top five leading causes of cancer deaths are colon, pancreatic and ovarian cancer.Advertisement
D is for Diabetes:
Diabetes often goes undetected because its symptoms aren?t always debilitating. But more than 20.8 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes, and of that, about 6.2 million don?t know they have it, according to the American Diabetes Association. About 41 million Americans are pre-diabetic but could significantly reduce their risk by simple changes in diet and exercise. Symptoms of diabetes include: frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. If you have one or more of these symptoms, check with your doctor.
E is for Exercise:
The fountain of youth, it would appear, is overflowing from the benefits of exercise. As little as 30 minutes a day can provide the following: weight loss, decreased risk of breast and colon cancers, an increase in life span and a better night?s sleep. Exercise can reduce the symptoms of depression and revive your sex life. Oh yes, and did we mention it cuts your risk of heart disease in half and significantly lowers your risk of Alzheimer?s? Still not convinced?
F is for Feet:
Before you buy your next pair of high-heeled shoes, consider the following common high heel-related injuries listed by the American Association for Women Podiatrists: sesamoiditis (inflammation and swelling), neuromas (nerve damage), metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot). Less frequent but common high heel-related injuries include ankle sprains and even broken bones. Ready to put your best foot forward?
G is for Gall Bladder:
OK, it?s not very sexy, but your gall bladder plays a role in your overall health, and when it?s diseased, ouch! More women than men suffer from gall bladder disease; gallstones are the most common complaint. Obesity, high cholesterol, family history and the use of oral contraceptives are likely culprits, according to FDA.gov.
H is for Heart Disease:
Cardiovascular disease kills more women each year than the next five causes of death combined, which means statistically, it strikes one in three females. Heart disease, however, is actually easily preventable. The Mayo Clinic suggests the following five heart-healthy strategies to lower your risk: Don?t smoke (it?s the top preventable risk factor). Get active and eat more vegetables, whole grains, fish and low-fat dairy products. Lose weight if you need to (and who doesn?t?) and finally, get regular health screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol.
I is for Insomnia:
Women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia than men, according to the National Women?s Health Information Center. Insomnia isn?t just an inability to fall asleep, however. It is also characterized by waking up too early in the morning or not feeling well rested even after seven to eight hours of sleep. Though sleeping pills are one method of treatment, other therapies such as relaxation therapy, sleep restriction and reconditioning are also effective.
J is for Joint Pain:
Despite the fact that Regis Philbin says he takes them, the National Institutes of Health says the popular (and expensive!) dietary supplements glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate might not provide relief for osteoarthritis, the most common cause of joint pain. When they do work, according to the NIH, it?s most often in people who have moderate to severe pain, not mild symptoms. Common methods for treating joint pain include exercise, weight control, non-prescription pain relievers and medicines. Talk to your doctor about whether glucosamine works as a preventative.
K is for K-Y Jelly:
Stop giggling. K-Y Jelly has been around since the early 1900s, and has been sold over the counter since the 1980s. As you make your way through peri-menopause and out the other side, K-Y Jelly can play an important role in helping replace some of the natural lubrication your body loses as its estrogen levels drop. By the way, ?K-Y? doesn?t stand for anything.
L is for Lupus:
It?s four times more prevalent in African-American people than whites, and for every male patient, there are 10 female patients. But lupus is often difficult to diagnose, according to the Lupus Foundation of America, because there is no one single test that can be used to diagnose it, as well as the fact its symptoms often develop slowly over time. Overall, lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. It?s essential for women with lupus to receive regular gynecological and breast exams.
M is for Mammogram:
Although regular mammograms are one of the best ways to protect against breast cancer, only about 60 percent of older women (ages 65-69) get regular screenings according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer risk increases with age, and three out of four cases occur in women in their 50s and beyond. One of the top reasons women say they avoid mammograms is potential discomfort, but many screening centers, including the Ingham Regional Women?s Health Center, are using cushioned mammography. Ask your health care provider for advice on reducing discomfort.
N is for Nutrition:
Eating at a fast-food place or restaurant doesn?t have to add tons of calories to your day, says Lansing personal trainer Debbie Kennedy. Her tips for keeping it sane: Be prepared when it?s your turn to order, and make a decision before you arrive at the drive-up window to order salad. Watch for extra calories in the dressing; opt for low fat if possible. If you?re at a sit-down restaurant, ask the waiter to keep the breadbasket. Consider sharing an entr?e, or order an appetizer as your main course. Finally, ask for a take-home box and put half of the meal in it to enjoy the next day.
O is for Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a disease that breaks down the tissue inside bones, causing them to become brittle. It causes very painful fractures, often in the spine, which can take months to heal. Other facts the Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education says we need to know:
?One out of two women will be affected by osteoporosis in
her lifetime.
?One half of all women older than 50 may have osteoporosis or low bone mass and not know it.
?Osteoporosis is treatable and may be preventable. If you?re not getting at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day ? that?s just three glasses of skim milk ? then you need to take calcium carbonate supplements.
P is for PMS.
A little humor goes a long way. Why do they call it PMS? Because Mad Cow was already taken.
Q is for Quitting Smoking:
It?s the single most important thing you can do for your health. Seventy-thousand women a year die of lung cancer, primarily caused by smoking, according to the American Lung Association. But because you already know that, it?s better to note that although many smokers balk at quitting because they dread gaining weight; the average weight gain is only five to seven pounds. One new quit-smoking therapy rapidly growing in popularity: online support groups.
R is for Restless Legs Syndrome:
RLS is not a Saturday Night Live skit, rather, it?s a neurological disorder that causes uncomfortable and often painful sensations in the legs, according to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation. Most sufferers feel an uncontrollable urge to move their legs for relief. In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first drug specifically for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS. The cause of RLS is unknown. Pregnant women may experience temporary RLS; women who are anemic are also at higher risk.
S is for Sex:
Do women sabotage their sex lives? A new book, ?Satisfaction: Women, Sex and the Quest for Intimacy,? by Dr. Anita Clayton and writer Robin Canton Cooke suggests this may be the case for many women. The main problem, it suggests, is that women are still reluctant to talk about sex with their partners. Michigan State University associate professor and sex therapist Dr. Tina Timm offers her thoughts on the subject on Page 41.
T is for Tummy Tuck:
Each year, more than 135,000 women opt for a tummy tuck, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The average cost: $6,000 to $8,000. Because all surgery is inherently risky, be prepared to ask a perspective surgeon some tough questions, including how many procedures he or she performs each year, success rates and complications. Make sure you?re dealing with a board-certified surgeon because there are people performing cosmetic procedures who have little or no training.
U is for Urinary Incontinence:
If laughing, sneezing, jumping or coughing causes you to sprinkle, tinkle or otherwise head toward the nearest bathroom, you?re not alone. Millions of women, young and old, have mild to severe urinary incontinence, according to the National Kidney Foundation. As with most fun things, women experience incontinence twice as often as men, most often caused by pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, and the structure of the female urinary tract. Talk to your doctor about surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
V is for Varicose Veins:
And spider veins, too.
W is for Whooping Cough:
If you think only kids should get vaccinated against whooping cough, think again. Because whooping cough seems to be making a comeback (from 1,000 reported cases in 1976 to 19,000 cases in 2004), and because adults are getting it too, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new vaccine for a single booster immunization for people ages 11-64. It may be worth a look, according to the Centers for Disease Control, because adults often get the ?cough? without the ?whoop.? Consequently, it often goes undiagnosed and can last as long as three months.
X is for Xerostomia:
If you know what xerostomia is, chances are it?s because you have been diagnosed as having dry mouth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, symptoms of dry mouth include a sticky, dry feeling or a burning feeling in the mouth; cracked lips; a dry, rough tongue; and mouth sores. Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging, so if think you have a problem, don?t delay seeing a doctor. Dry mouth can cause difficulties in chewing and speaking and can increase the risk of dental decay and other infections.
Y is for Yoga:
What?s not to like about yoga? Yoga apparel ? cropped pants, strappy tops and T-shirts made from natural fibers ? is adorable and can be worn even when not practicing yoga. Yoga is appropriate for anyone of any age or fitness level, and produces bodies that are toned, long and lean. It?s best learned from a certified yoga instructor, but two good videos include ?Yoga Weight Loss for Dummies? and ?Beat Fatigue with Yoga? with Sue Delf and Fiona Agombar.
Z is for ZZZZs:
Are you getting at least seven hours of sleep a night? If not, the National Agricultural Safety Database suggests you?re more prone to car accidents, work accidents and decreased productivity. Over time, your social relationships suffer because you?re so crabby. According to Oprah?s favorite doctor, Mehmet C. Oz, a good night?s sleep has a profound effect on your brain and heart. One common sense suggestion for getting more sleep: Use your bedroom for only sleep and sex, and remove TVs or work-related materials.
Source: Lansing State Journal
