You don’t need to when you need expert care, so prepare yourself beforehand. The first step you can take is learning about the issues at an early stage. This guide will cover the 9 health issues that every woman must learn about and report to the healthcare professional the time they start getting the symptoms or signs.
We all know that the health needs of men and women are different. Let us understand in this guide. Women need to pay special attention to these issues:
Heart Disease
Some signs that might reflect you have a heart issue are chest pain, shortness of breath and weakness in the arms. Some risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and stress..
Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle through diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, nausea, and pain in the neck, jaw, or back.
Stroke
Stroke in women shares common symptoms with men, such as face drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty, but women are also more likely to experience other signs like general weakness, sudden nausea, confusion, or fainting.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if any of these symptoms occur. Early intervention can improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Pregnancy-related issues, certain hormonal therapies, and conditions like high blood pressure are risk factors for women.
Diabetes
Diabetes in women shares common symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue, but also has specific complications, including a higher risk of heart disease and certain infections.
Women may also experience sexual health issues like vaginal dryness and have hormonal fluctuations during their menstrual cycle that can impact blood glucose levels. Symptoms can also include blurry vision and slow-healing sores.
Maternal Health Issues
Maternal health issues include severe bleeding, infections, high blood pressure, and complications from delivery. Other issues include anaemia, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Many of these issues are preventable with timely expert intervention. It is better to consult a provider as soon as you can, before complications become severe.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
UTI in women is an infection that typically occurs when bacteria enter the urethra and travel to the bladder, with common symptoms including a strong urge to urinate, a burning sensation during urination, cloudy or bloody urine, and pelvic pain.
Women are more prone to UTIs due to their shorter urethras, and risk factors include sexual activity, certain birth control methods, and menopause. Treatment involves antibiotics, and severe cases, especially those with fever or back pain, may indicate a kidney infection and require prompt medical attention.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
HPV in women is a common viral infection, mostly spread through sexual contact, which can cause genital warts or, with persistent high-risk strains, lead to various cancers, particularly cervical cancer. Most infections clear on their own, but regular screenings like Pap tests and HPV tests are crucial for detecting precancerous changes and for prevention, along with the HPV vaccine.
Breast Cancer
It is the most common cancer in women. Symptoms can include a new lump or swelling, changes in breast shape, nipple discharge, and skin changes like dimpling, puckering, redness, or thickening.
Risk factors include increasing age, family history, certain genetic mutations, obesity, and lifestyle factors like alcohol and tobacco use. Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Osteoporosis
It is a bone disease where bones become thinner and weaker, affecting more women than men, particularly after menopause due to lower estrogen levels.
Other risk factors include insufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D, a sedentary lifestyle, certain medications, and genetics. The condition is often asymptomatic until a fracture occurs, commonly in the hip, spine, or wrist, which can lead to serious health consequences. Diagnosis involves a bone mineral density (BMD) test, and prevention includes adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, regular weight-bearing and resistance exercises.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
It is one of the most common issues in women. It is a condition where the ovaries develop many small fluid-filled sacs called cysts. These cysts can prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs regularly, leading to irregular periods and other symptoms.
It can be treated with certain lifestyle changes and dietary changes. Regular exercise can help you manage symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Do you know how you can effectively deal with a disease? Getting to know about it. Learn about the diseases that are common for men or women. Learn symptoms and treatment. If you are confused about the signs or unable to understand the symptoms, consult a specialist as soon as you can.
Consult the Women’s Health Clinic near me for a better view of your health condition. If you are facing any symptoms or seeing a health decline, it is better to consult a specialist.
