Health Tips in Honor of National Women’s Health Week
Every year kicking off after Mother’s Day, National Women’s Week is observed, according to the CDC to serve as a “reminder to omen to take care of themselves, and to make their health a priority.” In honor of National Women’s Health Week, Fellowship Square offers some tips for women to maintain and improve their overall health — at any age.
The Office on Women’s Health website provides a great depth of information on women’s health at any age from women in their 20s to their 90s! For seniors, the site recommends women age 60 eat healthfully to reach a maintain a healthy weight, get 30 minutes of physical activity daily (including both aerobic and strength-building exercises) and getting ample sleep — between seven and eight hours per night.
The site also suggests making an annual well woman appointment that includes a full check-up, discussion of any needed shots, screenings or tests, consult regarding a healthy lifestyle and any concerns of high risk for specific health conditions. Women should also use these appointments to focus on preventative care and discuss other items with their doctor including weight, diet and physical activity level, tobacco, alcohol or drug use, depression or other mental health concerns and who will handle health care decisions for them as they age and are unable to themselves. Also on their 65th birthday, women can sign up for Medicare health coverage, which can mitigate or even eliminate medical costs.
It’s also important to recognize that women are at risk for specific diseases, and therefore need to manage their health to prevent and avoid certain threats to live a longer and healthier life. According to the Mayo Clinic (and based on statistic from the CDC, the “top causes of death among adult women in the U.S include heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and injuries.”
Certain chronic conditions can be controlled by early detection, so women at risk for certain health problems like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, should speak with their doctor about a treatment plan. If not managed properly, these issues can increase a woman’s risk of heart disease or stroke.
In addition to the tips noted above — maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and getting ample sleep, the Mayo Clinic suggests women limit alcohol, quit smoking and manage their stress levels. Because women are more susceptible than men to lung damage from inhaled smoke and pollutants, they are “at increased risk of illness and even death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”
Taking small steps every day toward a healthier lifestyle can make big strides in the overall wellbeing of women as they age. Fellowship Square suggests women maintain regular check-ups with their doctors and encourages them to make an appointment right away if they notice changes in their health.
