The most common health risks in women

Heart disease: Many people still think that breast cancer is the leading cause of threat to women's health, but in fact, heart disease causes more than twice the number of deaths due to different types of cancer. most serious health for American women.

(Photo: volunteermedical)

There are many ways to reduce the risk of heart disease: not smoking, eating more fruits and vegetables, cereal products, exercise, controlling blood pressure and stress, reducing high-fat foods and cholesterol, keeping them from rising. weight and moderate weight (body mass index below 25). If you are at high risk of heart disease, your body needs to take aspirin 325mg daily.

Cancer: The most common cause of lung cancer death is related to smoking among women. Breast cancer ranks second only to the cause of cancer deaths (in the US).

Direct-colon cancer ranks third.

About one-third of all deaths from nutrition-related cancer or lifestyle problems are conditions that can be changed because anyone can quit smoking or chew tobacco; exercise regularly; eat lots of vegetables; avoid exposure to sunlight; alcohol restriction; periodic checks for early detection of cancer; Learn about the family's medical history.

Stroke: among stroke patients, 2 thirds are women. Stroke is not only the third leading cause of death for women, but also a major cause of disability. About 80% of all strokes are caused by atherosclerosis (a clot of fat in the blood vessel). High blood pressure, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, high fat and cholesterol diets contribute to atherosclerosis and stroke, so lifestyle changes can help reduce risk.

Although stroke is a highly preventable disease, some risk factors cannot be controlled such as family history, age, gender and race. If you are at high risk of stroke, you need to control your blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce fat intake, and exercise regularly and may need to take small doses of aspirrin daily.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: is a general term including a group of chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema and many other lung diseases. The main cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is smoking and is closely related to lung cancer, the number one cause of death in women.

Women who smoke are more likely to die from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 10 times than non-smokers. The quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also decreases with the progression of the disease; shortness of breath and decreased ability to exercise physically, it may only be possible with respiratory support at some point. To reduce the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the easiest way is not to smoke.

Pneumonia and influenza: these two diseases, combined, do not rank fifth in women deaths, especially with other chronic diseases that threaten life. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart disease, diabetes or other diseases that weaken the immune system are at high risk. Since both pneumonia and influenza affect the lungs, it is even more dangerous to smoke.

The risk of these two diseases can be reduced if immunized. Once a year, a flu shot can be effective in preventing up to 90% of adults. Vaccines against pneumococcal infection can reduce the risk of pneumonia by up to 80%, so want to stay healthy, attention should be paid to vaccination.

Diabetes: is a chronic disease that cannot be completely cured, many people only recognize this when there are life-threatening complications. As the disease progresses, it can cause blindness, serious damage to the kidneys, nerves and 2-4 times more heart disease and stroke. If parents have diabetes in adulthood, up to 50% of children also get sick; The rate of diabetes also increased in obese people.

The most common form of disease is type II diabetes (inadequate excretion or inadequate use of insulin, insensitive insulin cells), common in people over 40 years of age, possible lifestyle changes reduces the risk of diabetes: not being overweight - eating sensibly - regularly moving.

Accidents and complications: women with traffic accidents account for about 50% of the total deaths due to accidents in women; prevent by wearing a helmet when riding a motorbike or securing a safety belt when riding a car or not launching at a high speed. Nowadays, the number of women working on construction sites is increasing, so the number of labor accidents also increases.

DAO XUAN DUNG