Thousands of women die each year as a result of heart attacks. Unfortunately, most people do not know that the symptoms of a heart attack in women differ greatly than the symptoms of a heart attack in men. There are even many healthcare workers who are not aware of the different signs to look for in women. The typical symptoms of a heart attack in men are usually dull pain in their left arm that radiates up to their chest.
In women, symptoms can be much different. Signs of an occurring or impending heart attack include chest pain or a dull aching pain in the back, breathlessness upon waking, cold and clammy sweating, unexplained dizziness or lightheadedness, mental anxiety or a feeling of impending doom, fluid retention (usually in the ankles and lower legs), fluttering heart beats, rapid heart beats and/or palpitations, nausea or other gastric issues, and a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the chest or between the breasts
If any of the above symptoms are noted and/or accompanied by extreme, unexplained fatigue or tiredness, medical attention should be sought immediately. If the symptoms of a heart attack are caught early enough it could be the difference between life and death. When it comes to matters involving the heart, it is much better to be safe than sorry. Unfortunately, many women who experience the above symptoms will ignore them, or chalk them up to being something minor, therefore failing to receive medical assistance in a timely manner.
In the US, heart disease has beaten breast cancer as being the leading cause of death among women. In fact, heart disease claims the life of more women each year than all of the strains of cancer, combined. Sadly, only about 10% of all women are even aware of the dangers of heart disease and what they can do to help prevent it. The good news is that heart disease can be prevented and doing so is quite simple.
The first and most important step a woman can take in preventing heart disease is to quit smoking! Smoking remains the number one reported cause of illnesses associated with the heart, such as heart attacks, high blood pressure, and tachycardia. Lack of exercise is another one of the main culprits in contributing to heart disease. A woman should get a minimum of 30 minutes per day of cardio vascular exercise. With this being said, an exercise regime should be introduced slowly in women who have lead a sedentary lifestyle, and any exercise program should be cleared with her doctor prior to beginning it.
Eating a healthy diet, that is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, and drinking plenty of water, in addition to getting the proper amount of rest can significantly decrease the chances of developing heart disease, in women. Alcohol, when used in moderation is fine; however, excessive use can be dangerous and lead to all sorts of health issues, as well as heart disease. For this reason alcohol intake should be limited.
The urinary tract is a filtering system within the body which aids in removing liquids. Women have a much shorter urinary tract than men, therefore, it is more common for harmful bacteria to develop and multiply in a woman’s urinary tract, resulting in an infection.
About half of all women will experience a urinary tract infection, also called a UTI, at some point in their life. In fact, urinary tract infections that are recurring are believed to be one of the number one reported complains regarding women’s sexual health issues. It is important to understand to possible causes, symptoms, treatments, as well as preventative measures that can be taken to avoid urinary tract infections.
Fortunately, most urinary tract infections are not serious and can be treated quite easily; however, they can be quite painful as well as annoying. Some women are more apt to have UTIs that are recurring than others, and the reason for this remains unknown. Typically a regime of antibiotics will clear up a UTI, but the best method in dealing with urinary tract infections is by preventing them from occurring in the first place.
Drinking plenty of water each day will help maintain a proper ph in the urine. Also, If taking a bath, it is best to be sure the bathtub has been properly sanitized. An even better suggestion is to forego baths entirely and take showers. In addition, women should always remember to wipe from front to back as bacteria found in the anal region can be transmitted to a women’s vaginal area. It is also important that women clean their genital area well, both before and after sexual intercourse to prevent any bacteria from entering the body is this way. In short, proper hygiene and keeping the body clean has been noted as being the best possible way to prevent UTIs.
Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease which leads to bone loss and typically strikes women sometime during their middle age. There have been many things identified as possible causes for the onset of osteoporosis, including excessive use of tobacco, alcohol, and other toxins. In addition, scientists have recently found a link between consumption of carbonated soft drinks and this disease. While there is no cure for Osteoporosis, there are certain things women can do to help decrease their risk of developing it. Often, certain women may be genetically inclined to have osteoporosis, however, following some of the following tips may help minimize the severity of the illness or even assist in reversing any bone loss which has already occurred.
Studies suggest that limiting the amount of alcoholic beverages a woman consumes to no more than one glass of red wine daily, as well as quitting smoking, can help prevent Osteoporosis. In addition, a weight lifting program to help maintain strong muscles and joints can help keep bones strong. Unfortunately, a lot of women do not get enough calcium and vitamin D in their diets, this can lead to bones loss as calcium is needed to aid bone strength, and vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Adding a supplement daily can help ensure the proper amounts of these vitamins are being received. It is also recommended that women limit the amount of soda they drink and try switching to healthier alternatives such as juice, water, and milk. These are just some of the things women can do to help prevent this terrible disease and keep their bones strong. An overall healthy lifestyle is the most important thing a woman can do to maintain a healthy body and strong bones.
